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Nonprofiteer
← HARNESS COMMUNITY

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by HARNESS COMMUNITY.

Totals

Total revenue
$3,087,616
Total expenses
$2,399,964
Contributions and grants received
$3,063,616
Grants paid
$47,757
Program service revenue
$24,000
Investment income
$0
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$2,139,307
Total liabilities, end of year
$73,056
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$2,066,251
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$1,539,095
Management and general expenses
$570,876
Fundraising expenses
$289,993
Program service expenses (Part III)
$1,539,095

Program services were 64.1% 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

    $3,063,616

  • 2a · Program service revenue: SERVICE INCOME

    total $24,000 · related or exempt $24,000

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $47,757 · program services $47,757

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $662,215 · program services $309,709 · management and general $162,168 · fundraising $190,338

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $323,619 · program services $209,971 · management and general $80,017 · fundraising $33,631

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $6,427 · program services $4,081 · management and general $479 · fundraising $1,867

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $44,455 · program services $20,097 · management and general $18,899 · fundraising $5,459

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $74,193 · program services $39,137 · management and general $18,719 · fundraising $16,337

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $1,931 · program services $238 · management and general $1,693

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $93,834 · management and general $93,834

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $520,877 · program services $397,344 · management and general $99,262 · fundraising $24,271

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $457 · program services $142 · management and general $315

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $41,749 · program services $13,610 · management and general $28,036 · fundraising $103

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $25,277 · program services $177 · management and general $25,100

  • 17 · Travel

    total $137,997 · program services $126,973 · management and general $4,785 · fundraising $6,239

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $8,538 · program services $4,708 · management and general $2,726 · fundraising $1,104

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $7,977 · management and general $7,977

  • 24a · Other expenses: WORKSHOPS

    total $358,091 · program services $347,260 · management and general $448 · fundraising $10,383

  • 24b · Other expenses: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMEN

    total $27,401 · program services $1,368 · management and general $26,033

  • 24c · Other expenses: SUPPLIES

    total $16,766 · program services $16,331 · management and general $366 · fundraising $69

  • 24d · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT RENTAL AND MA

    total $403 · program services $192 · management and general $19 · fundraising $192

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,232,460 · end of year $1,646,469

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $173,292 · end of year $312,850

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $17,064 · end of year $177,988

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $2,000

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $39,230 · end of year $39,981

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $4,987 · end of year $33,075

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $353,693 · end of year $1,255,035

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,024,906 · end of year $811,216

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

HARNESS IS A COMMUNITY OF ACTIVISTS, ARTISTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY LEADERS WHO BELIEVE THAT STORYTELLING SHAPES OUR WORLD. WE BUILD COMMUNITY TO EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. WE CONVENE TO ENVISION AND AMPLIFY THE STORIES THAT DEFINE A MORE JUST FUTURE. WE CREATE THAT FUTURE THROUGH OUR ART, INFLUENCE, AND ACTIONS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

HARNESS COMMUNITY IS A COMMUNITY OF ACTIVISTS, ARTISTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY LEADERS WHO BELIEVE THAT STORYTELLING SHAPES OUR WORLD. THE ORGANIZATION BUILDS COMMUNITY TO EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. HARNESS COMMUNITY CONVENES TO ENVISION AND AMPLIFY THE STORIES THAT DEFINE A MORE JUST FUTURE. HARNESS COMMUNITY CREATES THAT FUTURE THROUGH OUR ART, INFLUENCE, AND ACTIONS. FOUNDED BY AMERICA FERRERA, WILMER VALDERRAMA, AND RYAN PIERS WILLIAMS, THE ORGANIZATION BRINGS TOGETHER CHANGEMAKERS IN CURATED ENVIRONMENTS DESIGNED FOR DEEP REFLECTION, COLLABORATION, AND SHARED LEARNING SO THAT THEY CAN TAKE MEANINGFUL ACTION WITH ALIGNED PURPOSE AND COLLECTIVE STRENGTH. PROTECT THE SACRED, A PROJECT SPONSORED BY HARNESS COMMUNITY, EDUCATES AND EMPOWERS THE NEXT GENERATION OF NATIVE LEADERS AND ALLIES TO PROTECT NATIVE LEADERS AND ALLIES TO PROTECT NATIVE ELDERS, LANGUAGES, AND MEDICINE WAYS.

