efile Public Visual Render
ObjectId: 201641969349300149 - Submission: 2016-07-14
TIN: 27-3238471
Form
990
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax
Under section 501(c), 527, or 4947(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (except private
foundations)
Do not enter social security numbers on this form as it may be made public.
Information about Form 990 and its instructions is at
www.IRS.gov/form990
.
OMB No. 1545-0047
20
14
Open to Public Inspection
A
For the 2014 calendar year, or tax year beginning
09-01-2014
, and ending
08-31-2015
B
Check if applicable:
Address change
Name change
Initial return
Final return/terminated
Amended return
Application pending
C
Name of organization
America Achieves Inc
Doing business as
Number and street (or P.O. box if mail is not delivered to street address)
1460 Broadway 8th Floor
Room/suite
City or town, state or province, country, and ZIP or foreign postal code
New York
,
NY
10036
D Employer identification number
27-3238471
E Telephone number
(646) 854-6083
G
Gross receipts $
10,013,898
F
Name and address of principal officer:
Jon Schnur
95 Morton Street Ground Fl
New York
,
NY
10014
I
Tax-exempt status:
501(c)(3)
501(c)
(
)
(insert no.)
4947(a)(1)
or
527
J
Website:
www.americaachieves.org
H(a)
Is this a group return for
subordinates?
Yes
No
H(b)
Are all subordinates
included?
Yes
No
If "No," attach a list. (see instructions)
H(c)
Group exemption number
K
Form of organization:
Corporation
Trust
Association
Other
L
Year of formation:
2010
M
State of legal domicile:
NY
Part I
Summary
1
Briefly describe the organization’s mission or most significant activities:
America Achieves is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring young people get the best possible education and preparation to lead and succeed in a changing world.
2
Check this box
3
Number of voting members of the governing body (Part VI, line 1a)
........
3
7
4
Number of independent voting members of the governing body (Part VI, line 1b)
.....
4
6
5
Total number of individuals employed in calendar year 2014 (Part V, line 2a)
......
5
77
6
Total number of volunteers (estimate if necessary)
.............
6
7a
Total unrelated business revenue from Part VIII, column (C), line 12
........
7a
0
b
Net unrelated business taxable income from Form 990-T, line 34
.........
7b
Prior Year
Current Year
8
Contributions and grants (Part VIII, line 1h)
.........
20,120,139
9,978,357
9
Program service revenue (Part VIII, line 2g)
.........
20,800
10
Investment income (Part VIII, column (A), lines 3, 4, and 7d )
....
8,375
14,741
11
Other revenue (Part VIII, column (A), lines 5, 6d, 8c, 9c, 10c, and 11e)
0
12
Total revenue—add lines 8 through 11 (must equal Part VIII, column (A), line 12)
20,128,514
10,013,898
13
Grants and similar amounts paid (Part IX, column (A), lines 1–3 )
...
630,800
2,231,126
14
Benefits paid to or for members (Part IX, column (A), line 4)
.....
0
15
Salaries, other compensation, employee benefits (Part IX, column (A), lines 5–10)
4,382,411
6,041,268
16a
Professional fundraising fees (Part IX, column (A), line 11e)
.....
0
b
Total fundraising expenses (Part IX, column (D), line 25)
406,899
17
Other expenses (Part IX, column (A), lines 11a–11d, 11f–24e)
....
9,121,307
10,664,706
18
Total expenses. Add lines 13–17 (must equal Part IX, column (A), line 25)
14,134,518
18,937,100
19
Revenue less expenses. Subtract line 18 from line 12
.......
5,993,996
-8,923,202
Beginning of Current Year
End of Year
20
Total assets (Part X, line 16)
.............
18,700,044
10,348,980
21
Total liabilities (Part X, line 26)
.............
350,079
922,217
22
Net assets or fund balances. Subtract line 21 from line 20
.....
18,349,965
9,426,763
Part II
Signature Block
Sign Here
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return, including accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than officer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.
2016-07-14
Signature of officer
Date
Diane Ford
CFO
Type or print name and title
Paid Preparer Use Only
Print/Type preparer's name
David C Ashenfarb
Preparer's signature
David C Ashenfarb
Date
Check
if
self-employed
PTIN
P00535436
Firm's name
SCHALL & ASHENFARB CPAS
Firm's EIN
Firm's address
307 5th Ave 15th Floor
NEW YORK
,
NY
100166517
Phone no.
(212) 268-2800
May the IRS discuss this return with the preparer shown above? (see instructions)
..........
Yes
No
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the separate instructions.
Cat. No. 11282Y
Form
990
(2014)
Page 2
Form 990 (2014)
Page
2
Part III
Statement of Program Service Accomplishments
Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part III
..............
1
Briefly describe the organization’s mission:
America Achieves is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring young people get the best possible education and preparation to lead and succeed in a changing world. Our nonprofit accelerator drives large-scale impact by identifying and supporting exceptional educators and other leaders with powerful insights about what will help prepare young people at large scale for success; supports the development of their strategies, coalitions and leadership teams; matches them with philanthropic funding and tailored strategic and operational support; and provides them with an active community of educators and other leaders from whom they can learn.
2
Did the organization undertake any significant program services during the year which were not listed on
the prior Form 990 or 990-EZ?
....................
Yes
No
If "Yes," describe these new services on Schedule O.
3
Did the organization cease conducting, or make significant changes in how it conducts, any program
services?
..........................
Yes
No
If "Yes," describe these changes on Schedule O.
4
Describe the organization’s program service accomplishments for each of its three largest program services, as measured by expenses. Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations are required to report the amount of grants and allocations to others, the total expenses, and revenue, if any, for each program service reported.
