Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Equal Rights Center
Address:	11 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 450
	Washington, DC 20036
Phone:	202-234-3062
Web Address:	www.equalrightscenter.org

Equal Rights Center (ERC) does not meet the following Standard for Charity Accountability.

Standard 12: Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses - Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category. ERC does not meet this Standard because: The organization's audited financial statements for 2010 do not provide a breakdown for each of the organization's major programs (fair housing, disability rights, etc.).

Equal Rights Center (ERC) meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.

ERC collaborates with national civil rights organizations, local agencies, advocacy groups, universities, service providers and the religious community. The organization's fair housing program targets discrimination in housing rentals and sales, home warranty coverage, homeowners insurance, predatory lending, redlining and reverse redlining, and accessible housing for persons with disabilities. The fair employment program surveys employment practices, works to redress workplace discrimination, and provides targeted anti-discrimination training programs and educational products. The disability rights program seeks to provide fair treatment for people with disabilities by increasing access to housing, jobs, and all manner of public accommodations and government services. The access to public accommodations program targets discriminatory treatment directed against members of protected groups when seeking goods and services in stores, restaurants, entertainment venues, lodging establishments, when seeking help from government entities, or when using public or private transportation. ERC also advocates against the mistreatment of people because of their national original, in housing, employment, public accommodations, government services and in education.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, ERC's program expenses were:

Program services	5,199,417
Total Program Expenses:	$5,199,417

Chief Executive : Donald Kahl, Executive Director

Compensation*:

$118,392

Chair of the Board: Reverend Dr. James G. Macdonell
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: President

Board Size: 9

Paid Staff Size: 17

*2010 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, grant proposals, Internet appeals, and membership appeals.

Fund raising costs were 3% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,234,819, are donations received as a result of fund raising 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 ERC's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Source of Funds
Contributions - donated services	3,873,772
Awards and settlements	1,034,654
Grants - government	337,500
Consulting contracts	136,007
Contributions and pledges	21,547
Interest income	3,536
Grants - foundations	2,000
Total Income	$5,409,016

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 95%  Fund Raising: 2%  Administrative: 3%

Total income				$5,409,016
	Program expenses			$5,199,417
	Fund raising expenses			113,830
	Administrative expenses			138,036
Total expenses				$5,451,283
Expenses in Excess of Income				(42,267)
Beginning net assets				1,919,640
Ending net assets				1,877,373
Total liabilities				353,630
Total assets				$2,231,003

Note 1: In 2010, ERC reported in-kind service donations of $3,855,387 for legal services.