Archived: Adelaide College of Ministries (ACM): mini-charity review

N.B. The following appears on the website of this ministry:

The board of Adelaide College of Ministries have made the difficult decision to close the College at the end of 2016 due to a number of significant factors. The finances have reached a stage where it is impossible to continue without going into debt, the search for a new Principal has been unsuccessful, and student numbers have become dangerously low.

The ministry is still a member of Missions Interlink (‘the Australian network for global mission’), and it intends to continue to pursue its mission:

The continuing mission of ACM is to teach the Word of God by training and equipping leaders for the Kingdom. The ACM board believes that scholarships and assistance in such a way will fulfil the wishes of the many donors and supporters we have had over the years. This Fund will be administered by godly men who have a deep commitment to the foundational principles of ACM. Further details will be available in the days ahead, but we feel confident that this is God’s direction for us.

A review in the series ‘Associate members of Missions Interlink’ is therefore still appropriate.

When sent a draft of this review, they…did not respond.

Is ACM registered?

• Still registered as a charity.
• Still registered as a South Australian incorporated association (A7728).

What does ACM do?

Until the end of 2016 it was a bible college. It is now reorganising as a fund to provide scholarships and assistance to ‘leaders for the Kingdom’ (see the introduction, above).

Do they share the Gospel?

• NA – either in the past or their intended future.

What impact are they having?

• Now irrelevant for the College; no activity yet for the fund.

What do they spend outside the costs directly incurred in delivering the above impact, that is, on administration?

• Now irrelevant for the College; no activity yet for the fund.

Can you get a tax deduction?

• They are not calling for donations at the moment, but if they do, then it won’t be for either of the tax-deductible funds (one for building, the other for the library).

Is their online giving secure?

• NA at the moment.

What choices do you have in how your donation is used?

• NA

Is their reporting up-to-date?

• Yes (six months after year end, the day before the last day).

Does their reporting comply with the regulator’s requirements?

• AIS 2015: Except for the lack of outcomes, yes.
• Financial Report 2015: Yes
  • The audit report is unsigned.
  • There is no related parties’ disclosure.

What financial situation was shown in that Report?

• Past performance is largely irrelevant now, but at 31 December 2015 they had net assets of $3.05 m at going concern values. Land and buildings were $2.75 m of this, with buildings valued at cost and the land ‘at board’s valuation’ (undated).

What did the auditor say about the last financial statements?

• He gave a ‘clean’ opinion^[1].

If a charity, is their page on the ACNC Register complete?

• Almost – ‘Phone’ and ‘Website’ are blank.

Who are the people controlling the organisation?

• From ‘Responsible Persons’ on the ACNC Register:
  • Timon Bengston
  • Leslie Crawford
  • Phillip Dewing
  • Ian Dunn
  • Paul Hoogenraad
  • Colin Hutchens
  • Don Reddin
  • Stephen Selke

To whom is ACM accountable?

• To Missions Interlink, because it’s an Associate member.
• ACM is also accountable to the ACNC, and the South Australian regulator of associations.

1. To take the right amount of comfort from a ‘clean opinion’, please read here and here. ↑