Center for Investigative Reporting
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Center for Investigative Reporting does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:
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.
CIR does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://cir.org/, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
Center for Investigative Reporting meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to produce revelatory journalism that in its power and reach informs and inspires a more just and democratic world."
Year, State Incorporated:
1975, CA
Also Known As:
Mother Jones, Reveal
The Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) reports that it is an audience-supported investigative news organization. The organization’s work focuses on democracy issues, including civil and voting rights, reproductive rights, immigration, racial and economic justice, and exposing extremism and authoritarianism on the local, state, and national levels. CIR’s distribution includes Mother Jones magazine, the radio show and podcast Reveal, and the documentary team CIR Studios. The organization also works to bring investigative reporting to audiences not well served by traditional media, especially through social video and short-form videos.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, Center for Investigative Reporting's program expenses were:
| Research, art, editorial | $11,689,553 |
| Audience and member services | $2,662,762 |
| Manufacturing, distribution, printing | $1,037,635 |
| Digital MotherJones.com | $764,302 |
| Fellowship | $418,082 |
| Communications and impact | $318,309 |
| Total Program Expenses | $16,890,643 |
Chief Executive
Monika Bauerlein, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$136,061
Chair of the Board
Sara Frankel
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Entrepreneur
Board Size
23
Paid Staff Size
117
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note 1: The compensation information is for the period from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.
Note 2: The highest-paid employee was General Counsel Diana Victoria Baranetsky with total compensation of $141,499.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Membership appeals
Fundraising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $17,316,101, are donations received as a result of fundraising 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 Center for Investigative Reporting's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Contributions and grants | $17,316,101 |
| Subscriptions | $2,218,441 |
| Advertising | $1,190,908 |
| Investment income, net | $824,734 |
| Single issue sales | $481,930 |
| Carriage fees | $421,855 |
| Rental income | $302,468 |
| Other income | $294,710 |
| Total Income | $23,051,147 |
Programs: 71% Fundraising: 9% Administrative: 14%
| Total Income | $23,051,147 |
| Total expenses: | $23,653,542 |
| Program expenses | $16,890,643 |
| Fundraising expenses | $2,023,400 |
| Administrative expenses | $3,369,910 |
| Other expenses | $1,369,589 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-602,395 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $3,949,060 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $3,346,665 |
| Total Liabilities | $10,812,565 |
| Total Assets | $14,159,230 |
Note: In the above financial section, "other expenses" refers to business operations.
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 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 International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance