The Commission’s operating budget is anchored by core funding from ABA general revenues, but these funds provide less than half of what is needed to run the Commission. The majority of funding comes from grants, contracts, and donations.
Looking back over five years, the annual Commission revenues have ranged from $935,000 to a high of $1.4 million, depending on the number and size of outside funding sources in any given year.
Total revenues for 2011–2012 were $1.1 million, including ABA funds. The grant world is quite changeable and project-focused, so projecting operating income in the future with certainty is slightly better than reading tea leaves. This reality has made the solicitation of private donations an increasing priority for the Commission.
As a program of the ABA’s fund for Justice and Education, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, contributions to the Commission are tax deductible.
The pie chart above shows the breakdown of the Commission’s revenues for the 2011–2012 fiscal year. More than 93% of the Commission’s revenues go to maintain its personnel.