If you've ever felt overwhelmed by debt, confused about budgeting, or unsure how to honor God with your finances, Crown Financial Ministries has been helping believers navigate exactly that for nearly 50 years.^1 Founded in 1976 by the late Larry Burkett and co-founded with Howard Dayton, Crown is one of the most established Christian financial literacy organizations in the world, now led by CEO Chuck Bentley.^2
Crown's approach centers on biblical stewardship — the idea that everything we have belongs to God, and our role is to manage it faithfully. Their flagship tool, the Money Map, is a free step-by-step visual guide that walks you through saving, creating a budget, eliminating debt, and building toward generosity and financial freedom.^3 Beyond the Money Map, Crown offers one-on-one Budget Coaching with trained volunteer coaches, online courses through Crown Online, the Career Direct assessment for discovering your vocational calling, YES! (Your Extraordinary Self) — a newer assessment for 12- to 16-year-olds exploring personality, interests, skills, and priorities — and the "Ask Chuck" column where CEO Chuck Bentley answers real financial questions.^1
Crown's reach extends far beyond the U.S. — their African Money Map, Restoration Path program, and 200+ alliance, collaborator, and stewardship-center partnerships across more than 140 countries (with resources in 78 languages) train community leaders to teach biblical financial principles in their own communities.^5 In 2025, the Church of Uganda signed a five-year partnership with Crown and Life International to bring sustainable livelihood training to congregations across the country, and in 2026 Crown held a Money Map training in Costa Rica in collaboration with SIFAT, drawing 23 participants from eight nations.^6 That same year, Managing Director of Crown Solutions Spanish Frank González led a Madrid training for about 200 pastors hosted by COMiMA (the Fellowship of Ministries and Pastors of Madrid), sparking what Crown called "a new season of multiplication in Spain."^8 Crown has also partnered with AdelFi Christian Banking to deliver free, biblically-based financial stewardship courses to members across America.^9
In September 2026, Crown will celebrate its 50th anniversary at the Knoxville Convention Center — a milestone gathering of partners, volunteers, and supporters from around the world.^10 Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Crown has been an ECFA member since 1988, holds an "A" Transparency Grade from MinistryWatch, and is rated by Charity Navigator.^11
Why Christians Love It"The mix of practical financial training with deep biblical and spiritual teaching was a game changer for me. It really made me feel that what we were doing was so significant and honoring to the Lord." — Josh, Budget Coaching client^13
"Before Crown, we were doing everything we could to stay afloat, but anxiety, uncertainty, and financial pressure consumed us. Now we feel more content and better distinguish between needs and wants, acknowledging that He provides everything we need." — Ben & Sada, Crown participants^1
"Last year, after attending the Crown training (in Malawi), I went home and applied what I learned. I planted maize (corn). In the past, I could harvest 6 bags from one acre. However, this year, I harvested 38 bags!" — Bizwick, African Money Map participant, Malawi^1
Notable- Founded in 1976 by the late Larry Burkett; co-founded with Howard Dayton in 2000; Dave Ramsey credits Burkett as a personal mentor^2
- Led by CEO Chuck Bentley since 2007, who hosts Crown's daily radio broadcasts and the "Ask Chuck" financial column^14
- Celebrating 50 years of ministry with a convention at the Knoxville Convention Center, September 10–12, 2026; registration opened to all at a reduced rate^10
- ECFA member since 1988 with an "A" Transparency Grade from MinistryWatch; rated Three Stars by Charity Navigator (FY2025)^11
- 200+ alliance, collaborator, and stewardship-center partners across 140+ countries and 78 languages; global programs include the African Money Map, I Was Hungry (farming stewardship), and Restoration Path (anti-poverty)^5
- Money Map training in Costa Rica (May 2026) with SIFAT drew participants from Honduras, Guatemala, Bolivia, Angola, the Philippines, Ghana, the United States, and Costa Rica^7
- Madrid training (2026) hosted by COMiMA brought together approximately 200 pastors and leaders under Frank González, Managing Director of Crown Solutions Spanish^8
- Partnered with God Behind Bars through the Pando App to bring financial education to incarcerated individuals (launched January 2026)^15
- Church of Uganda partnership (2025) bringing sustainable livelihood training to congregations nationwide^6
- AdelFi Christian Banking partnership delivering free biblically-based stewardship courses to member families^9
- YES! (Your Extraordinary Self) assessment launched for teens aged 12–16 at yes.crown.org^4
- Crown explicitly teaches that "the prosperity gospel is heresy and so is the poverty gospel," anchoring its teaching against both health-and-wealth and ascetic distortions^16
