Though there’s nothing “charitable” about Michael “Mikey” Weinstein’s “charity” — the awkwardly named Military Religious Freedom Foundation — it is categorized as 501(c)3, which requires that he publicly file his organization’s tax form each year. Notably, in part due to deadlines and amended returns, he manages to be almost two years behind. Weinstein has finally released the report for 2017 indicating his MRFF brought in $723,000, which is a bit higher than previous years but not his most ever.

That number represents his total donations, much of which appear to be grants and “donations” from other charities. A few years ago Weinstein was looking to hire a grants specialist, and it appears his efforts to professionalize his fundraising has been profitable, literally.

Mikey Weinstein may not do much, but he apparently knows how to ask for money from other organizations. For example, in 2017 the Santa Fe Foundation gave him $24,000, the Community Foundation of North Louisiana (?) gave him $150,000 (!), and the Aspen Community Foundation paid him $36,000. His tax records also seem to indicate he receives federal funds, as well, which would almost make it seem the government is paying Mikey Weinstein to harass the government.

In the end, despite his “everyman” claims, Weinstein’s contributions from the general public appear to be rather small. He’s a professional agitator, not a grassroots one.

As in prior years, Weinstein’s largest expense was his own paycheck, as he paid himself $288,434, representing just under 40% of every dollar his organization received in tax-deductible donations.

To date, Mikey Weinstein has solicited millions of dollars in donations for his “charity” — and he has also paid himself $2.7 million from those donations. It seems he’s managed to make himself a very wealthy man off other people’s “charity”.

Most notable in this year’s statement, however, was the revelation that the MRFF has officially doubled in size — Mikey now reports he has two employees, instead of just himself. It’s unclear what that actually means, though, since Weinstein’s payroll doesn’t seem to indicate two people — unless the other person’s pay is simply dwarfed by his.

While his expansion is “official” this year, it’s impossible to know the true history, as Weinstein seems to intentionally obfuscate his finances. For example, he has “employed” Christine “Chris” Rodda for years (though she has been relatively silent recently), but he’s categorized her as a contractor, which helps Weinstein not have to pay any benefits or taxes for her. (Weinstein reported 11 total 1099 contractors this year.) And then there’s the issue that even as Weinstein claims he works 105 hours a week (there are only 168 total hours in 7-day a week), it seems Mikey still managed to find time to work another job earning yet another $100,000 or so as a “consultant.” Just coincidentally, his own MRFF was paying a bit over $100,000 for consulting at the same time.

Weinstein’s “charity” also pays for his security, phone, and travel (for him and his family). The MRFF also paid $34,000 for “occupancy” — which the IRS says is office space. Given that the MRFF operates out of Weinstein’s house, it seems it’s also paying his mortgage (if he even has one after all these years).

In other words, not only does Mikey Weinstein pay himself a lot of money in salary, it seems he also pays himself a lot of money in other ways, as well, though they’re not as well documented.

Given how little Mikey Weinstein actually does — he talks a lot, but the MRFF doesn’t actually do a lot — it seems his “charity” is making him a very rich man for very little effort.

After years of failed get-rich schemes, at least Mikey found his calling.

MRFF Compensation to Mikey Weinstein:

2005: Formed
2006: $116,330
2007: $0
2008: $252,485
2009: $296,232
2010: $218,201
2011: $252,681
2012: $273,355
2013: $299,634
2014: $244,232
2015: $264,492
2016: $289,868
2017: $288,434
2018: Not yet reported.

Total: $2,795,944

Prior tax years discussions: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.

ADVERTISEMENT

---

---