Brink Literacy Project

What it reported doing in 2024

F(r)iction is the center piece of Brinks education curriculum, as well as the publishing vehicle through which Brink mentors emerging writers (including students in our Frames Program andF(r)iction in the Classroom), amplifies diverse and underrepresented voices, encourages experimentation and genre-melding, and delves into important social issues. We publish 3 print issues annually, spanning a vibrant mix of literary fiction, genre work, creative nonfiction, poetry, and short comics. Our themed issues offer students multi-faceted views on a singular topic, activating critical thinking skills and opening the minds of readers and students. When we welcome many perspectives and publish diverse stories from many backgrounds, we foster a sense of empowered belonging and build a culture of positive and independent critical thinking. Our celebrity writers include international literary greats, such as Charlie Jane Anders, Faylita Hicks, Kwame Dawes, Rebecca Roanhorse Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Stephen Graham Jones, Carmen Maria Machado, Joyce Carol Oates, and K-Ming Chang, to name just a few. A whopping 50% of the content of each issue comes from the slush. Through this editorial ethos, not only do we support writers to tell their stories and use F(r)iction to launch the careers of debut voices, but we also seek to increase accessibility into the industry. We provide authors of different experience levels and backgrounds with the mentorship of working with professional editors and the tools needed to further hone their craft. The process of publication with F(r)iction becomes an experience of learning, knowledge-sharing, and democratization. Additionally, Brink partners with a nonprofit organization to create the Community Feature in each F(r)iction issue. Previously F(r)iction has partnered with Afghan Womens Writing Project, Girls Write Now, Lambda Literary, and PEN Americas Prison Writing Program, to name just a few.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 63.7%; rating input score 64
• Program expense ratio: 89.1%; rating input score 89
• Fundraising efficiency: $29.18 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 68; 68th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 91.7%; rating input score 92; 12th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: Scored; rating input score 0
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 3 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 30%; rating input score 84; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.32; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.27; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 19%; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 59.4% per year; rating input score 100; 97th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 28.5% per year; rating input score 100; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 35.2% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings