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Nonprofiteer
← COMMON CAUSE

Form 990 for tax year 2022

Filed by COMMON CAUSE.

Totals

Total revenue
$8,438,547
Total expenses
$9,702,346
Contributions and grants received
$8,257,989
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$1,250
Investment income
$175,049
Other revenue
$4,259
Total assets, end of year
$12,553,510
Total liabilities, end of year
$3,831,565
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$8,721,945
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$3,418,066
Management and general expenses
$2,490,673
Fundraising expenses
$3,793,607
Program service expenses (Part III)
$3,418,066

Program services were 35.2% 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.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $46,090

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $8,211,899

  • 2a · Program service revenue: PROGRAM INCOME

    total $1,250 · related or exempt $1,250

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $160,051 · excluded $160,051

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $22 · excluded $22

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $576,482

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

    securities $561,484

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $14,998

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $14,998 · excluded $14,998

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $0

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $43,264

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $3,431

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$3,431 · excluded -$3,431

  • 11a · Other revenue: LIST RENTAL

    total $5,569 · excluded $5,569

  • 11b · Other revenue: ONLINE SALES INCOME

    total $2,099 · excluded $2,099

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $7,668

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $324,936 · program services $204,184 · management and general $96,233 · fundraising $24,519

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $2,082,138 · program services $1,456,311 · management and general $387,265 · fundraising $238,562

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $77,002 · program services $53,465 · management and general $14,656 · fundraising $8,881

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $324,089 · program services $225,029 · management and general $61,683 · fundraising $37,377

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $182,097 · program services $126,438 · management and general $34,658 · fundraising $21,001

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $375,787 · program services $294,627 · management and general $81,160

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $226,376 · program services $182,433 · management and general $43,943

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $52,832 · management and general $52,832

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $5,402 · management and general $5,402

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $282,845 · program services $180,606 · management and general $68,439 · fundraising $33,800

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $209,736 · program services $195,582 · management and general $8,779 · fundraising $5,375

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $3,382,307 · program services $67,011 · management and general $90,080 · fundraising $3,225,216

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $881,194 · program services $188,543 · management and general $496,304 · fundraising $196,347

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $746,929 · program services $160,095 · management and general $585,766 · fundraising $1,068

  • 17 · Travel

    total $64,006 · program services $59,477 · management and general $3,068 · fundraising $1,461

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $207,466 · program services $23,239 · management and general $184,227

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $160,308 · management and general $160,308

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $94,113 · management and general $94,113

  • 24a · Other expenses: STATE REG. AND FILINGS

    total $19,005 · management and general $19,005

  • 24b · Other expenses: TAXES

    total $2,195 · program services $804 · management and general $1,391

  • 24c · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

    total $1,583 · program services $222 · management and general $1,361

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $4,159 · end of year $3,617

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $6,965,120 · end of year $3,464,205

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $249,046 · end of year $691,513

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $390,997 · end of year $296,030

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

    $1,638,414

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

    $1,214,898

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $528,850 · end of year $423,516

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $3,784,665 · end of year $5,311,343

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $2,363,286

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $447,647 · end of year $170,534

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,533,311 · end of year $3,661,031

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $8,126,728 · end of year $7,142,940

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,815,151 · end of year $1,579,005

Mission and programs · 2022

Mission

WITH OFFICES IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND 35 STATES AND 1.5 MILLION SUPPORTERS AND ACTIVISTS, COMMON CAUSE WORKS TO ADVANCE DEMOCRACY REFORMS AT FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS, THROUGH GRAFTING MODEL LEGISLATION, LOBBYING, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, AND JOINT EFFORTS WITH DIVERSE PARTNERS ACROSS THE REFORM COMMUNITY.

Activities or mission (Part I)

COMMON CAUSE IS A NONPARTISAN, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO UPHOLDING THE CORE VALUES OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. WE WORK TO ENSURE OPEN, HONEST, AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT; TO PROMOTE EQUAL RIGHTS, OPPORTUNITY, AND REPRESENTATION FOR ALL; AND TO EMPOWER ALL PEOPLE TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD AS EQUALS IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS. COMMON CAUSE WORKS ACROSS FOUR MAJOR ISSUE AREAS: VOTING AND ELECTIONS; MONEY AND POLITICS; ETHICS, TRANSPARENCY, AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY; AND MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY.

  • VOTING AND ELECTIONS: COMMON CAUSE LED OR SUPPORTED EFFORTS TO SUCCESSFULLY PASS PRO-VOTER LAWS:- IN COLORADO, WE SUPPORTED LEGISLATION THAT ESTABLISHED COLORADO AS THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO EXPAND AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION TO TRIBAL NATIONS.- IN CONNECTICUT, WE HELPED PASS THE STRONGEST STATE VOTING RIGHTS LAWS IN THE COUNTRY THAT WILL LAUNCH A "PRECLEARANCE" PROGRAM TO PROTECT VOTERS OF COLOR FROM HARMFUL IMPACTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION CHANGES; PROVIDE NEW LEGAL TOOLS TO FIGHT DISCRIMINATORY VOTING RULES IN COURT; EXPAND LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE FOR VOTERS; CREATE STRONG PROTECTIONS AGAINST VOTER INTIMIDATION, DECEPTION, AND OBSTRUCTION; AND ESTABLISH A CENTRAL HUB FOR ELECTION DATA.- IN ILLINOIS, WE MOVED AND HELPED PASS AN ELECTIONS OMNIBUS BILL THAT ESTABLISHES PRE-REGISTRATION FOR 16- AND 17-YEAR-OLDS AND AN ELECTION HOLIDAY FOR ALL PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. WE ALSO SECURED A BIG WIN ON ENDING PRISON GERRYMANDERING.- COMMON CAUSE NEW MEXICO HELPED PASS THE NM VOTING RIGHTS ACT.COMMON CAUSE HAS ALSO BLOCKED OR MITIGATED ANTI-VOTER EFFORTS:- IN ARIZONA, WE SECURED A GUBERNATORIAL VETO OF HB2560/SB1324, WHICH WOULD HAVE RELEASED THE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF EVERY VOTER, SUCH AS FULL NAME, ADDRESS, YEAR OF BIRTH, PRECINCT, AND BALLOT IMAGES, BEFORE CERTIFICATION OF THE ELECTION. - IN DELAWARE, WE PREVENTED THE PASSAGE OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ("LLC") VOTING BILL THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN CORPORATIONS AND LLCS VOTING RIGHTS IN SEAFORD, DE.COMMON CAUSE HAS BLOCKED ARTICLE V CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION EFFORTS. DURING THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS, COMMON CAUSE TRACKED 125 ARTICLE V APPLICATION BILLS ACROSS 40 STATES RESULTING IN THE DEFEAT OF EVERYONE. COMMON CAUSE LED EFFORTS TO RESCIND ARTICLE V CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION CALL IN MONTANA.WE LAUNCHED A JUSTICE & DEMOCRACY PROGRAM. WE LEAD NATIONAL COALITIONS AND WORK ON STATE LEGISLATION TO SECURE VOTING RIGHTS FOR INCARCERATED OR PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE.

    Expenses $1,143,582 · Revenue $1,250

  • MONEY IN POLITICS & ETHICS: IN MULTIPLE STATES, COMMON CAUSE WORKS TO SHAPE LAWS TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE'S VOICES AND CHOICES ARE NOT DROWNED OUT BY WEALTHY SPECIAL INTERESTS. WE ALSO WORK TO PASS AND PROTECT STRONG ETHICS LAWS THAT HOLD ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND THOSE IN PUBLIC SERVICE ACCOUNTABLE. EXAMPLES INCLUDE:- IN 2022, WE HELPED PASS A CALIFORNIA LAW THAT LIMITS SPECIAL-INTEREST CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS TO LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ONE THAT STRENGTHENS THE STATE'S LOBBYING REPORTING. WE ALSO CAMPAIGNED TO SUCCESSFULLY PASS THE OAKLAND FAIR ELECTIONS ACT, ESTABLISHING DEMOCRACY DOLLAR PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FUNDING.- IN JANUARY 2023, COMMON CAUSE MEMBERS LAUNCHED A HERCULEAN EFFORT, INCLUDING COLLECTING OVER 91,000 SIGNATURES ON A PETITION, TO HELP SUCCESSFULLY STOP ATTEMPTS TO GUT THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS (OCE) AN INDEPENDENT HOUSE ETHICS WATCHDOG THAT COMMON CAUSE WORKED TO CREATE IN 2008. - IN MAY 2023, COMMON CAUSE TESTIFIED BEFORE THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION AT A HEARING ENTITLED, "AMERICAN CONFIDENCE IN ELECTIONS: PROTECTING POLITICAL SPEECH."- IN MARYLAND, WE SUPPORTED LEGISLATION TO BAN CRYPTO-CURRENCY CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.- IN HAWAII, COMMON CAUSE HELPED PASS LAWS THAT REQUIRE LOBBYISTS TO REPORT THE SPECIFIC BILL THEY DISCUSSED WITH OFFICIALS, MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR LOBBYISTS TO GIVE GIFTS, AND LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF CASH A CAMPAIGN CAN ACCEPT FROM A SINGLE PERSON DURING EACH ELECTION PERIOD TO $100.

    Expenses $1,004,151

  • REDISTRICTING & REPRESENTATION: IN MULTIPLE STATES, COMMON CAUSE WORKS TO SHAPE LAWS THAT WILL PROMOTE OPEN, IMPARTIAL AND INCLUSIVE REDISTRICTING LAWS. - FOR EXAMPLE, IN OHIO, AFTER POLITICIANS REPEATEDLY DEFIED THE OHIO SUPREME COURT'S ORDER TO DRAW CONSTITUTIONALLY COMPLIANT REDISTRICTING MAPS, COMMON CAUSE HELPED WRITE THE FAIR DISTRICTS REDISTRICTING BALLOT INITIATIVE THROUGH SUMMER 2023. COMMON CAUSE OHIO IS GATHERING SIGNATURES TO QUALIFY THE INITIATIVE FOR VOTER CONSIDERATION.

