Executive Compensation at the American Bankers Association (2019)
The American Bankers Association (ABA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (6) organization – “a business league that pushes advocacy, provides education, products, and solutions to its membership and the financial services industry.” In other words, the ABA is a tax-exempt association for banks, savings and loans, and trust companies. Based in Washington, DC the ABA engages in lobbying, works to establish banking standards, and educates the public and its members.
While some people think of non-profits as almost an afterthought, the ABA is anything but insignificant. The ABA raises more than $100 annually, typically spends less than it brings in, and has accumulated nearly $50 million in net assets (although net assets would be significant higher if not for a $35 million downward adjustment because of underfunded pension requirements). Read more 
Executive Compensation at the American Chemistry Council (2019)
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is a tax-exempt, non-profit trade association (501 (c) 6) that represents 160 member companies (although the organization’s_ website claims 190) that produce or sell chemistry products in the US and abroad. Based in Washington, DC, the ACC is managed by 52 independent voting members (board members) of the governing body, of which 46 (88%) are male, 6 (12%) are female. Read more
Why I (a Democrat) Donated to Liz Cheney’s Re-Election Campaign
If you would have asked me a few years ago if I would ever donate to Liz Cheney’s re-election campaign, the answer would have been “I would rather eat dirt” then endorse a politician who does not support gay rights, gun control, and most important of all: a woman’s right to choose what to do with her body. But, if there’s anything I’ve learned the past few years, it’s “never say never.”
On the political spectrum, I would be classified as a fiscally conservative socially liberal independent. With two major political parties (the Democrats and the Republicans) controlling this country, most candidates take the party stand on issues so it’s difficult to completely support a candidate if you’re a moderate centralist. You have to decide which issues are the most important to you and not be a single issue voter because life is way too complicated to narrow support to one issue. Read more
On Being Relevant
Last week I received an e-mail from Nespresso asking me to participate in a “survey among our loyal customers.” I don’t normally do surveys but I am a fervent Nespresso fan (I even travel with a Nespresso coffee maker, frother, and cubes in a specially made carrying case) so I decided to participate. Certainly, Nespresso had recognized my loyalty over the past 16 years (I bought my first Nespresso when we lived in Switzerland and because the machines were not yet available in the US, I took them back to the US and used a converter until I could buy one stateside) and wanted my opinion. Stupid me. Read more
How the American Chemistry Council Spends Revenue
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is a tax-exempt, non-profit trade association (501 (c) 6) that represents 160 member companies (although the organization’s website claims 190) that produce or sell chemistry products in the US and abroad. Based in Washington, DC, the ACC is managed by 52 independent voting members (board members) of the governing body, of which 46 (88%) are male, 6 (12%) are female. ACC also controls a foundation and a PAC (political action committee). Read more
Where Does $100 to the American Red Cross Go (2020)?
When most people think of the American Red Cross (ARC), they often think of blood collection, testing, and distribution and/or disaster services – both domestic and international and in the most simplistic terms, this is what the ARC is about.
Formally known as the American National Red Cross (the organization is the designated affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies), ARC was established by Clara Barton in 1881 and given a charter by Congress in 1900 and again in 1905 to carry out humanitarian services. Since that time, the charter has been amended nine times, with the most recent in 2009 to address reforms to the organization. Read more
Executive Compensation at the American Red Cross (2020)
The American Red Cross (ARC) is one of the most recognized charities in the world. Based in Washington, DC, ARC works to “prevent and alleviate human suffering” by mobilizing employees and volunteers in emergencies and through the collection and sale of blood (ARC collects, tests, and distributes 40% of the nation’s blood to more than 2,500 hospitals).
ARC is governed by 16 voting members, 15 of whom are independent. The Form 990 (2019 for the year ending June 30, 2020) lists 17 board members (due to timing differences), of which 13 (76%) are male and 4 (24%) are female. Read more
Executive Compensation at the American Heart Association (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 over the past two years, revenue has declined 18% from $852 million in 2018 to $746 million in 2019 to $700 million in 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
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
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
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