Fundraising and the Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy raised $914 million (including $627 million in contributions, $130 million in fees and sales, $50 million in investment income and gains, and $102 million in government grants) and spent $796 million (not including depreciation) in the year ending June 30, 2016. With nearly $6 billion in net fund assets – most of which is unrestricted – the Nature Conservancy has successfully raised a lot of revenue and retained a significant portion.
The IRS Form 990 (2015) reflecting the year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016 indicates the Nature Conservancy spent $109 million (or roughly 12% of revenue) on fundraising expenses: Read more 
Where does $100 to Goodwill go?
Goodwill Industries was established in 1902 and is widely known across the country as the place where we all donate clothing and household goods to help others. There are 161 Goodwill Industries agencies and more than 3,200 retail stores in the US and 14 countries that generated $5.7 billion in revenue in 2016.
Goodwill Industries International, Inc is the executive member association organization that provides oversight, support, expertise, and products to local agencies (each is a separate 501 (c) (3) that operates independently and pays membership dues to support Goodwill Industries International, Inc.).
This analysis concerns Goodwill Industries International, Inc. (Goodwill) that oversees all the Goodwill organizations. To see revenue, expenses including executive salaries, assets, liabilities and other public information of local Goodwill organizations, look to the individual IRS Form 990’s of specific Goodwill Industries agencies (i.e. Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina). Read more
Executive Compensation at the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross (ARC) provides a link on their website to the 2016 American Red Cross Tax Form 990 but the link is actually to the 2015 IRS Form 990 that covers the year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016 – a year that was not one of ARC’s better years financially.
First, revenue was down by $100 million from $2.7 billion the year before to $2.6 billion in the most recent year. Second, overall net assets decreased by $600 million from $1.6 billion at the beginning of the year to $1 billion because the organization spent more ($61 million) than they raised, there was an unrealized loss ($146 million) on investments, and because there was a loss ($400 million) in the employee retirement pension and post retirement benefits fund (note: the organization’s largest liability – $1.1 billion – is to pension and post retirement benefits for its employees). Read more
Executive Compensation at the March of Dimes
The March of Dimes has experienced tough times for the past few years. At the beginning of 2014, the March of Dimes had $75 million in net fund assets which was reduced to $24.6 million at year-end after spending $8 million more than they raised, recognizing an unrealized loss ($1.6 million) on investments, and a $41 million pension/post-retirement liability.
In 2015, the deterioration continued when the March of Dimes spent $26.8 million more than they raised and recognized a $3.4 million unrealized loss on investments. A $19 million pension post-retirement credit resulted in the March of Dimes ending 2015 in a positive position with $13.4 million in net fund assets.
But, in 2016, the March of Dimes went into a negative net asset position. Starting with $13.4 million in net fund assets at the beginning of the year, the organization then spent $8.7 million more than they raised. Although the March of Dimes was able to post a $2.8 million unrealized gain on investments, a $20.4 million million change in pension and post retirement benefits resulted in the organization showing a negative asset balance of -$12.9 million at year-end. In other words, for 3 years the March of Dimes spent more than they raised and faced increasing pension and post retirement benefit liabilities for its employees contributing to the organization going into a financial position where their liabilities exceed their assets in 2016. Read more
Where Does $100 to the Nature Conservancy Go?
The Nature Conservancy raises nearly a billion dollars a year and has close to $6 billion in their net fund assets, making the organization one of the most well capitalized non-profits in the country. If you’ve ever wondered how a donation is spent but don’t feel inclined to read the dozens and dozens of pages of the IRS Form 990 (the tax return submitted to the IRS annually), then continue reading. Read more
Executive Compensation at United Way
United Way may refer to a number of charitable organizations throughout the world but in the United States, United Way generally refers to United Way Worldwide (formerly United Way of America) and/or one of the 1,400 offices in 40 countries and territories.
United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for the whole network which includes approximately 1,200 local offices (approximately 85% of the total number of offices) in the United States (including DC, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands). A non-profit 501 (c) (3), United Way Worldwide is required to submit an IRS Form 990 (a tax return that provides details on revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and more) annually, as does each of the local offices. Read more
Executive Salaries at the Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy – a 501 (c) (3) based in Arlington, Virginia – whose mission is “to conserve land and waters on which all life depends” has been around since 1951 and is one of the most popular and wealthy non-profits in the country.
The most recent financial information (the 2015 IRS Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2016) reports the organization raised $914 million and spent $810 million. Although it appears the organization could have added $104 million to their net fund assets, these unspent funds were used to offset unrealized losses on investments. Consequently, the Nature Conservancy’s net fund assets remained virtually unchanged at year-end at $5.9 billion. Read more
Where Does $100 to the Clinton Foundation Go?
The Clinton Foundation – also known as the “Bill, Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton Foundation” (BHCCF) – is based out of Little Rock, Arkansas although there are offices in other locations including New York City. Established in 1997, the organization is a 501 (c) (3) engaged primarily in maintaining and operating the Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, and addressing “the world’s most pressing problems.”
BHCCF is not a large grant provider; nor does the organization specialize in implementing projects. Instead, BHCCF appears to be focused on pubic awareness, establishing partnerships with other organizations, and finding solutions (referred to as initiatives) to a variety of global issues including third world problems, climate change, and health-related issues. Read more
Where Does $100 to Compassion International Go?
Compassion International, Inc. (CI) is a Colorado Springs, Colorado based 501 (c) (3) engaged in Christian ministry to “release children from their economic, social, physical, and spiritual poverty.” With 1,181 employees, CI is one of the largest US charities (although the organization primarily operates internationally) raising $800 million annually and spending most funds on grants to foreign organizations and individuals. Read more
Cars Helping Veterans (Others First, Inc): Donor Beware
A few days ago the postman delivered an envelope called the Money Mailer whose back cover was covered with an advertisement (pictured below) for an organization called Cars Helping Veterans (www.carshelpingveterans.org) – an organization asking for car donations “to help our veterans” along with the statement “Your car donations support purple heart recipients, wounded warriors, homeless veterans, disabled veterans, paralyzed veterans, veterans and their families.” Read more
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