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← FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW AND POLICY

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW AND POLICY.

Totals

Total revenue
$4,314,011
Total expenses
$4,179,092
Contributions and grants received
$4,312,748
Grants paid
$1,434,138
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$1,263
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$2,465,434
Total liabilities, end of year
$974,475
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$1,490,959
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$3,442,707
Management and general expenses
$214,381
Fundraising expenses
$522,004
Program service expenses (Part III)
$3,442,707

Program services were 82.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $4,312,748

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $158,075

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $102,811

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $101,548

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $1,263

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $1,263 · excluded $1,263

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $1,434,138 · program services $1,434,138

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $114,500 · program services $57,250 · management and general $28,625 · fundraising $28,625

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $743,810 · program services $429,020 · management and general $38,368 · fundraising $276,422

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $12,526 · program services $7,096 · management and general $983 · fundraising $4,447

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $41,091 · program services $23,278 · management and general $3,226 · fundraising $14,587

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $67,533 · program services $38,260 · management and general $5,271 · fundraising $24,002

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $38,879 · program services $10,879 · management and general $28,000

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $20,630 · management and general $20,630

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $851,108 · program services $828,558 · management and general $11,300 · fundraising $11,250

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $11,716 · fundraising $11,716

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $136,455 · program services $121,910 · management and general $14,545

  • 17 · Travel

    total $95,543 · program services $40,577 · fundraising $54,966

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $67,506 · program services $36,306 · fundraising $31,200

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $8,621 · management and general $8,621

  • 24a · Other expenses: VOTER/DONOR EDUCATION

    total $325,336 · program services $305,758 · management and general $1,249 · fundraising $18,329

  • 24b · Other expenses: ONLINE PROG DEVELOPMENT

    total $74,503 · program services $74,503

  • 24c · Other expenses: DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $58,140 · program services $17,052 · management and general $7,792 · fundraising $33,296

  • 24d · Other expenses: BAD DEBT LOSS

    total $38,348 · management and general $38,348

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $38,709 · program services $18,122 · management and general $7,423 · fundraising $13,164

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,286,628 · end of year $1,752,478

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,079,373 · end of year $670,869

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $51,692

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $19,605

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $23,526 · end of year $32,087

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $262

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $10,000 · end of year $10,000

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $52,050 · end of year $33,448

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $991,699 · end of year $941,027

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $388,353 · end of year $820,090

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $967,687 · end of year $670,869

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE FIDELIS CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED TO EDUCATE AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS, SPECIFICALLY ON ISSUES RELATED TO LIFE, FAITH AND FAMILY. THE CENTER SEEKS TO FAITHFULLY PROMOTE CATHOLIC SOCIAL DOCTRINE IN AMERICAN CIVIC LIFE THROUGH EDUCATION, LITIGATION AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.

Activities or mission (Part I)

NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAMS TO DEFEND LIFE, FAITH, AND FAMILY.

  • THE FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW AND POLICY OPERATES AS AN ALLIED AFFILIATE OF FIDELIS, AND DIRECTS SEVERAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, ONLINE VIDEOS, EMAIL NEWSLETTERS, SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS AND VIDEOS, AND OTHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE, INFORM AND SHAPE THE PUBLIC LIFE OF THE NATION.DURING THE YEAR, THE FIDELIS CENTER OPERATED AN ADDITIONAL D/B/A "EDIFY," A DIGITAL LEARNING INITIATIVE THAT PRODUCED BI-MONTHLY ANIMATED VIDEO PRODUCTIONS, EBOOKS AND PODCASTS FEATURING PROMINENT NATIONAL EXPERTS ON ISSUES OF PUBLIC IMPORT. THE EDIFY PLATFORM AIMS TO TO HELP AMERICAN CATHOLICS AND ALL CONCERNED CITIZENS BETTER UNDERSTAND DIFFICULT QUESTIONS THROUGH THE LENS OF AUTHENTIC CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING, SCIENCE, PHILOSOPHY, ART, AND LAW. COLLECTIVELY THE VIDEOS AND PODCASTS WERE WATCHED BY MILLIONS OF LISTENERS AND ONLINE VIEWERS.OUR PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO COORDINATE, FUND, OR ENGAGE IN STRATEGIC LITIGATION TO PROMOTE THE SANCTITY OF LIFE, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND THE FAMILY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES CRITICAL FUNDING IN SEVERAL IMPORTANT LEGAL CASES WHERE LEGAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO CLIENTS WITHOUT CHARGE. THE CENTER ALSO PRODUCED AMICUS BRIEFS FOR SEVERAL KEY CASES BEFORE CIRCUIT COURTS AND THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF CONCERNED CATHOLIC CITIZENS.

    Expenses $3,442,707 · Grants $1,434,138

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • BRIAN BURCH

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $235,870
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $229,000
    Other
    $6,870
    Hours/week
    25 + 25 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0 + $214,000 related
    Bonus
    $0 + $15,000 related
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0 + $6,870 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $0 + $235,870 related

  • PATRICK T GILLEN

    PRESIDENT & CHIEF COUNSE

    Total calculated
    $28,000
    From this org
    $28,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 5 related

  • ANN LONGON

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related

  • THOMAS DILLON ESQ

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related

  • MARK HOLTERMAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related

  • PATRICK RAINEY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related

  • LAURA COLEMAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related

  • DAVE FEAVEL

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related

  • JOHN SHERMAN

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $229,630
    From this org
    $109,656
    From related orgs
    $109,656
    Other
    $10,318
    Hours/week
    25 + 25 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $79,656 + $79,656 related
    Bonus
    $30,000 + $30,000 related
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $5,209 + $5,109 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $114,865 + $114,765 related

  • JOSHUA MERCER

    VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMMIN

    Total calculated
    $189,910
    From this org
    $92,500
    From related orgs
    $92,500
    Other
    $4,910
    Hours/week
    25 + 25 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $80,000 + $80,000 related
    Bonus
    $12,500 + $12,500 related
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $2,455 + $2,455 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $94,955 + $94,955 related

  • KARA MONE

    PROJECT COORDINATOR

    Total calculated
    $111,940
    From this org
    $55,022
    From related orgs
    $54,822
    Other
    $2,096
    Hours/week
    20 + 20 related

  • JASON STERN

    GIFT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $117,516
    From this org
    $57,500
    From related orgs
    $57,500
    Other
    $2,516
    Hours/week
    20 + 20 related

  • JONATHAN KEARNEY

    DATA SYSTEMS MANAGER

    Total calculated
    $130,950
    From this org
    $60,375
    From related orgs
    $60,375
    Other
    $10,200
    Hours/week
    20 + 20 related

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

None.

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3
THE RELATED ORGANIZATION WHICH ALSO COMPENSATES FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW & POLICY'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ESTABLISHES HIS COMPENSATION. THE RELATED ORGANIZATION'S COMPENSATION COMMITTEE APPROVES THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM BOTH ENTITIES.
PART I, LINE 8
FIDELIS, A RELATED ENTITY, ISSUED A W-2 FOR ITS PRESIDENT, BRIAN BURCH, FOR COMPENSATION EARNED BY FIDELIS AND FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW AND POLICY AS ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. BASED ON HOURS PER WEEK WORKED FOR EACH ENTITY, 50% OF THE TOTAL W-2 AMOUNT OF $229,000 WAS ALLOCATED TO FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW AND POLICY OR $114,500.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

  • FIDELIS

    501(C)(4) · GRASSROOTS EDUCATION · MI

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
15 November 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202423209349315302

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