    Expenses $952,603

  • MEDIA & DEMOCRACY AND OTHER: - COMMON CAUSE COLLECTED STORIES FROM MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ABOUT THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM (ACP) TO PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET. THESE PERSONAL STORIES OF IMPACT, INCLUDING PEOPLE ON RESERVATIONS, IN RURAL AREAS, AND IN URBAN AREAS NEEDING ACP TO ACCESS MEDICAL CARE, JOB POSTINGS, AND NEWS, WERE DOCUMENTED IN COMMON CAUSE'S OFFICIAL COMMENT LETTER TO THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION IN MAY 2023.- WE CHAMPIONED THE PASSAGE OF THE AMERICAN DATA PRIVACY AND PROTECTION ACT OUT OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE. THE LEGISLATION ESTABLISHES COMPREHENSIVE PRIVACY AND DATA SECURITY PROTECTIONS. - IN FLORIDA, WE HELPED DEFEAT THE DEFAMATION, FALSE LIGHT, AND UNAUTHORIZED PUBLICATION OF NAME OR LIKENESSES BILL, A DANGEROUS BILL THAT WOULD HAVE DIRECTLY ATTACKED THE ABILITY OF JOURNALISTS AND ORDINARY CITIZENS TO HOLD PUBLIC OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE.- WE MANAGE AND DISTRIBUTE THE DEMOCRACY SCORECARD WHICH RANKS THE POSITIONS OF ALL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON 15-20 KEY DEMOCRACY REFORM BILLS/VOTES, WHICH HELPS ADD MORE COSPONSORS TO THE COLLECTIVE BILLS WE INCLUDED.

    Expenses $317,730

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

Listed in Part VII

  • Karen Hobert Flynn

    PRESIDENT - UNTIL 3/2023

    Total calculated
    $375,654
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $337,653
    Other
    $38,001
    Hours/week
    8 + 29.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0 + $337,653 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0 + $18,300 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0 + $19,701 related
    Filer's total
    $0 + $375,654 related
  • Martha Tierney

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Nancy Ratzan

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Olga Kauffman

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Olena Berg Lacy

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Nicole M Austin-Hillery

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Richard Bainter

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Braxton Brewington

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Rebecca Cokley

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Dan Conley

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Gregory Diskant

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Wendy Fields

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Archon Fung

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Shae Harris

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • William N Hubbard III

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Marilyn Melkonian

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Lenny Mendonca

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Chang K Park

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Shareen Punian

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Tamara Sawyer

    BOARD MEMBER - UNTIL 06/2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Bilal Dabir Sekou PhD

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • David Beaumont Smith

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Wes Tomer

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Jessie Ulibarri

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Tracy Westen

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Alan Wiersba

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 1 related
  • Jordan Davis

    CO-PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $72,916
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $69,855
    Other
    $3,061
    Hours/week
    0 + 37.5 related
  • Elizabeth Marchant

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $250,623
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $216,588
    Other
    $34,035
    Hours/week
    18.75 + 18.75 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0 + $216,588 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0 + $13,473 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0 + $20,562 related
    Filer's total
    $0 + $250,623 related
  • Marilyn Carpinteyro

    VP PROGRAMS & STRATEGY

    Total calculated
    $190,206
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $158,429
    Other
    $31,777
    Hours/week
    18.75 + 18.75 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0 + $158,429 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0 + $10,207 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0 + $21,570 related
    Filer's total
    $0 + $190,206 related
  • Steve Spaulding

    SR. ADVISOR TO PRESIDENT & SR. COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $163,094
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $147,532
    Other
    $15,562
    Hours/week
    0 + 37.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0 + $147,532 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0 + $8,331 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0 + $7,231 related
    Filer's total
    $0 + $163,094 related
  • Scott Swenson

    VP, COMMUNICATIONS

    Total calculated
    $169,034
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $155,446
    Other
    $13,588
    Hours/week
    0 + 37.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0 + $100,286 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0 + $55,160 related
    Deferred
    $0 + $6,831 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0 + $6,757 related
    Filer's total
    $0 + $169,034 related
  • Pamela Wilmot

    VP, STATE OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $171,300
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $142,002
    Other
    $29,298
    Hours/week
    0 + 18.75 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0 + $142,002 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0 + $8,997 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0 + $20,301 related
    Filer's total
    $0 + $171,300 related
  • Jesse Littlewood

    VP FOR CAMPAIGNS

    Total calculated
    $182,131
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $150,028
    Other
    $32,103
    Hours/week
    0 + 37.5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0 + $150,028 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0 + $9,552 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0 + $22,551 related
    Filer's total
    $0 + $182,131 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
COMMON CAUSE EDUCATION FUND USES THE FOLLOWING TO ESTABLISH COMPENSATION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S PRESIDENT/CEO: COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT, WRITTEN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, COMPENSATION STUDY OR SURVEY, AND APPROVAL BY THE BOARD OR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE.

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

No itemized grants to organizations 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.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2022
Filed
15 February 2024
IRS schema version
2022v5.0
Source object
202430609349301863

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