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Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)

CharityWatch report issued
May 2021

Top-Rated Charity
A-
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
75%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$14
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
689 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge , MA 02139

Other Names

UUSC

Tax Status

501(c)3

Website

www.uusc.org

Stated Mission

Advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2020

Program Percentage: 75%

The percentage of Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)'s cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$8,800,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $14

How many dollars Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$8,700,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Joint Costs

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)'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
81% $9
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

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee IRS Form 990 04-6186012
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Audited Financial Statements 04-6186012
Entity: Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 04-6186012
Entity: Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 04-6186012

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?
 
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
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

  Name Title Compensation
1 Mary Katherine Morn President/CEO $276,667
2 Cassandra Ryan VP/Chief Development Officer $205,347
3 Kathleen McTigue Director of AJE $188,476
1
Name: Mary Katherine Morn
Title: President/CEO
Compensation: $276,667
2
Name: Cassandra Ryan
Title: VP/Chief Development Officer
Compensation: $205,347
3
Name: Kathleen McTigue
Title: Director of AJE
Compensation: $188,476

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 Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) audit of June 30, 2020 (Note 13, Concentrations and Related Party Matters):

"Unrestricted revenue for the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 includes $75,000 and $925,000, respectively, from one donor, the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock ('Shelter Rock'). During the year ended June 30, 2019, Shelter Rock committed grant revenue of $850,000. However, final approval of an $850,000 matching grant for fiscal year 2021 occurred in July of 2020. Shelter Rock paid $925,000 in donations for the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. Based on experience, UUSC expects that the balance at June 30, 2020 from Shelter Rock will be collected in full.

"There were no related party transactions in the current year."

According to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) audit of June 30, 2020 (Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic):

"Management is currently unable to accurately forecast the future impact on contribution patterns resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which could impact the quantity of donors and the dollar size of contributions. The effects of these matters could impact the future results of operations. Based on information available through the date of this report [October 3, 2020], management has noted an estimate of uncollectible accounts of $83,871 and an expectation of increased volatility of endowment returns, as well as a potentially significant decline in endowment value. UUSC applied [for] and was granted a Paycheck Protection Program conditional grant of approximately $893,000 on April 24, 2020. The portion of funds spent for payroll and other costs through June 30, 2020 amounted to $685,388 and was recorded as grant revenue (non-operating), due to the expectation of loan forgiveness from the SBA [Small Business Administration]."


According to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) audit of June 30, 2020 (Note 8, Paycheck Protection Program Advance):

"UUSC applied for and received a Paycheck Protection Program conditional grant of approximately $893,000 as provided under the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and the loan was funded on April 27, 2020. Under the terms of the grant, the balance is forgivable to the extent the proceeds are used for certain qualified costs for the 24 week period through September 2020 and that certain employment levels are maintained. As a forgivable grant ... management has reflected grant revenue of $685,388 as costs were incurred as of June 30, 2020 along with a like reduction of the advance amount given that all material barriers to entitlement have been met. Management intends to use the remaining advanced proceeds for qualified costs in fiscal year 2021. A formal request for forgiveness was submitted subsequent to year end."

According to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) audit of June 30, 2020 (Note 9 re: Special Initiative Campaign - Hope. Courage. Action: Putting Justice on the Move):

"Hope. Courage. Action: Putting Justice on the Move is a special gifts campaign established to raise funds in support of UUSC's programmatic work through the organization's eye-to-eye partnership model, to help grow the activism and membership, and increase UUSC's reserves. This campaign will provide UUSC with an opportunity to consolidate the significant growth experienced over past campaign's [sic] and from the increase in support from individual donors, who support the campaign's efforts through pledged cash donations and planned gifts, to help secure UUSC's financial future the next several years.

"The campaign, which began in fall 2019, will be conducted over five years, with funds actively raised from FY 2020 through FY 2025. Fiscal years 2020 and early 2021 will comprise the 'quiet' phase of the campaign, with the public phase beginning in later FY 2021."

According to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) audit of June 30, 2020 (Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, Employment Agreement):

"As is common in many organizations, UUSC has employment agreements with key management personnel, including the CEO whose agreement commenced on June 13, 2018 and contains a number of provisions relative to the terms of employment. Additionally, UUSC also pays certain benefits of two prior CEOs..."

According to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, UUSC reports re: Business Transactions Involving Interested Persons a transaction in the amount of $78,606 involving "Family member of Board Member." The transaction is described as "Employment" (IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Parts IV & V).

According to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) audit of June 30, 2020 (Note 15, Collective Bargaining Agreement):

"UUSC's workforce is composed primarily of members of UNITE Here! with whom there is a collective bargaining agreement. The latest agreement took effect in July 2018 and remains in force through June 2023."

According to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, UUSC reports re: Compensation, Supplemental Information (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III):

Regarding nonfixed payments to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees (Schedule J, Part I, Line 7):

"Bonuses were paid to all qualified staff members based upon their annual performance review."


UUSC reports "Bonus & incentive compensation" payments to seven individuals in calendar year 2019, including $21,900 paid to Mary Katherine Morn, President & CEO, whose reported total compensation in 2019 is $276,667. The other six reported "Bonus & incentive compensation" payments were $7,000 or less, with associated reported total compensation ranging from $205,347 to $145,895 (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II).