Where Does $100 to Save the Children Go?
The Save the Children Fund is one of the most recognizable charitable organizations in the world. Established nearly a hundred years ago in 1919, the organization is legally known as Save the Children Federation, Inc. in the United States, but is often simply referred to as “Save the Children.” Read more 
Executive Compensation at Save the Children
Save the Children – the Fairfield, Connecticut-based non-profit in the US – is formally known as Save The Children Federation, Inc. and is part of the Save the Children Alliance (a group of 30 Save the Children groups throughout the world that also support Save the Children International). Established in 1932, Save the Children is a 501 (c) (3) and one of the most well-known charities in the world. Read more
Executive Compensation at Stanford
Most people probably don’t know that Stanford’s legal name is “The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University” doing business as Stanford University. And most people probably don’t realize that Stanford’s revenue exceeds expenses by more than a billion dollars a year (for the last several years) which has allowed the university to grow their endowment. With $31.7 billion in net fund assets, Stanford is one of the wealthiest universities in the US along with being what some would refer to as a money-making machine. Read more
Executive Compensation at Columbia (2017)
2017 was a great year for Columbia University (Columbia) and many of its employees. Total revenue reached $5.7 billion while expenses totaled $4.5 billion (not including depreciation) which contributed to the endowment increasing from $13.2 billion to $14.7 billion at year-end, of which only $3.4 billion is permanently restricted.
In terms of compensation, 34,811 employees were compensated $2.8 billion, which equates to an average compensation of $81,000. The 17 most highly compensated individuals (listed below) received $40 million which equates to an average compensation package of $2.4 million each: Read more
Executive Compensation at Columbia (2016)
People often joke about the low compensation in academia but many individuals working for non-profit educational institutions (i.e. colleges and universities) receive very high compensation packages. Although the most highly compensated tend to be investment managers for the endowment, presidents, provosts, department chairs, professors, and fundraisers, the overall average compensation package is often nothing to make light of.
At Columbia University (Columbia) – a private, Ivy-League educational and research university on the Upper West Side in New York City (although there are six campuses, five in New York and one in Paris), 34,437 employees were compensated $2.6 billion (or an average of $76,000 each) in the school year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016. 4,928 individuals received more than $100,000 in total compensation. Read more
Executive Compensation at University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is a private research university in Philadelphia that is also a member of the Ivy League. With more than $12 billion in the school’s endowment, Penn also includes a hospital, five outpatient facilities, an in-patient rehabilitation center, and 10 research facilities.
The IRS Form 990 (2015) covering the year beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016 reports the following key information about Penn: Read more
Executive Compensation at the NRA
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 weekly 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, and too many people are dying. Read more
Executive Compensation at Food For The Poor
At first glance, Food For The Poor looks like a billion dollar non-profit and in a sense, it is but a closer look at this Florida-based non-profit shows that they actually raised about $148 million in 2017 including $11.3 million in government grants. $800 million in non-cash contributions – primarily pharmaceuticals, clothing, and household goods) make up the rest of the reported revenue.
The problem with including non-cash contributions as a part of revenue is that the value of these contributions may not be the market value, which some critics (including the Attorney General for the State of California who recently issued a cease and desist order to the popular charity) claim. Seems there is a disagreement over the value of the non-cash contributions and, specifically the value of pharmaceuticals. Read more
Where Does $100 To Food For The Poor Go?
Food For The Poor has been in the news over the past few years. First, there was the scandal with the founder and president who resigned after allegations of sexual and financial misconduct when funds (estimates range from $275,000 to $400,000) were diverted to two female employees in which he was involved (note: the money was paid back to the charity). Then, allegations were made of employing family members (the Mayfood family who are still involved with the organization) and doing business with for-profit companies in which family members are involved. Read more
Where Does $100 to the American Cancer Society Go?
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) based in Atlanta, Georgia. With 6,679 employees in 2016, the ACS focused on awarding grants, advocacy, education and service. Every year, ACS files a Form 990 – a rather lengthy tax return that provides all kinds of financial information about the organization – which is beneficial to the public and donors.
Many donors often wonder “if I gave $100 to a non-profit, how is that $100 spent?” Readers will find the answer to that question and more in this post. Specifically, there are five areas covered: Read more
