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← FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER.

Totals

Total revenue
$9,294,477
Total expenses
$8,038,833
Contributions and grants received
$9,149,831
Grants paid
$106,763
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$81,728
Other revenue
$62,918
Total assets, end of year
$5,195,890
Total liabilities, end of year
$380,424
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$4,815,466
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$5,819,996
Management and general expenses
$1,892,123
Fundraising expenses
$326,714
Program service expenses (Part III)
$5,819,996

Program services were 72.4% 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

    $9,149,831

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $40,490

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $42,138 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $42,138

  • 4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds

    total $0

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $0 · personal property $0

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $0

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $39,590

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $39,590

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $39,590 · excluded $39,590

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $0

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $0

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $0

  • 9a · Gaming: gross income

    $0

  • 9b · Gaming: direct expenses

    $0

  • 9c · Net income from gaming

    total $0

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $0

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $0

  • 11a · Other revenue: OTHER REVENUE

    total $62,918 · related or exempt $62,918

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $62,918

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $106,763 · program services $106,763

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $0

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $0

  • 4 · Benefits paid to or for members

    total $0

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $296,554 · program services $191,107 · management and general $87,300 · fundraising $18,147

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $0

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $3,439,352 · program services $2,221,234 · management and general $1,011,833 · fundraising $206,285

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $85,338 · program services $53,778 · management and general $25,286 · fundraising $6,274

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $375,159 · program services $236,420 · management and general $111,160 · fundraising $27,579

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $302,834 · program services $190,842 · management and general $89,730 · fundraising $22,262

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $0

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $6,352 · program services $4,072 · management and general $2,054 · fundraising $226

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $64,688 · program services $41,472 · management and general $20,916 · fundraising $2,300

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $0

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $0

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $1,440 · management and general $1,440

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,150,223 · program services $859,536 · management and general $283,731 · fundraising $6,956

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $1,095,275 · program services $1,088,945 · management and general $6,330

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $219,264 · program services $172,388 · management and general $38,570 · fundraising $8,306

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $132,551 · program services $70,494 · management and general $59,219 · fundraising $2,838

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $70,909 · program services $46,289 · management and general $21,145 · fundraising $3,475

  • 17 · Travel

    total $343,074 · program services $315,346 · management and general $20,915 · fundraising $6,813

  • 18 · Travel or entertainment for public officials

    total $0

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $126,139 · program services $108,402 · management and general $13,827 · fundraising $3,910

  • 20 · Interest

    total $0

  • 21 · Payments to affiliates

    total $0

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $23,294 · program services $17,402 · management and general $5,873 · fundraising $19

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $31,687 · program services $15,304 · management and general $15,792 · fundraising $591

  • 24a · Other expenses: STAFF DEVELOPMENT

    total $131,059 · program services $57,464 · management and general $70,097 · fundraising $3,498

  • 24b · Other expenses: DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $21,529 · program services $12,789 · management and general $1,737 · fundraising $7,003

  • 24c · Other expenses: SUPPLIES & MATERIALS

    total $5,405 · program services $4,037 · management and general $1,363 · fundraising $5

  • 24d · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $4,515 · program services $483 · management and general $3,805 · fundraising $227

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $5,429 · program services $5,429

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $2,335,648 · end of year $2,874,419

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $1,420,676 · end of year $0

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $1,090,044

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $35,024 · end of year $36,086

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

    $59,749

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

    $21,576

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $38,173

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $1,062,645

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $11,077

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $10,394 · end of year $83,446

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $232,092 · end of year $280,846

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $13,000

  • 20 · Tax-exempt bond liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 22 · Loans and payables to officers and key people

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $0

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $5,239 · end of year $86,578

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,314,411 · end of year $4,815,466

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,250,000 · end of year $0

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER (FEC) IS A NATIONAL, NONPARTISAN VOTING RIGHTS AND ELECTION REFORM ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SAFEGUARDING THE FUTURE OF OUR DEMOCRACY THROUGH INNOVATIVE EFFORTS FOCUSED ON VOTING RIGHTS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. THE CENTER WORKS TO IMPROVE ELECTION AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. THE CENTER WORKS TO IMPROVE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION THROUGH LEGISLATIVE, LEGAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM; TO PROTECT ACCESS TO THE BALLOT THROUGH LITIGATION; AND TO PROVIDE ELECTION LAW EXPERTISE, VOTER INFORMATION, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO VOTER MOBILIZATION ORGANIZATIONS.

Activities or mission (Part I)

SEE PART III, LINE 1.

