Robertson's CBN reports smallest donation rise in 5 years
02/23/07 -- Associated Press -
VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia: Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network has
reported its smallest gain in donations in five years, with contributions
growing 3.2 percent during its most recently completed fiscal year.
Donors gave $166 million (€126.39 million) for the 12 months ending in March
2006,
according to the tax return CBN filed with the Internal Revenue Service this
month. During
the period, Robertson was criticized for proposing the assassination of
Venezuela's
president and suggesting Israel's prime minister suffered a stroke as divine
punishment.
CBN has said there was no falloff in contributions after either statement.
"Our active partners are at a five-year high," CBN spokeswoman Angell Vasko said
in an
e-mail to The Virginian-Pilot newspaper of Norfolk for a story published Friday.
The 3.2 percent gain contrasts with double-digit percentage increases between
2001 and
2005
Despite its slower donation growth, CBN remains one of the nation's most
successful
nonprofit organizations in terms of fundraising. Last year, it ranked 89th in
the nation in
donations from private sources, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
CBN produces and broadcasts Christian programs, including "The 700 Club," which
Robertson hosts. The show solicits contributions through telethons, and
donations from
viewers and supporters represented the biggest portion of CBN's total revenue of
about
$247 million (€188.06 million) for the last fiscal year.
The latest tax statement showed CBN's spending rose 13 percent, to about $236
million
(€179.69 million). Fundraising accounted for 12 percent, or $29 million (€22.08
million), of
total expenses, while management costs were nearly 7 percent, or about $16
million
(€12.18 million).
Pat Robertson receives no salary as chief executive officer, and neither does
his wife,
Adelia Robertson, who is on CBN's board as a director and secretary.
Salaries included $268,604 (€204,510.43) for Robertson's son, Gordon P.
Robertson,
who is a program co-host and a CBN vice president, and $81,200 (€61,824.27) for
his
daughter, Ann R. LeBlanc, a CBN associate vice president .
CBN said it gave nearly $24 million (€18.27 million) in grants to other
charities in its last
fiscal year, with close to $21 million (€15.99 million) going to Operation
Blessing, the
humanitarian relief organization founded by Robertson.
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On the Net:
Christian Broadcasting Network: http://www.cbn.com
