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CHRISTIAN HOPE INDIAN ESKIMO FELLOWSHIP
PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 510168112 · Form 990 · FY2021 · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.chief.org
revenue
$376K
expenses
$424K
net assets
$806K
employees
3
program ratio
77%
mission · from form 990

ORGANIZATION FORMED TO AID AND PROMOTE AMONG NATIVE AMERICANS STRONG EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP. A TRAINED LAY LEADERSHIP, INCREASING EDUCATIONAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND PRIDE IN INDIAN AND ESKIMO IDENTITY, NATIVE ABILITIES AND LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL; TO SEEK TO MAXIMIZE THE EFFORTS OF BOTH ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS CONCERNED WITH AND HELPING TO FULFILL THE SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL ASPIRATIONS OF NATIVE AMERICANS

profile · synthesized from sources

CHRISTIAN HOPE INDIAN ESKIMO FELLOWSHIP (CHIEF) is a Christian ministry dedicated to evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development among Native American and First Nations communities. For 50 years, CHIEF has focused on transforming lives and communities through spiritual guidance and community impact across the Americas.

named programs · 8 · from sources

what they call their work

BUILD: Biblical, United, Indigenous, Leadership, Development
A partnership with Center for Indian Ministries focused on developing Native Christian leadership.
CHIEF Prayer Circle
An initiative encouraging daily prayer for the ministry's heartbeat and specific needs of Native First Nations.
Community Impact
Initiatives aimed at transforming indigenous communities through Christian principles.
Discipleship/Leadership Development
Training and mentoring indigenous believers to become Christian leaders.
Evangelism
Spreading the Christian gospel to indigenous people groups.
Ministry Alliances
Collaboration with other organizations to achieve greater impact in Native ministry.
Ministry Events
Includes conferences, leadership training, and vision trips.
Native Christian Leadership Forum
An event designed to encourage, equip, and empower Native Christian leaders.
activities · 2 groups

what they do

  • Indigenous and Hispanic Evangelism & Discipleship 11 activities
    • Conducting evangelism and discipleship ministry among Native communities
      Engages in core ministry activities including evangelism, discipleship, mentorship training, and practical ministry of helps within Native American and First Nations communities.
    • Conducting evangelism and discipleship ministry among Native communities
      Engages in ongoing evangelism, discipleship, mentorship training, and ministry of helps among Native American and First Nations communities, a core focus of its work for 50 years.
    • Conducting evangelism and discipleship ministry among Native communities
      Engages in core ministry activities including evangelism, discipleship, mentorship training, and ministry of helps targeted toward Native American and First Nations communities.
    • Evangelism and Discipleship for Native Americans
      Reaches Native Americans and First Nations communities with the gospel of Christ through evangelism, discipleship, and mentorship training, including organizing large gatherings and conferences for worship and Christian leadership development.
    • Hosting Christian leadership conferences for Native communities
      Hosts the Native Peoples Christian Leaders Conference, which convened over 125 Christian leaders from 14 U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and 24 tribes in Rapid City, South Dakota.
    • Hosting Christian leadership conferences for Native communities
      Hosts the Native Peoples Christian Leaders Conference, which convenes over 125 Christian leaders from 14 U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and 24 tribes in Rapid City, South Dakota.
    • Hosting leadership conferences for Native Christian leaders
      Hosts the Native Peoples Christian Leaders Conference, which convened over 125 Christian leaders from 14 U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and 24 tribes in Rapid City, South Dakota.
    • Hosting major anniversary and celebration events
      Hosted a 50th-anniversary celebration in March 2025, featuring guest speaker Will Graham, marking five decades of ministry to Native American and First Nations communities.
    • Hosting major anniversary and outreach events with prominent Christian figures
      Hosted evangelist Will Graham at its 50th Anniversary Celebration in March 2025, marking five decades of ministry to Native American and First Nations communities.
    • Organizing large-scale gatherings for Native Christian men
      Organizes major gatherings of Native Christian men for worship and reconciliation, including an event that brought together over 5,000 participants from across the United States.
    • Organizing large-scale gatherings for Native Christian men
      Organizes large gatherings of Native Christian men for worship and reconciliation, including an event that brought together over 5,000 participants from across the United States.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Leadership outreach and speaking engagements
      Huron Claus, President/CEO, regularly travels to speak at churches, conferences, and special events to minister to Native peoples, including a presentation at Edman Memorial Chapel of Wheaton College on October 1, 2025.
    • Leadership outreach and speaking engagements
      Huron Claus, President/CEO, regularly travels to speak at churches, conferences, and special events, including notable appearances at Wheaton College and CHIEF’s 50th anniversary celebration featuring Will Graham.
    • Leadership representation and speaking engagements
      Huron Claus, President/CEO, regularly speaks at churches, conferences, and special events across the country, including at Wheaton College’s Edman Memorial Chapel on October 1, 2025, and at CHIEF’s 50th Anniversary Celebration featuring Will Graham.
    • Providing spiritual leadership through speaking engagements
      Huron Claus, President/CEO, regularly ministers by speaking at churches, conferences, and special events, including at Edman Memorial Chapel at Wheaton College on October 1, 2025.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$376K
Contributions & grants$370K99%
Program service revenue$3K1%
Investment income$440%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$424K
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead23%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$170K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$809K
Cash$255K
Investments$32K
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$806K
Liquid reserves8.2 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue -26.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
HURON CLAUS PRESIDENT 40 $101K
board members · 9
  • ARLAN MELENDEZ — TRUSTEE, CHAIRMAN
  • DARON BUTLER — TRUSTEE
  • DON DAVIS — TRUSTEE
  • EDWARD SKIP AST — TRUSTEE
  • JOHN MARACLE — TRUSTEE
  • JOSEPH TUERFF — TRUSTEE, SECRETARY
  • JULIAN GUNN — TRUSTEE
  • KEVIN PERKINS — TRUSTEE, TREASURER
  • SHAUN WHITEY — TRUSTEE
relationships · 17

