Tornado Alley (PROG)

[fuagf]

The NRA’s financial weakness, explained

"The NRA Says It’s in Deep Financial Trouble, May Be ‘Unable to Exist’"

December 14, 2018 10.46pm AEDT

The National Rifle Association’s political spending fell during the 2018 midterm elections. There’s talk of ending small perks like free coffee at its offices and even employee layoffs.

These and other trends indicate that at a time when the NRA’s clout may seem stronger than ever, its financial power may be faltering.

As a researcher who studies and tracks the finances of nonprofits, I have followed the NRA’s financial disclosures for years. Here’s what I’ve observed lately.

A negative nest egg

[...]

Throwing away its shot?

Another revenue source – fees earned from insurance products NRA members buy – is being threatened due to efforts by New York state to block the group from marketing firearm liability coverage. These fees, which accounted for more than $14 million in revenue in 2017, would be hard to replace.

In sum, though the NRA’s financial situation does not strike me as immediately dire based on the information available, it is far from healthy.

And while details about the NRA’s wobbly balance sheet are surely less salacious than other news about the gun group, such as allegations and reports that it may have been a conduit for Russia to influence the Republican Party, a weak financial footing may ultimately be what saps its political power.

With links - https://theconversation.com/the-nras-financial-weakness-explained-108582