Rutherford 2005 Annual Report

Each year, The Rutherford Institute helps thousands of individuals who have encountered injustice in their community, whether it’s a discriminatory policy, a hostile supervisor or outright persecution for their religious beliefs. While the people who call on the Institute are from countless backgrounds and geographic locations, they all have one thing in common: a willingness to stand up for their convictions.

Please take a moment to review the following 2005 Statistical Highlights, and you’ll see what your support means to us:

• 1,609 requests for legal assistance were handled by Rutherford Institute staff, and 38 cases involving violations of civil and human rights moved through various stages of pre-litigation and litigation, including several cases that were appealed directly to the United States Supreme Court.
• Institute staff provided training and support to a national affiliate network of over 1,700 volunteer attorneys, many of whom were trained and educated on pertinent case law and provided with research support and funding for court expenses in order to defend cases in their region and field of law.
• More than 3,000 newspaper outlets and press contacts received alerts on Institute cases and breaking news.
• More than 8,000 radio stations and outlets received our public service messages to broadcast to people around the world, alerting them to issues and cases affecting their freedoms.
• The Institute’s website, www.rutherford.org, received more than 10 million hits from individuals seeking news updates, pertinent commentaries and in-depth legal information about the fight for freedom taking place in and out of the courts.
• And more than 15,000 individuals who requested a complimentary copy of the Institute’s Pocket Constitution were educated about their right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

The following provides a brief sampling of The Rutherford Institute’s activities in this ongoing struggle for freedom and justice for all:

In Defense of Religious Freedom.  As part of our efforts to safeguard liberties, Institute attorneys defended the rights of a mother to read a Bible passage out loud to her son’s kindergarten class and appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of a Florida high school student who was forced to paint over Christian words and symbols she had included on a school mural. 

Parents’ Rights.  Institute attorneys have continued to help parents protect their families and defend their right to raise their children according to their religious beliefs. In the past year, Institute attorneys filed a lawsuit on behalf of an Indiana family whose 15-year-old daughter was subjected to a mental health screening examination at school without her parents’ knowledge or consent. 

Workplace Discrimination. The Rutherford Institute continues to stand strong in defense of the right of employees to express their religious beliefs in the workplace.  For example, in the past year, the Institute successfully defended the right of a Montana detention officer to refuse transport of a female prisoner to an abortion on the basis of his religious beliefs.

Right to Worship. The Rutherford Institute continues to defend churches from local zoning laws and permit rules that are clearly designed to thwart religious activity. For instance, in the past year, Institute attorneys filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in one of three cases challenging the constitutionality of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000, a federal statute which requires state prisons receiving federal funds to accommodate inmates’ religious practices unless they have a compelling interest against the accommodation.

Free Speech. The Rutherford Institute is a staunch defender of those whose free speech rights are violated. This past year, for example, Institute attorneys protected the free speech rights of a Christian youth group prevented from praying at the Alamo, asking the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to modify their rules to allow freedom of speech and religious expression at the historic site.

Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Among the briefs filed by Institute attorneys with the U.S. Supreme Court this past year, three in particular stand out:  Jon B. Cutter, et al. v. Reginald Wilkinson, et al., one of three cases before the high court that challenged the constitutionality of a federal statute which requires state prisons receiving federal funds to accommodate inmates’ religious practices unless they have a compelling interest against such an accommodation; Harvest House Publishers v. The Local Church, in which the Institute submitted an amicus brief to the Texas Court of Appeals in defense of the right of publishers and authors to freely publicize matters of public concern without having to face costly defamation lawsuits; and Thomas Van Orden v. Rick Perry, one of two Ten Commandments cases that came before the U.S. Supreme Court this year in which the High Court was asked to uphold and affirm the constitutionality of the Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Texas Capitol.

Educational programs. The Rutherford Institute has made great strides in educating the public on civil and human rights issues through its online presence and outreach campaigns. For example, this past year, The Rutherford Institute welcomed 11 top-ranking students from law schools across the country to its intensive Summer Legal Internship Program. The Institute also launched its 2005 Summer Speaker Series, which aims to engage law students, lawyers and community members in stimulating discussions with leaders from a cross-section of religious, cultural, philosophical and legal backgrounds. This year, The Rutherford Institute was pleased to welcome a broad array of speakers on issues ranging from property rights and human life concerns to criminal justice reform, religious freedom and judicial activism.

Financial Summary

Financial Status/Guidelines
Under the regulations of the United States Internal Revenue Service, The Rutherford Institute is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In compliance with general industry standards of a nonprofit organization, the Institute is audited annually by an independent accounting firm and has also filed with all local and state organizations that require registration by soliciting charities.  Our financial records are on file with various state Attorney General offices and elsewhere as required by law.

The Institute also meets all of the standards required of the Better Business Bureau, which is a council that promulgates standards to promote ethical practices, by philanthropic organizations.  As an organization that continues to meet the stringent standards set by the Better Business Bureau for nonprofits, the Institute strives to conduct its ministry and financial affairs with integrity and openness. The Rutherford Institute welcomes inquiries regarding its stewardship of donor contributions and is happy to supply the public with copies of its annual financial disclosure statements and President’s Report upon request. 

Statement of Support and Revenue, Expenses, and Changes in Fund Balances for the Fiscal Period 7/1/04-6/30/05
Support
Total Support	$2,855,741
Revenue
Total Revenue	$66,051
TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUE	$2,921,792
Expenses
Program Services:
Legal Support	$1,501,320
Educational Services	$   937,588
	$2,438,908
Support Services:
General & Management	$231,282
Fundraising	$102,188
	$333,470
TOTAL EXPENSES	$2,772,378

 

About The Rutherford Institute

Established by constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead in 1982, The Rutherford Institute is an international legal and educational organization dedicated to preserving human rights and defending civil liberties.  Deeply committed to protecting the constitutional freedoms of every American and the integral human rights of all people, The Rutherford Institute has emerged as a prominent leader in the national dialogue on civil liberties and human rights.

The Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose international headquarters are located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is comprised of a full-time staff and a network of volunteer attorneys across the United States. Institute attorneys handle a full range of cases in the realm of civil liberties and human rights. The defense of civil liberties and human rights through litigation and education is at the heart of the Institute’s mission. 
Institute attorneys fight for the constitutional and human rights of men, women and children who are discriminated against or persecuted for their beliefs. Operating under John Whitehead’s philosophy that “liberties are all interdependent; we are not free anywhere if someone in the world is still persecuted, oppressed or enslaved,” the Institute continues to monitor and respond to those in need of assistance.

Under the regulations of the United States Internal Revenue Service, The Rutherford Institute is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In compliance with general industry standards of a nonprofit organization, the Institute is audited annually by an independent accounting firm.

Board of Directors

John W. Whitehead, Esquire, is the Chairman of the Board. He founded The Rutherford Institute, a nonprofit civil liberties and human rights organization, in 1982. He is the author of 20 books and also wrote and directed the award-winning video series, Grasping for the Wind.

Michael Masters, M.D., is the Vice Chairman for the Board. Dr. Masters is a surgeon at a medical practice in North Carolina. He is a strong advocate for The Rutherford Institute’s human rights issues.

Thomas S. Neuberger, Esquire, is the Secretary/Treasurer for the Board. He is the head of a private law practice in Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Neuberger has worked as a pro bono affiliate attorney with The Rutherford Institute for over 22 years.

Bruce Smythe is the vice president and general manager of a manufacturing company. He is a strong supporter of The Rutherford Institute’s legal and educational programs, especially its efforts to fight for religious freedom.

Frederick A. Willson is a retired California high school instructor. He conducts workshops in the United States and abroad on Science-related subjects and is a long-time proponent of The Rutherford Institute’s legal and educational programs.

Click here for a PDF of The Rutherford Institute's complete 2005 Annual Report.