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Human and Civil Rights : Advocacy and Education

Free Press

Fight for your rights to connect and communicate

four stars

95.37

40 Main Street Suite 301
Florence, MA 01062
tel: (202) 265-1490   Web Site
EIN: 41-2106721

Board Leadership
Ben Scott
Board Chair

CEO
Craig Aaron and Jessica J. González
Co-CEOs

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 95.37 four stars
  Financial 94.82 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 96.00 four stars
This rating was published 09/01/2020 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Free Press believes that positive social change, racial justice and meaningful engagement in public life require equitable access to technology, diverse and independent ownership of media platforms, and journalism that holds leaders accountable and tells people what's actually happening in their communities. We believe that the struggle for racial justice must be at the center of transforming our media and our democracy.

Free Press closely watches as the decisions shaping the media landscape are made and sounds the alarm when people's rights to connect and communicate are in danger. We focus on saving Net Neutrality, achieving affordable internet access for all, uplifting the voices of people of color in the media, challenging old and new media gatekeepers to serve the public interest, ending unwarranted surveillance, defending press freedom and reimagining local journalism.

Free Press believes that positive social change, racial justice and meaningful engagement in public life require equitable access to technology, diverse and independent ownership of media platforms, and journalism that holds leaders accountable and tells people what's actually happening in their communities. We believe that the struggle for racial justice must be at the center of transforming our media and our democracy.

Free Press closely watches as the decisions shaping the media landscape are made and sounds the alarm when people's rights to connect and communicate are in danger. We focus on saving Net Neutrality, achieving affordable internet access for all, uplifting the voices of people of color in the media, challenging old and new media gatekeepers to serve the public interest, ending unwarranted surveillance, defending press freedom and reimagining local journalism.

Impact Information

data icon
GuideStar is Charity Navigator's trusted partner in sharing information on how this organization seeks impact.  GuideStar has recognized this organization with a Platinum Seal of Transparency for voluntarily and publicly sharing information about how they measure their progress and results.  Learn More about Impact Information.
Reported Results
Total in 2019
Number of list subscribers
1,400,000
Number of research or policy analysis products developed, e.g., reports, briefs
31
Number of advocate or trained spokesperson citations in the media
1,700
This organization has earned a GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency by voluntarily sharing the measures of progress and results they use to pursue their mission. Organizations earn Platinum Seals by selecting from a catalog of over 900 expert recognized metrics or by creating a new metric that best fits their work. This information is reported by the organization and displayed publicly on their GuideStar Nonprofit Profile. With over 1.6 million Nonprofit Profiles, 9 million annual visitors and over 200 data partners, GuideStar is the world's leading source of information about nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit itself, GuideStar is dedicated to providing better data for better decisions for a better world.
This impact information is current as of August 2020, when it was provided to us by GuideStar. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

four stars

94.82

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

96.00

This rating was published 09/01/2020 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 84.4%
  Administrative Expenses 4.7%
  Fundraising Expenses 10.7%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.09
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 1.15
  Program Expenses Growth 28.5%
  Liabilities to Assets 12.1%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Free Press on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Free Press on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Free Press (MA) 95.37 four stars
First Liberty Institute (TX) 86.07 three stars
Treatment Advocacy Center (VA) 85.16 three stars
Southern Center for Human Rights (GA) 99.61 four stars
ISAIAH (MN) 86.10 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $1,970,659
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $0
Total Contributions $1,970,659
   Program Service Revenue $0
Total Primary Revenue $1,970,659
   Other Revenue $25,158
TOTAL REVENUE $1,995,817
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $3,672,474
   Administrative Expenses $140,101
   Fundraising Expenses $364,788
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $4,177,363
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $-2,181,546
   
Net Assets $3,938,453

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Internet Freedom $1,709,214 46.5%
Press Freedom $1,339,551 36.5%
Platform Accountability $623,709 17.0%

Ratings History
Free Press has received 2 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-12 09/01/2020 95.37 four stars
2017-12 11/01/2018 96.04 four stars
2016-12 03/01/2018 85.43 three stars
2015-12 12/01/2016 82.62 three stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 82.62 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-12 12/01/2015 75.27 two stars
2013-12 12/22/2014 85.12 three stars
2012-12 10/01/2013 74.82 two stars
2011-12 11/06/2012 91.47 four stars
2011-12 10/01/2012 89.57 three stars
2010-12 09/20/2011 90.27 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-12 12/22/2010 95.69 four stars
2008-12 03/01/2010 91.09 four stars
2007-12 10/01/2008 90.67 four stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 41-2106721
Name in IRS Master File FREE PRESS
NTEE Code A01
NTEE Classification Alliance/Advocacy Organizations
NTEE Type Arts, Culture and Humanities
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date January, 2004
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2017
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
  • December, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title Compensation from Affiliates
$117,788 2.81% Craig Aaron President & CEO $16,684

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Free Press (MA) 95.37 four stars
OneAmerica (WA) 86.98 three stars
Make the Road New York (NY) 86.43 three stars
American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey Foundation (NJ) 91.15 four stars
Central Coast Alliance United for A Sustainable Economy (CA) 92.22 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Free Press
40 Main Street
Suite 301
Florence, MA 01062
tel: (202) 265-1490
EIN: 41-2106721

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Ben Scott
Board Chair

CEO

Craig Aaron and Jessica J. González
Co-CEOs

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