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Move America Forward

CharityWatch report issued
September 2023

 
CharityWatch Grade
 

Contact Information

Move America Forward
3105 Fite Circle
Suite 108
Sacramento, CA 95827

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To provide and promote support for our troops and their mission in the war on terror.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2021

*Why a Question Mark Rating?

CharityWatch currently has concerns about this organization and/or is unable to provide complete rating information due to the organization's nondisclosure of financial information. Please see the Analysts' Notes section for a more detailed explanation.


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.
Move America Forward
does not meet governance benchmarks.
 
Move America Forward
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

Unable to Provide Salaries

CharityWatch is unable to provide a range of Top Three Salaries for this charity for the above fiscal reporting year because we lack complete salary data for the organization. Except for officers, directors, and trustees, the IRS does not require breakouts of salaries totaling less than $100,000.

For example, XYZ charity would be required to provide a breakout in its tax form of compensation to its president of $55,000, but would not be required to provide a breakout of $99,000 in compensation to its top medical researcher if that person is not also an officer, director, or trustee of the organization.

This charity reports that compensation to its officers, directors, and trustees is under $100,000 per individual. Donors who would like to view limited salary data for this organization should refer to its tax form, which may be available on the charity's web site or from a number of third-party sources. See CharityWatch's Links page for information on obtaining copies of charity tax forms.


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 has assigned Move America Forward (MAF) a "?" rating at this time due to concerns identified by the Attorney General of the State of California in its Complaint filed against MAF in July of 2019 with the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Sacramento. For more information, please see the related CharityWatch article, "Move America Forward Held Back by Financial & Political Interests of its Directors." 

A Final Judgment in case #34-2019-00261222 filed with the Superior Court of the State of California County of Sacramento on March 23, 2023 states that the "Defendants shall make payment of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) by check payable to the California Department of Justice..." It further states that "Defendant Salvatore Russo confirms his plan to step down and retire from his position as a director on MAF's board, and from his positions as MAF's chief strategist, secretary and treasurer, by January 20, 2023. Further, as to MAF, Defendant Salvatore Russo shall no longer: (1) act as a director, officer, trustee, manager, supervisor, or other fiduciary, or (2) hold, manage, direct, or control funds or assets. Defendant Salvatore Russo shall comply with the foregoing should he volunteer for MAF thereafter, and shall not be compensated by MAF for volunteer work. Defendant Russo, March & Associates, Inc. may continue to provide services to MAF, but not after July 31, 2023, and Defendant Salvatore Russo shall not provide services to MAF through another business." 

In MAF's IRS Form 990 tax filing for the fiscal year ended 2021, Salvatore Russo is reported as one of three members of MAF's board of directors with the title "Secretary / Treasurer." (IRS Form 990, Part VII). The tax filing further reports that "Sal Russo" received $81,000 from MAF in 2021. The description for the transaction states, "Sal Russo is President and Director of RMA." (IRS Form 990, Schedule L). Fiscal 2021 is the most current year of financial documents (IRS Form 990 and audited financial statements) that CharityWatch has been able to locate in public databases as of September 1, 2023.


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