Ratings & Metrics
Joint Costs
Project on Government Oversight (POGO)'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 |
|---|---|
| 82% | $9 |
Financial Documents
| Entity | Document Type | Tax ID |
|---|---|---|
| Project on Government Oversight | Audited Financial Statements | 52-1739443 |
| Project on Government Oversight | IRS Form 990 | 52-1739443 |
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Entity: Project on Government Oversight Document Type: Audited Financial Statements Tax ID: 52-1739443 |
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Entity: Project on Government Oversight Document Type: IRS Form 990 Tax ID: 52-1739443 |
Governance & Transparency
Top Salaries
| Name | Title | Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danielle Brian | President / Executive Director | $251,378 |
| 2 | Keith Rutter | Secretary / Executive Operating Officer | $195,499 |
| 3 | Scott Amey | General Counsel | $175,448 |
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1 Name: Danielle Brian Title: President / Executive Director Compensation: $251,378 |
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2 Name: Keith Rutter Title: Secretary / Executive Operating Officer Compensation: $195,499 |
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3 Name: Scott Amey Title: General Counsel Compensation: $175,448 |
Analysts' Notes
CharityWatch's rating of the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) is for the 501(c)(3) public charity (tax ID #52-1739443). The rating does not include the financial activities of POGO's related 501(c)(4) tax-exempt, social welfare organization, POGO Action (tax ID #81-1092790).
"Due to restrictions placed on Section 501(c)(3) organizations, POGO Action Inc. ('POGO Action') was created as a 501(c)(4) organization. POGO Action is organized for purposes of social welfare, including but not limited to conducting research, publicizing findings and advocating for a more effective, accountable, open and ethical Federal government... Certain members of management and the Board of Directors of POGO also serve as management and members of the Board of Directors of POGO Action, respectively. However, POGO does not have a controlling financial interest in POGO Action. POGO and POGO Action entered into a Sharing Agreement in February 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were no significant shared services provided by POGO to POGO Action and no related shared service revenue is recognized in the accompanying statement of activities." CharityWatch does not provide a separate rating for POGO Action at this time due to its relative small size. CharityWatch separates the ratings for 501(c)(3) & 501(c)(4) organizations, even when their financial activities are included together in a consolidated audit, due to their differing treatments under the IRS tax code. 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 Project on Government Oversight (POGO) audit of December 31, 2023 (Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and General Information, Contributed Services), POGO reports receiving donated legal services in 2023 on which it placed a total value of $71,331. [Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.] |
According to the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) 2023 tax filing, POGO reports re: Business Transactions Involving Interested Persons a transaction in the amount of $103,284 involving Pamela Rutter. The transaction is described as follows: "Pamela Rutter is an employee of POGO and her spouse, Keith Rutter, is the EFO of POGO" (IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Parts IV & V). POGO reports Keith Rutter as "Secretary/Executive Operating Off. And Ex" [sic] receiving total compensation of $195,499 in 2023 (IRS Form 990, Part VII). |