Radio Free Asia

Analysis

Radio Free Asia is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in August 1996, 30 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts, culture and humanities, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. 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 September 2023, Radio Free Asia reported income of $64.6m and spending of $65.0m, spending 101% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2019 to September 2023, income grew from $55.1m to $64.6m (+17%), an average of +4.0% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2023, when income rose by 27%. Over the whole period it spent 101% of the income it received.

Among 45,478 United States charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Radio Free Asia sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 97th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Kenneth C Griffin Museum of Science and Industry ($64.4m), Mozilla Foundation ($64.7m) and MCNC ($64.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending September 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 100% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $959k (1.5% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $32.4m. At year end it held assets of $60.0m against liabilities of $56.7m, net assets of $3.4m. It reported 336 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.