BBB Wise Giving Report for
Campaign Finance Institute

BBB Wise Giving Report issued September 2010
BBB Wise Giving Report expires September 2012


Does not meet one or more standards
This charity does not meet one or more of the 20 standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Campaign Finance Institute
Address: 1667 K Street NW, Suite 650
  Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-969-8890
Web Address: www.cfinst.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1999, District of Columbia
Affiliates: None

Stated Purpose: "to conduct objective research and education, empanels task forces and makes recommendations for policy change in the field of campaign finance."

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Campaign Finance Institute (CFI) does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 3: Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings - An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

CFI does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors met twice in the past fiscal year.

Standard 4: Compensated Board Members - Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

CFI does not meet this Standard because:

  • Two members out of the 15 member board of directors (13%) are compensated.  In addition, the charity does not meet this Standard because the compensated CEO is also the treasurer of the board and because the board chair is compensated.

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.

CFI does not meet this Standard because the budget information provided by the organization did not identify:

  • Total projected fund raising expenses.

Standard 16: Annual Report - Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

CFI does not meet this standard because:

  • The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in the past year.
CFI meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

CFI's research activities include periodic reviews of the state of campaign finance in the United States, organizing task forces and publishing occasional studies and reports as well as making data available to the public through its website. Some of CFI’s studies and reports are written for the general public; others are written for publication in academic journals and distribution at academic conferences. The organization distributes these studies and reports free of charge, primarily via mail and its website to the media, educators, government officials as well as interested members of the general public.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, CFI's program expenses were:

  
Research and education 991,162
Total Program Expenses: $991,162
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Michael J. Malbin, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $95,090

Chair of the Board: Anthony Corrado
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Professor of Government at Colby College

Board Size: 15

Paid Staff Size: 7

*September 1, 2008 - August 31, 2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:

Grant proposals and Internet appeals.
Fund raising costs were 7% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,157,905, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

               

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.
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Financial

               

The following information is based on CFI's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Foundation grants 1,154,000
Interest 4,742
Contributions 3,905
Other revenue 2,142
Total Income $1,164,789


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 86%  Fund Raising: 7%  Administrative: 7% 

Total income   $1,164,789
  Program expenses $991,162
  Fund raising expenses 80,127
  Administrative expenses 79,116
 
Total expenses   $1,150,405
Income in Excess of Expenses   14,384
Beginning net assets   1,700,030
Ending net assets   1,714,414
Total liabilities   78,808
Total assets   $1,793,222


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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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