  • PROTECT THE SACRED - NATIVE YOUTH SUMMITIN EARLY AUGUST, PROTECT THE SACRED HOSTED ITS 3RD ANNUAL NATIVE YOUTH SUMMIT, MARKING THE TRANSITION TO AN IN-PERSON FORMAT IN THE NAVAJO NATION. THIRTY NATIVE YOUTH LEADERS, AGED 16-27, WERE SELECTED FROM 85 APPLICANTS THROUGH AN OPEN APPLICATION PROCESS. THE SUMMIT LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR A COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO ORGANIZING THROUGHOUT THE 2024 ELECTION CYCLE, AIMING TO EMPOWER NATIVE YOUTH, THE BROADER NATIVE COMMUNITY, AND NATIVE AMERICAN VOTING RIGHTS IN ARIZONA, WITH THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF CULTIVATING LIFELONG LEADERS.OVER TWO AND A HALF DAYS, PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN PANELS WITH NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE NATIONAL LEADERS SUCH AS NAVAJO NATION VICE PRESIDENT RICHELLE MONTOYA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DIRECTOR OF INDIAN ENERGY WAHLEAH JOHNS, FORMER CANDIDATE FOR AZ CONGRESS GINGER SYKES TORRES, ACTORS ZAHN MCCLARNON AND MO BRINGS PLENTY, AND FILM PRODUCER JHANE MEYERS, TO NAME A FEW. WORKSHOPS AND BREAKOUT GROUPS ALLOWED YOUTH LEADERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL POWER-BUILDING STRATEGY, WHILE ALSO INCORPORATING ELEMENTS OF CELEBRATION THROUGH MUSIC PERFORMANCES, DISCUSSIONS WITH NATIVE ARTISTS, ACTORS, WRITERS, AND A PUBLIC COMMUNITY DINNER TO CONNECT WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND SHARE THE VISION OF RIDE TO THE POLLS.

    Expenses $569,879 · Grants $47,757 · Revenue $24,000

  • COMMUNITY DINNERSFROM MARCH TO JULY, HARNESS HOSTED INTIMATE GATHERINGS IN LA, NYC AND OAKLAND WITH 100 INFLUENTIAL ACTIVISTS, ARTISTS, AND MEDIA LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THESE DINNERS FACILITATED RECONNECTION WITH OUR COMMUNITY, UNVEILING A RESOUNDING DESIRE FOR BELONGING IN A VALUES-ALIGNED COMMUNITY AND A HUNGER FOR SPACES TO GATHER AND FEEL CARED FOR. THE COMMUNITY REQUESTED SUPPORT IN ADVANCING NARRATIVE CHANGE AND INTERSECTIONAL ORGANIZING AROUND ISSUES SUCH AS BODILY AUTONOMY, PROTECTING DEMOCRACY, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, AND MORE, WHICH INFORMED OUR PROGRAMMING FOR THE YEAR.

    Expenses $512,796

  • INDUSTRY POWER GATHERINGFROM OCTOBER 19-20, HARNESS, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE POP CULTURE COLLABORATIVE, CONVENED 30 LEADERS CHAMPIONING NARRATIVE CHANGE IN HOLLYWOOD FROM BIPOC-LED AND/OR CENTERED ORGANIZATIONS. IN THE WAKE OF INDUSTRY STRIKES AND REDUCED DEI COMMITMENTS, THIS MOMENT IS CRUCIAL FOR BUILDING COLLECTIVE POWER, SHARED LEARNING, AND DEVELOPING OF IMPACTFUL STRATEGIES TO GUIDE OUR FIELD FORWARD.PARTICIPANTS REPRESENTED THE NARRATIVE CHANGE ECOSYSTEM, INCLUDING EXECUTIVES OF STRIKE-FRIENDLY PRODUCTION COMPANIES, PRODUCERS, DISTRIBUTORS, WRITERS, SHOWRUNNERS, STRATEGISTS, AND ORGANIZERS, COMING TOGETHER TO DISCUSS PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE NARRATIVE POWER IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. WE WILL LEVERAGE INSIGHTS FROM THIS GATHERING TO INFORM OUR INDUSTRY IMPACT INITIATIVES.

