Project On Government Oversight meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
1992, DC
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Stated Purpose
to investigate and expose waste, corruption, abuse of power, and when the government fails to serve the public or silences those who report wrongdoing; to champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles.
POGO reports that it supports good government reforms and investigates corruption, misconduct, and conflicts of interest to achieve a more effective and ethical federal government. The organization's programs include government accountability, contract oversight, whistleblower protections, public health investigations, nuclear weapons security investigations, energy and natural resources, and private prison oversight. POGO states that it works to strengthen the constitutional separation of powers by training congressional staff through its congressional training seminars, congressional boot camps, and master classes. The organization also works to enhance oversight and accountability by working to strengthen the Office of the Inspectors General and the Office of Government Ethics. In 2017, POGO reports that it provided congressional testimony on six occasions, reported on lawsuits regarding private prisons, created the Know Your Rights Whistleblower Protections for Federal Sector Employees guide to learn legal protections, and investigated fraud in the United States military contracting system.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, Project On Government Oversight's program expenses were:
| Congressional oversight initiative |
$591,844 |
| Government accountability |
$544,565 |
| CDI/Straus military reform project |
$463,942 |
| Inspectors general project |
$242,348 |
| Contract oversight |
$186,074 |
| Energy and natural resources |
$151,193 |
| Whistleblower protections |
$115,896 |
| Nuclear weapons security investigations |
$93,599 |
| Effective government |
$68,678 |
| Direct and grassroots lobbying |
$21,725 |
| Private prison oversight |
$20,520 |
| Open contracting |
$10,531 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$2,510,915 |
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Chief Executive
Danielle G. Brian, President and Executive Director
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Compensation*
$183,118
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Chair of the Board
David Hunter
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Professor of Law and Director of the International Legal Studies Program, American University's Washington College of Law
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Board Size
17
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Paid Staff Size
34
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet
POGO incurred joint costs of $106,223 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $69,658 was allocated to program expenses and $36,565 was allocated to fund raising expenses.
Fundraising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,133,844, 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 Project On Government Oversight's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016.
| Source of Funds |
| Grants |
$1,513,117 |
| Contributions |
$607,977 |
| Other |
$388,664 |
| Unrealized gain on investments |
$169,267 |
| Interest and dividend income |
$32,326 |
| Contributed services |
$12,750 |
| Total Income |
$2,724,101 |
- Programs: 85%
- Fundraising: 11%
- Administrative: 4%
| Total Income |
$2,724,101 |
| Program expenses |
$2,510,915 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$321,339 |
| Administrative expenses |
$147,155 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$2,979,409 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-255,308 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$3,158,119 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$2,902,811 |
| Total Liabilities |
$517,845 |
| Total Assets |
$3,420,656 |
Note: According to POGO's 2016 audited financial statements, the organization received $12,750 in contributed services.