Middle Passage Ceremonies & Port Markers Project

What it reported doing in 2025

The installation of markers and the ceremonial commemoration of the lives of African ancestors that provide an accurate history of the arrival, presence, and contributions of Africans and their descendants in the U.S. will educate, open the doors of communication, and provide a mechanism to heal individuals, communities, and the nation. This initiative enables on-going public and formal inclusion of their experiences and importance in the national narrative. In 2023 we carried on the work of: Commemorating the nearly 12 million Africans involved in the Middle Passage of the transatlantic human trade.Researching and identifying ports of entry for Africans during the 350 years of the transatlantic human tradeEncouraging local communities to hold remembrance ceremonies at each of the 90 documented Middle Passage port sites in the United States of AmericaSupporting the installation of historic markers to establish a permanent record honoring those who died and those who survived the Middle PassageEducating the community about the vital role that Africans and their descendants played in the development of both local areas and the nationPartnering with historical and cultural societies, academic institutions, churches, visitor and tourist bureaus, and community organizations to promote African Diaspora history and culture, especially related to the Middle Passage.MPCPMP has identified 90 U.S. Middle Passage arrival sites, those locations where Africans first placed their feet after leaving the African continent. Thus far, with our support, and occasional prodding, 40 Middle Passage markers are installed from New Hampshire to Texas commemorating the lives of these ancestors. More than 100 community people have taken on the responsibility of managing and promoting Middle Passage History in their areas. We have also successfully petitioned UNESCO to designate all 90 arrival locations as Sites of Memory in association with its "Routes of Enslaved Peoples Project."

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 46.2%; rating input score 46
• Program expense ratio: 83%; rating input score 83
• Fundraising efficiency: $43.2 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 87.5%; rating input score 88; 26th 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: 44.4%; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.28; rating input score 62; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 47.7%; rating input score 4; 4th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 15% per year; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -49.4% per year; rating input score 0; 1st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -16.7% per year; rating input score 0; 4th percentile among comparable filings