Time’s Up, the women’s advocacy group launched by Hollywood celebrities in the wake of the #MeToo movement, spent millions on its employees’ six-figure salaries while donating less than $20,000 one time to a women’s nonprofit.
The group, which raises money to support victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, spent an eye-popping $2.4 million on salaries and compensation in 2019, according to the group’s 2019 financial report.
On top of treating themselves to extravagant salaries, Time’s Up made just one contribution for the whole year, giving $19,342 to the National Women’s Law Center.
Meanwhile, the group’s payroll taxes totaled $23,287, more than its one comparatively measly donation.
About $600,000 of the funds spent on compensation was put toward an exit package for ousted Time’s Up CEO Lisa Border, former president of the Women’s National Basketball Association, after sexual assault allegations were made against her son. Yoga instructor Celia Gellert accused Borders’ son, Garry “Dijon” Bowden Jr., in early 2019 of touching her inappropriately during a “healing” massage.
Time’s Up is now headed by President and CEO Tina Tchen, an attorney and former White House official in the Obama administration, and compensates at least 23 employees.
The group also forked over nearly half a million dollars, $454,693, in legal fees to Washington D.C. law firm Arnold & Porter as well as $165,000 to a New York recruiter. Time’s Up also dropped $400,000 on travel expenses and rent.
Time’s Up’s expenses in 2018 were barely any more frugal. That year, the group spent 38 percent of its revenue, $1.4 million, on salaries alone and another $157,000 on a retreat at the Ojai Valley Inn, a luxury resort and spa in California. The group also paid PR firm Rally Public Relations $112,435 and spent even more on legal fees, a whopping $719,000. The one bright spot in 2018 was that Time’s Up managed to spend slightly more on helping victims, putting $312,001 toward the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, the aim of which is to connect female victims of sexual harassment with lawyers.
Time’s Up was started on the first day of 2018 in the wake of the spectacular fall of Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who was accused of rape and sexual assault by dozens of women. The advocacy group boasts a star-studded board of directors, including huge names like Reese Witherspoon, Amy Schumer, and Brie Larson.
The group states that its mission is “to promote safe, fair and dignified work for women of all kinds. We work to make sure that women are free from harassment and other forms of discrimination on the job, have equal opportunity for economic security and can achieve the highest positions of power wherever they work,” according to tax filings.