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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: May 2024 Expires: May 2026

Mother Jones

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
6 7
Post Office Box 584
San Francisco, CA, 94104

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

Mother Jones does not meet the following 2 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.

MoJo 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.

MoJo does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.

Mother Jones meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to produce revelatory journalism that in its power and reach informs and inspires a more just and democratic world."

Year, State Incorporated:
1975, CA

Also Known As:
Foundation for National Progress

Mother Jones (MoJo) reports that it is a reader-supported investigative news organization that publishes stories ranging across topics such as politics, criminal and racial justice, education, climate change, and food and agriculture. The organization is based in San Francisco and has bureaus in Washington, DC and New York. MoJo offers a fellowship program that provides a crash course in investigative journalism, specifically how to cover breaking news, how investigations happen, how to ensure accuracy and impact, and how awards are won. The organization works to develop content and engagement through its website, social media, videos, podcasts, email newsletters, and print magazine to reach younger audiences. MoJo reports that it recently launched its pilot Creator-In-Residence program for creators focused on underserved audiences, sharing information, and providing different takes on democracy and voting rights.

For the year ended June 30, 2023, Mother Jones's program expenses were:

Fellowship $457,116
Audience and member services $2,719,871
Communications and impact $275,159
Research, art, editorial $8,337,128
Manufacturing, distribution, printing $1,038,549
Digital MotherJones.com $661,862
Total Program Expenses $13,489,685

Chief Executive
Monika Bauerlein, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$268,809

Chair of the Board
Judy Wise

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Former Executive Director, Facing History and Ourselves

Board Size
26

Paid Staff Size
114

*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, Telemarketing

MoJo incurred joint costs of $755,983 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $609,807 was allocated to fundraising expenses and $146,176 was allocated to program expenses.

Fundraising costs were 16% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $14,248,985, 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 Mother Jones's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023.

Source of Funds
Other, net $-72,596
Sponsored projects, net $34
Royalties $69,013
Rental income $75,656
List rentals $144,513
Planned gifts and estates $223,490
Realized and unrealized investment income, net $313,701
Special events $421,475
Single issue sales $723,670
Advertising $1,043,694
Memberships $6,047,151
Grants and contributions $7,556,869
Total Income $16,546,670

Programs: 76% Fundraising: 13% Administrative: 12%

Total Income $16,546,670
Total expenses: $17,753,020
  Program expenses $13,489,685
  Fundraising expenses $2,219,678
  Administrative expenses $2,043,657
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-1,206,350
Beginning Net Assets $3,733,786
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $2,527,436
Total Liabilities $9,624,853
Total Assets $12,152,289

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