Commission on Presidential Debates

Analysis

Commission on Presidential Debates is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in June 1987, 39 years ago. Its declared purposes cover civil rights, social action and advocacy, which this site groups under human rights and equality. 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, Commission on Presidential Debates reported income of $8.9m and spending of $2.0m, leaving 77% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $8.7m to $8.9m (+1.7%), an average of +0.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2023, when income rose by 8038%. Over the whole period it spent 65% of the income it received.

Among 9,611 United States charities whose main cause is human rights and equality and that reported income, Commission on Presidential Debates sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile, and in the 86th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Brave New Software Project Inc ($8.9m), National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association ($9.0m) and Full Employment Council Inc ($8.9m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 4.7% and program service revenue 91% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $492k (24% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $244k. At year end it held assets of $14.6m against liabilities of $838k, net assets of $13.7m. It reported 3 employees.