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Death with Dignity National Center

CharityWatch report issued
July 2024

Top-Rated Charity
A-
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
77%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$16
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Death with Dignity National Center
520 SW 6th Avenue
Suite 1220
Portland, OR 97204

Other Names

Death with Dignity

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To promote death with dignity laws based on our model legislation, the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, both to provide an option for dying individuals and to stimulate nationwide improvements in end-of-life care.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 03/31/2023

Program Percentage: 77%

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

$1,800,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $16

How many dollars Death with Dignity National Center spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$1,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Death with Dignity National Center & Political Fund Audited Consolidated Financial Statements Multiple
Death with Dignity National Center & Political Fund IRS Form 990 93-1162366
Entity: Death with Dignity National Center & Political Fund
Document Type: Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Tax ID: Multiple
Entity: Death with Dignity National Center & Political Fund
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 93-1162366

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?
 
Death with Dignity National Center
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Death with Dignity National 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 Peg Sandeen CEO $195,792
2 Szelena Gray President $123,880
1
Name: Peg Sandeen
Title: CEO
Compensation: $195,792
2
Name: Szelena Gray
Title: President
Compensation: $123,880

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.

CharityWatch's rating of Death with Dignity National Center is for the 501(c)(3) public charity (tax ID #93-1162366). The rating does not include the financial activities of the related 501(c)(4) tax-exempt, social welfare organization, Death with Dignity Political Fund (tax ID #93-1324899).


According to the Death with Dignity consolidated audit of March 31, 2023 (Note 1 re: The Organization):

"Death with Dignity Political Fund, formed in 2001 to replace the State Political Action Committee, Oregon Right to Die, organized bold advocacy campaigns to revolutionize end-of-life care and pass aid-in-dying laws. The Fund engages in a variety of activities to promote the social welfare of dying individuals and expand options for aid-in-dying, including lobbying and political advocacy."

Death with Dignity National Center reports making a $250,000 grant to the Political Fund in fiscal 2023 (IRS Form 990, Schedules I & R).

CharityWatch does not provide a separate rating for Death with Dignity Political Fund at this time due to its small size. The Political Fund received $423,475 in contributions in fiscal 2023, according to its audited Consolidating Statement of Activities.

CharityWatch separates the ratings for 501(c)(3) & 501(c)(4) organizations, even when such organizations are included together in a consolidated audit, due to their differing tax treatments by the IRS. For more information on this topic, please see our sections on Types of Non-Profits, Tax Status, and Treatment of Related Organizations, which can be found on the Our Process page. For more information about things to consider when donating to organizations that have related public charity and social welfare entities, read "Sorting Out Nonprofit Pairs."

According to the Death with Dignity National Center consolidated audit of March 31, 2023 (Note 9, Concentrations of Credit Risk):

"Contributions received from one donor during the fiscal year 2023 represented 23% of total support and revenue (34% of total support and revenue was received from three donors during fiscal year 2022)."

According to the Death with Dignity National Center (DDNC) consolidated audit of March 31, 2023 (Note 11, Related Party Disclosure):

"The Center contracted for consulting services with a company owned by an employee of the Center. Total payments made to the company approximated $216,000 and $46,000 for the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively."

According to the Death with Dignity National Center's 2023 tax filing, DDNC reports re: Business Transactions Involving Interested Persons (IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Part V re: Schedule L, Part IV):

(A) Name of Interested Person: Stephen Gray
(B) Relationship Between Interest Person and Organization: An owner of Geer Strategies is spouse of the President of the Organization
(C) Description of Transaction: Professional services



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