Cause Communications

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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

1999

Legal Domicile

Principal Officer

R Christine Hershey

Phone

3106561001

Tax Period

2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31

Cause Communications, founded in 1999, is a community nonprofit in the Philanthropy & Grantmaking sector that reported $1.2M in total revenue in fiscal year 2023. Revenue fell 63% from the prior year — a significant decline worth monitoring. Expenses of $2.0M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 69% operating deficit.

Mission

To identify and spotlight opportunities where strategic communications and collaboration can be leveraged in the nonprofit sector to achieve significant, measurable results for real social change.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1

Expenses: $1,727,773 Revenue: $1,061,266

Cause Communications ("Cause") uses "Communications for Good", working across sectors and silos to advance equal rights, greater opportunity, and better health in communities. Cause offers a full...

Cause Communications ("Cause") uses "Communications for Good", working across sectors and silos to advance equal rights, greater opportunity, and better health in communities. Cause offers a full range of communications services to help changemakers leverage the power of communications and build the capacity of nonprofits. From free, original tools and resources to hands-on training programs to strategy-level counsel, Cause assists organizations where they are to help them make a bigger impact. Based in Los Angeles, Cause's footprint is national with a tradition of being on the cutting edge of innovation - exemplifying Los Angeles County's own mantra of - "America, only sooner". The messages and causes the organization amplifies help create a more equitable world. Cause builds and amplifies impact for social-benefit work in two mutually reinforcing areas: - Nonprofit, government, and foundation consulting- Tools, trainings, and resources for capacity building To date, Cause has helped more than 22,000 nonprofit leaders in all 50 states, 45 countries, and on six continents increase their strategic communications skills and knowledge through our trainings and resource materials.

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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 $125,425

Program Service Revenue $1,061,266

Investment Income $418

Other Revenue $0

TOTAL REVENUE $1,187,109

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $3,335

Salaries & Benefits $1,270,993

Fundraising Expenses $62,700

Program Expenses $1,727,773

Other Expenses $726,412

TOTAL EXPENSES $2,000,740

Year-over-Year Comparison

	2023	2022	Change
Revenue	$1,187,109	$3,166,656	-0.6%
Expenses	$2,000,740	$3,288,001	-0.4%
Net Income	$-813,631	$-121,345	+5.7%

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

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

$140,095

Total Directors

Key Employees

Highest Compensated

reported

Name	Title	Hours/Week	Role	Reportable Comp	Other Comp	Total
Lisa Cleri Reale	Chair	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
Jan Kern	Secretary	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
Sally Lew	Treasurer (end 11/23)	1.00	Officer Director	$0	$0	$0
R Christine Hershey	President	40.00	Officer	$134,095	$6,000	$140,095
Vanessa Schnaidt	Vice President	40.00	Highest	$144,418	$6,000	$150,418
Kristen Caloca	Vice President	40.00	Highest	$184,008	$64	$184,072
Jessica Truex	Client Services Dir.	40.00	Highest	$102,802	$6,000	$108,802

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	$1,187,109	$2,000,740	$815,911	$-813,631
2022	$3,166,656	$3,288,001	$1,488,678	$-121,345
2021	$7,838,789	$7,703,630	$1,679,573	$135,159
2020	$7,214,506	$7,344,284	$2,719,791	$-129,778
2019	$8,139,538	$7,191,719	$2,818,513	$947,819
2018	$7,530,984	$7,265,719	$1,844,437	$265,265
2018	$7,530,984	$7,265,719	$1,844,437	$265,265