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Year, State Incorporated
1975, MA
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Also Known As
Elderhostel
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Stated Purpose
"to inspire adults to learn, discover and travel; to engage expert instructors, provide extraordinary access, and stimulate discourse and friendship among people who value lifelong learning."
Road Scholar reports that it sponsors, arranges, and conducts educational programs for adults 55 and older. The organization publishes program catalogs with course listings and provides internet access to every program offered in the United States and more than 150 countries. In 2019, Road Scholar states that approximately 118,000 participants enrolled in their programs. In addition, the organization reports that it provided more than $200,000 in grants including financial assistance grants to adults who might otherwise not be able to attend, caregiver grants and the Professional Educator's Assistance and Recognition (PEAR) Scholarship.
For the year ended June 30, 2020, Road Scholar's program expenses were:
Non-afloat US/Canada programs |
$84,089,326 |
Non-afloat international programs |
$82,480,873 |
Adventures afloat programs |
$29,015,002 |
Program development and administration |
$16,736,251 |
Marketing and catalogs |
$16,137,798 |
Participant services |
$10,988,337 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$239,447,587 |
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Chief Executive
James Moses, President & Chief Executive Officer
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Compensation*
$883,605
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Chair of the Board
Ralph Fuccillo
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Consultant, Cambridge Concord Associates (CCA)
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Board Size
12
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Paid Staff Size
309
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 20% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,370,247, 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 Road Scholar's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2020.
Source of Funds |
International programs |
$137,243,525 |
US/Canada programs |
$103,690,529 |
Royalties and service fees and premiums |
$8,040,668 |
Investment income |
$3,826,263 |
Contributions |
$3,370,247 |
Other revenue |
$1,218,666 |
Total Income |
$257,389,898 |
- Programs: 86%
- Administrative: 8%
- Other: 6%
- Fundraising: Less than 1%
Total Income |
$257,389,898 |
Program expenses |
$239,447,587 |
Fundraising expenses |
$663,075 |
Administrative expenses |
$22,027,390 |
Other expenses |
$18,277,194 |
Total expenses: |
$280,415,246 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-23,025,348 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$56,477,221 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-1,648,721 |
Ending Net Assets |
$31,803,152 |
Total Liabilities |
$98,056,773 |
Total Assets |
$129,859,925 |
Note 1: In the above financial section, ‘other changes in net assets’ refers to a change in actuarial liability of split-interest agreements (-$89,200) and a change in the value of currency and commodity derivatives (-$1,559,521).
Note 2: In the above financial section, 'other expenses' refers to COVID-19 extraordinary expenses, net. The organization's audited financial statements describe these expenses as: "Extraordinary expenses incurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic (such as obligations to program providers and vendors for cancelled programs, rebates and vouchers to participants, losses and fees on currency transactions, and the write-down of software under development that is unlikely to advance), net of extraordinary revenue (such as cancellation fees from participants), refunds of previously recognized trip protection insurance revenue, and income tax benefits associated with net taxable operating losses."