the hidden world of nonprofits

The Hidden Worldof Nonprofits

Ronald Campbellrcampbell@ocregister.com

Ron is a staff writer for The Orange County Register where he pioneered the paper’s computer-assisted reporting program. He has investigated charities, penny stocks, immigration and the buying and selling of human body parts.

CampbellRONALD

Nonprofits are everywhere – in health care, education, culture,

the economy – everywhere except the news.

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

www.guidestar.org• Free access 3 years of 990s• Premium ($300 for IRE members) unlimited access

FOLLOW THE MONEY

• Tiny charities ($25k/$50k) file 990-N “e-postcards”• … or nothing at all (churches)

THE MONEY TRAIL

Filing thresholds for 990 vs. 990-EZ

2008 2009 2010

Receipts $1 mill. $500k $200k

Assets $2.5 mill. $1.25 mill. $500k

THE MONEY TRAIL, CONT.

• Pages 3-4: Preview of coming attractions

• Pages 5-6: Catchall

• Pages 7-8: Pay!!!

INSIDE THE 990

• Page 9: Revenue

• Page 10: Expenses

• Page 11: Balance sheet

• Schedules

INSIDE THE 990, CONT.

It started with a lima bean field, became “an international shopping destination,” and then …

CASE STUDY:ORANGE COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS

CENTER

Performing Arts Center, opened August 1986

• Founded 1979.

• Opened 3,000-seat hall 1986.

• Opened 2,000-seat concert hall and theater 2006.

• Privately funded for 20 years.

CASE STUDY: OCPAC

Concert hall, opened September 2006

Before the fall …

Big piece of art

Big piece of art

O.C. Performing Arts Center finances, 2005-2009

$-$10,000,000$20,000,000$30,000,000$40,000,000$50,000,000$60,000,000$70,000,000$80,000,000$90,000,000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Programs

Other

Donations

Expenses

OCPAC’s board members and donors represent the power structure of the nation’s fifth-largest county. They include the billionaire co-founder of Broadcom and owner of the Anaheim Ducks hockey team (right), a former ambassador to Spain, many millionaires and corporate executives, even a onetime aide to former President Nixon.

CentralHeavy hitters

mug

http://emma.msrb.org• Created by Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board

• Links to offering statements, other documents

A NEW TOOL

Big piece of art

EMMA search

Big piece of art

$240 million bond issue

Big piece of art

Chapman University revenue, 2005-2009

Big piece of art

One product of Chapman’s boom: a new library

Big piece of art

990 for 2010 still not available

Big piece of art

Big piece of art

Big piece of art