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Cause Of Action Institute

Organization summary

Type of Nonprofit

Designated as a Organizations for any of the following purposes: religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition (as long as it doesn't provide athletic facilities or equipment), or the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Category: Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy / Research Institutes and/or Public Policy Analysis (NTEE)

Donations to this organization are tax deductible.

Summary charts: organization finances over time

Revenue
$872k (2023)

Expenses
$814k (2023)

Total Assets
$189k (2023)

Total Liabilities
$8.8k (2023)

Years with multiple filings
Source: Form 990 tax filings from 2012 to 2023

Tax Filings by Year

Form 990 is an information return that most organizations claiming federal tax-exempt status must file yearly with the IRS. Nonprofit Explorer has IRS digitized Form 990 data for filings processed in 2012 and later. If this organization filed an amended return, it may not be reflected below. Duplicate download links may indicate a resubmission or amendment to this organization's original return. Form 990 data is from the IRS.

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2023

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$872,009
Expenses
$813,912
Net Income
$58,097
Net Assets
$179,908
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $872,000
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $9
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $13,000
1.6%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $188,708
Total Liabilities $8,800
Net Assets $179,908
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
David Williams (Director) $13,000 $0 $0
Kurt Level (Director And Secretary) $0 $0 $0
Brian Menkes (Director) $0 $0 $0
Emily Seidel (Director) $0 $0 $0
William Burck (Director) $0 $0 $0
Alex Varban (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0
James Valvo (Executive Director) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2022

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$200,011
Expenses
$225,464
Net Income
-$25,453
Net Assets
$121,811
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $200,000
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $11
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $11,000
4.9%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $126,657
Total Liabilities $4,846
Net Assets $121,811
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
David Williams (Director) $11,000 $0 $0
Brian Menkes (Director) $0 $0 $0
Emily Seidel (Director) $0 $0 $0
Kurt Level (Director And Secretary) $0 $0 $0
William Burck (Director) $0 $0 $0
James Valvo (Executive Director) $0 $0 $0
Alex Varban (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2021

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$375,119
Expenses
$510,655
Net Income
-$135,536
Net Assets
$147,264
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $375,000
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $119
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $15,500
3.0%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $148,960
Total Liabilities $1,696
Net Assets $147,264
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
David Williams (Director) $15,500 $0 $0
Brian Menkes (Director) $0 $0 $0
Emily Seidel (Director) $0 $0 $0
Kurt Level (Director And Secretary) $0 $0 $0
William Burck (Director) $0 $0 $0
James Valvo (Executive Director) $0 $0 $0
Alex Varban (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2020

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,114,101
Expenses
$957,236
Net Income
$156,865
Net Assets
$282,800
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,100,000
98.7%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $602
0.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $13,499
1.2%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $393,025
Total Liabilities $110,225
Net Assets $282,800
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
David Williams (Director) $18,000 $0 $0
Brian Menkes (Director) $0 $0 $0
Emily Seidel (Director) $0 $0 $0
Kurt Level (Director And Secretary) $0 $0 $0
William Burck (Director) $0 $0 $0
James Valvo (Executive Director) $0 $0 $0
Alex Varban (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending Dec.
2019

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$1,940,552
Expenses
$2,061,673
Net Income
-$121,121
Net Assets
$125,935
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $1,939,330
99.9%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $1,222
0.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $0
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $57,140
2.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $567,345
Total Liabilities $441,410
Net Assets $125,935

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending June
2019

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$5,861,511
Expenses
$5,167,729
Net Income
$693,782
Net Assets
$247,056
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $5,826,687
99.4%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $1,584
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $33,240
0.6%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $452,997
8.8%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $2,728,977
52.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,024,709
Total Liabilities $777,653
Net Assets $247,056
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
John Vecchione (President And Ceo) $368,112 $0 $45,877
Julie Smith (Vice President) $255,090 $0 $15,180
Lee Steven (Assistant Vice President) $221,081 $0 $41,276
Cynthia Crawford (Senior Counsel) $205,597 $0 $36,595
Michael Pepson (Counsel) $173,160 $0 $8,082
Nichole Van Valkenburg (Chief Strategy Officer) $165,993 $0 $26,245
Alfred Lechner (Former President & Ceo) $146,250 $0 $0
Dave Williams (Director) $31,352 $0 $0
Brian Menkes (Director) $0 $0 $0
Emily Seidel (Director) $0 $0 $0
Jenny Kim (Director) $0 $0 $0
Kurt Level (Director & Secretary) $0 $0 $0
William Burck (Director) $0 $0 $0
Alex Varban (Treasurer) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending June
2018

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$5,047,211
Expenses
$5,402,736
Net Income
-$355,525
Net Assets
-$368,377
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $4,995,596
99.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $207
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $51,408
1.0%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $449,681
8.3%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $2,620,081
48.5%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $403,487
Total Liabilities $771,864
Net Assets -$368,377
Compensation
Key Employees and Officers Compensation Related Other
John Vecchione (President And Ceo) $368,112 $0 $36,454
Julie Smith (Counsel) $255,090 $0 $15,180
Lee Steven (Assistant Vice President) $221,281 $0 $41,276
Cynthia Crawford (Counsel) $205,597 $0 $40,795
Michael Pepson (Counsel) $173,160 $0 $8,082
Nichole Van Valkenburg (Counsel) $165,993 $0 $26,245
Alfred Lechner (President And Ceo Until 11/1/1) $146,250 $0 $0
Dave Williams (Director) $31,352 $0 $0
Daniel Epstein (Executive Director) $0 $0 $0
William Burck (Director) $0 $0 $0
Brian Menkes (Director) $0 $0 $0
Martin Kwedar (Director/Secretary/Treasurer) $0 $0 $0

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending June
2017

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$4,901,961
Expenses
$5,309,810
Net Income
-$407,849
Net Assets
$128,438
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $4,907,477
> 100%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $159
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$7,082
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $1,407
0.0%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $711,026
13.4%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $2,593,737
48.8%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,100,195
Total Liabilities $971,757
Net Assets $128,438

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending June
2016

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$5,706,538
Expenses
$6,100,079
Net Income
-$393,541
Net Assets
$536,287
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $5,687,630
99.7%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $237
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets -$891
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $19,562
0.3%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $318,759
5.2%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $2,624,678
43.0%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,399,719
Total Liabilities $863,432
Net Assets $536,287

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending June
2015

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$5,569,487
Expenses
$4,579,168
Net Income
$990,319
Net Assets
$929,828
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $5,563,249
99.9%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $291
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $5,947
0.1%
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $370,957
8.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $2,083,798
45.5%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $1,273,999
Total Liabilities $344,171
Net Assets $929,828

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending June
2014

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$4,802,122
Expenses
$5,391,953
Net Income
-$589,831
Net Assets
-$60,491
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $4,801,900
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $222
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $273,622
5.1%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $1,707,124
31.7%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $888,416
Total Liabilities $948,907
Net Assets -$60,491

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending June
2013

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$3,000,950
Expenses
$2,609,626
Net Income
$391,324
Net Assets
$529,340
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $3,000,497
100.0%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $453
0.0%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $223,800
8.6%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $1,201,149
46.0%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $680,831
Total Liabilities $151,491
Net Assets $529,340

Document Links

Fiscal Year Ending June
2012

Extracted Financial Data

Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
$996,545
Expenses
$858,529
Net Income
$138,016
Net Assets
$138,016
Notable Sources of Revenue Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions $996,005
99.9%
Program Services $0
Investment Income $540
0.1%
Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Rental Property Income $0
Net Fundraising $0
Sales of Assets $0
Net Inventory Sales $0
Other Revenue $0
Notable Expenses Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation $111,619
13.0%
Professional Fundraising Fees $0
Other Salaries and Wages $394,269
45.9%
Assets/Debt
Total Assets $156,246
Total Liabilities $18,230
Net Assets $138,016

Document Links

About This Data

Nonprofit Explorer includes summary data for nonprofit tax returns and full Form 990 documents, in both PDF and digital formats.

The summary data contains information processed by the IRS during the 2012-2019 calendar years; this generally consists of filings for the 2011-2018 fiscal years, but may include older records. This data release includes only a subset of what can be found in the full Form 990s.

In addition to the raw summary data, we link to PDFs and digital copies of full Form 990 documents wherever possible. This consists of separate releases by the IRS of Form 990 documents processed by the agency, which we update regularly.

We also link to copies of audits nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year since 2016. These audits are copied from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse.

Which Organizations Are Here?

Every organization that has been recognized as tax exempt by the IRS has to file Form 990 every year, unless they make less than $200,000 in revenue and have less than $500,000 in assets, in which case they have to file form 990-EZ. Organizations making less than $50,000 don’t have to file either form but do have to let the IRS they’re still in business via a Form 990N "e-Postcard."

Nonprofit Explorer has organizations claiming tax exemption in each of the 27 subsections of the 501(c) section of the tax code, and which have filed a Form 990, Form 990EZ or Form 990PF. Taxable trusts and private foundations that are required to file a form 990PF are also included. Small organizations filing a Form 990N "e-Postcard" are not included in this data.

Types of Nonprofits

There are 27 nonprofit designations based on the numbered subsections of section 501(c) of the tax code. See the list »

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For those interested in acquiring the original data from the source, here’s where our data comes from:

  • Raw filing data. Includes EINs and summary financials as structured data.
  • Exempt Organization profiles. Includes organization names, addresses, etc. You can merge this with the raw filing data using EIN numbers.
  • Form 990 documents. Prior to 2017, these documents were obtained and processed by Public.Resource.org and ProPublica. Bulk PDF downloads since 2017 are available from the IRS.
  • Form 990 documents as XML files. Includes complete filing data (financial details, names of officers, tax schedules, etc.) in machine-readable format. Only available for electronically filed documents. Electronic data released prior to October 2021 is also available through Amazon Web Services.
  • Audits. PDFs of single or program-specific audits for nonprofit organizations that spent $750,000 or more in Federal grant money in a single fiscal year. Available for fiscal year 2015 and later.

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