Better Utah Institute

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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year

2011

Legal Domicile

Principal Officer

Jeffrey Merchant

Phone

8018932281

Tax Period

2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31

Better Utah Institute, founded in 2011, is a small nonprofit in the Civil Rights & Advocacy sector that reported $364K in total revenue in fiscal year 2023. Revenue surged 95% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. The organization ran a surplus of $78K, a strong 21% operating margin.

Mission

THE MISSION OF BETTER UTAH INSTITUTE IS TO EDUCATE UTAHNS ON ISSUES OF PUBLIC CONCERN AND TO INCREASE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1

Expenses: $46,515

Legislative education and engagement: During the 45-day legislative session, Better Utah Institute provided information to the general public on the legislative process and ways by which they could be engaged in that process. In this role, Better Utah Institute took no position on proposed legislation.

Program 2

Expenses: $69,773

Civic Education: Better Utah Institute used its expertise in paid, earned, and digital media to educate the public on political processes and current issues, including the legislative process, ranked choice voting, elections, and redistricting. Better Utah facilitated a coalition to develop and share messaging, and inform Utahns on the importance of reproductive justice and policies that advance that issue. Better Utah facilitated a coalition of interested organizations and individuals that sought to increase public participation in the redistricting process.

Program 3

Expenses: $69,773

Civic Engagement: Better Utah Institute encouraged and facilitated civic engagement and worked to make the Utah government more transparent to Utah citizens. Better Utah developed a Civic Engagement Toolkit, an online, interactive tool for Utahns to learn about the civic process and develop skills that can help them become more engaged in government and politics.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

Financial Overview (2023)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $363,961

Program Service Revenue $0

Investment Income $216

Other Revenue $0

TOTAL REVENUE $364,177

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $10,500

Salaries & Benefits $0

Fundraising Expenses $39,445

Program Expenses $186,061

Other Expenses $275,601

TOTAL EXPENSES $286,101

Year-over-Year Comparison

	2023	2022	Change
Revenue	$364,177	$186,923	+0.9%
Expenses	$286,101	$263,752	+0.1%
Net Income	$78,076	$-76,829	-2.0%

Key Indicators

✗ Grants to Organizations ✗ Grants to Individuals ✗ Lobbying ✗ Political Activity ✗ Foreign Activities ✗ Donor Advised Fund ✓ Schedule B Required

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Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

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Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

Governance

Voting Members

Independent Members

Employees

N/A

Volunteers

Governance Policies

✗ Conflict of Interest Policy

✗ Whistleblower Policy

✗ Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

✗ Operated a School

✗ Operated a Hospital

✗ Provided First Class Travel

✗ Reported Conflict of Interest

✗ Reported Asset Diversion

✗ Excess Benefit Transaction

✗ Made Political Expenditures

✗ Engaged in Lobbying

✗ Operated Donor Advised Fund

✗ Maintained Art Collections

✗ Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers

Total Directors

Key Employees

Highest Compensated

reported

Name	Title	Role	Reportable Comp	Other Comp	Total
Joshua Kanter	Director/Chair	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
Rochelle Kaplan	Director	Director	$0	$0	$0
Crystal Young	Director/Secretary	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
Andrea Himoff	Director	Director	$0	$0	$0
Jonathan Ruga	Director/Vice Chair	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
Laurie Hofmann	Director/Treasurer	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
Lisa Miranda	Director	Director	$0	$0	$0
Jeffrey Merchant	Executive Director	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0

Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Net Income
2024	No data	No data	No data	No data
2023	$364,177	$286,101	$195,211	$78,076
2022	$186,923	$263,752	$117,135	$-76,829
2021	$252,498	$228,971	$193,964	$23,527
2020	$229,466	$161,440	$200,337	$68,026
2019	$128,922	$132,460	$102,411	$-3,538
2018	$162,502	$181,930	$105,949	$-19,428