Curious about SCI funding

[Ruark]

I spent 35 years working in state government, much of it dealing with federal funding and audit-proofing various federal fund recipients. I had rubber-stamp approval authority of close to a billion dollars a year cross my desk. So when I look at large organizations like SCI, I tend to just naturally glance at their funding and expenditures. I'm not being suspicious or accusative or anything, it's just my professional nature.

I'm just curious how their funding breaks down. They get about $3.1 million a year from membership dues. Yet they reported spending almost $300 million from 1979 to 2008. That's an average of $10 million per year, not including all their other expenses, which must be very substantial. They claim to have expenditures of over $5 million per year, ongoing.

I know they get some endowments, but those are usually project-specific. Would anybody care to make some clarifying comments on SCIs funding sources?

- Ruark

 

[James.Grage]

Ruark.

1. Conventions - national and state conventions.
2. donations - from members and non members
3. Auction generated funds. -- money from the conventions
4. convention entry or daily fees.
5. state dues... they receive money for each person that joins an state or international club.
6. sale of merchandise.

 

[Red Leg]

Exactly. Private sector works differently from tax generated budgets in local, state, and federal government. The annual convention and regional dinners/auctions are the primary revenue generators.

 

[Ruark]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully I'll be able to go to the conference sometime!

Ruark

 

[Red Leg]

It is almost overwhelming - litterally thousands of vendors - all of whom are renting floor space, being visited by tens of thousands of potential clients - all of whom have purchased tickets, with several great banquets, luncheons, and breakfasts - all of which are auctioning hunts, art, guns, etc, etc. And all of that is happening across the country and internationally on a smaller scale at regional functions.

 

[CAustin]

Hope to attend the one this coming year in Kansas City myself

 

[jeff]

They pretty well summed up the income Ruark, but also a small amount from some trophy entry fees .

 

[billrquimby]

SCI's publications (magazine, newspapers, record books) and awards programs also are revenue sources.

Bill Quimby

 

[FairChase]

I didn't see it mentioned in previous posts, so I'll do so here. SCI is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation and therefore, their complete financials must be made available to anyone and everyone. This is an IRS requirement that can't be avoided...

But, to spare one's sanity in pursuing this as it is probably as tedious as getting Hillary to turn over her e-mail server, visiting the site CharityNavigator.org may be a good place to start unless you have very specific inquiries.

 

[BRICKBURN]

I didn't see it mentioned in previous posts, so I'll do so here. SCI is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation and therefore, their complete financial must be made available to anyone and everyone. This is an IRS requirement that can't be avoided...

But, to spare one's sanity in pursuing this as it is probably as tedious as getting Hillary to turn over her e-mail server, visiting the site CharityNavigator.org may be a good place to start unless you have very specific inquiries.

Great resource. Thanks for sharing that with us.

 

[billrquimby]

There actually are two SCIs. One is Safari Club International, the 50,000-member organization, and the Safari Club International Foundation, its conservation and education wing.

Bill Quimby

 

[FairChase]

There actually are two SCIs. One is Safari Club International, the 50,000-member organization, and the Safari Club International Foundation, its conservation and education wing.

Bill Quimby

Interesting... Nonetheless, if either is a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4), they must comply to the IRS's requirements.