Human Life International does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 8 (Program Service Expense Ratio)
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.
HLI does not meet this Standard because:
- According to its audited financial statements - consolidated - for the year ended 9/30/2020, the organization spent $1,634,211 or 61% of its total expenses on programs.
In response to the finding, the charity stated:
"Over the past five years we have experienced a reduction in our mission staff due to retirements and one staff member moving on to another organization. We have yet to replace those staff positions, but we have plans to expand our mission staff in 2022. Additionally, we are growing our network of partners around the world and have budgeted 2022 growth in mission grants."
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.
HLI does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2021 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses, broken down by major program category (communications, education, and mission general).
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
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.
HLI does not meet this Standard because the 2020 annual report did not include:
- A summary of program service accomplishments for the year ended September 30, 2020.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
HLI does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://hli.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- A summary of program service accomplishments for the year ended September 30, 2020.
Standard 19 (Cause Related Marketing)
Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).
HLI does not meet this Standard because, in the past year, the organization participated in promotions for the sale of consumer goods which indicated that the organization would benefit from these purchases. The promotions, however, did not specify:
- The actual or anticipated amount of the purchase price that would benefit the organization.
Human Life International meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Human Life International (HLI) operates educational programs both nationally and internationally regarding pro-life/family issues. The organization also distributes pro-life/family literature and provides requested information to the public and the media. HLI attends conferences globally in support of pro-life education and activities, providing an opportunity for attendees to share information, establish contacts, and generate action on local and regional levels.
For the year ended September 30, 2020, Human Life International's program expenses were:
Mission general |
$1,037,278 |
Communications |
$369,855 |
Education |
$227,078 |
Total Program Expenses: |
$1,634,211 |
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: The highest compensated staff member, in 2019, was Mr. John Martin, Executive Vice President for Mission Advancement. Mr. Martin received compensation totaling $93,919.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 17% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,548,313, 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 Human Life International's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended September 30, 2020.
Source of Funds |
Contributions |
$2,409,106 |
Rental income |
$191,034 |
In-kind contributions |
$139,207 |
Investment return, net |
$16,858 |
Merchandise sales, net |
$7,681 |
Other income |
($13) |
Total Income |
$2,763,873 |
- Programs: 62%
- Administrative: 22%
- Fundraising: 16%
Total Income |
$2,763,873 |
Program expenses |
$1,634,211 |
Fundraising expenses |
$429,819 |
Administrative expenses |
$607,547 |
Other expenses |
$0 |
Total expenses: |
$2,671,577 |
Income in Excess of Expenses |
$92,296 |
Beginning Net Assets |
$3,946,199 |
Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-39,000 |
Ending Net Assets |
$3,999,495 |
Total Liabilities |
$827,187 |
Total Assets |
$4,826,682 |
Note 1: According to HLI's audited financial statements - consolidated - for the year ended September 30, 2020, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $139,207.
Note 2: In the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in value of split-interest agreements.