Where Does $100 to Samaritan’s Purse Go (2021)?
Samaritan’s Purse is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) (3) established in 1970 by Bob Pierce who died in 1978. W. Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham) became Chairman, President, and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse in 1979 and has held the position since although he is also an evangelist for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Based in Boone, North Carolina, Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational Christian organization that provides “spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.” How do they do this? Primarily through grants (i.e. transporting shoebox gifts: a box filled with toys, supplies, and hygiene items) which for the past several years averaged 40% of revenue although in 2020 and 2021, the percentage was lower at 28% and 27%, respectively because Samaritan’s Purse focused on building up net assets and to do this they spent significantly less than they collected: Samaritan’s Purse only spent $72 out of every $100 raised in 2020 and $67 out of $100 raised in 2021. In actual dollars, Samaritan’s Purse raised about $1 billion (including non-cash contributions), spent less than $700 million, putting about $300 million into savings in 2021 (and $225 million in savings in 2020, which means in 2 years, Samaritan’s purse put more than $525 million, or more than a half billion dollars into savings). Read more 
Executive Compensation at the NRA (2021)
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.
The most recent IRS Form 990 (2021) reports the organization employed 521 individuals (compared to 640 in 2020 and 770 in 2019) who were compensated $42 million, which equates to an average compensation of nearly $81,000. 92 employees (compared to 107 employees in 2020 and 149 employees in 2019) received more than $100,000 in compensation while the 15 most highly compensated key executives received nearly $13 million in 2021: Read more
Where Does $100 to the NRA Go (2021)?
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
Executive Compensation at United Way (2020)
United Way is one of the most recognizable charitable organizations in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States, “United Way” generally refers to United Way Worldwide (formerly United Way of America) and/or one of the 1,800 local offices in 40 countries and territories that operate as separate 501 (c) (3)’s.
United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for the whole United Way network. Each organization collects funds and makes grants to local organizations, and also contributes a portion of the revenue collected to United Way Worldwide to support oversight operations. Read more
Where Does $100 to United Way Go (2020)
United Way is one of the most recognizable charitable organizations in the United States and throughout the world. In the United States, “United Way” generally refers to United Way Worldwide (formerly United Way of America) and/or one of the 1,800 local offices in 40 countries and territories that operate as separate 501 (c) (3)’s.
United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for the whole United Way network. Each organization collects funds and makes grants to local organizations, and also contributes a portion of the revenue collected to United Way Worldwide to support oversight operations. Read more
10 Key Things to Know about St Jude’s
Wrapping your head around St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee is a challenge so here are ten (10) key pieces of information garnered from the Form 990 (the tax returns submitted to the IRS) that provide key details about St Jude:
- When people think of St. Jude’s, they often associate the organization with the children’s research hospital but St Jude’s is actually two organizations: St Jude Childrren’s Research Hospital (St. Jude) and the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC).
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (St Jude) is the 77-bed children’s hospital that provides research and medical care.
- American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC) is the fundraising arm; an organization that exists to raise funds for St. Jude.
- Most non-profits do not separate fundraising from services but St. Jude does, so both organizations need to be analyzed because St. Jude’s relies on ALSAC for the majority of it’s revenue and has a beneficial interest in the organization.
- ALSAC raised $2.4 billion (compared to $1.9 million the prior year) in 2020.
- ALSAC has historically spent 25-30% of revenue raised on fundriaising. In 2020, ALSAC spent $625 million (26% of revenue) on fundraising expenses.
- ALSAC gave St Jude’s $997 million (42% of revenue) in 2020.
- ALSAC has historically put hundreds of millions annually in savings but in 2020, the organization allocated $781 million in savings.
- ALSAC has $8 billion in net assets, most of which is in liquid assets. St Jude, which has a beneficial interest in ALSAC (meaning the $8 billion in assets) had $9 billion in net assets by the end of 2020.
- St Jude, the hospital, has historically spent less than they have received from ALSAC meaning they have also accumulated significant net assets (see previous statement above).
The biggest takeaway from the above information is why St Jude isn’t spending more on helping sick children and their families rather than sitting on $9 billion?
Executive Compensation at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is an Alexandria, Virginia-based tax-exempt, non-profit membership association that promotes the role of Human Resources as a profession. With 12 voting members of the governing body, 11 of whom are independent, 7 of whom are female, 5 of whom are male, SHRM is a 501 (c) 6 – a trade association – with more than 500 employees. All directors received $15,350-$43,080 each in 2019.
In 2019, SHRM reported total revenue of $154 million (compared to $146 million in 2018) which came primarily from six sources: membership dues ($54 million), the annual conference ($35 million), certification programs and seminars ($23 million), inventory sales ($15 million), advertising ($9 million), and other program revenue ($7 million). Read more
Executive Compensation at the National Retail Federation (2020)
The National Retail Federation (NRF) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (6) – a membership based trade association – whose mission is to “advance and protect the interests of the retail industry and to help retailers achieve excellence in all areas of their business.” That’s quite a mission, given the retail environment in this country. Retailers – both national chains and local – are closing daily with on-line presence a virtual requirement for survival.
Governed by 33 board members, 32 of whom are independent (40 are reported on the Form 990 due to timing differences; 28 are male while 12 are female), NRF is based in Washington, DC. Read more
Executive Compensation at the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (2020)
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (also known as “The Joint” or the JDC) is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) (3) with about 150 employees in New York City, NY. The governing board – 164 independent board members although 188 board members are listed on the Form 990 (the difference appears to be due to timing issues and is comprised of 102 males and 86 females.
As one of the leading humanitarian organizations that works in 70 countries, the JDC works to rescue and provide aid to Jews in the advancement of Jewish life across the globe, primarily through awarding grants: in 2020, $254 million, or 64% of revenue was used for grants (primarily to foreign organizations). Read more
How Revenue is Spent at the American Jewish Joint Distribution (2020)
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (also known as “The Joint” or the JDC) is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c) (3) with about 150 employees in New York City, NY. The governing board – 164 independent board members although 188 board members are listed on the Form 990 (the difference appears to be due to timing issues and is comprised of 102 males and 86 females.
As one of the leading humanitarian organizations that works in 70 countries, the JDC works to rescue and provide aid to Jews in the advancement of Jewish life across the globe, primarily through awarding grants: in 2020, $254 million, or 64% of revenue was used for grants (primarily to foreign organizations). Read more
