Freedom from Religion Foundation does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
FFRF does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officers at least once every two years.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
FFRF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the past two years.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
FFRF does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2022 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
Freedom from Religion Foundation meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) acts on violations of separation of state and church on behalf of members and the public, including: prayers in public schools, payment of public funds for religious purposes, government funding of sectarian institutions, and the civil rights of women, gays and lesbians. The organization aims to accomplish its goals through legal activism, education and outreach and legislative advocacy. FFRF holds an annual convention, sponsors external events and programs, airs a TV show, publishes a newspaper, advertises messages about its purposes nationally, produces a weekly radio show/podcast, a near-weekly Facebook Live "Ask An Atheist," offers about $100,000 annually in six annual student essay contests, and offers multiple awards to luminaries and activists.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, Freedom from Religion Foundation's program expenses were:
Program services |
$6,000,322 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$6,000,322 |
-
Chief Executive
Daniel Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-Presidents
-
Compensation*
$0
-
Chair of the Board
Stephen Hirtle
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired university professor (professor emeritus)
-
Board Size
10
-
Paid Staff Size
36
*2020 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: In 2020, Ms. Gaylor recieved compensation totaling $128,744 and Mr. Barker received $118,348.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Internet, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television
Fundraising costs were less than 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $12,207,206, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Freedom from Religion Foundation's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Source of Funds |
Bequests |
$6,822,069 |
Donations |
$3,057,682 |
Investment income |
$2,735,187 |
Membership dues and fees |
$1,526,702 |
Grants |
$489,900 |
Legal fund donations |
$181,675 |
Miscellaneous |
$106,059 |
Sales |
$88,622 |
Student activist donations |
$88,174 |
Combined Federal Campaign |
$41,004 |
Total Income |
$15,137,074 |
- Programs: 92%
- Administrative: 8%
- Fundraising: Less than 1%
Total Income |
$15,137,074 |
Program expenses |
$6,000,322 |
Fundraising expenses |
$58,386 |
Administrative expenses |
$525,759 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$6,584,467 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$8,552,607 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$15,185,304 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-22,861 |
Ending Net Assets |
$23,715,051 |
Total Liabilities |
$333,292 |
Total Assets |
$24,048,343 |
Note: In the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to a loss on disposal of fixed assets.