4a
(Code:
) (Expenses $
16,613,264
including grants of $
2,231,126
) (Revenue $
20,800
)
Our first area of practice is our programming to accelerate K-12 educational excellence. In this program area, we support the establishment of learning communities involving highly engaged teachers, school leaders, and families who commit to deepen student learning, build character, and help students make use of their learning to solve real world problems -- while helping other educators, families and students learn and benefit from their work. This work is built on two important insights. First, economic and technological changes have created a much higher educational bar that students need to clear than ever before in order to succeed in careers and life. Second, educational changes too often are either top-down or fragmented, isolated efforts that focus more on fixing failure than spreading success -- and there hasn't been enough attention to creating and growing communities of educational excellence that educators, families, and students choose to lead and join.In this area of practice, America Achieves runs programs for teachers, school leaders and families. For leaders of schools and school systems, we offer the Global Learning Network (GLN). The GLN provides interested superintendents, principals, and their leadership teams with information on how their progress with students and schools compares to the best educational systems worldwide, access to best practices, and a learning community inspiring and equipping them to take action to make faster progress to ensure all students advance educationally. During the 2014 2015 school year, the Global Learning Network grew the number of schools benefiting from school-level international benchmarking tools to 446 US based schools and nearly 800 globally. The GLN helps educators understand their results and then identify and share needed practice shifts to improve outcomes. Over the last year, the GLN launched and ran a series of regional meetings and virtual convenings that engaged educators across the country. Our goal over time is to make it possible for any community or school in the U.S. to benchmark their progress and practices compared with the best educational systems and schools in the world - and then use that information to make needed progress. For teachers and principals, we offer our Fellowship for Teachers and Principals. This fellowship empowers outstanding educators to leverage their in-school expertise to shape public dialogue and public policy and also to inform the practices of other educators. As of August 2015, the Fellowship grew to 476 Teachers and Principal Fellows across the national fellowship program and state networks. In the last year these Fellows engaged in more than 250 media features, 460 op-eds and blogs, 280 presentations, and 330 opportunities advising key leaders and stakeholders. Fellows also co-authored important reports such as To The Test, an in-depth analysis of the updated New York state assessments and recommendations for improvement - and shared their expertise through social media campaigns such as #IWishMyTeacherKnew. Moreover, tens of thousands of teachers across the country have accessed the open-access case studies, videos and instructional practices created in partnership with these outstanding educators to help students reach rigorous academic standards. For parents and families, America Achieves launched and runs the Raise the Bar program. Raise the Bar inspires and supports a community of parents and families expecting more for their children's education. Raise the Bar offers tools and resources for parents to help understand educational standards and their children's progress while also equipping parents with information on how to help their child succeed in school. Raise the Bar has worked with parents across the country to develop online resources specifically designed to help parents understand changes in the classroom and support their children's success in school. These resources included educational check-ups for children in grades 2-8 in English language arts and Math, a learning habits/character growth self-assessment, tools to help parents communicate with their children's teachers, and enhanced content added in June 2015 to support parents understanding and modeling how to build a "growth mindset" in their children. In the summer of 2015, Raise the Bar began a partnership with Learning Heroes, a project of New Venture Fund, to promote Raise the Bar material through BeALearningHero.org and execute the Learning Heroes back-to-school informational campaign. The campaign was intended as a comprehensive outreach effort to help parents understand how to help their children improve educationally and reach college and career-ready educational standards - with the goal of reaching 3 million parents nationwide. Our second area of practice at America Achieves is our College Access and Success work - focusing on how to help many more low and moderate income youth enroll in and complete college. Our College Access and Success initiative established and quarterbacks the College Point coalition to address one important goal: by 2020, getting the majority of high-achieving, low- and moderate-income high school students to enroll in one of the top 270 colleges (defined as those with the best completion rates) in the U.S. Currently 2/3 of students at these colleges come from the wealthiest quarter of families - and 1/3 come from the other three quarters combined. Only 6 percent of students at these top colleges come from our lowest-income families - despite the fact that there are three times as many low-income students who are objectively qualified to attend these colleges. And yet the majority of these students don't even apply to a selective college that matches their talent and track record. That's why our initiative and coalition is piloting and evaluating an innovative college advising program that is identifying, mentoring and supporting these students through the college application and matriculation process. During the 2014-2015 academic year, CollegePoint piloted this program with three partner organizations to serve more than 1,300 high school students -- and helped over 1,000 of these students to enroll in a top college. We expect this program to grow and serve tens of thousands of students in the coming few years. Our third area of focus is investing in what works and driving evidence-based policy making to address this challenge. Results for America (RFA) is an America Achieves initiative based on an important idea: in this age of scarce resources and significant challenges, millions of young people and their families will be better positioned to succeed if government funding supports programs that are based on good evidence and demonstrate that they are effective over time. That's why Results for America supports efforts to make public funding more evidence-based and supports a coalition of public officials and others working on this problem. For example, RFA worked with leading experts and practitioners to establish a standard of excellence through its Federal Invest in What Works Index for federal departments and agencies that defines the infrastructure necessary for building and using data and evidence when making budget, policy and management decisions -- and supports federal departments and agencies to implement specific changes. In November 2014, RFA released a national best-selling Moneyball for Government book authored by a bipartisan group of nationally-recognized experts to help ensure that budget, policy, and management decisions by governments at all levels are informed by the best possible data and evidence about what works (a second edition has since been released). RFA also manages a national initiative to help 100 mid-size U.S. cities enhance their use of data and evidence to improve the lives of their residents.
4b
(Code:
) (Expenses $
including grants of $
) (Revenue $
)
4c
(Code:
) (Expenses $
including grants of $
) (Revenue $
)
4d
Other program services (Describe in Schedule O.)
(Expenses $
including grants of $
) (Revenue $
)
4e
Total program service expenses
16,613,264
Form
990
(2014)
Page 3
Form 990 (2014)
Page
3
Part IV
Checklist of Required Schedules
Yes
No
1
Is the organization described in section 501(c)(3) or 4947(a)(1) (other than a private foundation)?
If "Yes," complete Schedule A
.....................
1
Yes
2
Is the organization required to complete
Schedule B, Schedule of Contributors
(see instructions)?
...
2
Yes
3
Did the organization engage in direct or indirect political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office?
If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part I
.............
3
No
4
Section 501(c)(3) organizations.
Did the organization engage in lobbying activities, or have a section 501(h) election in effect during the tax year?
If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part II
..............
4
Yes
5
Is the organization a section 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or 501(c)(6) organization that receives membership dues, assessments, or similar amounts as defined in Revenue Procedure 98-19?
If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part III
.................
5
No
6
Did the organization maintain any donor advised funds or any similar funds or accounts for which donors have the right to provide advice on the distribution or investment of amounts in such funds or accounts?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part I
..................
6
No
7
Did the organization receive or hold a conservation easement, including easements to preserve open space,
the environment, historic land areas, or historic structures?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part II
...
7
No
8
Did the organization maintain collections of works of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part III
.............
8
No
9
Did the organization report an amount in Part X, line 21 for escrow or custodial account liability; serve as a custodian for amounts not listed in Part X; or provide credit counseling, debt management, credit repair, or debt negotiation services?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part IV
..............
9
No
10
Did the organization, directly or through a related organization, hold assets in temporarily restricted endowments, permanent endowments, or quasi-endowments?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part V
......
10
No
11
If the organization’s answer to any of the following questions is "Yes," then complete Schedule D, Parts VI, VII, VIII, IX, or X as applicable.
a
Did the organization report an amount for land, buildings, and equipment in Part X, line 10?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part VI.
...................
11a
Yes
b
Did the organization report an amount for investments—other securities in Part X, line 12 that is 5% or more of its total assets reported in Part X, line 16?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part VII
.......
11b
No
c
Did the organization report an amount for investments—program related in Part X, line 13 that is 5% or more of its total assets reported in Part X, line 16?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part VIII
.......
11c
No
d
Did the organization report an amount for other assets in Part X, line 15 that is 5% or more of its total assets reported in Part X, line 16?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part IX
............
11d
No
e
Did the organization report an amount for other liabilities in Part X, line 25?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part X
11e
No
f
Did the organization’s separate or consolidated financial statements for the tax year include a footnote that addresses the organization’s liability for uncertain tax positions under FIN 48 (ASC 740)?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Part X
11f
No
12a
Did the organization obtain separate, independent audited financial statements for the tax year?
If "Yes," complete Schedule D, Parts XI and XII
.................
12a
No
b
Was the organization included in consolidated, independent audited financial statements for the tax year?
If "Yes," and if the organization answered "No" to line 12a, then completing Schedule D, Parts XI and XII is optional
12b
No
13
Is the organization a school described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii)?
If "Yes," complete Schedule E
13
No
14a
Did the organization maintain an office, employees, or agents outside of the United States?
.....
14a
No
b
Did the organization have aggregate revenues or expenses of more than $10,000 from grantmaking, fundraising, business, investment, and program service activities outside the United States, or aggregate foreign investments valued at $100,000 or more?
If "Yes," complete Schedule F, Parts I and IV
.........
14b
Yes
15
Did the organization report on Part IX, column (A), line 3, more than $5,000 of grants or other assistance to or for any foreign organization?
If “Yes,” complete Schedule F, Parts II and IV
.....
15
Yes
16
Did the organization report on Part IX, column (A), line 3, more than $5,000 of aggregate grants or other assistance to or for foreign individuals?
If “Yes,” complete Schedule F, Parts III and IV
...
16
No
17
Did the organization report a total of more than $15,000 of expenses for professional fundraising services on Part IX, column (A), lines 6 and 11e?
If "Yes," complete Schedule G, Part I
(see instructions)
....
17
No
18
Did the organization report more than $15,000 total of fundraising event gross income and contributions on Part VIII, lines 1c and 8a?
If "Yes," complete Schedule G, Part II
............
18
No
19
Did the organization report more than $15,000 of gross income from gaming activities on Part VIII, line 9a?
If "Yes," complete Schedule G, Part III
...................
19
No
20a
Did the organization operate one or more hospital facilities?
If "Yes," complete Schedule H
....
20a
No
b
If "Yes" to line 20a, did the organization attach a copy of its audited financial statements to this return?
20b
Form
990
(2014)
Page 4
Form 990 (2014)
Page
4
Part IV
Checklist of Required Schedules
(continued)
21
Did the organization report more than $5,000 of grants or other assistance to any domestic organization or domestic government on Part IX, column (A), line 1?
If “Yes,” complete Schedule I, Parts I and II
.....
21
Yes
22
Did the organization report more than $5,000 of grants or other assistance to or for domestic individuals on Part IX, column (A), line 2?
If “Yes,” complete Schedule I, Parts I and III
........
22
Yes
23
Did the organization answer "Yes" to Part VII, Section A, line 3, 4, or 5 about compensation of the organization’s current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and highest compensated employees?
If "Yes," complete Schedule J
.......................
23
Yes
24a
Did the organization have a tax-exempt bond issue with an outstanding principal amount of more than $100,000 as of the last day of the year, that was issued after December 31, 2002?
If “Yes,” answer lines 24b through 24d and complete Schedule K. If “No,” go to line 25a
...............
