Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center
Meets Standards
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
Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to advance respect for human rights and social justice and promote individual action."
Year, State Incorporated:
1968, DC
The Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center (Kennedy HRC) reports that it works to protect human rights through strategic litigation, policy advocacy, business engagement, and leadership development in the United States and internationally, partnering with human rights defenders and educators across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization's U.S. advocacy and litigation program addresses issues in the criminal and immigration systems, and seeks structural reforms that advance due process, accountability, and equal protection under the law. The business and human rights program works with a global network of institutional investors and corporations to align business practices and capital allocation that address inequality and protect workers' rights across supply chains, workplaces, and emerging technologies. Through the organization's John Lewis Young Leaders (JLYL), a year-long fellowship, undergraduate students receive training in human rights, civic leadership, and community organizing. JLYL participants have access to grassroots organizing workshops, one on one mentorship from Kennedy HRC staff, financial support, and networking opportunities with human rights professionals, peers, and program alumni. Kennedy HRC's human rights education program provides curricular resources, such as webinars, trainings, and lesson plans centered around human rights for educators.
For the year ended December 30, 2024, Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center's program expenses were:
| Partners for human rights | $3,569,524 |
| Compass | $2,243,902 |
| Communications | $1,602,877 |
| RFK Legacy | $533,741 |
| JL/RFK Young Leaders | $260,887 |
| Speak Truth to Power | $207,307 |
| Book and journalism awards | $160,655 |
| RFKHR International | $140,652 |
| Workplace dignity initiative | $51,297 |
| Total Program Expenses | $8,770,842 |
Chief Executive
Kerry Kennedy, President
Compensation*
$500,254
Chair of the Board
Frank Baker and Joseph P. Kennedy III
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Siris Capital; and United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland
Board Size
39
Paid Staff Size
38
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Workplace Giving
Fundraising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $11,950,444, 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 Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center's audited financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Contributions and grants | $7,366,724 |
| Special events, net | $3,972,931 |
| Investment income, net | $1,121,718 |
| In-kind contributions | $610,789 |
| Other income | $239,682 |
| Bank interest | $26,169 |
| Total Income | $13,338,013 |
Programs: 66% Fundraising: 10% Administrative: 24%
| Total Income | $13,338,013 |
| Total expenses: | $13,342,337 |
| Program expenses | $8,770,842 |
| Fundraising expenses | $1,395,306 |
| Administrative expenses | $3,176,189 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-4,324 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $36,566,446 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $-2,107,927 |
| Ending Net Assets | $34,454,195 |
| Total Liabilities | $6,167,097 |
| Total Assets | $40,621,292 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in value of guarantor debt to insurance trust ($479,082) and a change in value of beneficial interest in remainder trusts (-$2,587,009).
Note 2: According to the organization's 2024 audited financial statements, Kennedy HRC received in-kind contributions totaling $610,789 in the form of pro-bono legal services.
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.
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Review in Progress
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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance