PEERS 2020 Annual Report
"You folks are doing a yeoman's job ... No, I stand corrected. You have eclipsed what is expected. You are doing super human work in the research of sifting fact from fiction and putting it into easily found categories replete with links and footnotes that would make an archivist at the Library of Congress blush with envy." ~~ Eric G.. Nov. 10, 2020
PEERS (Public Education and Empowerment Resource Service) was officially incorporated in January of 2006 as a nonprofit umbrella organization for the 13 websites focused on education and transformation now under its management. In keeping with the desire to create a new paradigm for our world, everything offered by PEERS is free of charge. We are able to survive and even thrive thanks to the many generous donations of our supporters and volunteers.
As of the end of 2020, PEERS has provided inspiration and education to many millions of caring people around the globe for 15 years. Over this time, we are thrilled to have received a cumulative total of over 32 million visits to our websites. PEERS continues to touch countless people's hearts and make a difference in our world in a most meaningful way.
2020 was a very mixed year for PEERS. Financially, considering many other nonprofits suffered as people tightened belts around the world due to the virus, we did very well, ending the year with over $82,000 in donations. That is up $8,000 from last year and the highest ever except when we had a major $50,000 contribution in 2018. The number of subscribers to our two email lists increased by about 2% over the year, so that we now have about 16,400 subscribers from over 160 countries.
On the downside, the number of visits to our websites dropped a full 30% compared to 2019. Still, we received a total of 1.2 million visits, averaging about 3,300 visits a day for the year. Google has pushed smaller and alternative websites like ours ever further down their search lists since 2013.
"I need to let you know how deeply I appreciate your continuing thoughtful communications about our global troubles. Blessings for your intelligent wisdom, both on diving into the sinister dimensions of our world, exploring what is true or unknown, AND how to approach all of this through a more spiritual lens. Blessings for all that you do." ~~ Jane Millikan, Oct. 23, 2020
The total income of PEERS in 2020 was $83,397, up over $6,000 from last year's $77,044, and several thousand above average for recent years. Expenses for the year were slightly less than income, so we ended the year $1,945 in the plus column financially.
More good news is that the total number of donors increased 7% from 675 to 720. The number of supporters giving monthly contributions increased held steady at just under 150, though the total donated monthly decreased 10% to about $2,125per month. Yet with over $66,000 in the bank at the end of the year, PEERS remains on solid financial footing, enabling us to continue making a difference in many people's lives and in our world.
PEERS Websites
The large decrease in number of website visits was felt on all of our websites. Compared with 2019, WantToKnow.info, experienced a decrease of 35% in the number of visits in 2020, with 711,00 visits to the site (just under 2,000 visits a day). Even so, since 2006 WantToKnow.info has received over 22 million visits and continues to educate and empower thousands of people worldwide very day.
"I truly believe that what you present is unique. It’s both a blueprint for learning about the controls on us and a ‘Cheer Up!’ card to remind us that things indeed can be fixed with knowledge and determination. Your comment, ’We came here to be a part of this major shift in our world’ blew me away... If we really grasped the significance of our presence at this time, we would transform the planet in short order. It will take longer than that, but what you folks do with PEERS is an iceberg in the path of the propaganda Titanic. I thank God for people like you who are neutralizing the negativity and sense of powerlessness that we are being fed." ~~ Wayne H. , Jan. 2, 2020
Our second and third most popular sites also had significant losses. The Personal Growth Courses website decreased by only 10% to 354,000 visits, while the Web of Love website dropped a whopping 75%% down to 32,000 visits. That said, the PEERS websites continue to make a difference in people's lives. We continue to receive wonderfully supportive and grateful feedback on our websites, email lists, and online courses. Here is one more of the many wonderful emails of support we received this year.
"Bravo!!! I have repeatedly emphasized the main dysfunction of this world is its illusion of separation. I have also been repeatedly accused of being a conspiracy theorist when I try to bring darkness to light. Now I am being shunned by a close friend and one of my daughters because I do not choose to join the villainizing and bashing of one side or the other. It's a little humorous to me that one is a Trumpster and the other is a far-right Liberal. Your commitment to bringing truth to light and curating important news articles and informational pieces are a critical part of the Awakening being generated on our planet now. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the work you are doing. The difference you are making is legion." ~~ Jeannette H., Aug. 2, 2020
The one major new addition this past year was an information center with valuable information on the coronavirus and vaccines. We also added great pages on revealing news articles and engaging videos about various aspects of the virus and the impacts of the lockdown policies.
The Personal Growth Courses
Since the launch our first online course in 2007, 339 individuals have now registered and completed one of our four free courses, while thousands more have done so without registering. Though only five people completed a course in 2020, almost every registered participant gives glowing reviews upon completion of a course. As registration is not required to take a course, we calculate from website statistics that 40 or more unregistered individuals completed a course in this last year, and many hundreds engaged in one or more of the fascinating lessons available free of charge.
