Better Government Association Inc
- Assets
- $3.9m
- Revenue
- $3.0m
- Investments
- $299.8k
- Employees
- 16
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Founding
- 05/1950
- Data as of
- 12/2021
- EIN
- 36-0802950
Organization Overview
Better Government Association Inc is located in Chicago, IL. The organization was established in 1950. According to its NTEE Classification (W20) the organization is classified as: Government & Public Administration, under the broad grouping of Public & Societal Benefit and related organizations. As of 12/2021, Better Government Association Inc employed 16 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Better Government Association Inc is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2021, Better Government Association Inc generated $3.0m in total revenue. This represents a relatively dramatic decline in revenue. Over the past 7 years, the organization has seen revenues fall by an average of (5.1%) each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $2.9m during the year ending 12/2021. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2021
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO FIGHT WASTE, CORRUPTION AND INEFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT IN ILLINOIS BY USING INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM TECHNIQUES, LITIGATION, AND PUBLIC POLICY SUTDIES TO EXPOSE PROBLEMS, INFORM CITIZENS ABOUT THE OPERATIONS OF THEIR GOVERNMENT AND LAY THE GROUND WORK FOR SUBSTANTIVE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
INVESTIGATIVE - THE BGA'S TEAM OF AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISTS EXAMINES THE USE AND MISUSE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN CHICAGO, THE SUBURBS AND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. IT EXPOSES MISCONDUCT, HYPOCRISY AND WASTE WHILE ALSO BREAKING DOWN COMPLEX ISSUES THROUGH IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATIVE STORIES, DETAILED EXPLANATORY PIECES AND POLITIFACT FACT-CHECKS. IT WORKS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE BGA'S ADVOCACY EFFORTS.
POLICIES ADVOCATE - THE BGA'S POLICY TEAM ADVOCATES FOR A MORE TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY REFORMS. WE WORK TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN ILLINOIS' FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND TO PROPOSE POLICY SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT CORRUPTION, INEFFICIENCY AND WASTE IN GOVERNMENT. THE POLICY TEAM ADVOCATES FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT ACROSS ILLINOIS BY CRAFTING LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. WE TRACK TRENDS AND RESEARCH BEST PRACTICES IN GOOD GOVERNMENT, AND PUBLISH ANALYSES AND PERSPECTIVES ON OUR WEBSITE AND WITH MEDIA PARTNERS.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT - THE BGA'S POLICY TEAM ADVOCATES FOR A MORE TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY REFORMS. WE WORK TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN ILLINOIS' FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND TO PROPOSE POLICY SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT CORRUPTION, INEFFICIENCY AND WASTE IN GOVERNMENT. THE POLICY TEAM ADVOCATES FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT ACROSS ILLINOIS BY CRAFTING LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. WE TRACK TRENDS AND RESEARCH BEST PRACTICES IN GOOD GOVERNMENT, AND PUBLISH ANALYSES AND PERSPECTIVES ON OUR WEBSITE AND WITH MEDIA PARTNERS.
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Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Paulette Dodson Chair | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Robert Levin Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Heidi Rudolph Secretary | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Steve N Miller Vice Chair | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Marta Carreira-Slabe Vice Chair | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
David Greising President/ceo | Officer | 40 | $0 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 |
| Fundraising events | $1,117,844 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $777,292 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $1,224,624 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $3,119,760 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $0 |
| Investment income | $32,688 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $0 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $80,155 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | -$190,259 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $3,042,344 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $0 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $1,844,610 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $30,713 |
| Other employee benefits | $192,298 |
| Payroll taxes | $112,362 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $35,567 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $95,149 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $13,340 |
| Fees for services: Other | $0 |
| Advertising and promotion | $47,138 |
| Office expenses | $48,311 |
| Information technology | $1,331 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $146,429 |
| Travel | $0 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $11,602 |
| Interest | $0 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $23,117 |
| Insurance | $74,998 |
| All other expenses | $67,937 |
| Total functional expenses | $2,881,625 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $894,958 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $0 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $287,500 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $0 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $35,195 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $37,975 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $2,351,818 |
| Investments—other securities | $299,781 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $0 |
| Total assets | $3,907,227 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $132,126 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $0 |
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Other liabilities | $14,184 |
| Total liabilities | $146,310 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $3,022,627 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $738,290 |
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $3,907,227 |
Grants Recieved
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 24 grants that Better Government Association Inc has recieved totaling $1,044,764.
| Awarding Organization | Amount |
|---|---|
Robert R Mccormick Foundation Chicago, IL PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT, ILLINOIS SOLUTIONS PARTNERSHIP | $450,000 |
Mansueto Foundation Chicago, IL PURPOSE: GENERAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
Canning Foundation Chicago, IL PURPOSE: TO FURTHER PROGRAM SERVICES | $100,000 |
Schwab Charitable Fund San Francisco, CA PURPOSE: PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT | $53,850 |
Edwardson Family Foundation Boca Grande, FL PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
Circle Of Service Foundation Chicago, IL PURPOSE: MATCHING/DISCRETIONARY | $50,000 |
Peer Organizations
| Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
Barton County Elec Coop Inc Lamar, MO | $53,305,232 | $19,554,475 |
Cristo Rey Kansas City Kansas City, MO | $7,796,405 | $4,970,520 |
Center For Technology And Civic Life Chicago, IL | $81,351,444 | $64,574,797 |
City Of Pikeville Exposition Center Corporation Pikeville, KY | $1,321,608 | $4,939,974 |
Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board Inc Platteville, WI | $1,656,815 | $4,473,102 |
Heartland Institute Arlington Heights, IL | $1,778,407 | $4,106,509 |
Brotherhood Of Maintenance Of Way Employees Mayfield, KY | $4,737,490 | $3,573,473 |
Better Government Association Inc Chicago, IL | $3,907,227 | $3,042,344 |
Devou Properties Inc Covington, KY | $3,178,668 | $2,304,792 |
Iowa City Downtown Self Supported Municipal Improvement District Iowa City, IA | $210,596 | $1,321,560 |
Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board Inc Ashland, WI | $182,049 | $1,341,214 |
Wisconsin Towns Association Inc Shawano, WI | $3,345,018 | $1,622,809 |