24a
No
b
Did the organization invest any proceeds of tax-exempt bonds beyond a temporary period exception?
...
24b
No
c
Did the organization maintain an escrow account other than a refunding escrow at any time during the year
to defease any tax-exempt bonds?
...............
24c
No
d
Did the organization act as an "on behalf of" issuer for bonds outstanding at any time during the year?
...
24d
No
25a
Section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(29) organizations.
Did the organization engage in an excess benefit transaction with a disqualified person during the year?
If "Yes," complete Schedule L, Part I
............
25a
No
b
Is the organization aware that it engaged in an excess benefit transaction with a disqualified person in a prior year, and that the transaction has not been reported on any of the organization’s prior Forms 990 or 990-EZ?
If "Yes," complete Schedule L, Part I
...................
25b
No
26
Did the organization report any amount on Part X, line 5, 6, or 22 for receivables from or payables to any current or former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, highest compensated employees, or disqualified persons?
If "Yes," complete Schedule L, Part II
................
26
Yes
27
Did the organization provide a grant or other assistance to an officer, director, trustee, key employee, substantial contributor or employee thereof, a grant selection committee member, or to a 35% controlled entity or family member of any of these persons?
If "Yes," complete Schedule L, Part III
.........
27
No
28
Was the organization a party to a business transaction with one of the following parties (see Schedule L, Part IV instructions for applicable filing thresholds, conditions, and exceptions):
a
A current or former officer, director, trustee, or key employee?
If "Yes," complete Schedule L,
Part IV
........................
28a
No
b
A family member of a current or former officer, director, trustee, or key employee?
If "Yes," complete Schedule L, Part IV
.....................
28b
No
c
An entity of which a current or former officer, director, trustee, or key employee (or a family member thereof) was an officer, director, trustee, or direct or indirect owner?
If "Yes," complete Schedule L, Part IV
...
28c
No
29
Did the organization receive more than $25,000 in non-cash contributions?
If "Yes," complete Schedule M
..
29
No
30
Did the organization receive contributions of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets, or qualified conservation contributions?
If "Yes," complete Schedule M
.............
30
No
31
Did the organization liquidate, terminate, or dissolve and cease operations?
If "Yes," complete Schedule N, Part I
.
31
No
32
Did the organization sell, exchange, dispose of, or transfer more than 25% of its net assets?
If "Yes," complete Schedule N, Part II
...........
32
No
33
Did the organization own 100% of an entity disregarded as separate from the organization under Regulations sections 301.7701-2 and 301.7701-3?
If "Yes," complete Schedule R, Part I
........
33
No
34
Was the organization related to any tax-exempt or taxable entity?
If "Yes," complete Schedule R, Part II, III, or IV, and Part V, line 1
.........................
34
No
35a
Did the organization have a controlled entity within the meaning of section 512(b)(13)?
35a
No
b
If ‘Yes’ to line 35a, did the organization receive any payment from or engage in any transaction with a controlled entity within the meaning of section 512(b)(13)?
If "Yes," complete Schedule R, Part V, line 2
...
35b
No
36
Section 501(c)(3) organizations.
Did the organization make any transfers to an exempt non-charitable related organization?
If "Yes," complete Schedule R, Part V, line 2
.............
36
No
37
Did the organization conduct more than 5% of its activities through an entity that is not a related organization and that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes?
If "Yes," complete Schedule R, Part VI
37
No
38
Did the organization complete Schedule O and provide explanations in Schedule O for Part VI, lines 11b and 19?
Note.
All Form 990 filers are required to complete Schedule O.
............
38
Yes
Form
990
(2014)
Page 5
Form 990 (2014)
Page
5
Part V
Statements Regarding Other IRS Filings and Tax Compliance
Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part V
...........
Yes
No
1a
Enter the number reported in Box 3 of Form 1096 Enter -0- if not applicable
..
1a
151
b
Enter the number of Forms W-2G included in line 1a.
Enter -0-
if not applicable
.
1b
0
c
Did the organization comply with backup withholding rules for reportable payments to vendors and reportable gaming (gambling) winnings to prize winners?
..................
1c
Yes
2a
Enter the number of employees reported on Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and
Tax Statements, filed for the calendar year ending with or within the year covered by this return
..................
2a
77
b
If at least one is reported on line 2a, did the organization file all required federal employment tax returns?
Note.
If the sum of lines 1a and 2a is greater than 250, you may be required to e-file (see instructions)
2b
Yes
3a
Did the organization have unrelated business gross income of $1,000 or more during the year?
...
3a
No
b
If “Yes,” has it filed a Form 990-T for this year?
If “No” to line 3b, provide an explanation in Schedule O
...
3b
No
4a
At any time during the calendar year, did the organization have an interest in, or a signature or other authority over, a financial account in a foreign country (such as a bank account, securities account, or other financial account)?
..
4a
No
b
If "Yes," enter the name of the foreign country:
See instructions for filing requirements for FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR).
5a
Was the organization a party to a prohibited tax shelter transaction at any time during the tax year?
..
5a
No
b
Did any taxable party notify the organization that it was or is a party to a prohibited tax shelter transaction?
5b
No
c
If "Yes," to line 5a or 5b, did the organization file Form 8886-T?
............
5c
6a
Does the organization have annual gross receipts that are normally greater than $100,000, and did the organization solicit any contributions that were not tax deductible as charitable contributions?
...
6a
No
b
If "Yes," did the organization include with every solicitation an express statement that such contributions or gifts were not tax deductible?
......................
6b
7
Organizations that may receive deductible contributions under section 170(c).
a
Did the organization receive a payment in excess of $75 made partly as a contribution and partly for goods and services provided to the payor?
....................
7a
No
b
If "Yes," did the organization notify the donor of the value of the goods or services provided?
.....
7b
c
Did the organization sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of tangible personal property for which it was required to file Form 8282?
.........................
7c
No
d
If "Yes," indicate the number of Forms 8282 filed during the year
....
7d
0
e
Did the organization receive any funds, directly or indirectly, to pay premiums on a personal benefit contract?
7e
No
f
Did the organization, during the year, pay premiums, directly or indirectly, on a personal benefit contract?
..
7f
No
g
If the organization received a contribution of qualified intellectual property, did the organization file Form 8899 as required?
......................
7g
No
h
If the organization received a contribution of cars, boats, airplanes, or other vehicles, did the organization file a Form 1098-C?
..........................
7h
No
8
Sponsoring organizations maintaining donor advised funds.
Did a donor advised fund maintained by the sponsoring organization have excess business holdings at any time during the year?
.........................
8
No
9a
Did the sponsoring organization make any taxable distributions under section 4966?
...
9a
No
b
Did the sponsoring organization make a distribution to a donor, donor advisor, or related person?
...
9b
No
10
Section 501(c)(7) organizations.
Enter:
a
Initiation fees and capital contributions included on Part VIII, line 12
...
10a
b
Gross receipts, included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 12, for public use of club facilities
10b
11
Section 501(c)(12) organizations.
Enter:
a
Gross income from members or shareholders
.........
11a
b
Gross income from other sources (Do not net amounts due or paid to other sources against amounts due or received from them.)
..........
11b
12a
Section 4947(a)(1) non-exempt charitable trusts.
Is the organization filing Form 990 in lieu of Form 1041?
12a
No
b
If "Yes," enter the amount of tax-exempt interest received or accrued during the year.
12b
13
Section 501(c)(29) qualified nonprofit health insurance issuers.
a
Is the organization licensed to issue qualified health plans in more than one state?
Note.
See the instructions for additional information the organization must report on Schedule O.
13a
No
b
Enter the amount of reserves the organization is required to maintain by the states in which the organization is licensed to issue qualified health plans
....
13b
c
Enter the amount of reserves on hand
............
13c
14a
Did the organization receive any payments for indoor tanning services during the tax year?
.....
14a
No
b
If "Yes," has it filed a Form 720 to report these payments?
If "No," provide an explanation in Schedule O
..
14b
Form
990
(2014)
Page 6
Form 990 (2014)
Page
6
Part VI
Governance, Management, and Disclosure
For each "Yes" response to lines 2 through 7b below, and for a "No" response to lines 8a, 8b, or 10b below, describe the circumstances, processes, or changes in Schedule O. See instructions.
Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part VI
..............
Section A. Governing Body and Management
Yes
No
1a
Enter the number of voting members of the governing body at the end of the tax year
1a
7
If there are material differences in voting rights among members of the governing body, or if the governing body delegated broad authority to an executive committee or similar committee, explain in Schedule O.
b
Enter the number of voting members included in line 1a, above, who are independent
1b
6
2
Did any officer, director, trustee, or key employee have a family relationship or a business relationship with any other officer, director, trustee, or key employee?
.................
2
No
3
Did the organization delegate control over management duties customarily performed by or under the direct supervision of officers, directors or trustees, or key employees to a management company or other person?
.
3
No
4
Did the organization make any significant changes to its governing documents since the prior Form 990 was filed?
...........................
4
No
5
Did the organization become aware during the year of a significant diversion of the organization’s assets?
.
5
No
6
Did the organization have members or stockholders?
................
6
No
7a
Did the organization have members, stockholders, or other persons who had the power to elect or appoint one or more members of the governing body?
....................
7a
No
b
Are any governance decisions of the organization reserved to (or subject to approval by) members, stockholders, or persons other than the governing body?
...................
7b
No
8
Did the organization contemporaneously document the meetings held or written actions undertaken during the year by the following:
a
The governing body?
.....................
8a
Yes
b
Each committee with authority to act on behalf of the governing body?
............
8b
Yes
9
Is there any officer, director, trustee, or key employee listed in Part VII, Section A, who cannot be reached at the organization’s mailing address?
If "Yes," provide the names and addresses in Schedule O
.......
9
No
Section B. Policies
(
This Section B requests information about policies not required by the Internal Revenue Code.
)
Yes
No
10a
Did the organization have local chapters, branches, or affiliates?
............
10a
No
b
If "Yes," did the organization have written policies and procedures governing the activities of such chapters, affiliates, and branches to ensure their operations are consistent with the organization's exempt purposes?
10b
11a
Has the organization provided a complete copy of this Form 990 to all members of its governing body before filing the form?
............................
11a
Yes
b
Describe in Schedule O the process, if any, used by the organization to review this Form 990.
.....
12a
Did the organization have a written conflict of interest policy?
If "No," go to line 13
.......
12a
Yes
b
Were officers, directors, or trustees, and key employees required to disclose annually interests that could give rise to conflicts?
..........................
12b
Yes
c
Did the organization regularly and consistently monitor and enforce compliance with the policy?
If "Yes," describe in Schedule O how this was done
...................
12c
Yes
13
Did the organization have a written whistleblower policy?
...............
13
Yes
14
Did the organization have a written document retention and destruction policy?
.........
14
Yes
15
Did the process for determining compensation of the following persons include a review and approval by independent persons, comparability data, and contemporaneous substantiation of the deliberation and decision?
a
The organization’s CEO, Executive Director, or top management official
...........
15a
Yes
b
Other officers or key employees of the organization
................
15b
Yes
If "Yes" to line 15a or 15b, describe the process in Schedule O (see instructions).