"My eyes are being opened. Everyone Has A Heart spoke to me. I had never taken the time to realize that everyone just wants to love and be loved. Life is precious and we all have a part in making each other feel that we belong. We are all connected. This world would heal and grow if we all woke up to realize that it starts within each of us." ~~ Nancy H. on the Transformation Course, May 22, 2020
Another indicator of the value of these free courses is the donations given by course participants. We are happy to offer these courses free of charge, so those in challenging financial circumstances can reap the benefits. Yet what a gift that nearly half of those who complete a course choose to give a donation, and the average donation is over $200. 12 participants have contributed $1,000 or more to PEERS after completing a course. Two generous individuals have even donated over $10,000. We are overjoyed to receive such generosity in response to these empowering courses.
PEERS Finances
Considering the low visit numbers, PEERS did well this year financially. We had a total income of $83,397 in 2020. About 99% of this came in the form of donations from generous supporters. The remaining 2% or so came largely from dividends on our savings. A record 12 individuals gave donations of $1,000 or more, including one for $5,000, and one generous individual who contributed $11,500 over the course of the year.
Our budget usually runs in the red throughout the year until a surge of donations in December pushes us into the black. We were a daunting $16,000 away from breaking even around the beginning of December, but thanks to a major outpouring of support in this last month, we amazingly ended the year almost $2,000 in the plus column.
Our total expenses for 2020 were $81,452. We are pleased that PEERS still has $66,125 in total equity. This is in accordance with our good bookkeeping practice of maintaining a balance in the bank of between 50 and 100 percent of our annual budget.
About 90% of our expenses last year went to pay the one employee and two contractors of PEERS. $52,000 was paid in salary to employee Fred Burks (plus $4,104 in taxes to the government) for his continued management as executive director of PEERS. Mark did an great job with our weekly news summaries, for which he was compensated a total of $15,150. Our contractor and tech whiz Andrey was paid $938 for his valuable work and Donald was paid $1,548 for his work on Google Ads. Donald continues to take advantage of $10,000 in free ads offered by Google to nonprofits. This has resulted in an impressive increase of over 360 visits a day this year.
The remaining expenses were $3,154 for Internet and email expenses, $2,227 to PayPal and Stripe (Donorbox) for the 2.2% + $0.30 they take to process online donations, $569 in government taxes and fees, $625 for our payroll service, $645 for office supplies and newspaper and magazine subscriptions, and $60 for the Costco membership fee. We believe the total expenses of $81,453 is a small amount for the services we provide.
To see the QuickBooks form listing profit and loss figures for PEERS in fiscal year 2020, click here. For the PEERS balance sheet as of the end of 2020, click here.
The statements at the above links were prepared without official audit of our books and records, though they have been carefully reviewed by Executive Director Fred Burks and were examined and certified by Treasurer John Lumiere-Wins. PEERS ended the year with liabilities of $1,497 resulting from payroll taxes not due until January 2021. All donations were unrestricted. We had a net gain for 2020 of $1,945. We are extremely grateful to all of our caring contributors who so generously supported us, especially in these challenging times.
"Thank you for your amazing set of websites dedicated to deep investigation of hidden truths. I also appreciate your dedication to illuminating the darkness, providing compassionate support, and educational spiritual courses. I will donate again when I can. Thank you!" ~~ Pamela R., June 12, 2020
Transforming Our World Together With You
Our world is rapidly changing and transforming with each passing year. Especially with the intensity in the past year of the virus, U.S. elections, Donald Trump, police violence, and more, people around the globe are waking up and wanting to make a difference. And people all over are awakening to deeper spiritual realities and to our common humanity. Though at times it can be quite daunting and even depressing, in other ways it's an exciting time to be alive!
PEERS is at the forefront of a grand movement to transform our world into a more caring and loving place for all people to live. Thanks so much to all involved with PEERS for your invaluable support in this most noble endeavor. Even with all of the uncertainty ahead, we enter this new year of 2021 full of excitement at the possibilities of ever greater transformation of our world through our great work and that of our supporters and so many others who are coming together for the betterment of all in our world.
"Revealing cover-ups is tricky business with little personal benefit to those who do it, but it is the work of saints. And you know this is a divine gift from your heart to the world. Please also know it is being heard even if sometimes seemingly not well enough.." ~~ Orion J." on March 22, 2020
Note: To read other messages of deep appreciation for our work, click here and here. And we'd be thrilled if you are inspired to make a donation to support our work. To do so, please click here.
PEERS 2020 Annual Report
Compiled and Written By
Fred Burks
PEERS Executive Director
The PEERS empowerment network
"Dedicated to the greatest good of all who share our beautiful world"
