The Rutherford Institute/ John Whitehead 
Summary
The Rutherford Institute is an international legal and educational organization dedicated to preserving human rights and defending civil liberties. The Institute exists to fight for those who cannot defend themselves, speak for those whose voices cannot be heard, and contend for those who do not have the strength to fight for what has been taken from them. Deeply committed to protecting the constitutional freedoms of every American and the integral human rights of all people, Institute attorneys and staff work to ensure that when people's human rights are violated, they are treated fairly in the courts and are free to express their beliefs without fear of further recrimination or persecution. To further this goal, the Institute defends those in need without charging them for such services. The Institute's multi-faceted approach of integrating litigation and educational opportunities has made it a formidable leader in defending and teaching the Constitution. The defense of civil liberties and human rights through litigation and education are at the heart of the Institute's purpose. Contributions to The Rutherford Institute are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Contact information
Mailing address:
PO Box 7482
Charlottesville, VA 22906-7482
Website: www.rutherford.org
Phone: (434) 978-3888
Email: staff@rutherford.org
Organization details
EIN: 521267484
CEO/President: Mr. John W. Whitehead
Chairman: Mr. John W. Whitehead
Board size: 5
Founder: Mr. John W. Whitehead
Year founded: 1982
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
The Rutherford Institute is an international legal and educational organization dedicated to preserving human rights and defending civil liberties. The Institute exists to fight for those who cannot defend themselves, speak for those whose voices cannot be heard, and contend for those who do not have the strength to fight for what has been taken from them. Deeply committed to protecting the constitutional freedoms of every American and the integral human rights of all people, Institute attorneys and staff work to ensure that when people's human rights are violated, they are treated fairly in the courts and are free to express their beliefs without fear of further recrimination or persecution. To further this goal, the Institute defends those in need without charging them for such services. The Institute's multi-faceted approach of integrating litigation and educational opportunities has made it a formidable leader in defending and teaching the Constitution. The defense of civil liberties and human rights through litigation and education are at the heart of the Institute's purpose. Contributions to The Rutherford Institute are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Mission statement
The Rutherford Institute expresses its mission as follows:
The Rutherford Institute, a nonprofit civil liberties organization based in Charlottesville, VA, is deeply committed to protecting the constitutional freedoms of every American and the integral human rights of all people through its extensive legal and educational programs. The Institute provides its legal services at no charge to those whose constitutional and human rights have been threatened or violated.
Statement of faith
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Advocacy
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 17 of 586 | 2 of 32 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 78 of 586 | 3 of 32 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 28 of 586 | 2 of 32 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 44 of 586 | 5 of 32 |
Click here to read The Rutherford Institute/ John Whitehead's response to our ratings
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 94% | 100% | 98% | 99% | 100% | 99% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 6% | 0% | 2% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
| Operating ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 95% | 95% | 94% | 96% | 95% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 98% | 104% | 99% | 102% | 103% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 94% | 99% | 93% | 97% | 97% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 2% | -4% | 1% | -2% | -3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | 52% | -256% | 21% | -80% | -44% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 2% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Investing ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.07 | 6.45 | 8.73 | 6.89 | 8.96 | 5.55 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.69 | 1.03 | 1.12 | 1.79 | 1.13 | 1.14 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.18 | 6.64 | 9.78 | 12.33 | 10.11 | 6.32 |
| Liquidity ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.79 | 2.62 | 1.80 | 1.53 | 2.18 | 1.94 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.38 | 0.56 | 0.66 | 0.46 | 0.52 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.71 | 1.12 | 0.54 | 0.34 | 0.64 | 0.92 |
| Solvency ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 80% | 88% | 68% | 79% | 69% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 13% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 75% | 3% | 1% | 5% | 2% | 6% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Cash | $13,373 | $18,963 | $32,939 | $138,801 | $168,851 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $127,707 | $62,749 | $74,993 | $78,799 | $46,587 |
| Short-term investments | $70,000 | $70,794 | $24,740 | $27,691 | $81,380 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $211,080 | $152,506 | $132,672 | $245,291 | $296,818 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $82,808 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $5,778 | $10,678 | $13,886 | $23,492 | $33,293 |
| Other long-term assets | $602 | $7,740 | $7,840 | $7,940 | $8,040 |
| Total long-term assets | $6,380 | $18,418 | $104,534 | $31,432 | $41,333 |
| Total assets | $217,460 | $170,924 | $237,206 | $276,723 | $338,151 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $64,079 | $69,503 | $65,685 | $91,903 | $130,515 |
| Other current liabilities | $16,566 | $15,309 | $21,255 | $20,473 | $22,380 |
| Total current liabilities | $80,645 | $84,812 | $86,940 | $112,376 | $152,895 |
