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Nonprofiteer
← ROMERO INSTITUTE

Form 990 for tax year 2022

Filed by ROMERO INSTITUTE.

Totals

Total revenue
$1,876,523
Total expenses
$3,188,901
Contributions and grants received
$2,030,333
Grants paid
$56,500
Program service revenue
$11,200
Investment income
-$167,930
Other revenue
$2,920
Total assets, end of year
$1,722,675
Total liabilities, end of year
$181,309
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$1,541,366
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$2,587,354
Management and general expenses
$346,871
Fundraising expenses
$254,676
Program service expenses (Part III)
$2,587,354

Program services were 81.1% 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

    $2,030,333

  • 2a · Program service revenue: EVENTS

    total $11,200 · related or exempt $11,200

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $24,126 · related or exempt $24,126

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $3,000

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $3,000

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $3,000 · related or exempt $3,000

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $1,576,937

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

    securities $1,768,993

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$192,056

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$192,056 · related or exempt -$192,056

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $1,352

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $1,432

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total -$80 · related or exempt -$80

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $56,500 · program services $56,500

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $442,899 · program services $400,547 · management and general $26,959 · fundraising $15,393

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $1,385,008 · program services $1,097,331 · management and general $108,160 · fundraising $179,517

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $66,286 · program services $59,542 · management and general $5,082 · fundraising $1,662

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $155,100 · program services $117,564 · management and general $15,951 · fundraising $21,585

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $113,110 · program services $13,308 · management and general $99,802

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $19,051 · management and general $19,051

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $12,548 · program services $10,833 · management and general $1,715

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $106,758 · program services $77,937 · management and general $5,156 · fundraising $23,665

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $87,090 · program services $77,809 · management and general $4,357 · fundraising $4,924

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $90,998 · program services $87,018 · management and general $1,005 · fundraising $2,975

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $87,109 · program services $86,165 · management and general $506 · fundraising $438

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $15,094 · program services $6,128 · management and general $8,219 · fundraising $747

  • 24a · Other expenses: SERVICE CONTRACTORS

    total $395,239 · program services $391,024 · management and general $645 · fundraising $3,570

  • 24b · Other expenses: CREDIT CARD FEES

    total $40,977 · program services $7,958 · management and general $33,019

  • 24c · Other expenses: EVENTS

    total $40,937 · program services $40,937

  • 24d · Other expenses: PUBLIC EDUCATION

    total $21,100 · program services $21,100

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $53,097 · program services $35,653 · management and general $17,244 · fundraising $200

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $610,351 · end of year $435,291

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $146,711 · end of year $59,056

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $5,740 · end of year $4,307

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $31,128 · end of year $14,778

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

    $466,484

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

    $217,097

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $319,467 · end of year $249,387

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $2,208,449 · end of year $959,856

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $209,649 · end of year $181,309

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,664,304 · end of year $1,353,754

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $447,893 · end of year $187,612

Mission and programs · 2022

Mission

EXPOSE SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL WARMING, ECONOMIC INEQUALITY, HUMAN AND INDIGENOUS RIGHTS. INTERFAITH LAW AND POLICY CENTER USING IMPACT LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE GOALS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

ADDRESS SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ENVIORNMENTAL PROBLEMS. APPLICATION OF RESEARCH, INVESTIGATION, LAW, AND EDUCATION TO DEVELOP PROJECTS THAT EDUCATE AND ACTIVATE THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY TO SOLVE HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIORNMENTAL PROBLEMS.

  • THE LAKOTA PEOPLE'S LAW PROJECT CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS AND SOVEREIGNTY OF THE LAKOTA SIOUX PEOPLE. OUR FIVE RESPECTED LAKOTA LEADERS SET PRIORITIES AND WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH OUR CALIFORNIA TEAM. OUR DOMINANT PROJECT IN 2022 WAS A MAJOR CAMPAIGN TO TURN OUT THE NATIVE VOTE IN RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA, WHERE WE PRODUCED AN "OCETI VOTE" EVENT THAT HELPED REGISTER COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR THE NATIONAL ELECTION. THAT EVENT BROUGHT A BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, LIVE MUSIC, AND HANDGAMES (A TRADITIONAL LAKOTA PRACTICE) TO RAPID CITY. ON VOTING RIGHTS, WE ALSO SUCCESSFULLY SERVED AS PLAINTIFF IN A LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST SOUTH DAKOTA BY LEGAL ALLIES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT ("MOTOR VOTER" LAW). THE SETTLEMENT REACHED IN THIS SUIT WILL ENSURE THAT NATIVE FOLKS IN SOUTH DAKOTA CAN REGISTER TO VOTE WHEN VISITING AGENCIES LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, AS MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW. ANOTHER MAJOR COMMITMENT WAS OUR WORK ON BEHALF OF THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE, FOR WHOM WE PROVIDED TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN RELATION TO ITS ONGOING EFFORT TO RESIST THE DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE. WE MANAGED THE TRIBE'S COMMUNICATION FLOW, INCLUDING THEIR E-BLASTS, VIDEO PRODUCTION, FUNDRAISING, WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT, AND PRESS RELEASES. AT STANDING ROCK WE ALSO OPERATED OUR KINSHIP CARE HOME, WHERE 3-5 CHILDREN WERE HOUSED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND WE MADE STRIDES IN DEVELOPING OUR "NODAPL" ARCHIVE WHICH, WHEN EVENTUALLY LAUNCHED IN COLLABORATION WITH SITTING BULL COLLEGE AND LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO, WILL PROVIDE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FREE MEDIA ABOUT PIPELINE FIGHTS INCLUDING DAKOTA ACCESS TO EDUCATORS, JOURNALISTS, LAWYERS, AND OTHERS ACROSS THE WORLD. ADDITIONALLY, IN AN HISTORIC BATTLE, OUR ATTORNEYS AND COMMUNICATIONS STAFF PUSHED HARD TO SUPPORT THE INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT (ICWA) AT THE SUPREME COURT, WHERE ICWA WAS UNDER ATTACK FROM ACTIVIST LAWYERS IN TEXAS. OUR ATTORNEYS PREPARED AN AMICUS BRIEF SUBMITTED TO THE COURT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CHAIR OF OUR BOARD OF ADVISORS, FORMER U.S. SENATOR JAMES ABOUREZK, THE MAIN AUTHOR OF ICWA. IN AN HISTORIC DECISION, THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING PRESERVED THE PROTECTION OF INDIAN PARENTS AND CHILDREN PROVIDED IN THE ICWA LAW. LASTLY, WE WORKED AT CHEYENNE RIVER NATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA TO INCUBATE A CHILD WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR THE TRIBE.

    Expenses $1,235,758 · Grants $4,125

  • LET'S GREEN CALIFORNIA DEVELOPED PLANS AND POLICIES FOR CALIFORNIA ACHIEVING CLOSE TO ZERO CARBON EMISSIONS IN 10 YEARS. WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO END THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND ALL CITIZENS MUST BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE, SO WE PARTNERED WITH THE DOLORES HUERTA FOUNDATION, AND WITH VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND WORKING FAMILIES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA TO BUILD BOTTOM-UP SOLUTIONS TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, PUTTING EQUITY, JOBS AND WORKERS, AND FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES FIRST. AS THE FIFTH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD AND A HISTORIC ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER, CALIFORNIA IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO CREATE A MODEL OF EQUITABLE CLIMATE ACTION THAT CAN BE REPLICATED WORLDWIDE. THE TEAM CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND AUTHORED A POLICY FRAMEWORK TO ELECTRIFY CALIFORNIA, CREATE GOOD-PAYING GREEN JOBS, AND GET THE GOLDEN STATE BACK ON TRACK TO ACHIEVING ITS 2030 CLIMATE GOALS. OUR FRAMEWORK BECAME THE BASIS OF SENATE BILL 1230 THAT WAS INTRODUCED BY SENATOR LIMON AND PASSED IN 2022. THIS LEGISLATION MAKES IT EASIER FOR MILLIONS OF LOW AND MODERATE- INCOME CALIFORNIANS TO PURCHASE EVS. WE SECURED 100+ ORGANIZATIONAL ENDORSEMENTS, EIGHT SENATE CO-AUTHORS, AND GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S SIGNATURE. WE CONTINUED OUR WORK TO BUILD THE CCA AND WORKFORCE AND EJ STANDARDS ALLIANCE OF 32 LABOR, CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS THAT IS WORKING TO STRENGTHEN LABOR STANDARDS AT REGIONAL CLEAN ENERGY AGENCIES, AND HAS EARNED WINS IN SAN MATEO, SAN FRANCISCO, AND THE CENTRAL COAST. IN ADDITION, OUR WORK IN THE MONTEREY CATHOLIC DIOCESE HAS CONTINUED TO ORGANIZE SUCCESSFUL ELECTRIFY CALIFORNIA EVENTS IN PARISHES, AGAIN REACHING 1000S OF LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME CITIZENS ABOUT THE HEALTH AND CLIMATE VALUES OF ELECTRIFYING KITCHENS AND CARS, AND THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES AVAILABLE TO MAKE IT AFFORDABLE. OUR WORK TO MAKE GREEN SOLUTIONS MORE AVAILABLE TO 80% OF CALIFORNIANS WHO ARE LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME CITIZENS WILL CONTINUE INTO 2023, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT SOLVING THE CLIMATE CRISIS WILL REQUIRE ALL CITIZENS PARTICIPATING.

