BBB Wise Giving Report for
Freedom from Religion Foundation

BBB Wise Giving Report issued January 2012
BBB Wise Giving Report expires May 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: Freedom from Religion Foundation
Address: PO Box 750
  Madison, WI 53701
Phone: 608-256-8900
Web Address: www.ffrf.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1978, Wisconsin
Affiliates: 6 chapters
Stated Purpose: "to promote nontheism and the constitutional principle of separation between church and state."

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Freedom from Religion Foundation (FRF) does not meet the following 5 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.

FRF does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors held one meeting in the past fiscal year.

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.

FRF 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 7: Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness - Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

FRF does not meet this Standard because:

  • It has never completed an effectiveness assessment and does not have one planned in the near future.

Standard 10: Ending Net Assets - Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

FRF does not meet this Standard because:

  • According to its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, the organization's total unrestricted net assets were $6,637,430, or 5 times the charity's total budgeted expenses of $1,451,500.

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.

FRF does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on this website, www.ffrf.org does not indicate:

  • What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
Freedom from Religion Foundation (FRF) meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

FRF is an educational group working to keep state and church separate. FRF works as an umbrella for those who are free from religion and are committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church. FRF acts on violations of the separation between church and state on behalf of its members and members of the public. FRF publishes a newspaper, "Freethought Today," as well as a newsletter, "Private Line." The organization broadcasts Freethought Radio which provides speakers for events and debates and publishes educational books, literature, and music.

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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-Presidents
Compensation*:
$139,330

Chair of the Board: David Groethe
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired

Board Size: 10

Paid Staff Size: 9

*2008 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances. FRF reports that each Co-President received compensation in the amount $69,976.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

Print advertisements, Internet appeals, planned giving, cause-related marketing, and membership appeals.
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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

              

Financial information is not available because the Alliance is requesting more information about FRF's finances.

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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.

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