Non-profit

Congressional Management Foundation (CMF)

Website:

www.congressfoundation.org/

Location:

Washington, DC

Tax ID:

52-1076614

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2021):

Revenue: $1,923,660
Expenses: $1,436,255
Assets: $1,034,987

Type:

Consultancy Organization

Formation:

1977

President and CEO:

Bradford Pitch

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The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) is a consultancy organization for members of U.S. Congress and their staff. It aims to “revitalize Congress as an institution” by developing staff to become more “deliberative, functioning, and accountable.” 1

Background

The Congressional Management Foundation was established in 1977 to support the trustworthiness and effectiveness of the United States Congress. It has endeavored to accomplish this through research, education, and training programs for lawmakers and their staff to make U.S. Congress more efficient. It also engages in communications and public outreach to advocate for Congress as an institution. 2

Activities

The Congressional Management Foundation advises the staff of members of Congress and various committees and institutional offices in the U.S. House and Senate, including interns, chief of staffs, and the members themselves. 2 It aims to “revitalize Congress as an institution” by developing staff to become more “deliberative, functioning, and accountable.” 1

The organization’s three major areas of consultation are “management books and guidance,” “customized management services,” and “staff training and professional development.” 2

CMF’s management books series includes its studies of U.S. Congressional staff, its Life in Congress research series, its Congressional Intern Handbook, and its self-described signature publication, Setting Course, Keeping It Local, a guidebook for both district and state officials. 2

CMF’s customized management services include various programs ranging from one-day training sessions to comprehensive analyses of an office’s systems and “problem areas.” Some programs grade senior staff on their strategies and leadership qualities, while others target junior staff and aim to bolster efficiency and quality through teambuilding exercises. 3

For more detailed training sessions, CMF offers scheduled courses throughout the year for various classes of U.S. Congressional staff. 4

CMF releases bi-annual research publications on the status of U.S. Congressional management strategies entitled “State of the Congress.” 5 Its 2024 State of the Congress report found that the majority of senior staffers from both major political parties believe U.S. Congress is “not functioning as it should,” that it is important for offices to work across party lines, and discovered that a majority of staff feel anxious about insults and incivility from the other party. 6

CMF links users to articles and research reports from other legislative consultants, such as the World Bank Group, the Open Government Partnership, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. 5

Financials

In 2022, the Congressional Management Foundation reported income of $1,439,329, expenses of $1,525,199, and net assets of $596,626. 7

Funding

The Congressional Management Foundation states that it is funded by donations from “associations, corporations, foundations and individuals,” whom it describes as supporters of “public service and a healthier democracy.” 2

CMF’s bi-annual State of the Congress studies are funded by Business for America, the Hewlett Foundation’s U.S. Democracy Program, Salesforce, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). 6

Leadership

As of 2024, Bradford Fitch was the president and chief executive officer of the Congressional Management Foundation. 8 The chair of the board was Amy Sandgren Plaster, a senior advisor with HillStaffer, LLC. 9

References

  1. “Revitalizing Congress: Our History.” Congress Management Foundation. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.congressfoundation.org/revitalizing-congress/revitalizing-congress-our-history.
  2. “Our Work.” Congress Management Foundation. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.congressfoundation.org/about-cmf/our-work.
  3. “Management Services.” Congress Management Foundation. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.congressfoundation.org/resources-for-congress/management-services.
  4. “Staff Training Programs.” Congress Management Foundation. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.congressfoundation.org/resources-for-congress/staff-training.
  5.  “State of the Congress.” Congressional Management Foundation. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.congressfoundation.org/revitalizing-congress/state-of-the-congress.
  6.  “State of the Congress 2024.” Congressional Management Foundation. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.congressfoundation.org/revitalizing-congress/state-of-the-congress/2012.
  7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Congressional Management Foundation. 2021. Part I, lines 12, 18, 22.
  8. “Bradford Fitch.” Congressional Management Foundation. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.congressfoundation.org/about-cmf/staff.
  9. [1]“Board of Directors.” Congressional Management Foundation. Accessed June 16, 2024. https://www.congressfoundation.org/about-cmf/board-of-directors.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: May 1, 1977

  • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2021 Dec Form 990 $1,923,660 $1,436,255 $1,034,987 $352,491 N $1,169,673 $753,603 $384 $232,635
    2020 Dec Form 990 $917,299 $1,415,727 $534,323 $339,232 N $236,294 $680,593 $412 $210,485
    2019 Dec Form 990 $1,557,723 $1,436,768 $880,840 $187,321 N $560,166 $997,155 $402 $208,000 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $1,259,438 $1,400,175 $748,108 $175,544 N $627,609 $631,361 $468 $221,744 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $1,318,487 $1,263,686 $857,235 $143,934 N $498,255 $819,663 $569 $225,327 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $1,243,794 $1,297,616 $882,225 $223,725 N $133,505 $1,105,075 $576 $210,864 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $1,448,380 $1,087,152 $896,667 $184,345 N $176,146 $1,267,599 $373 $219,969 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $973,984 $846,958 $513,570 $162,476 N $146,600 $823,509 $94 $191,804 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $801,571 $793,526 $393,126 $165,198 N $234,262 $567,520 $153 $180,465 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $385,811 $177,039 $301,272 $81,389 N $111,000 $276,257 $1 $36,063 PDF
    2012 Sep Form 990 $555,793 $629,932 $264,047 $252,936 N $221,944 $341,072 $140 $170,035 PDF
    2011 Sep Form 990 $765,490 $888,126 $195,286 $110,036 N $557,067 $213,341 $423 $209,256 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Congressional Management Foundation (CMF)

    216 Seventh Street SE, 2nd Floor
    Washington, DC