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Top Rated

Union of Concerned Scientists

CharityWatch report issued
October 2021

Top-Rated Charity
A
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
85%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$9
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Union of Concerned Scientists
Two Brattle Square
Suite 6
Cambridge, MA 02138-3780

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Website

www.ucsusa.org

Stated Mission

Puts rigorous independent science to work to solve the most pressing problems of our planet.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 09/30/2020

Program Percentage: 85%

The percentage of Union of Concerned Scientists's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$41,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $9

How many dollars Union of Concerned Scientists spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$45,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Joint Costs

Union of Concerned Scientists' 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
87% $7
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
The Union of Concerned Scientists IRS Form 990 04-2535767
Union of Concerned Scientists Audited Financial Statements 04-2535767
Entity: The Union of Concerned Scientists
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 04-2535767
Entity: Union of Concerned Scientists
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 04-2535767

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?
 
Union of Concerned Scientists
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Union of Concerned Scientists
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 Kenneth Kimmell President $373,218
2 Kathleen Rest Executive Director $320,474
3 Laurie Marden Chief Development Officer $288,363
1
Name: Kenneth Kimmell
Title: President
Compensation: $373,218
2
Name: Kathleen Rest
Title: Executive Director
Compensation: $320,474
3
Name: Laurie Marden
Title: Chief Development Officer
Compensation: $288,363

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 Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) audit of September 30, 2020 (Note 8, Refundable Advance):

"UCS applied for and received a forgivable Paycheck Protection Loan of $4,380,847 as provided under the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The loan was funded in August 2020. Under the terms of the loan, the balance is forgivable to the extent the proceeds are used for certain qualified costs among other requirements. UCS anticipates using all of the proceeds for eligible costs and expects the entire amount to be forgiven in fiscal year 2021. Management determined it would be prudent to defer any recognition of revenue associated with the program until legal forgiveness is attained. A formal request for forgiveness is expected to be submitted by March 2021."

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) audit of September 30, 2020 (Note 15, Risks and Uncertainties):

"Management is currently unable to accurately forecast the future impact on revenues resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had minimal impact on UCS's operations through the date of this report [February 17, 2021]. However, it is possible that future financial results and operations may be materially impacted by the uncertainties of the pandemic's duration and global economic impact."

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) audit of September 30, 2020 (Note 2 re: Subsequent Events):

"UCS has evaluated subsequent events through February 17, 2021, the date the [audited] financial statements were issued.

"On November 13, 2020, UCS was awarded a grant for $15 million from a foundation, which is expected to be used over a two-year term. Full payment was received on November 19, 2020."


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