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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: August 2024 Expires: August 2026

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

510 Walnut Street, Suite 900
Philadelphia, PA, 19106

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to defend and promote the value of free speech for all Americans in our courtrooms, on our campuses, and in our culture."

Year, State Incorporated:
1999, MA

Also Known As:
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) works to build an America in which people believe in the right for others to freely express views different from their own and expect their laws, institutions, and society to embody this belief. To realize this vision, the organization pursues a three-part strategy of advocacy, education, and mobilization. Through advocacy, FIRE defends individuals whose expressive rights have been violated, works to secure solid First Amendment precedent, and promotes rights-friendly public policy. The organization uses education to conduct research, data-driven messaging, and strategic outreach, to inform the American public about the importance of expressive rights and how they can defend them. Through mobilization, FIRE spearheads grassroots advocacy, builds networks of pro-free speech individuals, and hosts events to empower everyday Americans to fight censorship and defend free speech as a cultural value.

For the year ended June 30, 2023, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's program expenses were:

Campus rights advocacy: $1,522,193

Engagement and mobilization: $790,527

Faculty outreach: $275,849

FIRE litigation: $3,274,270

FIRE student network: $785,592

K-12 outreach: $75,299

Legislative and policy: $870,825

Policy reform project: $596,647

Public advocacy: $256,056

Public awareness project: $17,111,885

Research: $3,548,738

Strategic partnerships: $838,208

Total Program Expenses: $29,946,088

Chief Executive
Gregory Lukianoff, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$480,106

Chair of the Board
John Ellis

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Entrepreneur

Board Size
10

Paid Staff Size
117

*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Foundation grants, Corporate solicitation

Fundraising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $35,288,838, 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 Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023.

Source of Funds
Contributions and grants $35,288,838
Investment income $2,293,432
Other income $267,707
Total Income $37,849,977

Programs: 87% Fundraising: 9% Administrative: 4%

Total Income $37,849,977
Total expenses: $34,574,657
  Program expenses $29,946,088
  Fundraising expenses $3,146,420
  Administrative expenses $1,482,149
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $3,275,320
Beginning Net Assets $41,875,620
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $45,150,940
Total Liabilities $5,948,620
Total Assets $51,099,560

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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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance