the crest

Donations to the Christian Broadcasting Network dropped 4.5 percent in 2007, the first decline in ten years in direct donations the ministry.

The decrease on a $10.3 million drop could of been in contributions toward disaster relief.

Donors gave $158.5 million for the year ending in March 2007, according to the tax return CBN filed

CBN had ridden an eight-year wave of giving growth, with double-digit percent increases in some years.

The lack of major natural disasters in 2006 and 2007 drove down disaster relief donations. Previous years had seen heavy donations after Hurricane Katrina, hurricanes in Florida, and the Indian Ocean tsunamis.

Nondisaster contributions saw a net increase of $3.4 million, showing that donors weren’t put off by Robertson’s recent controversial public comments.

For example, Robertson apologized in 2006 for publicly implying that Israel’s prime minister had suffered a stroke as divine retribution for giving land to Palestinians.

Direct public contributions represented the largest chunk – 64 percent – of CBN’s total revenue of $249 million in 2007.

The dent in giving helped push CBN down to 99th in the nation among philanthropies ranked by donations from private sources, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy. In 2006, CBN ranked 89th.

CBN’s total expenses rose 3 percent, to $243 million, with 81 percent of spending going for program services. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a charity watchdog group, says nonprofits should spend at least 65 percent of their budget on program activities.

CBN spent $26.9 million to buy airtime in various domestic television markets to broadcast “The 700 Club” and other programs. It spent $29 million on fundraising, representing 12 percent of total expenses.

The organization boosted spending for international evangelistic outreach by 31 percent, to nearly $71 million. Carter said the increase recognized that 90 percent of CBN’s viewing audience was in foreign countries.

Because of the lack of natural disasters, CBN cut its support for Operation Blessing International by 54 percent, giving $9.5 million. Operation Blessing, based in Virginia Beach, is a global development and relief agency founded by Robertson.