Physicians for Human Rights does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
PHR does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 12 (Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses)
Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.
PHR does not meet this Standard because, in the organization's financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021, the detailed functional breakdown of expenses:
- Only included a functional breakdown for program services. It did not include a detailed breakdown of expenses for each of its major program activities including Advocacy, Asylum, Building Forensic Capacity in Iraq, Communications, Program General, Research and Investigations, and Sexual Violence.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
PHR does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2022 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Included total projected program service expenses, however, did not break these expenses down by major program category including Advocacy, Asylum, Building Forensic Capacity in Iraq, Communications, Program General, Research and Investigations, and Sexual Violence.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
PHR does not meet this Standard because the 2020 annual report did not include:
- A breakdown of total expenses by each major program including Advocacy, Asylum, Building Forensic Capacity in Iraq, Communications, Program General, Research and Investigations, and Sexual Violence.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
6
Physicians for Human Rights meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) aims to use medical and scientific research, advocacy, investigations, and forensic documentation to uncover the truth where evidence of human rights violations is poorly understood, contested, or buried. The organization reports that it uses the disciplines of medicine, science, forensics, and public health to confront some of the world's problems in some of the most challenging environments. PHR also reports that it promotes respect for human rights, seeks justice for victims, and advocates for holding human rights violators accountable to prevent further abuses. The organization documents torture including sexual violence, analyzes forensic evidence of attacks on civilians, proves use of illegal and weapons by police and armed forces, defends doctors under attack for upholding professional ethical standards, and collects and preserves evidence of atrocities to end impunity for perpetrators.
For the year ended June 30, 2021, Physicians for Human Rights's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$6,662,103 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$6,662,103 |
-
Chief Executive
Jennifer Sime, Chief Operating Officer and Interim Executive Director
-
Compensation*
$0
-
Chair of the Board
Alan Jones
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Senior Managing Director, Intermediate Capital Group
-
Board Size
19
-
Paid Staff Size
34
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Jennifer Sime became Interim Executive Director on January 1, 2022. Compensation information for her role as Interim Chief Executive Director is not available at this time. Former Executive Director, Donna McKay, received $297,754 in compensation during 2019.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Other
Fundraising costs were 18% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $6,536,192, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Physicians for Human Rights's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021.
| Source of Funds |
| Individual contributions |
$3,227,045 |
| Grants |
$2,916,120 |
| Investment income, net |
$774,949 |
| Paycheck Protection Program loan |
$695,645 |
| Contributed services |
$393,027 |
| Other income |
($13,672) |
| Total Income |
$7,993,114 |
- Programs: 77%
- Fundraising: 13%
- Administrative: 10%
| Total Income |
$7,993,114 |
| Program expenses |
$6,662,103 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$1,193,152 |
| Administrative expenses |
$896,129 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$8,751,384 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-758,270 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$15,979,181 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$15,220,911 |
| Total Liabilities |
$1,610,423 |
| Total Assets |
$16,831,334 |
Note: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021, PHR received in-kind contributions totaling $393,027 in the form of medical and scientific consultation, office space rental, and research and representation services.