Where Does $100 to the Entertainment Industry Foundation Go?
The Oscar buzz is front and center in the news media so it seems only natural to address philanthropy within the entertainment industry. The Entertainment Industry Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) based in Los Angeles, California whose mission is to coordinate the philanthropy of the entertainment industry.
Established more than 75 years ago in 1942, the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) is primarily engaged in raising funds and making grants and has been referred to as the “United Way of the entertainment industry” by some. So, the questions of interest include: Read more 
Where does $100 to Goodwill go?
Goodwill Industries was established in 1902 and is widely known across the country as the place where we all donate clothing and household goods to help others. There are 161 Goodwill Industries agencies and more than 3,200 retail stores in the US and 14 countries that generated $5.7 billion in revenue in 2016.
Goodwill Industries International, Inc is the executive member association organization that provides oversight, support, expertise, and products to local agencies (each is a separate 501 (c) (3) that operates independently and pays membership dues to support Goodwill Industries International, Inc.).
This analysis concerns Goodwill Industries International, Inc. (Goodwill) that oversees all the Goodwill organizations. To see revenue, expenses including executive salaries, assets, liabilities and other public information of local Goodwill organizations, look to the individual IRS Form 990’s of specific Goodwill Industries agencies (i.e. Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina). Read more
Where does $1 to the American Red Cross Go?
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
Tips to Understanding an IRS Form 990
Most charitable organizations exempt from income tax under Section 501 are required to file an IRS Form 990, which details financial, management, program, and fundraising information. These returns can often be hundreds of pages long which can be overwhelming to potential donors who are trying to understand where charitable dollars are spent. Although all of the information is important, there are key pieces of information to focus on if time is limited. With that in mind, here are 13 tips to gain a quick understanding of a non-profit. Read more
Where Does $100 to the American Heart Association Go?
The American Heart Association (AHA) is one of the most popular and recognized non-profits in the United States with enormous public support as evidenced by the $830 million raised last year. That the AHA also 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? 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 do Donations to UMCOR Go?
On Wednesday, October 11, 2017, a full-page ad by UMC.org/UMCOR (United Methodist Church/United Methodist Committee on Relief) was placed in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) asking for donations with the statement:
100% OF WHAT YOU GIVE GOES TO HELPING US STAY UNTIL RECOVERY IS COMPLETE
and
100% OF YOUR DOLLARS GO TO RELIEF
United Methodist churches across the country participate in UMCOR Sunday, a special giving day on which all offerings are designated toward UMCOR administrative costs. That means 100% of your donations go to relief efforts.
Where Does $100 to the ASPCA Go?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) works to ensure the safety and protection of animals through a variety of programs. With enormous public support – The ASPCA raises approximately $200 million annually – the ASPCA provides community outreach, public education, communication, and animal care services throughout the United States.
The ASPCA is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) which means the organization primarily relies on public financial support and therefore has to file and make publicly available an IRS Form 990 annually. This “form” is actually a tax return that provides detailed financial information on revenue, expenses, fundraising, executive compensation, assets, liabilities and more. In 2015, the 94-page ASPCA reported the following key pieces of information: Read more
Where Does $100 to The Boys and Girls Club of America Go?
The Boys and Girls Club of America, Inc. (“The Boys and Girls Club“) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) that offers programs – primarily after school – for young people. Based in Atlanta, the national office of The Boys and Girls Club also has regional offices in Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles. In addition there are more than a thousand local chartered offices throughout the country targeting disadvantaged youths to help them “reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” Funding for the organization is primarily from both the public and the government. Read more
Where Does $100 to Feeding America Go?
Feeding America is a 501 (c) (3) whose mission is “to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of food banks and engage the country in the fight to end hunger.” With an estimated 42 million people experiencing hunger every day (or 1 out of 8 people), Feeding America seeks to alleviate hunger by procuring and distributing food, creating public awareness and educating the public, lawmakers, and public policy influencers, and conducting research on hunger.
Established in 1988, Feeding America has been around for nearly three decades and has grown substantially through the years. For the year ending, June 30, 2016, Feeding America raised $2.438 billion of which $2.289 billion (94%) were non-cash contributions (i.e. food) and $149 million cash – from contributions ($87 million), program revenue sources ($24 million), royalties ($35 million), and other sources ($3 million). With most contributions being food for distribution to the vast network of food banks across the country, the question that most donors want to know is how the $149 million in cash revenue was spent. Read more
Where Does $100 to the American Diabetes Association Go?
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) reported the receipt of $181 million in revenue in 2015, which primarily came from 5 sources:
- $135 million (75% of revenue): Contributions, Gifts, and Grants
- $32 million (18% of revenue): Subscriptions, Reg, Sales, and Booth Rentals
- $5 million (3% of revenue): Advertising
- $5 million (3% of revenue): Royalties
- $4 million (2% of revenue): Other Sources.
During the same year, the ADA reported expenses of $183 million (net of depreciation) – $2 million more than the organization took in. Because the organization had $89 million in net fund assets, they were able to cover the excess expenses. Read more
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