Large Asset Reserves
CharityWatch reduces the grade of any charity that has available assets equal to three to five years of operating expenses. Charities with "years of available assets" of more than five years receive an "F" grade regardless of other measurements. In CharityWatch's view, a reserve of less than three years is reasonable and does not affect a charity's grade. These reductions in grades are based solely on the charities' asset reserves as compared to budget. The CharityWatch definition of "years of available assets" includes funds currently available for the charity's use, including investments that the charity has set aside as a reserve but could choose to spend if it wanted to do so. Southern Poverty Law Center's letter grade rating has been downgraded because it has 3 or more years of available assets.
See Our Process to learn more about how CharityWatch considers a charity’s asset reserves and the High Asset List for a list of charities whose ratings have been reduced due to high assets.
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Ratings & Metrics
Joint Costs
Southern Poverty Law 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 |
|---|---|
| 73% | $17 |
Financial Documents
| Entity | Document Type | Tax ID |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Poverty Law Center | Consolidated Audited Financial Statements | Multiple |
| Southern Poverty Law Center | IRS Form 990 | 63-0598743 |
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Entity: Southern Poverty Law Center Document Type: Consolidated Audited Financial Statements Tax ID: Multiple |
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Entity: Southern Poverty Law Center Document Type: IRS Form 990 Tax ID: 63-0598743 |
Governance & Transparency
Top Salaries
| Name | Title | Compensation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Margaret Huang | President / CEO | $522,740 |
| 2 | Derwyn Bunton | Chief Legal Officer | $302,078 |
| 3 | Ann Beeson | Chief Program Officer | $296,710 |
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1 Name: Margaret Huang Title: President / CEO Compensation: $522,740 |
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2 Name: Derwyn Bunton Title: Chief Legal Officer Compensation: $302,078 |
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3 Name: Ann Beeson Title: Chief Program Officer Compensation: $296,710 |
Analysts' Notes
CharityWatch's rating of Southern Poverty Law Center (the Center) is for the 501(c)(3) public charity entity (tax ID #63-0598743). The rating does not include the financial activities of the related 501(c)(4) tax-exempt, social welfare organization, SPLC Action Fund (tax ID #83-1085161). According to the Southern Poverty Law Center tax filing for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024, the Center made a "Gift, grant, or capital contribution" in the amount of $3,375,000 to SPLC Action Fund in fiscal 2024 (IRS Form 990, Schedule R, Part V). SPLC Action Fund's contributions from unrelated sources in fiscal 2024 totaled $1,300,150, according to its fiscal 2024 tax filing. Given its relatively small size, CharityWatch does not provide a separate rating for SPLC Action Fund at this time. 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 Southern Poverty Law Center (the Center) consolidated audit of October 31, 2024 (Note 10, Contributions of Non-Financial Assets): The Center received contributions of non-financial assets (donated services and goods) during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024, on which it placed a total value of $420,299. [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.] |