Uss Iowa (Ssn-797) Commissioning Committee

What it reported doing in 2025

The christening and commissioning ceremonies for a navy ship are long-standing and revered traditions that promote patriotism among those who attend and demonstrates to the crew of the vessel that the public appreciates the great sacrifices they make to defend our nation. A commissioning ceremony is costly, and congress only provides very limited funds for basics such as bunting, attendee stands and bus transportation from a local hotel to the ceremony. To give the crew and the public the proper ceremony, the committee must raise the necessary funds to organize various events supporting the ceremony and the accompanying celebrations. Donated funds are used to purchase items for the crew that are not supplied by the navy, such as exercise and entertainment equipment to be used by the crew while at sea, and other amenities that improve the quality of life for the crew as they endure months at sea in close quarters, and away from home and their loved ones, in defense of our nation. Funds are also used for plaques and other emblematics and memorabilia that honor the crew for being 'plank owners', which are the first crew members to man the ship. Additionally, some of these funds are used to help establish and support the command's family support group to provide assets/resources to family members of the crew throughout the year. Donated funds are used to defer the costs of bringing crew members back to Iowa to participate in individual and group events such as the Iowa state fair, irish fest, veteran's and memorial day services and ragbrai (the register's annual great bike ride across Iowa) to increase awareness among the citizens of Iowa regarding the navy and uss Iowa; creating a lifelong bond between the citizens of Iowa and the crew that will man their namesake u.s. Navy vessel, and; to promote the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (stem) subjects in educating our youth.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 99%; rating input score 99
• Fundraising efficiency: $64.47 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 78; 78th 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: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 2 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 29
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -35%; rating input score 6; 6th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.72; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 49.1% per year; rating input score 100; 95th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.1% per year; rating input score 100; 48th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 12.1% per year; rating input score 100; 69th percentile among comparable filings