    Expenses $299,873

  • EDUCATIONAL SALONSBUILDING ON PRIORITIES THAT EMERGED FROM THE COMMUNITY DINNERS, HARNESS ORGANIZED TWO SALONS TO MOBILIZE ARTISTS AND INFLUENCERS TO SHAPE THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE ON BODILY AUTONOMY. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ACLU AND HARNESS COMMUNITY EXPERTS, THE NEW YORK CITY SALON, MODERATED BY AMERICA FERRERA, FEATURED RENEE BRACEY SHERMAN OF WETESTIFY, ACTIVIST AND AUTHOR RAQUEL WILLIS, CHASE STRANGIO - DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR TRANSGENDER JUSTICE WITH THE ACLU, AND J.J. STRAIGHT - DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE LIBERTY DIVISION OF THE NATIONAL ACLU. THE LA SALON, CO-HOSTED BY LAVERNE COX, AIMED AT TRANSFORMING STORYTELLING IN TV AND FILM. BOTH EVENTS SAW 60 PARTICIPANTS COMMITTING TO OVER 150 ACTIONS TO ADVANCE NARRATIVE STRATEGY AND ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS, FOCUSING ON ADDRESSING ESCALATING ATTACKS ON TRANSGENDER RIGHTS AND REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IN THE CONVERSATION.HARNESS RETREATOVER THREE DAYS IN OCTOBER, OUR ANNUAL HARNESS RETREAT TOOK PLACE AT 1440 MULTIVERSITY IN THE CALIFORNIA REDWOODS, HOSTING 110 ARTISTS AND MOVEMENT LEADERS. THE RETREAT, CO-CREATED WITH PARTICIPANTS, PRIORITIZED FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING, IN-PERSON CONNECTION, INSPIRATION, STRATEGIZING, AND DREAMING A VISION OF A LIBERATED FUTURE. THE RETREAT IS WHERE THE FOUNDATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE HARNESS COMMUNITY ARE FORMED, WHERE WE UNEARTH INNOVATIVE COLLABORATIONS AND WHERE WE IDENTIFY THE PRIORITIES THAT DRIVE OUR FUTURE WORK. 98% OF ATTENDEES STATED THAT THE RETREAT MET OR EXCEEDED THEIR EXPECTATIONS.A FEW OF THE COLLABORATIONS SPARKED DURING HARNESS RETREAT WEEKEND: - STRATEGIZING ON NARRATIVE CHANGE INTERVENTIONS FOR THE 2024 ELECTION - ORGANIZING A TRIP TO THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER TO ADVANCE CONVERSATIONS AROUND IMMIGRATION REFORM - EXPANDING THE NETWORK OF NATIVE VOICES REPRESENTED IN HOLLYWOOD - CREATING MUSIC AND ART INSTALLATIONS SHOWCASING THE WORK OF BIPOC WOMEN ACROSS THE RURAL SOUTH - LAUNCHING A CAMPAIGN TO TACKLE PAY AND BUDGET TRANSPARENCY IN FILM AND TELEVISION - WORKING WITH BIPOC ARTISTS TO DEEPEN WORK ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, RACIAL AND GENDER JUSTICE, AND REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE

    Expenses $156,547

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Ryan Piers Williams

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Wilmer Valderrama

    BOARD TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • America Ferrera

    BOARD SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jodi Piekoff

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Tamara Hamdan

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Marya Bangee

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Cristina Pacheco

    BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Miriam Paula Fogelson

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $216,106
    From this org
    $195,400
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,706
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $195,400
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,895
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,811
    Filer's total
    $216,106
  • Kelley McGregor

    VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $160,122
    From this org
    $141,519
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,603
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $141,519
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $5,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,803
    Filer's total
    $160,122
  • Makkah Ali

    VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $162,190
    From this org
    $155,800
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,390
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $155,800
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $158
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,232
    Filer's total
    $162,190
  • Allie Young

    DIRECTOR, PROTECT THE SACRED

    Total calculated
    $123,795
    From this org
    $111,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,795
    Hours/week
    40

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

  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

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

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

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
17 November 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202533219349327523

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