Opensecrets

Analysis

Opensecrets is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in September 1983, 43 years ago. Its declared purposes cover public and societal benefit, which this site groups under other charitable purposes. 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 December 2023, Opensecrets reported income of $2.5m and spending of $4.3m, spending 172% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income fell from $3.1m to $2.5m (-19%), an average of -5.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 336%. Over the whole period it spent 86% of the income it received.

Among 72,936 United States charities whose main cause is other charitable purposes and that reported income, Opensecrets sits at the 87th percentile: it is larger than about 87% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 88th percentile, and in the 70th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Arc of Dekalb County ($2.5m), Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado Inc ($2.5m) and Heartland Community College Foundation ($2.5m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 68% and program service revenue 24% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $395k (9.2% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $2.1m. At year end it held assets of $4.2m against liabilities of $211k, net assets of $4.0m. It reported 48 employees.