Friends of the British Council USA

What it reported doing in 2024

Education, professional development & research: we enabled israeli scientists of outstanding ability to pursue their postdoctoral research at the university of cambridge while fostering a scholarly exchange and greater understanding between researchers in britain and israel through our blavatnik fellows program. Fellows worked with multiple different departments of cambridge to further their research of a variety of subjects.we continued supporting the professional development program for social science researchers through menasp - middle east and north africa social policy network through a partnership with the university of birmingham. This project creates new research pathways and supports existing ones to improve the quality of social science research in the region while also connecting social science researchers to policymakers and practitioners to share best practice, strengthen problem solving approaches to social policy, and to learn from one another through international policy workshops, the consolidation of academic networks, and the enhancement of an online platform for social policy researchers and practitioners.we produced research, hosted and conducted workshops, held strategic planning sessions, and provided both mentoring and training for program managers and business development colleagues globally on development and delivery of partnerships with foundations, corporations, multi-lateral agencies, public and educational institutions, and high net worth individuals. We developed pitches, concept notes, and grant proposals for us and international foundations for programs in teacher professional development, foundational learning, womens economic empowerment, peacebuilding, youth employability, film, online learning, creative economy, and cultural heritage.we continued partnering with the micro: bit education foundation to create educational resources that inspire young people to get excited about technology and stem. This project supports elementary teachers in title 1 schools in the united states to teach digital skills through new curriculum, eight unique projects using micro: bit computing devices, and production of "how to" videos all meeting csta standards.we continued supported the british pavilion exhibit at the venice biannale and supported the professional development of young art and exhibition curators through the british council's young curators program.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 44.1%; rating input score 44
• Program expense ratio: 62.5%; rating input score 63
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.97 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.3%; rating input score 92; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 2 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 33
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 0 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Limited
  • Requires narrative reports: Limited
  • Conducts field audits: Limited
  • May suspend future funding: Limited
  • Requires financial reports: Limited
  • Conducts site visits: Limited
  • Requires grant agreements: Limited
  • May require repayment: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 82.1%; rating input score 82; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• 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: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 29.4%; rating input score 82; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.86; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.04; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 49%; rating input score 4; 4th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -2.9% per year; rating input score 0; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -1.1% per year; rating input score 0; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -4.3% per year; rating input score 0; 12th percentile among comparable filings