who they work with

  • Billy Graham Partner — Founded in 1975 at his request.
  • Billy Graham Partner — The ministry was started by Tom Claus with the encouragement and guidance of Dr. Billy Graham.
  • CHIEF, Inc. Partner — Primary operating name and organizational entity for Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship.
  • Center for Indian Ministries Partner — Collaborates with CHIEF on the BUILD leadership development program.
  • Center for Indian Ministries Partner — Partners on the BUILD (Biblical, United, Indigenous, Leadership, Development) program.
  • Chris Fabry Live Show Partner — Huron Claus, President of CHIEF, was featured on the show to discuss 50 years of CHIEF's ministry.
  • Harvest Bible Chapel Partner — Had a conversation with Dr. Michael Vanlaningham, Director of Research at Harvest Bible Chapel.
  • Judson University Partner — Hosted Huron Claus for Founders’ Day and community events, supporting outreach in indigenous ministry.
  • Moody Bible Institute Partner — Had a conversation with Dr. Michael Vanlaningham, a former Professor of the Bible at Moody Bible Institute.
  • Moody Radio Partner — Huron Claus was featured on Chris Fabry Live Show.
  • Moody Radio Partner — Huron Claus, President of CHIEF, was featured on the Chris Fabry Live Show.
  • Native First Nations Partner — Collaborates with Native First Nations to support prayer and community initiatives.
  • North Chapel Partner — Partner church in Fountain Hills, AZ, collaborating in ministry to Native peoples through speaking engagements.
  • Rehobeth Christian School Partner — Huron Claus interviewed Kevin Ruthven, a teacher at Rehobeth Christian School.
  • Sacred Road Ministries Partner — Recommended by CHIEF for volunteer opportunities among the Yakima of Washington and the Warm Springs, OR area.
  • Tribal Rescue Ministries Partner — Had a conversation with Craig S. Smith, President of Tribal Rescue Ministries.
  • Wheaton College Partner — Huron Claus spoke at Edman Memorial Chapel.