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Human and Civil Rights : Advocacy and Education

Freedom From Religion Foundation

Protecting the constitutional principle of the separation of state and church

four stars

95.05

P.O. Box 750 Madison, WI 53701
tel: (608) 256-8900   Web Site
EIN: 39-1302520

Board Leadership
Stephen Hirtle
Chair

CEO
Dan Barker & Annie Laurie Gaylor
Co-Presidents

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 95.05 four stars
  Financial 100.00 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 93.00 four stars
This rating was published 12/21/2018 and includes data from FY2017, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is an educational group promoting the constitutional principle of separation of state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. Incorporated in 1978, the Foundation is a national membership association of freethinkers: atheists, agnostics and skeptics of any pedigree. The Foundation acts on countless violations of separation of state and church on behalf of members and the public, including: prayers in public schools, payment of public funds for religious purposes, government funding of pervasively sectarian institutions, and the ongoing campaign against civil rights for women, gays and lesbians led by churches.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is an educational group promoting the constitutional principle of separation of state and church and educating the public on matters relating to nontheism. Incorporated in 1978, the Foundation is a national membership association of freethinkers: atheists, agnostics and skeptics of any pedigree. The Foundation acts on countless violations of separation of state and church on behalf of members and the public, including: prayers in public schools, payment of public funds for religious purposes, government funding of pervasively sectarian institutions, and the ongoing campaign against civil rights for women, gays and lesbians led by churches.

Impact Information

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Financial

four stars

100.00

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

93.00

This rating was published 12/21/2018 and includes data from FY2017, 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)		 89.7%
  Administrative Expenses 9.5%
  Fundraising Expenses 0.7%
  Fundraising Efficiency < $0.01
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 3.99
  Program Expenses Growth 23.6%
  Liabilities to Assets 1.2%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Freedom From Religion Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Freedom From Religion Foundation 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
Freedom From Religion Foundation (WI) 95.05 four stars
State Voices (DC) 94.07 four stars
The Sentencing Project (DC) 92.20 four stars
Free Press (MA) 96.04 four stars
American Jewish Committee (NY) 88.79 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $3,260,141
   Federated Campaigns $61,832
   Membership Dues $1,496,970
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $0
Total Contributions $4,818,943
   Program Service Revenue $80,584
Total Primary Revenue $4,899,527
   Other Revenue $423,445
TOTAL REVENUE $5,322,972
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $4,034,401
   Administrative Expenses $400,563
   Fundraising Expenses $43,117
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $4,478,081
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $844,891
   
Net Assets $16,240,985

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
Educational Events $1,899,490 47.1%
Lawsuits $919,483 22.8%
Publishing, Broadcasting, & Educational Outreach $556,353 13.8%

Ratings History
Freedom From Religion Foundation has received 9 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2017-12 12/21/2018 95.05 four stars
2016-12 02/01/2018 97.17 four stars
2015-12 02/01/2017 97.17 four stars
2014-12 06/01/2016 97.17 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-12 12/01/2015 97.01 four stars
2013-12 03/01/2015 94.26 four stars
2012-12 11/01/2013 97.06 four stars
2011-12 11/06/2012 91.68 four stars
2010-12 04/01/2012 91.67 four stars
2009-12 12/23/2011 92.15 four stars
2008-12 09/20/2011 86.54 three stars
 
CN 1.0
2008-12 12/01/2009 98.84 four stars
2007-12 11/01/2008 98.77 four stars
2006-12 10/01/2007 98.86 four stars
2005-12 10/01/2006 98.52 four stars
2004-12 01/01/2006 98.43 four stars
2003-12 07/01/2005 94.01 four stars
2002-12 02/01/2004 89.01 three 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 39-1302520
Name in IRS Master File FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION INC
NTEE Code X20
NTEE Classification Christian
NTEE Type Religion-Related, Spiritual Development
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (92) Literary activities
(123) Discussion groups, forums, panels lectures, etc.
(120) Publishing 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 August, 1978
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
$91,000 2.03% Annie Laurie Gaylor Co-President
Other Salaries of Note
$91,000 2.03% Dan Barker Co-President

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Freedom From Religion Foundation (WI) 95.05 four stars
American Family Association (MS) 90.91 four stars
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (CA) 87.37 three stars
The Sikh Coalition (NY) 89.79 three stars
FairVote (MD) 88.81 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Freedom From Religion Foundation
P.O. Box 750
Madison, WI 53701
tel: (608) 256-8900
fax: (608) 204-0422
EIN: 39-1302520

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Stephen Hirtle
Chair

CEO

Dan Barker & Annie Laurie Gaylor
Co-Presidents

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