FairVote does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
FairVote does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's effectiveness assessment policy does not specify that this assessment will take place at least once every two years.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
FairVote does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
FairVote does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not produce a 2021 budget.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
FairVote does not meet this Standard because the 2019 annual report did not include:
- A roster of the board of directors.
- 2019 financial information.
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.
FairVote does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, http://fairvote.org, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
13
FairVote meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
1992, DC
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Also Known As
The Center for Voting and Democracy
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Stated Purpose
"to give voters greater choice, a stronger voice, and a representative democracy that works for all Americans."
FairVote studies elections and electoral rules, develops educational resources, convenes strategic conferences, writes extensively about its proposals, and engages with civic leaders and journalists. The organization also provides assistance to various civic groups, including those in Utah, New York, and Maine to give advice, provide information and work with stakeholders to promote electoral reform.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, FairVote's program expenses were:
| Outreach |
$875,957 |
| Law and policy |
$776,696 |
| Communications |
$579,288 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$2,231,941 |
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Chief Executive
Robert Richie, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Compensation*
$159,998
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Chair of the Board
Alice Underwood
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Global Leader, Insurance Consulting and Technology, Willis Towers Watson
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Board Size
9
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Paid Staff Size
18
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Telephone appeals
Fundraising costs were 2% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,210,414, 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 FairVote's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Public support |
$4,210,414 |
| Other income |
$63,821 |
| Program service revenue |
$13,250 |
| Interest income |
$741 |
| Total Income |
$4,288,226 |
- Programs: 81%
- Administrative: 17%
- Fundraising: 2%
| Total Income |
$4,288,226 |
| Program expenses |
$2,231,941 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$79,226 |
| Administrative expenses |
$471,729 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$2,782,896 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$1,505,330 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$477,484 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$1,982,814 |
| Total Liabilities |
$24,408 |
| Total Assets |
$2,007,222 |