By: Diane Benjamin
If you are an ISU graduate I’m sure you’ve received fundraising calls from the ISU Foundation.
As a non-profit organization, they have to file public tax forms. See them here: http://nccsweb.urban.org/communityplatform/nccs/organization/profile/id/376025713/popup/1
I’ve only looked at the first one listed-2014. Compensation must be disclosed – see the page below (Page 8 of the return). Also disclosed are the number of hours worked per week for the Foundation.
The Executive Director works 20 hours a week and makes $258,082. I wonder if Joy Hutchcraft knows she makes less than half of that and has to work 40 hours?
It gets better. The Foundation is not paying these salaries – you are.
A note is included later in the tax return stating these salaries are paid by Illinois State University.
Since ISU is supported by tax dollars, taxpayers get the bill for salaries of non-profit fundraisers. The only transparency is the tax return they file and audit reports: http://advancement.illinoisstate.edu/isu-foundation/financial-information.shtml
Since ISU is paying the salaries, chances are these employees do work 40 hours a week. Part of the time they work for the Foundation and part for ISU.
The question is:
Why are taxpayers footing the bill instead of the Foundation?
Since only sketchy information is available on how funds are spent, taxpayers shouldn’t be paying the staff.
See the note here (page 35 of the return):
I’m in a position to look into this further, and I will.
I think you will find the practice is not usual, just not disclosed.
I quit giving to the ISU Foundation a long time ago. As I recall certain people get an allowance for clothing, cars, etc. from the Foundation too. If you want to donate then donate directly to the department that you want to so they get 100% of it. I don’t remember what percentage the department gets if you donate thru the Foundation. It certainly isn’t 100%. I want to say it is only 60 to 70% that the department gets. A lot of people don’t realize or know this. When they call my phone lights up with the caller ID, ISU Do Not Answer. It’s as easy as that. Any mailings go directly into the trash.
Those are all full time employees. I have no idea why it says that.
Because they are paid by ISU when not working for ISU.
“The Foundation is not paying these salaries – you are.” Actually, you’re only paying 17% of them, since the state only funds us at that level. So…..
OK, here’s the deal. Erin Minne is no longer with the university. She took a similar job elsewhere, and she was replaced by Pat Vickerman. This position is Vice President for Advancement. This VP wears multiple hats and oversees not just the Foundation, but also University Advancement, University Marketing, and more. The person holding the position likely works more than 60 hours per week and receives a typical VP salary. The others listed also do other work for the university, which is why they aren’t listed as full time for the Foundation, which is an entity separate from the university and controlled by its Board of Directors.
In that case, the Foundation should be an open book. I should be able to obtain all documents under FOIA. Please check.
I think you could just give Pat Vickerman a call (309-438-8901) and ask your questions. He’s quite open and friendly.
Got an answering machine, left a message.
I concur, he’s quite open and friendly.
Great Job!Thanks for the post.Charles
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2016 20:02:45 +0000 To: charlesalsberry@hotmail.com