Compass Pro Bono

Analysis

Compass Pro Bono is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in February 2009, 17 years ago. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Compass Pro Bono reported income of $1.5m and spending of $1.6m, spending 107% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $1.2m to $1.5m (+19%), an average of +4.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2020, when income rose by 125%. Over the whole period it spent 90% of the income it received.

Among 72,936 United States charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Compass Pro Bono sits at the 82nd percentile: it is larger than about 82% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 83rd percentile, and in the 61st percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Los Angeles Housing Partnership Inc ($1.5m), Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Board ($1.5m) and Leadership Greater Washington ($1.5m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 86% and program service revenue 12% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $256k (16% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $832k. It paid $5,000 in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $1.6m against liabilities of $64k, net assets of $1.5m. It reported 23 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.