Executive Compensation at the American Heart Association (2019)
The American Heart Association (AHA) is one of the most popular and recognized non-profits in the United States with enormous public support but 2018-2019 was not a great year for the organization. Total revenue reported was down 12% to $746 million (compared to $852 million the prior year). That the AHA has nearly a billion dollars 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 (AHA) Go (2019)?
The American Heart Association (AHA) is one of the most popular and recognized non-profits in the United States with enormous public support but 2018-2019 was not a great year for the organization. Total revenue reported was down 12% to $746 million (compared to $852 million the prior year). That the AHA has nearly a billion dollars 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 St. Jude (2019)
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 Children’s Research Hospital (St Jude’s): the children’s hospital that provides research and medical care; and
- American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC): the fundraising arm; an organization that exists to raise funds for St. Jude’s
Although most non-profits do not separate fundraising from services, St. Jude’s 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. Read more
Where Does $100 to St. Jude’s Go (2019)?
St. Jude’s is one of the most popular non-profit organizations in the country because the charity’s mission appeals to donors: they treat and help children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. But, before making donations, donors should understand where revenue is spent and that St. Jude’s is actually two organizations:
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. (St. Jude)
- American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC)
ALSAC “exists for the sole purpose of raising funds and building awareness to support the current and future needs of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc” while St. Jude engages in research and provides care and services to sick children and their families. St. Jude has a beneficial interest in the assets of ALSAC but the organizations are separate non-profit 501 (c)(3) entities with specific functions: ALSAC raises funds while St. Jude does the research and provides the treatment. Read more
Toys For Tots: Where Does Your Donation Go?
Toys for Tots is one of the most well known organizations whose mission is to work with the US Marine Corp to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas time. A non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) 3, Toys for Tots is legally known as Marine Toys for Tots Foundation but nearly everyone refers to the organization as “Toys for Tots.”
There are 11 voting members of the governing party, 10 of whom are independent. 9 of the 11 (82%) directors are male while 2 (18%) are female.
So, if you made a donation in 2019, where did it go? It depends. If you donated a toy, then more than likely, a child received that toy. If you made a cash donation, then the funds were probably used to pay for organization expenses (i.e. compensation, office-related expenses, fees for services, etc), purchase toys, or put into the general fund (savings). How do I know this? Because the Form 990 that Toys for Tots submitted to the IRS (2019) reports the following information: Read more
Executive Compensation at Operation Smile (2019)
Operation Smile is a non-profit tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) based in Virginia Beach, VA that provides corrective surgery to children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities.
Established in 1982, Operation Smile was founded by Dr. William MaGee,Jr. (a dentist and plastic and craniofacial surgeon) who serves as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer and his wife Kathleen McGee, who serves as the organization’s President. Their daughter, Kristie Porcaro also serves as the SVP of US and Global Philanthropy of Operation Smile. Read more
Where Does $100 to Operation Smile Go (2019)?
Operation Smile is a non-profit tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) that provides corrective surgery to children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities.
Established in 1982, Operation Smile was founded by Dr. William MaGee,Jr. (a dentist and plastic and craniofacial surgeon) who serves as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer and his wife Kathleen McGee, who serves as the organization’s President. Their daughter, Kristie Porcaro also serves as the SVP of US and Global Philanthropy of Operation Smile.
Operation Smile is overseen by a board of 9 directors, 8 of whom are independent. 8 are male while 1 (the CEO’s wife) is a female. Read more
The Future of Birthday Cake Candles is Dim
Remember back when we used to eat cake after someone blew all over it? Man, we were wild….
Have you ever wondered why we put candles on a birthday cake? Many historians believe the Greeks started the tradition to honor the goddess Artemis’ birth on the sixth day of each lunar month. Another group of people believe the origin of birthday candles came from the ancient belief that fire is associated with power and that evil spirits visit people on their birthday so celebrants surround the honoree and make noise while the burning sticks of paraffin scare the offenders away. Ironically, if anyone blows out the candles on a cake nowadays, the evils of coronavirus are a real possibility. Which brings me to modern day birthday celebrations: Read more
Executive Compensation at the March of Dimes (2019)
2019 was not a great year for the March of Dimes and yet, they continue to endure. Just six years ago, the March of Dimes had $75 million in net fund assets and was raising nearly $200 million annually but they were spending more than they raised. Since then, revenue has declined and the organization went into a negative net fund position because they were spending $8-$27 million more than they raised until 2016, had to fund a pension/post retirement fund for employees which for some reason was not funded (and is still not fully funded by $66 million), and had losses on investments. Things were not looking good by 2016 so the organization brought in a new president in 2017 following the retirement of the longtime president. Read more
Where Does $100 to the March of Dimes Go (2019)?
2019 was not a great year for the March of Dimes and yet, they continue to endure. Just six years ago, the March of Dimes had $75 million in net fund assets and was raising nearly $200 million annually but they were spending more than they raised. Since then, the revenue has declined and the organization went into a negative net fund position because they were spending $8-$27 million more than they raised annually, had to fund a pension/post retirement fund for employees, and had losses on investments. Things were not looking good by 2016 so the organization brought in a new president in 2017 following the retirement of the longtime president. Read more
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