    Expenses $987,783 · Grants $48,250

  • THE RICO PROJECT BEGAN THE LEGAL RESEARCH TO PRODUCE A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE SIX MAJOR OIL AND GAS CORPORATIONS IN CALIFORNIA. BOTH THE FEDERAL CONGRESS AND THE CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE HAVE CRIMINALIZED THE JOINING TOGETHER OF A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS IN A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT TWO OR MORE OF ANY OF A LIST OF 32 SPECIFIC CRIMES. THESE SPECIFIC CRIMES INCLUDE: MURDER; MURDER-FOR-HIRE; KIDNAPPING; BRIBERY; WITNESS INTIMIDATION; WITNESS TAMPERING; EMBEZZLEMENT; WIRE FRAUD; ARSON; EXTORTION; ROBBERY; THEFT; OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE; MONEY LAUNDERING; TERRORISM AND SEVERAL OTHER SERIOUS FELONY CRIMES. THE RESEARCH REVEALS THAT EACH OF THESE CORPORATIONS' OFFICERS AND MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS, DURING THIS PAST 47 YEAR PERIOD, HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMITTING, DIRECTING, AND/OR EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION OF TWO OR MORE OF THESE SPECIFIC STATE AND FEDERAL PREDICATE CRIMINAL ACTS OF THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL RACKETEERING ACT OF 1970. THE ROMERO LEGAL TEAM HAS BEEN PREPARING A FEDERAL AND A STATE COMPLAINT UNDER THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL RACKETEERING ACT, INTENDING TO PRESENT IT TO THE LEGAL BODIES WHO CAN ASSEMBLE A GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE THE CRIMES. ON NOVEMBER 10, 2022, IN A PARALLEL DEVELOPMENT, CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE BIG OIL AND GAS COMPANIES CHARGING THEM WITH MANY OF THE CRIMES OUTLINED IN OUR RESEARCH. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ANY PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO WILL APPLY THE RULE OF LAW TO THIS INDUSTRY.THE SPECIAL MEDIA PROJECT IS A RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT THAT IS PREPARING TO PRODUCE A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ARCHIVE, A PODCAST SERIES, A DOCUMENTARY SERIES, AND A CABLE SERIES ABOUT THE LEGAL, INVESTIGATIVE, AND ORGANIZING ACTIVITIES OF THE CHRISTIC INSTITUTE AND THE ROMERO INSTITUTE. THE RESEARCH COVERS 50 YEARS OF PUBLIC INTEREST WORK AND REVEALS IMPORTANT HISTORICAL INFORMATION THAT IS RELEVANT TODAY REGARDING SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE IN CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION, HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS, DRUG SMUGGLING, AND ILLEGAL WAR MAKING. THE ROMERO INSTITUTE ARCHIVAL PROJECT SEEKS TO CORRECT THE HISTORICAL RECORD AND LAY OUT THE FACTS IN SEVERAL MEDIA FORMATS. THE GOAL IS TO SHARE TRUE FACTS THAT BEG FOR NEW LAWS AND POLICIES NEEDED TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE, GREEN, AND THRIVING FUTURE FOR THE U.S. AND THE WORLD.

    Expenses $296,099 · Grants $4,125

  • THE NEW PARADIGM INSTITUTE PROJECT WAS LAUNCHED IN 2022 WHEN LUI ELIZANDRO, A PENTAGON WHISTLEBLOWER WHO HAD BEEN THE DIRECTOR OF THE MULTI-DECADE PENTAGON COVERT PROGRAM THAT WAS INVESTIGATING UFOS AND UAPS (UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENA) ASKED OUR GENERAL COUNSEL, DAN SHEEHAN, TO REPRESENT HIM IN CHALLENGING LEGAL ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO THE PUBLIC. HE WAS THE FIRST HIGH LEVEL INSIDER TO RELEASE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MANY MILITARY VIDEOS TRACKING THESE VEHICLES IN THE AIR, AND HE STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT OURS, NOT THE RUSSIANS, AND NOT THE CHINESE". HE WAS THE FIRST TO PUBLICLY STATE THAT "IT APPEARS THAT THE VEHICLES ARE OF HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, NON-HUMAN ORIGIN". HIS STATEMENTS WERE COVERED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES, 60 MINUTES, AND LATER REVIEWED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE U.S. SENATE WHICH ARE NOW DEMANDING TRANSPARENCY OF 80 YEARS OF COVERT DOCUMENTS AND VIDEOS.

    Expenses $67,714

As filed on the 2022 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Paul Lee

    CHAIR OF THE BOARD

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Markell Brooks

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Gwendolyn Grace

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Chase Iron Eyes

    CODIRECTOR OF LPLP

    Total calculated
    $78,996
    From this org
    $78,996
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40
  • Daniel Sheehan

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $138,128
    From this org
    $137,102
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $1,026
    Hours/week
    50
  • Sara Nelson

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $138,128
    From this org
    $137,102
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $1,026
    Hours/week
    50
  • Daniel Paul Nelson

    SECRETARY/TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $87,647
    From this org
    $81,808
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,839
    Hours/week
    50
  • Eric Thiermann

    AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Pearl Means

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Faye Crosby

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Benjamin Eichert

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR LGCA

    Total calculated
    $108,235
    From this org
    $102,935
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,300
    Hours/week
    40
  • Heidi Harmon

    SENIOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS

    Total calculated
    $108,909
    From this org
    $102,935
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,974
    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.

Grants on this return

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2022
Filed
15 November 2023
IRS schema version
2022v5.0
Source object
202313199349328556

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