Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Public Campaign
Address:	1320 19th Street NW, Suite M-1
	Washington, DC 20036
Phone:	202-293-0222
Web Address:	www.publicampaign.org

Public Campaign (PC) does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.

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. PC does not meet this Standard because although the organization conducted an effectiveness assessment, it did not produce a written report outlining the results of the assessment. 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. PC does not meet this Standard because the budget information provided by the organization does not clearly identify the projected amounts to be spent on program service and fund raising activities. 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. PC does not meet provision (d) of this Standard because its annual report does not include the recommended financial information. PC meets the remaining provisions of this Standard.

Public Campaign (PC) meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.

PC aims to give voice and coordination to activists and organizations around the country seeking a public funding alternative to the system of privately financed elections that limits the full participation of minority and economically disadvantaged communities. PC provides strategic, tactical, and financial support to organizations seeking comprehensive change in the way American elections are financed. The organization’s staff is a mix of researchers, writers, field activists, and professional political operatives drawn to the work by their belief that public financing of elections is essential to restoring in full the principles of fairness, accountability, and justice necessary for a democratic society to thrive and prosper. PC pursues three strategies for advancing publicly financed elections reform. The organization works to extend and deepen the campaign finance reform movement by engaging national issue advocacy and constituency-based organizations in clean elections reform, increasing the involvement of national activist “e-groups” in campaigns to advance publicly financed elections reform, and strengthening the connection between clean elections and the democracy/civil rights movement. PC highlights the connection between campaign cash and public policy decisions and educates citizens on publicly financed elections. PC develops projects to mobilize individuals and allied organizations in activities designed to develop positive relationships with elected officials, policy makers, and opinion leaders.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, PC's program expenses were:

Program services	1,312,125
Total Program Expenses:	$1,312,125

Chief Executive : Nicholas Nyhart, President and CEO

Compensation*:

$131,535

Chair of the Board: Joan Mandle
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Executive Director, Democracy Matters and Associate Professor of Sociology, Colgate University

Board Size: 10

Paid Staff Size: 9

*2007 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, grant proposals, Internet appeals, individualized major donor applications in person and via proposal.

Fund raising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,384,339, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

PC incurred joint costs of $56,813 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs, $39,769 was allocated to program expenses, $11,363 was allocated to administrative expenses, and $5,681 was allocated to fund raising expenses.

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 PC's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Source of Funds
Foundation grants	918,820
Contributions	465,519
Reimbursement income	142,923
Interest/dividend income	20,717
Miscellaneous	5,010
Conference	1,000
Mass Voters for Fair Elections	97
Total Income	$1,554,086

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 73%  Fund Raising: 9%  Administrative: 18%

Total income				$1,554,086
	Program expenses			$1,312,125
	Fund raising expenses			166,800
	Administrative expenses			331,948
Total expenses				$1,810,873
Expenses in Excess of Income				(256,787)
Beginning net assets				1,294,889
Ending net assets				1,038,102
Total liabilities				45,614
Total assets				$1,083,716