| Debt | $28,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $65,040 | $65,040 | $75,229 | $105,299 | $79,133 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $93,040 | $65,040 | $75,229 | $105,299 | $79,133 |
| Total liabilities | $173,685 | $149,852 | $162,169 | $217,675 | $232,028 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Unrestricted | $43,775 | $21,072 | $75,037 | $59,048 | $106,123 |
| Temporarily restricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Permanently restricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $43,775 | $21,072 | $75,037 | $59,048 | $106,123 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Total contributions | $1,419,711 | $1,406,899 | $1,627,037 | $2,420,871 | $1,803,698 |
| Program service revenue | $5,187 | $16,754 | $12,243 | $14,230 | $20,581 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | ($461) | $13,450 | $11,717 | ($3,692) | $4,849 |
| Other revenue | $272 | $668 | $302 | $441 | ($331) |
| Total other revenue | $4,998 | $30,872 | $24,262 | $10,979 | $25,099 |
| Total revenue | $1,424,709 | $1,437,771 | $1,651,299 | $2,431,850 | $1,828,797 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Program services | $1,334,421 | $1,416,459 | $1,542,890 | $2,371,028 | $1,781,572 |
| Management and general | $34,569 | $51,739 | $61,302 | $72,641 | $53,802 |
| Fundraising | $33,016 | $23,538 | $31,118 | $35,256 | $40,452 |
| Total expenses | $1,402,006 | $1,491,736 | $1,635,310 | $2,478,925 | $1,875,826 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $22,703 | ($53,965) | $15,989 | ($47,075) | ($47,029) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $22,703 | ($53,965) | $15,989 | ($47,075) | ($47,029) |
Response from ministry
The Rutherford Institute is an IRS Code 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia.
John W. Whitehead founded the Institute in 1982 because he saw that the people who needed help the most couldn't afford the legal costs to get to the courtroom. Whitehead envisioned an organization that would work to ensure that when people's human rights are violated, they are treated fairly in the courts and are free to express their beliefs without fear of further recrimination or persecution. The Institute's vision and commitment continue to focus on helping those whose liberties are in jeopardy and making a difference in the world in which we live.
To further this goal, the Institute defends those in need without charging them for such services. Through a national network of over 500 participating volunteer attorneys, the Institute has litigated hundreds of court cases at every level of the state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court, in defense of our God-given freedoms. Institute attorneys and staff have led the way in defending the constitutional and human rights of all people. The Institute remains committed to protecting the fundamental rights of all individuals to freedom of religion, free speech and freedom from government oppression and intrusion.
As an organization that continues to meet the stringent standards set by the Better Business Bureau for nonprofits, the Institute strives to conduct its ministry and financial affairs with integrity and openness. While The Rutherford Institute welcomes inquiries regarding its stewardship of donor contributions and is happy to supply the public with copies of its annual financial disclosure statements and President's Report upon request, we are concerned that the efficiency ratings promulgated by Wall Watchers may prove unhelpful and potentially misleading to those visiting the site and unfamiliar with the ministries rated.
We note at the outset that similar legal ministries to The Rutherford Institute are not even listed on the Wall Watchers website. Further, we do not believe that dissimilar organizations, with widely disparate missions, operating structures and means of defining effectiveness, can be compared in any meaningful way by a ranking system such as the one you utilize. Should an individual truly wish to learn more about the work and fiscal stewardship of The Rutherford Institute, we would encourage them to visit our own website, www.rutherford.org, or contact our Financial Coordinator at finance@rutherford.org.
History
Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead established The Rutherford Institute in 1982. Since that time, the Institute has developed into one of the nation's leading advocates of civil liberties and human rights, litigating in the courts and educating the public on a wide spectrum of issues affecting individual freedom in the United States and around the world. The Rutherford Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose international headquarters are located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is comprised of a small full-time staff and a network of volunteer attorneys across the United States.
Program accomplishments
The following represent program accomplishments of The Rutherford Institute:
- 2,571 requests for legal assistance were handled by Rutherford Institute staff, and 71 cases involving violations of civil and human rights moved through various stages of pre-litigation and litigation, including 3 cases that were appealed directly to the United States Supreme Court.
- Institute staff provided training and support to a national affiliate network of over 1,810 volunteer attorneys, many of whom were trained and educated on pertinent case law and provided with research support and funding for court expenses in order to defend cases in their region and field of law.
- Approximately 2,413 newspaper outlets and press contacts received alerts on Institute cases and breaking news.
- More than 8,968 radio stations and outlets received and broadcast our public service messages to people around the world, alerting them to issues and cases affecting their freedoms.
- More than 16,000 individuals signed the Institute's God Bless America petition, urging our leaders in Congress to take a stand to protect the right of all Americans to proclaim, "God Bless America!"
- The Institute's website, www.rutherford.org, received more than 10 million hits from individuals seeking news updates, pertinent commentaries and in-depth legal information about the fight for freedom taking place in and out of the courts.
- More than 10,818 individuals who requested a complimentary copy of the Institute's Pocket Constitution were educated about their right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."