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Posted on 05/30/2019 7:43:28 PM PDT by familyop
The National Rifle Association of America and its associated groups saw a sizable increase of both membership dues and contributions in 2018, according to the group's annual report.
The report, which was handed out during the group's latest annual meeting, shows dues went from $128,209,303 in 2017 to $170,391,374 in 2018—an increase of $42,182,071, or 33 percent. It also shows contributions rose from $132,879,299 in 2017 to $165,075,288 in 2018—an increase of $32,195,989 or 24 percent. The rise in dues came ahead of the NRA announcing it had reached 5.5 million members, a record number.
Overall, the NRA and its affiliates brought in $412,233,508 in 2018. That's up from $378,122,489 in 2017. In total, the group's revenue rose $34,111,019 or 9 percent. The numbers represent a clear resurgence of funding for the gun-rights group during 2018. Membership dues even topped those the group saw in 2016—$163,517,961.
The year 2018, of course, saw several events that likely contributed to the spike in NRA member dues and contributions—the largest being the midterm elections. With Democrats promising to pass new gun-control measures if elected, many gun-rights supporters likely joined the NRA in the run up to November. And given the election resulted in Democrats capturing the House of Representatives, bringing in a number of new high-profile representatives openly hostile to gun rights, it is likely that also drove membership up.
The NRA’s total expenses rose from $379,227,070 in 2017 to $423,034,158 in 2018—an increase of $43,807,088 or 11 percent. Administrative costs rose from $44,134,375 in 2017 to $69,144,170 in 2018—an increase of $25,009,795 or 56 percent. Legislative program expenses rose from $41,720,095 in 2017 to $57,231,471 in 2018—an increase of $15,511,376 or 37 percent. Fundraising costs went up by $14,777,728 or 26 percent in 2018.
A further breakdown of "administrative" costs provided in the report shows that new legal fees made up the bulk of the increase. Those administrative legal fees rose from $4,616,535 in 2017 to $21,911,953 in 2018—an increase of $17,295,418 or 374 percent. Legal fees also grew beyond the administrative category, according to the report. Overall, the group's spending on "legal, audit and taxes" increased by from $12,931,621 in 2017 to $33,502,387 in 2018—an increase of $20,570,766 or 159 percent.
The increased legal spending came as the NRA faced multiple fights from congressional inquiries to suits over their gun-carry program to an investigation launched by New York attorney general Letitia James, a Democrat who has referred to the gun-rights group as a "terrorist organization." The legal fees were also at the center of the recent NRA leadership fight. Former president Oliver North and former first vice president Richard Childress called the $24 million worth of payments made to the law firm Brewer Attorneys and Counselors between March 2018 and February 2019 "excessive" and said the firm was "draining NRA cash at mindboggling speeds" in documents leaked online earlier this month.
The gun-rights group also cut costs in a number of areas. Public affairs expenditures dropped by $5,484,743—or 12 percent—to $39,413,517. Safety, education, and training went from $42,599,871 in 2017 to $32,716,600—a decrease of $9,883,271 or 23 percent.
Ultimately, the NRA reported spending $10,800,650 more than it brought in during 2018. That's up from the $1,104,581 deficit the group ran in 2017. The group also reported net assets without donor restrictions tied to them of negative $8,659,859 but more than $153,393,024 in net assets with donor restrictions attached to it. They ended the year with total net assets of $144,733,165, down from $155,533,815 in 2017.
The annual report represents a broad view of the NRA's efforts since it includes the combined financials of the six different groups of varying tax classifications that represent the full breadth of what constitutes the NRA's activism and education efforts. The report includes the National Rifle Association of America, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit membership organization, and the NRA Political Victory Fund, a Political Action Committee. It also includes the four 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups affiliated with the NRA—the NRA Special Contribution Fund, NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund, NRA Freedom Action Foundation, and the NRA Foundation, Inc.
The report gives a more complete view of the organization's health and activities than the reports compiled by the individual organizations that make up the NRA since the organizations lend money or pay bills to one another for various services. However, the report only gives a top-level view of the whole operation and does not break down revenues or expenses by organization where other reports like the National Rifle Association of America's Form 990 or the NRA Political Victory Fund's Form 3x provide more detailed disclosures.
