Christianity Today, one of America’s leading evangelical publications, received $1.8 million in federal grants through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2023, according to recently released IRS documents.
The disclosure has sparked intense debate about the relationship between media organizations and government funding, while raising questions about editorial independence in faith-based journalism.
The magazine’s 2023 IRS Form 990 shows a significant increase in government funding compared to 2022, when the publication reported receiving no federal grants.
This revelation came to light through reporting by journalist Megan Basham, author of “Shepherds for Sale,” who had previously investigated the intersection of religious media and government funding.
The stark contrast between zero funding in 2022 and $1.8 million in 2023 has drawn particular scrutiny from media observers and religious leaders alike.
Not the Bee’s Mik Olson highlighted that the substantial grant has attracted attention from various religious and media observers, with some questioning the timing and purpose of the funding.
The disclosure has generated particular interest given Christianity Today’s role as an influential voice in evangelical Christian circles, where discussions about government involvement in religious institutions often prove contentious.
“Interesting to me that Christianity Today, which worries a lot about Christianity’s relationship with the government, takes the feds’ cash,” one social media user quipped.
“Hillsdale College, which does not hyperventilate about the aforementioned subject, does not take federal money.”
Multiple commentators on social media, including religious leaders and journalists, have weighed in on the matter.
“The revelations about taxpayer dollars going to Russell Moore’s Christianity Today Magazine and St. Louis’s Revoice Conference (not to mention other recipients) suggests that America does have a real Christian Nationalism problem, and it’s on the political Left,” said one X user.
Christianity Today, founded in 1956, has not yet provided detailed information about the specific purpose or programs associated with the USAID grant funding.
Resist the Mainstream previously outlined that USAID, as a federal agency, typically provides grants for international development projects, humanitarian assistance and various educational and cultural initiatives. Therefore, the specific parameters of the grant to Christianity Today remain unclear at this time.
Independent media experts have noted that the timing and size of the grant warrant further investigation, particularly given the publication’s influence within the evangelical community.
Questions remain about whether the funding might affect the publication’s editorial decisions or coverage priorities, though no evidence has emerged to suggest any direct influence.
In the wake of the news, one X user garnered significant attention on the platform for stating “evangelicals should want Christianity Today to succeed.”
He acknowledged, however, that “the newsroom tilts only one direction” and “the grant money tilts only one direction.”
“It publishes voluminously on #ChurchToo while walking on tiptoes around gender ideology,” he further noted.
Editor-in-Chief of Clear Truth Jamie Bambrick responded by posting, “I want Christianity Today to fail, actually.”
Another person then commented, “T formerly known as CT needs to either put add the C back in CT communicating true C values or else… just add a P (progressive) to the T and come out the closet as the flaming PT they appear to B.”
