Monroe Institute does not meet the following 4 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.
Monroe Institute does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization?s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
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.
Monroe Institute does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
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.
Monroe Institute does not meet this Standard because the 2019 annual report did not include:
- Total end of year net assets.
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.
Monroe Institute does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, https://www.monroeinstitute.org, does not:
- Provide prominent access to its privacy policy.
- Indicate how to inform the charity that the visitor does not want his/her information shared with others.
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:
3
Monroe Institute meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
1985, VA
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Stated Purpose
"to further the exploration experience and exploration of consciousness, expanded awareness, and discovery of self using technology, education, research, and development."
Monroe Institute reports that it explores the human consciousness and offers training, education, and research in stress reduction, personal development, and learning techniques through residential and online programming. The organization states that its programs are offered on its main campus in Faber, Virginia, online, and across hosting countries. In 2019, Monroe Institute reports that its regional workshops hosted 1,185 individuals in 23 countries. In addition, the organization states that its USA residential programs hosted 1,057 individuals, the international residential programs hosted 634 individuals across ten countries, and Monroe Institute had 615 individuals participate in its online courses.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Monroe Institute's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$2,457,205 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$2,457,205 |
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Chief Executive
Stephen Ng Qui Sang, Interim President and Executive Director
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Compensation*
$0
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Chair of the Board
Janet Reed
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Attorney
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Board Size
7
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Paid Staff Size
25
*2021 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note 1: Stephen Ng Qui Sang began serving as the organization's Interim President and Executive Director in 2021. His compensation is not available at this time. In 2020, Scott Taylor served as the organization's President and Executive Director, receiving $98,654 in compensation.
Note 2: Monroe Institute reports that Lori Jacobwith, Chief Operating Officer, was the highest compensated employee in 2020, receiving $138,000 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Membership appeals, Telephone appeals
Fundraising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,347,242 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 Monroe Institute's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Donations and membership, net |
$1,347,242 |
| Training and educational programs, net |
$1,316,117 |
| Settlement income, net |
$692,705 |
| Unrealized gain on investments |
$326,386 |
| Product sales, net |
$135,649 |
| Interest and dividend income |
$61,575 |
| Rental property income,net |
$4,843 |
| Miscellaneous income |
$346 |
| Total Income |
$3,884,863 |
- Programs: 92%
- Fundraising: 5%
- Administrative: 3%
- Other: Less than 1%
| Total Income |
$3,884,863 |
| Program expenses |
$2,457,205 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$123,414 |
| Administrative expenses |
$93,283 |
| Other expenses |
$3,989 |
| Total expenses: |
$2,677,891 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$1,206,972 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$2,757,529 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$4,962,704 |
| Total Liabilities |
$539,929 |
| Total Assets |
$5,502,633 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other expenses" refers to miscellaneous expenses.
Note 2: In 2019, Monroe Institute reports receiving $1,225 in donated training services ($875) and drum set ($350).