Media Research Center does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
MRC does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
MRC does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://www.MRC.org, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
1
5
7
15
Media Research Center meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
The Media Research Center (MRC) reports that it studies, documents, and provides information about media bias in network newscasts. The organization is separated into several divisions including external affairs, grassroots mobilization, news analysis, original reporting, and video and video commentary. In 2019, MRC reports that it launched its Tell the Truth! 2020 Campaign, a campaign for media to tell the truth about the 2020 election, and the Free Speech Alliance, a membership organization with the goal to fight censorship of conservatives by big technology companies. Some ($300,368 or 3%) of MRC's program activities are carried out in conjunction with fundraising appeals.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Media Research Center's program expenses were:
| News analysis division |
$3,281,690 |
| CNSNews |
$2,412,831 |
| MRC Action |
$1,678,997 |
| MRCTV |
$1,461,669 |
| MRC Culture |
$1,022,352 |
| MRC Business |
$895,077 |
| Youth education and internship program |
$191,448 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$10,944,064 |
-
Chief Executive
L. Brent Bozell III, Founder and President
-
Compensation*
$392,770
-
Chair of the Board
Karl Ottosen
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President, Sonitrol Security Systems
-
Board Size
9
-
Paid Staff Size
61
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Radio
MRC incurred joint costs of $2,002,454 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $1,702,086.00 was allocated to fundraising expenses and $300,368 was allocated to program expenses.
Fundraising costs were 25% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $9,938,807, 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 Media Research Center's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$9,938,807 |
| Investment gain, net |
$2,902,529 |
| Advertising income |
$604,434 |
| Rental and other |
$129,019 |
| Total Income |
$13,574,789 |
- Programs: 77%
- Fundraising: 17%
- Administrative: 6%
| Total Income |
$13,574,789 |
| Program expenses |
$10,944,064 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$2,465,257 |
| Administrative expenses |
$900,256 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$14,309,577 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-734,788 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$12,945,145 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$121,043 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$12,331,400 |
| Total Liabilities |
$4,215,931 |
| Total Assets |
$16,547,331 |
Note: As noted in the above financial section "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in value of split-interest agreements.