16a
Did the organization invest in, contribute assets to, or participate in a joint venture or similar arrangement with a taxable entity during the year?
......................
16a
No
b
If "Yes," did the organization follow a written policy or procedure requiring the organization to evaluate its participation in joint venture arrangements under applicable federal tax law, and take steps to safeguard the organization’s exempt status with respect to such arrangements?
............
16b
Section C. Disclosure
17
List the States with which a copy of this Form 990 is required to be filed
NY
18
Section 6104 requires an organization to make its Form 1023 (or 1024 if applicable), 990, and 990-T (501(c)(3)s only) available for public inspection. Indicate how you made these available. Check all that apply.
Own website
Another's website
Upon request
Other (explain in Schedule O)
19
Describe in Schedule O whether (and if so, how) the organization made its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public during the tax year.
20
State the name, address, and telephone number of the person who possesses the organization's books and records:
Diane Ford
1460 Broadway 8th Floor
New York
,
NY
10036
(646) 854-6083
Form
990
(2014)
Page 7
Form 990 (2014)
Page
7
Part VII
Compensation of Officers, Directors,Trustees, Key Employees, Highest Compensated Employees, and Independent Contractors
Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part VII
..............
Section A. Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees
1a
Complete this table for all persons required to be listed. Report compensation for the calendar year ending with or within the organization’s tax year.
List all of the organization’s
current
officers, directors, trustees (whether individuals or organizations), regardless of amount
of compensation. Enter -0- in columns (D), (E), and (F) if no compensation was paid.
List all of the organization’s
current
key employees, if any. See instructions for definition of "key employee."
List the organization’s five
current
highest compensated employees (other than an officer, director, trustee or key employee)
who received reportable compensation (Box 5 of Form W-2 and/or Box 7 of Form 1099-MISC) of more than $100,000 from the
organization and any related organizations.
List all of the organization’s
former
officers, key employees, or highest compensated employees who received more than $100,000
of reportable compensation from the organization and any related organizations.
List all of the organization’s
former directors or trustees
that received, in the capacity as a former director or trustee of the
organization, more than $10,000 of reportable compensation from the organization and any related organizations.
List persons in the following order: individual trustees or directors; institutional trustees; officers; key employees; highest
compensated employees; and former such persons.
Check this box if neither the organization nor any related organization compensated any current officer, director, or trustee.
(A)
Name and Title
(B)
Average hours per week (list any hours for related organizations below dotted line)
(C)
Position (do not check more than one box, unless person is both an officer and a director/trustee)
(D)
Reportable compensation from the organization (W- 2/1099-MISC)
(E)
Reportable compensation from related organizations (W- 2/1099-MISC)
(F)
Estimated amount of other compensation from the organization and related organizations
(1)
Jon Schnur
......................................................................
Chairman
20.00
.................
0.00
X
X
4,220
0
0
(2)
Mike Johnston
......................................................................
Director
0.75
.................
0.00
X
0
0
0
(3)
David Ricanati
......................................................................
Director
0.75
.................
0.00
X
0
0
0
(4)
Ed Cohen
......................................................................
Director
0.75
.................
0.00
X
0
0
0
(5)
Louise Langheier
......................................................................
Director
0.75
.................
0.00
X
0
0
0
(6)
Claudia Aguirre
......................................................................
Director
0.75
.................
0.00
X
0
0
0
(7)
Todd Huston
......................................................................
Director
1.00
.................
0.00
X
X
0
0
0
(8)
David Offensend
......................................................................
COO, Treasurer
40.00
.................
0.00
X
122,212
0
0
(9)
Peter Kannam
......................................................................
Managing Partner
40.00
.................
0.00
X
280,258
0
10,138
(10)
Michele Jolin
......................................................................
CEO, RFA
30.00
.................
0.00
X
206,271
0
13,995
(11)
Laura Parkin
......................................................................
Managing Partner
30.00
.................
0.00
X
213,917
0
7,823
(12)
Patrick Bryden Sweeney Taylor
......................................................................
CEO, RFA
40.00
.................
0.00
X
231,458
0
6,350
(13)
David Medina
......................................................................
COO, RFA
40.00
.................
0.00
X
200,996
0
984
(14)
Cecilia Hallisey
......................................................................
Senior Dir., RTB
32.00
.................
0.00
X
166,485
0
11,408
(15)
Evangelina Garcia
......................................................................
VP, RFA
40.00
.................
0.00
X
180,816
0
984
(16)
Simone Brody
......................................................................
ED, WWC RFA
40.00
.................
0.00
X
191,464
0
3,448
(17)
Jeremy Ayers
......................................................................
VP Policy, RFA
40.00
.................
0.00
X
171,632
0
1,691
Form
990
(2014)
Page 8
Form 990 (2014)
Page
8
Part VII
Section A. Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees
(continued)
(A)
Name and Title
(B)
Average hours per week (list any hours for related organizations below dotted line)
(C)
Position (do not check more than one box, unless person is both an officer and a director/trustee)
(D)
Reportable compensation from the organization (W- 2/1099-MISC)
(E)
Reportable compensation from related organizations (W- 2/1099-MISC)
(F)
Estimated amount of other compensation from the organization and related organizations
1b
Sub-Total
................
c
Total from continuation sheets to Part VII, Section A
....
d
Total (add lines 1b and 1c)
...........
1,969,729
56,821
2
Total number of individuals (including but not limited to those listed above) who received more than $100,000 of reportable compensation from the organization
23
Yes
No
3
Did the organization list any
former
officer, director or trustee, key employee, or highest compensated employee on line 1a?
If "Yes," complete Schedule J for such individual
..............
