Follow The Money: NAACP

The NAACP or the National Association For the Advancement of Colored People is a nonpartisan civil rights organization that has been around for a number of years. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, in the year 1909 (one year after the Springfield Illinois Race Riots) as a "response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country," it is "the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation." Its founding members include W.E.B Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Mary White Ovington, and many more. 

To provide some background, The Springfield Illinois Race Riots were a series of events that began on Aug. 14, 1908, in response to two black men George Richardson and Joe James, who were both imprisoned for rape and murder. Much to the dismay of a mob of nearly 5,000 white individuals. As a result of this, when both Richardson and James were moved to another jail via train, the mob took to the streets of Springfield, particularly in black neighborhoods. There, they "damage[ed] black-owned business, destroy[ed] their homes, and eventually lynch[ed] two important members of the black community."

Although The NAACP is recognizable to many today, it didn't reach a place of "prominence" until 1963, after Medgar Evers, the organization's field director (at the time), was murdered. 

It seems throughout history, the NAACP has been connected to tragedy and loss amongst the African American community, and in one way or another, money.

With that being said, the NAACP's goal is to "ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race." Their objectives also include to "educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise thereof, and to take any other lawful action in furtherance of these objectives, consistent with the NAACP’s Articles of Incorporation and this Constitution." Along with many more, other objectives of the NAACP include "to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes."

Presently, the NAACP is working toward the latter with the help of various organizations and donors and believes its "work would not be possible without their support." According to their 2018 annual report, their top donors include AT&T, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, CVS, Dunkin Brands, Facebook, State Farm, and Walgreens, to name a few. Both AT&T and Wells Fargo have donated $1 million, and above, with Bank of America giving between $200,000 and $999,000 CVS, Dunkin Brands, State Farm, and Walgreens donated between $50,000 and $999,000. Despite stating that donations are beneficial to the NAACP, there is no indication in the report about which causes these specific donations went towards. 

Along with donors, the NAACP also has several partners. Previously, they have partnered with CBS Television Studios on a "Writing Mentorship and Scholarship Program" geared towards students of color at the University of South California. More recently, in July, the NAACP announced yet another partnership with CBS. This time, in a multi-year partnership, the NAACP will work with CBS to "develop and produce scripted, unscripted and documentary content for linear television networks and streaming platforms." They also stress the importance of joining forces due to the current national uproar regarding violence against black people. 

In addition to this, and following the larger conversation sparked by recent events, one month before announcing their partnership with CBS, the NAACP received "generous contributions" from Disney, Gap, Verizon, etc. According to Fortune, Disney made a pledge of $5 million for social justice organizations, $2 million of which went to the NAACP. While Philanthropy News Digest states that the Verizon Foundation awarded $10 million to social justice organizations, the NAACP was one of them. However, yet again, which causes the money went towards has not been disclosed.

It is apparent, from what was previously stated, that the NAACP has some issues with transparency. According to Cause IQ, as of 2019, they had $33 million in revenue, over $22 million in grants and donations, and $19 million in assets. Along with this, Cause IQ also found that as of 2018 that total grants, contributions, etc., for the NAACP add up to nearly $23 million. Along with total revenue of nearly $34 million. It should also be noted that Cause IQ lists their most recent tax filings as being from December of 2018. 

On their website, the NAACP provides a downloadable version of their "2019 Annual Financial Report" however, when opened, the document is virtually blank aside from text explaining the documents' categories and void of any numerical information.

A 2004 article from The Baltimore Sun delves much further into the matter. 

"[Dennis C.] Hayes said the organization's public tax records "should tell the story." But in them the NAACP does not distinguish between individual and corporate support. The information "is not available," spokesman John C. White said in an e-mail."

This is then further explained in a quote by former NAACP publicity director Denton Watson.

"Watson, a former NAACP publicity director, called that explanation absurd: "They know. They just don't want you to know." White changed his explanation after learning of Watson's assertion: "I should've said that we don't want that information disclosed."

The NAACP did not immediately respond to a request to comment.