Mother Jones
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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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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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance