The Center for Investigative Reporting

“The Board of Directors of the Foundation for National Progress, dba Mother Jones Magazine, approved the formation of a Financial Audit Commitee and a Finance Committee in keeping with the corporation's bylaws that state: The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the directors then in office, create any number of Board Committees, each consisting of two or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board. Appointments to any Board Committee shall be made by any method determined by a majority vote of the directors then in office. Board Committees may be given all the authority of the Board, except for the power to: (a) set the number of directors within a range specified in these Bylaws; (b) fill vacancies on the Board of Directors or on any Board Committee; (c) elect directors or remove any director without cause; (d) fix compensation of directors for serving on the Board or any Board Committee; (e) amend or repeal these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws; (f) adopt amendments to the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation; (g) amend or repeal any resolution of the Board of Directors which by its express terms is not so amenable or repealable; (h) create any other Board Committees or appoint the members of any Board Committees; or (i) approve any merger, reorganization, voluntary dissolution, or disposition of substantially all of the assets of this corporation. As such, the Financial Audit Committee and Finance Committee approve the Form 990 prior to filing; a complete copy of the Form 990 is distributed to the entire Board of Directors prior to filing.”

“As per the corporation's conflict of interest policy, and to ensure that the Foundation operates in a manner consistent with its educational purposes and that it does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its status as an organization exempt from federal income tax, period reviews shall be conducted by the Department Supervisor (relevant to the transaction or arrangement), Publisher, CEO, CFO, and Board of Director's audit committee. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, occur annually and shall include the following subjects: * Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable and are as the result of arm's-length bargaining. * Whether acquisitions of services result in inurement or impermissible private benefit. * Whether transactions and arrangements with vendors and other organizations conform to written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable payments for goods and services, further the Foundation's educational purposes, and do not result in inurement or impermissible private benefit. * Whether agreements with employees and third-party payors further the Foundation's educational purposes and do not result in inurement or impermissible private benefit. In conducting these periodic reviews, the Foundation may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the Foundation of its responsibility for ensuring that periodic reviews are conducted.”

“The CEO's salary and performance is reviewed annually by an elected performance review/compensation committee as part of the Board of Directors. This was last performed and relayed to the CEO in October 2017 pertaining to 2017 performance. The CEO's salary is adjusted according to a COLA each year based on the Bay Area CPI. Any additional wage increase is based on merit and approved by the Board of Directors. The CFO's salary and performance is reviewed annually by the CEO with input from members of the senior management team. This was last performed and relayed to the CFO in September 2017 pertaining to 2017 performance. The CFO's salary is adjusted according to a COLA each year based on the Bay Area CPI. Any additional wage increase is based on merit and approved by the CEO.”

“The Foundation for National Progress provides a copy of Forms 990 and 990-T for public inspection on request (distributed either through the U.S. Postal Office or as a PDF document attached to an email). Additionally, The Foundation for National Progress provides GuideStar (a public nonprofit tracking web site) a copy of Forms 990 and 990-T for public inspection. Further, The Foundation's website, MotherJones.com, publishes the Foundation's most current annual audited financial statements for public inspection.”

“Consultants: Program service expenses 353,551. Management and general expenses 153,658. Fundraising expenses 101,201. Total expenses 608,410. Donor/membership communications: Program service expenses 844,862. Management and general expenses 161,319. Fundraising expenses 232,199. Total expenses 1,238,380.”

“The process has not changed from prior year.”