On Wednesday, the NRA's top contractor Ackerman McQueen announced it will formally end its relationship with the gun-rights group, likely affecting future expenditures.
"Today, faced with the NRA's many inexplicable actions that have constructively terminated the parties' Services Agreement, Ackerman McQueen decided it is time to stand up for the truth, and formally provide a Notice to Terminate its almost four-decade long relationship with the National Rifle Association," Ackerman McQueen said in an official statement first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The announcement comes after Ackerman and the NRA traded dueling lawsuits stemming from the group's recent leadership fight. Ackerman and its subsidiaries make up a large portion of the NRA's spending on outside contractors with the group paying them about $40 million in 2017. Since Ackerman runs NRATV, some of the group's strategic public relations efforts, some of the operations for NRA events, and employs some of its best-known personalities, it is unclear how the NRA will fill those rolls moving forward.
NRA spokesperson Andrew Arulanandam did not respond to a request for comment.
:-)
The numbers for 2019 are going to crater. Too much scandal, supporting too much actual gun control, too many failures to drain its own swamp.
People need to get their heads right about the NRA. They’ve been an utter letdown for about 12 months and its going to show big time in the numbers this year.
This Ping List is for all things pertaining to infringes upon or victories for the 2nd Amendment.
FReepmail me if you want to be added to or deleted from the list.
More 2nd Amendment related articles on FR's Bang List.
One question: “Are you an NRA Member?”
Dudley Brown’s Despicable Deception
https://www.saf.org/dudley-browns-despicable-deception/
Thank goodness. LaPierre’s bespoke suits ain’t going to buy themselves.
“One question: “Are you an NRA Member?””
For about the last 5 years consecutively, and previously with lapses. Probably 10 years total.
What’s your point?
Dudley Brown is a well known douche bag. I’m not a fan.
For Gods Sake, and for your children’s future join the NRA, even if you don’t have a gun. If you don’t like it join another group; but please do something. The Holocaust could not have happened if citizens had and used guns. Period. They are coming for you and your freedom. If you fail to stand now the nation will be lost.
For Gods Sake, and for your children’s future join the NRA, even if you don’t have a gun. If you don’t like it join another group; but please do something. The Holocaust could not have happened if citizens had and used guns. Period. They are coming for you and your freedom. If you fail to stand now the nation will be lost.
Life Member.
However, my donations are undoubtedly down from prior years due to the loss of an NRA logo credit card. I would use that card instead of cash and ran about $18k per year through the card. Assuming NRA was getting 1%, then they have lost out on $180 per year for several years. They really should do something about this.
I am a member. Have been off and on. Most currently a 2 year membership.
Not impressed. I will find another organization that I think is more productive. They pester me to death and can’t take a blunt hint.
I am in sales. Golden rule: don’t work overtime pissing off your customers.
What are you talking about? I have been Benefactor Member for years. I have paid my family dues as life members since each (3) has reached 21 yo.
I hope you meant your post for the general crowd of fellow
Freepers that are not NRA Members.
Anyway —— Regards!
Good, now maybe they can stop hitting me up for donations every other day.
CC
Just an FYI, for a limited time you can get a Lifetime NRA Membership for $600 with a $25 Monthly payment plan.
They even give you a nice Wood Handled NRA Knife when you sign up.
What business are they in when administrative costs outweigh legal costs?
I am currently a member. I won’t renew until Wayne starts buying his own damn suits. I have friends who are lifetime members and listening to them talk about the corruption at the highest levels has caused me to look at, among others, the 2nd Amendment Foundation as an alternative until Wayne is gone.
This is bllsht sorry to say. What they are doing is billing me EARLY. I have been getting re-billed for about two years. I was just rebilled again but don;lt expire for a few more months. I love the nra but you and i must read these stories as any other “story.”
This is the gun-control-supporting big banks and their refusal to allow their businesses to provide financial services to various forms of pro-gun groups. Not a whole lot the NRA can do.
People piss and moan about the NRA, but they represent 55 million voters (every dues-paying member "represents" nine other less active but still convinced voters). Numbers count (no pun intended).
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