3
No
4
For any individual listed on line 1a, is the sum of reportable compensation and other compensation from the organization and related organizations greater than $150,000?
If "Yes," complete Schedule J for such
individual
...........................
4
Yes
5
Did any person listed on line 1a receive or accrue compensation from any unrelated organization or individual for services rendered to the organization?
If "Yes," complete Schedule J for such person
........
5
No
Section B. Independent Contractors
1
Complete this table for your five highest compensated independent contractors that received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization. Report compensation for the calendar year ending with or within the organization’s tax year.
(A)
Name and business address
(B)
Description of services
(C)
Compensation
Bennett Midland LLC
245 West 29th St Fl 12A
New York
,
NY
10001
Strategic Planning
200,132
Education Counsel
101 Consitution Avenue NW STE 900
Washington
,
DC
20001
Strategic Planning
155,000
Monica Lewis
Springbrook Dr
Troy
,
MI
48098
Consultant
106,440
2
Total number of independent contractors (including but not limited to those listed above) who received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization
3
Form
990
(2014)
Page 9
Form 990 (2014)
Page
9
Part VIII
Statement of Revenue
Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part VIII
.............
(A)
Total revenue
(B)
Related or
exempt
function
revenue
(C)
Unrelated
business
revenue
(D)
Revenue
excluded from
tax under sections
512-514
1a
Federated campaigns
..
1a
b
Membership dues
..
1b
c
Fundraising events
..
1c
d
Related organizations
1d
e
Government grants (contributions)
1e
f
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above
1f
9,978,357
g
Noncash contributions included
in lines 1a-1f:$
h Total.
Add lines 1a-1f
.......
9,978,357
Business Code
2a
Earned Income
20,800
20,800
b
c
d
e
f
All other program service revenue.
g Total.
Add lines 2a–2f
.....
20,800
3
Investment income (including dividends, interest, and other
similar amounts)
........
14,741
14,741
4
Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds
0
5
Royalties
...........
0
(ii) Personal
(i) Real
6a
Gross rents
b
Less: rental expenses
c
Rental income or (loss)
d
Net rental income or (loss)
......
0
(ii) Other
(i) Securities
7a
Gross amount from sales of assets other than inventory
b
Less: cost or other basis and sales expenses
c
Gain or (loss)
d
Net gain or (loss)
.....
0
8a
Gross income from fundraising events (not including $
of contributions reported on line 1c).
See Part IV, line 18
....
a
b
Less: direct expenses
...
b
c
Net income or (loss) from fundraising events
..
0
9a
Gross income from gaming activities.
See Part IV, line 19
...
a
b
Less: direct expenses
...
b
c
Net income or (loss) from gaming activities
..
0
10a
Gross sales of inventory, less
returns and allowances
..
a
b
Less: cost of goods sold
..
b
c
Net income or (loss) from sales of inventory
..
0
Business Code
Miscellaneous Revenue
11a
b
c
d
All other revenue
....
e
Total.
Add lines 11a–11d
......
0
12
Total revenue.
See Instructions.
.....
10,013,898
35,541
Form
990
(2014)
Page 10
Form 990 (2014)
Page
10
Part IX
Statement of Functional Expenses
Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations must complete all columns. All other organizations must complete column (A).
Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part IX
..............
Do not include amounts reported on lines 6b,
7b, 8b, 9b, and 10b of Part VIII.
(A)
Total expenses
(B)
Program service
expenses
(C)
Management and
general expenses
(D)
Fundraising
expenses
1
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. See Part IV, line 21
1,813,972
1,813,972
2
Grants and other assistance to individuals in the United States. See Part IV, line 22
317,154
317,154
3
Grants and other assistance to governments, organizations, and individuals outside the United States. See Part IV, lines 15 and 16
100,000
100,000
4
Benefits paid to or for members
0
5
Compensation of current officers, directors, trustees, and key employees
....
1,119,503
888,465
197,205
33,833
6
Compensation not included above, to disqualified persons (as defined under section 4958(f)(1)) and persons described in section 4958(c)(3)(B)
....
0
7
Other salaries and wages
3,900,619
3,095,626
687,109
117,884
8
Pension plan accruals and contributions (include section 401(k) and 403(b) employer contributions)
....
36,631
29,071
6,453
1,107
9
Other employee benefits
.......
644,071
511,149
113,456
19,466
10
Payroll taxes
...........
340,444
270,184
59,971
10,289
11
Fees for services (non-employees):
a
Management
......
0
b
Legal
.........
438,637
85,910
348,487
4,240
c
Accounting
...........
113,252
113,252
d
Lobbying
...........
0
e
Professional fundraising services.
See Part IV, line 17
0
f
Investment management fees
......
0
g
Other (If line 11g amount exceeds 10% of line 25, column (A) amount, list line 11g expenses on Schedule O)
6,512,341
6,211,896
113,020
187,425
12
Advertising and promotion
....
12,938
12,938
13
Office expenses
.......
223,313
177,229
39,336
6,748
14
Information technology
......
0
15
Royalties
..
0
16
Occupancy
...........
496,017
393,652
87,375
14,990
17
Travel
............
361,250
286,697
63,636
10,917
18
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials
.
0
19
Conferences, conventions, and meetings
....
2,432,259
2,432,259
20
Interest
...........
0
21
Payments to affiliates
.......
0
22
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
..
0
23
Insurance
...
25,206
25,206
24
Other expenses. Itemize expenses not covered above (List miscellaneous expenses in line 24e. If line 24e amount exceeds 10% of line 25, column (A) amount, list line 24e expenses on Schedule O.)
a
Miscellaneous
32,587
32,587
b
Member dues and subscriptions
16,906
16,906
c
d
e
All other expenses
0
25
Total functional expenses.