  • CAMPUS VOTE PROJECT (CVP): CVP WORKS WITH UNIVERSITIES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, FACULTY, STUDENTS, AND ELECTION OFFICIALS TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO STUDENT VOTING. THE PROGRAM ENABLES CAMPUS LEADERSHIP TO INSTITUTIONALIZE REFORMS THAT EMPOWER STUDENTS WITH INFORMATION ON HOW TO REGISTER AND VOTE. COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE SPECIAL CHALLENGES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REGISTER AND VOTE IN THEIR COLLEGE COMMUNITIES. THESE STUDENTS SOMETIMES LACK INFORMATION ABOUT VOTER REGISTRATION RULES AND DEADLINES, LACK ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF ID FOR VOTER REGISTRATION OR VOTING PURPOSES, LACK TRANSPORTATION TO THE POLLS, FACE CONFUSION ABOUT WHERE TO VOTE, OR EVEN FACE UNSYMPATHETIC ELECTION OFFICIALS. IN RECENT YEARS, SOME STATE LEGISLATURES AROUND THE COUNTRY PURSUED LAWS THAT SEEK TO LIMIT ACCESS TO THE POLLS WITH PARTICULARLY DAMAGING EFFECTS FOR STUDENT VOTERS. CVP SEEKS TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES BY PROVIDING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS CURRENT VOTING INFORMATION THAT THEY CAN OFFER THEIR STUDENTS DURING EVENTS LIKE ORIENTATION AND CLASS REGISTRATION. CVP ALSO DEVELOPS BEST PRACTICES FOR COLLEGES TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION TO ALL ENROLLED STUDENTS THROUGH CAMPUS-WIDE COMMUNICATIONS DURING VOTER REGISTRATION, EARLY VOTING, AND ON ELECTION DAY. IN 2024, CVP MARKED ITS 12TH YEAR WORKING NATIONWIDE TO INSTITUTIONALIZE ACCESS TO VOTING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS. CVP PARTNERED WITH ABOUT 340 CAMPUSES THAT ENROLLED MORE THAN 4 MILLION STUDENTS IN 41 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE PROJECT RAN STAFFED PROGRAMS IN TEN STATES (AZ, FL, GA, MI, NC, OH, PA, TX, VA, WI) AND ESTABLISHED BETWEEN 20 AND 35 FORMAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS IN EACH OF THESE STATES. CVP ALSO PAYS STIPENDS TO STUDENT "DEMOCRACY FELLOWS" TO WORK WITH CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS, FACULTY, AND OTHER STUDENT LEADERS TO SUPPORT NON-PARTISAN VOTER EDUCATION EFFORTS. FEC ALSO PROVIDES THEM WITH LEADERSHIP AND ELECTION LAW TRAINING. IN 2024, XXX FELLOWS COMPLETED THE PROGRAM IN THE SPRING AND 260 COMPLETED THE PROGRAM IN THE FALL. ADDITIONALLY, CVP FURTHERED ITS HBCU LEGACY INITIATIVE, AIN THE FALL. ADDITIONALLY, CVP FURTHERED ITS HBCU LEGACY INITIATIVE, A AIN THE FALL. ADDITIONALLY, CVP FURTHERED ITS HBCU LEGACY INITIATIVE, A IN PROGRAM STARTED IN 2020 DESIGNED TO SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS BARRIERS TO STUDENT VOTING AND ENCOURAGE INCREASED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ON MORE THAN 45 HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN CVP'S 10 STAFFED STATES AS WELL AS IN AL, MD, AND LA.

