Donations to Focus Action drop

Dobson remains upbeat on future of political arm

James Paton, Rocky Mountain News

Published May 19, 2007 at midnight

Text size

More More Business

Focus on the Family's revenue climbed to nearly $150 million in the latest year, but its political spinoff saw a decline in contributions, according to the prominent Christian organization's annual report.

"Given the gravity of the issues facing families today, it is tempting to become disheartened, but we know that God is faithful," founder James Dobson wrote in his letter. "Year after year, he has inspired us to carry on in earnest and provided us with the means to do so, and 2006 was no exception."

Focus on the Family, seen as one of the most influential Christian nonprofits in the nation, has grown steadily over the past decade. While it has a high profile, others in Colorado, including Compassion International and Young Life, are bigger.

Religious groups receive the lion's share of donations, according to studies by Giving USA. As Christian entities take in more money, they increasingly must focus on the bottom line as well as the Bible.

The combined Focus organization, in Colorado Springs, had revenue of $148.8 million in the fiscal year through the end of September, a roughly 4 percent increase on a modest rise in donations, the documents showed. Most of the sum - $136.6 million - was contributions. Focus also gets revenue from the sale of books, films and other materials.

But Focus Action has seen a decrease in revenue. Donations to the lobbying group fell to $6.3 million in 2006 from $6.7 million in 2005 and $8.7 million in 2004, its inaugural year. Focus officials declined to comment on the numbers.

Despite the slip, Dobson signaled that the group would continue to be assertive on the national stage.

"Our work in the public policy arena continues to effect change in a culture that has rejected the Judeo-Christian ethic of our founding fathers," Dobson said. "The Focus Action staff is committed to confronting these aggressive attacks with energy and determination."

Last fall, eight states put amendments banning gay marriage on the ballot. The initiatives passed in seven, including Colorado. Only Arizona rejected a proposal to change the constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

In his message, Dobson cited Focus Action's "tireless efforts" on the marriage amendments, saying the work was "incredibly successful."

Focus Action "mobilized an unprecedented amount of people across the country in defense of traditional marriage" with e-mails, telephone calls, advertisements and a "letter-to-the-editor campaign," Dobson said. "We reached millions of voters who, in turn, issued a mandate to Congress: One man, one woman marriage must be esteemed as the building block of nations."

The nonprofit held events in 2006 to urge Christians to vote in November. The goal was to "raise the importance of critical policy issues such as the redefinition of marriage, spotlight the positions of candidates for key offices and rally citizens to lobby on those issues," the group said.

Focus on the Family is a tax-exempt nonprofit that accepts tax-deductible donations and is barred from getting involved in partisan politics. Dobson has said he acts as a private citizen when making endorsements, but he has been criticized in the past for using Focus resources for political purposes.

Focus Action has a different designation. Donations are not deductible, and the group can devote more time to lobbying.

Dobson this week made headlines by saying in a Web column he would not back Rudy Giuliani should he win the Republican nomination for president.

The organization relies on radio broadcasts, books, movies and periodicals to promote a Christian message and "traditional" family values.

Although Focus and Focus Action are separate, they say they share employees, facilities and equipment.

James Daly, Focus on the Family's CEO, made about $197,000 in the latest year, the documents showed, and Bill Maier, the "resident psychologist" and broadcaster, earned $112,000. Dobson does not get a salary from the nonprofit, though he does make a living on activities outside the ministry. Dobson actually pays Focus for exposure he receives.

Among the biggest single expenses last year was a large payment of $4.7 million to Masterworks, a marketing firm in Poulsbo, Wash., and another $1.1 million to lawyers at Holland & Knight.

patonj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2544

Subscribe to the Rocky Mountain News