Add lines 1 through 24e
18,937,100
16,613,264
1,916,937
406,899
26
Joint costs.
Complete this line only if the organization reported in column (B) joint costs from a combined educational campaign and fundraising solicitation.
Check here
if following SOP 98-2 (ASC 958-720).
Form
990
(2014)
Page 11
Form 990 (2014)
Page
11
Part X
Balance Sheet
Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part IX
..............
(A)
Beginning of year
(B)
End of year
1
Cash–non-interest-bearing
........
77,220
1
1,069,132
2
Savings and temporary cash investments
.........
15,765,298
2
8,329,904
3
Pledges and grants receivable, net
......
2,357,338
3
788,319
4
Accounts receivable, net
.............
4
0
5
Loans and other receivables from current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and highest compensated employees. Complete Part II of Schedule L
442,950
5
60,000
6
Loans and other receivables from other disqualified persons (as defined under section 4958(f)(1)), persons described in section 4958(c)(3)(B), and contributing employers and sponsoring organizations of section 501(c)(9) voluntary employees' beneficiary organizations (see instructions) Complete Part II of Schedule L
6
0
7
Notes and loans receivable, net
....
7
10,152
8
Inventories for sale or use
........
8
0
9
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges
......
14,632
9
18,675
10a
Land, buildings, and equipment: cost or other basis. Complete Part VI of Schedule D
10a
2,821
b
Less: accumulated depreciation
10b
2,821
10c
0
11
Investments—publicly traded securities
.
11
0
12
Investments—other securities. See Part IV, line 11
.....
12
0
13
Investments—program-related. See Part IV, line 11
..
13
0
14
Intangible assets
...............
14
0
15
Other assets. See Part IV, line 11
...........
42,606
15
72,798
16
Total assets.
Add lines 1 through 15 (must equal line 34)
...
18,700,044
16
10,348,980
17
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
.....
350,079
17
922,217
18
Grants payable
...
18
19
Deferred revenue
.........
19
20
Tax-exempt bond liabilities
.........
20
21
Escrow or custodial account liability.
Complete Part IV of Schedule D
21
22
Loans and other payables to current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, highest compensated employees, and disqualified
persons.
Complete Part II of Schedule L
..
22
23
Secured mortgages and notes payable to unrelated third parties
..
23
24
Unsecured notes and loans payable to unrelated third parties
..
24
25
Other liabilities (including federal income tax, payables to related third parties, and other liabilities not included on lines 17-24).
Complete Part X of Schedule D
25
26
Total liabilities.
Add lines 17 through 25
..
350,079
26
922,217
Organizations that follow SFAS 117 (ASC 958),
check here
and complete lines 27 through 29, and lines 33 and 34.
27
Unrestricted net assets
1,076,021
27
-31,971
28
Temporarily restricted net assets
...........
17,273,944
28
9,458,734
29
Permanently restricted net assets
29
Organizations that do not follow SFAS 117 (ASC 958),
check here
and complete lines 30 through 34.
30
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds
.....
30
31
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund
...
31
32
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds
32
33
Total net assets or fund balances
...........
18,349,965
33
9,426,763
34
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances
........
18,700,044
34
10,348,980
Form
990
(2014)
Page 12
Form 990 (2014)
Page
12
Part XI
Reconcilliation of Net Assets
Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part XI
..............
1
Total revenue (must equal Part VIII, column (A), line 12)
............
1
10,013,898
2
Total expenses (must equal Part IX, column (A), line 25)
............
2
18,937,100
3
Revenue less expenses. Subtract line 2 from line 1
..............
3
-8,923,202
4
Net assets or fund balances at beginning of year (must equal Part X, line 33, column (A))
..
4
18,349,965
5
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments
...............
5
6
Donated services and use of facilities
.................
6
7
Investment expenses
.....................
7
8
Prior period adjustments
.....................
8
9
Other changes in net assets or fund balances (explain in Schedule O)
........
9
10
Net assets or fund balances at end of year. Combine lines 3 through 9 (must equal Part X, line 33, column (B))
10
9,426,763
Part XII
Financial Statements and Reporting
Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part XII
.............
Yes
No
1
Accounting method used to prepare the Form 990:
Cash
Accrual
Other
If the organization changed its method of accounting from a prior year or checked "Other," explain in
Schedule O.
2a
Were the organization’s financial statements compiled or reviewed by an independent accountant?
2a
No
If ‘Yes,’ check a box below to indicate whether the financial statements for the year were compiled or reviewed on a separate basis, consolidated basis, or both:
Separate basis
Consolidated basis
Both consolidated and separate basis
b
Were the organization’s financial statements audited by an independent accountant?
2b
No
If ‘Yes,’ check a box below to indicate whether the financial statements for the year were audited on a separate basis, consolidated basis, or both:
Separate basis
Consolidated basis
Both consolidated and separate basis
c
If "Yes," to line 2a or 2b, does the organization have a committee that assumes responsibility for oversight
of the audit, review, or compilation of its financial statements and selection of an independent accountant?
2c
If the organization changed either its oversight process or selection process during the tax year, explain in Schedule O.
3a
As a result of a federal award, was the organization required to undergo an audit or audits as set forth in the Single Audit Act and OMB Circular A-133?
3a
No
b
If "Yes," did the organization undergo the required audit or audits?
If the organization did not undergo the required audit or audits, explain why in Schedule O and describe any steps taken to undergo such audits.
3b
Form
990
(2014)
Page 13
Form 990 (2014)
Page
13
Additional Data
Software ID:
14000265
Software Version:
2014v6.0
Form 990, Special Condition Description:
Special Condition Description