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Simon Wiesenthal Center

CharityWatch report issued
October 2022

Top-Rated Charity
B+
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
72%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$19
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Simon Wiesenthal Center
1399 S. Roxbury Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Other Names

Museum of Tolerance

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

Confronts anti-Semitism and hate, promotes human dignity, defends democracy and freedom, and teaches the lessons of the Holocaust for future generations.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2021

Program Percentage: 72%

The percentage of Simon Wiesenthal Center's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$21,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $19

How many dollars Simon Wiesenthal Center spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$15,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Joint Costs

Simon Wiesenthal Center's rating was adjusted for Joint Costs. If you are a donor who considers direct mail, telemarketing, and other Joint Cost solicitations to be true charitable programs, the below efficiency ratios, which were not adjusted for joint costs, may better reflect your goals.

Program % Cost to Raise $100
75% $14
Accounting rules allow charities to report some telemarketing, direct mail, and other solicitation costs as Program expenses. CharityWatch believes that most donors do not consider a charity's solicitation activities to be the Programs they are intending to support with their donations. We therefore adjust such expenses out of a charity's reported Program expense and add it to Fundraising expense prior to calculating its rating.

Government Funding

25% to 49%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Simon Wiesenthal Center IRS Form 990 95-3964928
Simon Wiesenthal Center Audited Consolidated Financial Statements multiple
Entity: Simon Wiesenthal Center
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 95-3964928
Entity: Simon Wiesenthal Center
Document Type: Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Tax ID: multiple

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Simon Wiesenthal Center
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Simon Wiesenthal Center
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Rabbi Marvin Hier President/CEO $792,590
2 Rabbi Abraham Cooper Associate Dean $525,738
3 Rabbi Meyer May Executive Director $523,650
1
Name: Rabbi Marvin Hier
Title: President/CEO
Compensation: $792,590
2
Name: Rabbi Abraham Cooper
Title: Associate Dean
Compensation: $525,738
3
Name: Rabbi Meyer May
Title: Executive Director
Compensation: $523,650

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) consolidated audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 10, Paycheck Protection Program Loan):

"SWC received loans in the amount of $1,720,100 and $1,299,595 to fund payroll, rent, and utilities through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP Loans are eligible to be forgiven by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) subject to certain performance barriers, as outlined in the loan agreement and the CARES [Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security] Act.

"The SBA may review funding eligibility and usage of funds for compliance with program requirements based on dollar thresholds and other factors. The amount of liability, if any, from potential noncompliance cannot be determined with certainty; however, management is of the opinion that any review will not have a material adverse impact on SWC's financial position.

"Subsequent to year end, $1,469,318 of the $1,720,100 PPP Loan was partially forgiven on February 21, 2022 and SWC has begun repaying the balance. The PPP Loan for $1,299,595 was fully forgiven on March 1, 2022."

According to the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) consolidated audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 12, Related Party Transactions):

"SWC pays a cleaning service and two law firms for which two board members and an officer respectively have a financial interest. Total fees paid to these entities for the year ended June 30, 2021 is $82,364, $154,316, and $69,864, respectively. The transactions are approved by the board of directors..."



In addition, according to the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, SWC reports for Business Transactions Involving Interested Persons (IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Part IV):

(1) A transaction in the amount of $404,985 described as "Employee" involving Marlene Hier, who has a family relationship.
(2) A transaction in the amount of $214,205 described as "Employee" involving Alan Hier, who has a family relationship.

[Regarding the above family relationship transactions, Part VII of the SWC Form 990 reports Rabbi Marvin Hier as "Pres CEO Fndr Dean" and Marlene Hier as "Director, Membership Div." (Alan Hier is not reported on Form 990, Part VII.) ]

According to the Simon Wiesenthal Center consolidated audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 2 re: Risks and Uncertainties):

"The World Health Organization declared the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) a worldwide pandemic in March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic is having significant effects on global markets, supply chains, businesses, and communities. Specific to the Organization, COVID19 [sic] may impact various parts of its 2021 operations and financial results, including grants. Management believes the Organization is taking appropriate actions to mitigate the negative impact. However, the full impact of COVID-19 is unknown and cannot be reasonably estimated as these events are still developing."