Skip to content

Where Does $100 to Susan G Komen Go?

When most people think of Susan G Komen and pink ribbons, they think of the organization that works to reduce breast cancer deaths by raising money to fund research and community-based educational, medical, financial, and psychosocial support services for those facing a breast cancer diagnosis.  However, there are actually two Susan G Komen organizations:

Read more

Why The Big Picture Matters

Several years ago I started making donations to sanctuaries specializing in the rescue of animals from slaughter houses and abused “homes.”  The stories were heartbreaking and I knew my dollars were primarily going to the veterinary care of the animals, food, shelter, and the selfless staff devoted to taking care of these animals.

When a cow escapes from a slaughter house in Brooklyn, I cheer for the cow (and curse the people chasing the petrified animal) and often send a donation to the kind person who rescued the terrified animal.  So, before I go further, I want to unequivocally say these charities deserve our support because they spotlight the abuse and horrific way people treat most animals. They make us think twice about our choices.

Read more

Top 10 Executives (MEN) at the NRA Made $10.6 Million

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (4) organization that fights tirelessly for our second amendment rights. Whether or not you believe the second amendment refers to “militia” or “the people” has always been controversial but is even more so in the wake of the near daily occurrence of mass shootings in this country. People are speaking out for gun control because quite frankly, there are too many guns and assault weapons in the hands of the wrong people.

Read more

Where does $100 to St. Jude’s Go?

St. Jude’s is one of the most popular non-profit organizations in the country because the charity’s mission appeals to donors:  they treat and help children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. But, before making donations, donors should understand that St. Jude’s is actually two organizations:

  • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. (Hospital)
  • ALSAC – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. (ALSAC)
Read more

Who To Trust For Nutrition Advice?

Lifestyle choices are one of three aspects (the others being genetics and the environment) that greatly affect our health. We can’t pick our parents and environmental factors are not wholly within our control but we can focus on lifestyle choices that affect our health so who do we turn to for advice?

Everyone has an opinion about diet and nutrition which makes the amount of information to sift through a monumental and often overwhelming task that typically leads to confusion – which is just what the industries who are threatened by the power of nutrition want.

Read more

Featured Articles

Recent Articles

27
Jan

Where Does $100 to the American Heart Association Go (2020)?

The American Heart Association (AHA) is one of the most popular and recognized non-profits in the United States with enormous public support but the past few years (2018-2019 and 2019-2020) were not great years for the organization.  Total revenue reported was down 12% in 2019 to $746 million (compared to $852 million the prior year) and down 6% to $700 million in 2019-2020.   That the AHA has nearly $900 million in their net fund balance is also noteworthy.

By most accounts, this organization is a magnet for public contributions and an expert at raising and saving money.  But, are they accomplishing their mission, which is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke (especially with hundreds of recipes on their website calling for eggs, dairy products, beef, poultry, pork – including bacon, a Type 1 carcinogen according to the World Health Organization, oil, sugar and white flour)? With heart disease the number one cause of death in the United States for decades, one has to wonder if all the contributions to the AHA are really helping to prevent and reverse heart disease? Read more »

25
Jan

Executive Compensation at the National Restaurant Association (2019)

The National Restaurant Association had a windfall of about $170 million in 2018 when they sold the “National Restaurant Association Show” to a unrelated private company Winsight, LLC – an information services company focused on the food and beverage industry. Consideration received included a promissory note (about $150 million) and an equity investment in Winsight, LLC. A sponsorship agreement provides annual royalty payments equal to 2% of the gross revenues of the show for 45 years, beginning in 2019. Read more »

23
Jan

Executive Compensation at the Florida Education Association (FEA) 2020

The Florida Education Association (FEA) is a labor union representing about 150,000 teachers and education employees in Florida. Based in Tallahassee, Florida, FEA is the largest union (measured by members) in the State of Florida and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and the national labor unions: American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association  (NEA), which means that membership in a local union (there are about 100) in Florida ensures membership in the FEA, AFT, and NEA.  However, Florida is a right-to-work state so public education employees are not required to join a union. Read more »

21
Jan

Executive Compensation at the NRA (2020)

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (4) organization or what many people refer to as an membership advocacy organization that fights tirelessly for our second amendment rights and pays their executives very well while also paying for first class or charter travel, travel for companions, health or social club dues or initiation fees, gross up payments and tax indemnification, and provides housing allowances or housing for personal use.

The most recent IRS Form 990 (2020) reports the organization employed 640 individuals (compared to 770  in 2019) who were compensated $38 million, which equates to an average compensation of nearly $60,000. 107 employees (compared to 149 employees in 2019) received more than $100,000 in compensation while the 13 most highly compensated key executives received nearly $8 million in 2020: Read more »

19
Jan

Where Does $100 to the NRA Go (2020)?

When most people think of the NRA they think of the National Rifle Association of America and the second amendment (“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”) but there are seven (7) separate non-profits that comprise the NRA:

  • NRA (National Rifle Association of America):  501 (c)(4)
  • NRA Foundation, Inc.:  501 (c)(3)
  • NRA Freedom Action Foundation:  501 (c)(3)
  • NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund:  501 (c)(3)
  • NRA Special Contribution Fund: 501 (c) (3)
  • NRA Political Victory Fund: PAC Section 527
  • NRA Victory Fund:  PAC Section 527

Read more »

17
Jan

Executive Compensation at Baycare Health System

Baycare Health System is one of the largest healthcare systems in Florida.  Headquartered in Clearwater with 15 hospitals, 18 urgent care centers, 5 surgery centers, 12 imaging facilities, 124 physician practice locations, and 33 walk-in health care facilities in Publix supermarkets throughout Tampa Bay and West Central Florida.

Baycare Health System consists of dozens of other organizations (i.e. tax-exempt organizations, taxable partnerships, corporations, and trusts), who pay a “management fee” to a tax-exempt, non-profit entity called “Baycare Health Systems, Inc” BHSI that manages the whole system.  This post reports the executive compensation of BHSI only (see the other Form 990’s for executive compensation of other related/affiliated entities). Read more »

15
Jan

How Revenue is Spent at the Robin Hood Foundation (2020)

The Robin Hood Foundation (RHF) is not a “rob from the rich, give to the poor” organization although RHF is known for having a wealthy Board of Directors who financially support the organization so that donations can be used to help alleviate poverty in New York City. How does RHF do this?  Primarily by providing grants to other non-profits who provide food, shelter and health services along with education so that people can lift themselves out of poverty.

In a sense, RHF is a “United Way” for non-profits in New York City whose focus is on poverty. They solicit grants, screen the organizations, and disburse donations in the form of grants. Unlike United Way, the RHF states “100% of your donation goes directly to our community partners” on the front page of their website (www.robinhood.org) because “Robin Hood’s Board of Directors underwrites all operating costs.” That’s an amazing claim, especially for donors who are interested in their dollars going as far as possible to help alleviate poverty in a city where 1 in 5 people are estimated to live in poverty. Read more »

13
Jan

Executive Compensation at NPR (2020)

NPR (National Public Radio) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization that serves as a national syndicator to about 800 public radio stations through its member stations. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NPR strives to keep the public informed of events, ideas, and cultures through its programming.

In 2020, NPR raised $278 million (compared to $278 million in 2019), primarily from program services  and contributions, gifts, and grants. Expenses totaled $283 million (not including $9 million in depreciation) with the largest expense being compensation. 1,307 employees were compensated $167 million, which equates to an average compensation of $128,000. However, only 618 employees (47% of total employees compared to 38% in 2018) received more than $100,000. Read more »

11
Jan

Executive Compensation at Memorial Hermann Health (Texas)

Memorial Hermann Health System (MHHS) is a Houston-based tax-exempt, non-profit healthcare provider with more than 29,000 employees and 6,000 physicians that serve in 17 hospitals (14 that the organization owns and 3 in which they have joint ventures) and nearly 300 care delivery sites in the Houston, Texas metropolitan area.

MHHS consists of many organizations (non-profits, corporations, trusts, and partnerships) but for the purpose of this post, the executive compensation reported on MHHS – a 501 (c) (3) – is addressed. Read more »

9
Jan

Me and Carl Rove

I never thought I would have anything in common with Carl Rove, a man born on Christmas Day who declared himself a Republican during his teenage years.  It’s not that I have anything against Republicans; I’m actually fiscally conservative and all for personal responsibility (I still don’t understand why Republicans don’t support mandatory health insurance) but Carl Rove was a persona non grata in my book after he allegedly leaked the identity of Valerie Plame as a CIA operative in retaliation against her husband, Joseph Wilson after he wrote an op-ed in the New York Times criticizing the Bush administration and the Iraq War. Read more »

« Older Entries