    Expenses $4,714,375 · Grants $64,763

  • LITIGATION: FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER'S LEGAL TEAM LEVERAGES ITS EXPERTISE TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO REGISTRATION AND VOTING THAT IMPACT HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS OTHER VOTERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED RESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE BALLOT. THESE CONSTITUENCIES INCLUDE STUDENTS, THE YOUTH, THE ELDERLY, LANGUAGE MINORITY AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER'S WORK ALSO CHALLENGES REGISTRATION LAWS THAT DISCRIMINATE GAINST NATURALIZED CITIZENS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES THAT UNCONSTITUTIONALLY DENY VOTING RIGHTS TO FORMER FELLONS, THOSE IMPROPERLY PURGED FROM VOTER LISTS AND OTHER HISTORICALLY DISENFRANCHISED GROUPS. IN 2024, FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER CONTINUED ITS LAWSUIT IN ARIZONA THAT CHALLENGED TWO LAWS THAT INHIBIT THE ABILITY FOR NATURALIZED CITIZENS TO REGISTER AND REMAIN REGISTERED VOTERS. THE COURT SIDED WITH FEC, STRIKING DOWN LAWS THAT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED ELECTION OFFICIALS TO INVESTIGATE THE CITIZENSHIP OF VOTERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO SECURED A VICTORY FOR WISCONSIN VOTERS, AS THE WISCONSIN COURT OF APPEALS REJECTED THE STATE LEGISLATURE'S MOTION TO BLOCK LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR ABSENTEE VOTERS GIVEN MINOR DEFECTS OR EMISSIONS IN THE WITNESS ADDRESS ON A VOTER'S CERTIFICATE ENVELOPE. IN KENTUCKY, FEC BROUGHT AN APPEAL TO THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT AND ASKED THE US SUPREME COURT TO HEAR ITS 2019 CASE REGARDING VOTING RIGHTS RESTORATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETED THEIR FELONY SENTENCES BUT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNOR'S 2020 EXECUTIVE ORDER. FEC ALSO FILED A SIMILAR CASE IN VIRGINIA IN 2024, ADVOCATING AGAINST THE ARBITRARY DENIAL OF RESTORATION OF INDIVIDUALS' RIGHT TO VOTE. FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETED THEIR FELONY SENTENCES BUT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNOR'S 2020 EXECUTIVE ORDER. FEC ALSO FILED A SIMILAR CASE IN VIRGINIA IN 2024, ADVOCATING AGAINST THE ARBITRARY DENIAL OF RESTORATION OF INDIVIDUALS' RIGHT TO VOTE.

    Expenses $519,059

  • ELECTION LAW AND REFORM POLICY: FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER WORKS ON ELECTION LAW POLICY IN ORDER TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THE BALLOT, SUPPORT ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS, AND SUPPORT UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES. LAST YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO SUPPORT VARIOUS UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH UPDATED STATE VOTER GUIDES AND VOTER DRIVE GUIDES FOR ALL 50 STATES, INCLUDING PROVIDING TRANSLATIONS OF THESE STATE VOTER GUIDES IN KEY ELECTION STATES. THE ORGANIZATION WORKED WITH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS IN SEVENTEEN STATES TO ANALYZE LEGISLATION AND PROVIDE ANALYSIS OF ITS IMPACT ON VOTING OR ON ELECTION ADMINISTRATION. IN 2024, FEC SUPPORTED PRO-VOTER LEGISLATION IN MICHIGAN AND MINNESOTA. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OPPOSED STRICT VOTER ID LEGISLATION IN OHIO AND INFORMED NATIONAL POLICY MAKERS BY PROVIDING KEY INFORMATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THEIR "TOOLKIT FOR THE PROMOTION OF VOTER PARTICIPATION FOR STUDENTS." FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER CONTINUED THEIR COLLABORATION WITH ALLIES TO SHAPE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ON VOTING AND VOTER REGISTRATION THROUGH VARIOUS FEDERAL AGENCIES.

    Expenses $249,431

  • POLL WORKER RECRUITMENT

    Expenses $337,131 · Grants $42,000

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

Listed in Part VII

  • Robert Brandon

    PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $296,554
    From this org
    $269,918
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,636
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $269,918
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $24,353
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,283
    Filer's total
    $296,554

  • Rebekah Caruthers

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $212,553
    From this org
    $195,203
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,350
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $195,203
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $5,871
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,479
    Filer's total
    $212,553

  • Michelle Kanter-Cohen

    SR COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $149,922
    From this org
    $134,877
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,045
    Hours/week
    40

  • Jonathan Sherman

    SR COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $148,694
    From this org
    $133,178
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,516
    Hours/week
    40

  • Michael Burns

    CVP NAT'L DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $140,236
    From this org
    $125,794
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,442
    Hours/week
    40

  • Raqeeba Milner

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & HR

    Total calculated
    $128,162
    From this org
    $110,700
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,462
    Hours/week
    40

  • David Fineman

    BOARD CHAIR, SECRETARY, EXEC C

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Lavita McMath Turner

    BOARD V-CHAIR, EXEC COMM

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Toby Chaudhuri

    BOARD TREASURER, EXEC COMM

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Gail Siegel

    BOARD MEMBER, EXEC COMM

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Michelle Bishop

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Joi Chaney

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Clarissa Martinez-De-Castro

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sam Hirsch

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Maya Patel

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jennifer Morrell

    BOARD MEMBER (EFF. FEB 2024)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Rebecca Green

    BOARD MEMBER (THRU. FEB 2024)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lynette Quintero

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

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 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 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
202523219349327707

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