Where Does $100 to Toys For Tots Go?
The Marine Toys For Tots Foundation (Toys For Tots) is a 501 (c) (3) that collects new toys and distributes these toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. Based in Triangle, Virginia, Toys For Tots reports the following key financial information about the organization on the IRS Form 990 (2017):
Toys For Tots employed 18 individuals who were provided with $1.8 million in total compensation, or an average $100,000 each although only 3 individuals received more than $100,000 in compensation. The 3 most highly compensated individuals were: Read more 
Sugarplums
When I was young and first saw The Nutcracker, I was fascinated with the Sugar Plum Fairy who ruled over the Land of Sweets. I remember thinking she had the best job in the world (what could be better than ruling over a Candyland?). Forget about the Prince and Clara, I wanted the Sugar Plum Fairy’s job (until I read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, then I wanted Willy Wonka’s job but that’s another story).
Although I wasn’t a fan of sugarplums when I was a child (they reminded me of fruitcake), I grew to appreciate how sweet, delicate, and delicious a home-made sugarplum is, especially when I made them myself with the top quality ingredients. Read more
Fundraising at the World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a major fundraiser for environmental conservation. Based in Washington, DC, WWF, a 501 (c) (3) raised $226 million in 2017 from three sources:
- $156 million (69% of revenue): contributions, gifts, and non-governmental grants
- $ 58 million (26% of revenue): government grants
- $12 million (5% of revenue): investment income, investment gain, royalties, list rental, etc.
Key information related to fundraising are summarized as follows: Read more
Where Does $100 to the World Wildlife Fund Go?
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is considered by many to be the leading conservation organization in the world. Established nearly 60 years ago in 1960, the WWF is based in Washington, DC but operates all over the world (in more than 100 countries).
The most recent IRS Form 990 (2016) reports financial information about the organization for the year beginning July 1, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017 (hereafter referred to as 2017). A 501 (c) (3), WWF reports the following information on revenue, expenses, grants, assets, liabilities, and the organization’s net fund balance. Read more
Where Does $100 to Kids Wish Network Go?
Kids Wish Network is a Florida-based non-profit 501 (c) (3) under fire for good reason: Of the $14 million raised last year, less than $1.2 million went to grants for kids. That’s 9%, or $9 out of every $100 in revenue raised. But, its worse than that. $1 million of the revenue raised were non-cash contributions and these non-cash contributions (toys, clothes, games, etc) were granted as wishes for kids, which means only $200,000 of the $13 million in cash raised in 2017 was spent on granting wishes for sick kids. Bottom line: a little bit more than a dollar out of every $100 received in cash was used to grant wishes for sick kids. Shameful. Read more
Executive Compensation at the World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the most recognized conservation groups in the world. A 501 (c) (3) based in Washington, DC (but with offices worldwide), WWF has 605 employees who received total compensation of $87.1 million in 2017, which equates to an average compensation of $144,000, according to the organization’s IRS Form 990. However, only 188 individuals received more than $100,000 in compensation, with the 14 most highly compensated listed below: Read more
Jonathan Franzen Is Really The Great American Essayist
He’s not the richest or the most famous. His characters don’t solve mysteries, have magical powers or live in the future…but he shows us the way we live now.
Lev Grossman wrote those words for the cover of the August 23, 2010 cover of Time magazine, calling Jonathan Franzen “the great American novelist.” In the midst of the great recession when most people were thinking about the economy, unemployment, and the sinking real estate market, America needed a hero and with the recent publication of Franzen’s fourth novel, Freedom, Time magazine found their guy but fell short of naming him “Man of the Year” for writing what most critics considered great literature. Read more
Comparing Mathew 25 Ministries and Samaritan’s Purse
Mathew 25 Ministries and Samaritan’s Purse are very similar organizations in that they are both non-profit 501 (c) (3)’s whose primary mission is to provide humanitarian aid to those in need (although Samaritan’s Purse also appears to be heavily into “spiritual aid”). In addition, both are managed by members of a family (the Mettey family for Mathew 25 Ministries and the Graham family for Samaritan’s Purse).
Both organizations awarded approximately $200 million in grants (primarily non-cash) in 2017. Whereas Mathew 25 Ministries awarded the most assistance in grants (primarily clothing and household goods, personal care items, and drugs/medical supplies) to countries in Central America and the Caribbean, Samaritan’s Purse awarded the most grants (primarily Shoebox gifts that contain toys, hygiene products, school supplies, clothing, crafts) to recipients in Sub Sahara Africa.
In 2017, both organizations filed an IRS Form 990 which reports the following information: Read more
Baked Honey Crisp Apple Crumbles
It’s nearly impossible for me to walk by a pyramid of fresh apples in the grocery store especially if the apples are Honey Crisp – those sweet, tart, super crispy delicious apples that are also great for baking because they retain their shape and don’t turn to mush easily.
One of my favorite ways to enjoy a Honey Crisp Apple is to bake it with a nutty oat filling in the core. These baked apples really do taste like an Apple Crumble Pie but the healthier version. Easy to make, Baked Honey Crisp Apple Crumbles are a perfect mid-afternoon snack or an evening dessert served in front of the fireplace. Read more
Fundraising at the Natural Resources Defense Council
Fundraising is at the core of any non-profit with one of the most pressing donor concerns being how much an organization spends on fundraising. For the Natural Resources Defense Council – a New York City-based organization that raised $177 million last year – the answer appears to be about $12.3 million (or 7% of revenue), according to the IRS Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2017. These expenses are summarized as follows: Read more
Paddock Post 