Ripples from the Well Inc
EIN: 85-0578258
as of November 2025
as of November 14, 2025
Mission
To equip the Church to care for vulnerable children and cultivate self-sufficient communities that make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Ruling year
2020
Principal Officer
Gerald Heiderscheit
Main address
1125 E 4th Ave STE 10
Hutchinson, KS 67501-7046 USA
EIN
85-0578258
International development
Evangelicalism
Youth development
Sustainable development
Child development
Population served
Children
Preteens
Adolescents
Children and youth
Economically disadvantaged people
NTEE code
International Relief (Q33)
IRS subsection
501(c)(3) Public Charity
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Tax forms
Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
As in many developing regions, Uganda has a distinctly youthful population, a demographic that battles the relentless cycle of brokenness and poverty. This broken cycle stems from the noticeable absence of role models and effective leadership and means that a significant segment, primarily Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs), are left without the foundation of quality education and the skills and opportunities for sustainable income. This scarcity of essential tools and security often leads to desperation, manifesting in things such as theft, violence, prostitution, substance abuse, further deepening the cycle, and failing to create the leaders and change agents they need.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Ripples Child Development Program
Ripples from the Well's Child Development program is dedicated to building stable, self-sufficient futures for vulnerable children who join our program. We collaborate with partner schools to provide education, work and ensure the holistic needs of these children are met, and impart essential skills, empowering them to be future change-makers in their communities. Upon entering our program, children engage in various activities at our children's center, overseen by our teams specializing in social work, education, faith, music, and sports. These dedicated staff members and volunteers nurture our children in their respective areas, offering services ranging from counseling and spiritual guidance to the promotion of cultural arts. Our ultimate aim is to equip these children with the necessary skills and knowledge to break the cycle of poverty, fostering self-reliance so that they no do not become dependent on organizations like ours.
Where we work
-
Uganda
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of Children Sponsored in Ripples from the Well's Child Development Program
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Ripples Child Development Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
While all children officially admitted to our program receive general education and support, sponsored children are specifically supported by individuals., and is the metric we measure our growth by.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
At the core of our mission is the objective to shatter this cycle of poverty through quality education and the promotion of self-sufficiency. By investing in communities, empowering kids with education, and imparting sustainable skills, we envision a future where these communities not only rise above their challenges but also thrive autonomously becoming the future change agents they needed, and not becoming depended on external support or organizations like ours. Through our Child Development Program, Self-Sufficiency Program, and other supporting aspects such as social workers, counselors, and our faith team, we aim to empower local, sustainable change, and share the love of Jesus Christ.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Ripples from the Well is focused on solving these challenges thorough empowerment. Having the change start in the local communities and not directly from our own external influence. We do this by providing avenues for support and education, empowering family units in a dignified way though our self-sufficiency development program, and partnering with local native programs teaching skills the kids in our program need to become self-sufficient.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Financials
Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2024 info
0.00
Months of cash in 2024 info
3.5
Fringe rate in 2024 info
0%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
Financial data
Ripples from the Well Inc
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.
Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
This snapshot of Ripples from the Well Inc’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.
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Business model indicators
| Profitability info | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | $6,454 | $64,874 |
| As % of expenses | 2.3% | 21.1% |
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | $6,454 | $64,874 |
| As % of expenses | 2.3% | 21.1% |
| Revenue composition info | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $286,946 | $372,120 |
| Total revenue, % change over prior year | 0.0% | 29.7% |
| Program services revenue | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Membership dues | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Investment income | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Government grants | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| All other grants and contributions | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Other revenue | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Expense composition info | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total expenses before depreciation | $280,492 | $307,246 |
| Total expenses, % change over prior year | 0.0% | 9.5% |
| Personnel | 10.3% | 6.6% |
| Professional fees | 0.4% | 0.0% |
| Occupancy | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Pass-through | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| All other expenses | 89.2% | 93.4% |
| Full cost components (estimated) info | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Total expenses (after depreciation) | $280,492 | $307,246 |
| One month of savings | $23,374 | $25,604 |
| Debt principal payment | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed asset additions | $0 | $0 |
| Total full costs (estimated) | $303,866 | $332,850 |
Capital structure indicators
| Liquidity info | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Months of cash | 1.1 | 3.5 |
| Months of cash and investments | 1.1 | 3.5 |
| Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 1.1 | 3.5 |
| Balance sheet composition info | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | $25,808 | $90,682 |
| Investments | $0 | $0 |
| Receivables | $0 | $0 |
| Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $0 | $0 |
| Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Unrestricted net assets | $25,808 | $90,682 |
| Temporarily restricted net assets | N/A | N/A |
| Permanently restricted net assets | N/A | N/A |
| Total restricted net assets | $0 | $0 |
| Total net assets | $25,808 | $90,682 |
Key data checks
| Key data checks info | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Material data errors | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
Principal Officer
Gerald Heiderscheit
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
Ripples from the Well Inc
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.
Ripples from the Well Inc
Board of directorsas of 4/23/2025
Board of directors data
Luke Thompson
Andrea Hershberger
Andrea Hershberger
Camille Barnett
Camille Barnett Director
Cavin Lambert
Cavin Lambert Director
Gabriel Knechtel
Gabriel Knechtel Director
Jana Durham
Jana Durham
Joni Heiderscheit Secretary
Joni Heiderscheit
Luke Thompson
Luke Thompson
Malaena Bauman
Malaena Bauman
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
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