2018-05-04T08:56:55-05:00 2017-06-30 GRANT THORNTON LLP 757 THIRD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR NEW YORK NY 100172013 990 2016-07-01 133976062 NRDC Action Fund Inc % STEVE BAGINSKI CFO NRDC 2127272700 40 WEST 20TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011 STEVE BAGINSKI cfo 2127272700 2018-05-02 true Scott Thompsett P00741490 2125990100 2016 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z Rhea Suh President 40 WEST 20TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011 4891902 false X www.nrdcactionfund.org X 1996 NY The NRDC action fund's mission is to build political support in the United States for protecting the planet and its people. 21 18 0 0 0 2887816 4891902 0 0 0 0 0 0 2887816 4891902 145500 456300 0 0 1055628 1449820 0 0 120490 2036901 3557978 3238029 5464098 -350213 -572196 2957555 2926917 226725 764788 2730830 2162129 X The NRDC Action Funds mission is to build political support in the United States for protecting the planet and its people. WE MOBILIZE INFLUENTIAL CONSTITUENCIES, EXPERTS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND OTHERS TO DIRECTLY ADVOCATE FOR CLEAN AIR AND WATER, PUBLIC HEALTH, BIODIVERSITY, AND A STABLE CLIMATE. WE SUPPORT CANDIDATES who stand up for enviornmental protection, AND WE EXPOSE THOSE WHO SIDE WITH POLLUTERS RATHER THAN THE PUBLIC GOOD. false false 5016349 456300 0 1. Advocating for the environment NRDC ACTION FUND'S PRIMARY GOAL IS TO PERSUADE ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH. WE IDENTIFY POLICIES THAT WILL ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS, AND WE EDUCATE AND INFORM LAWMAKERS ABOUT HOW THE POLICIES WORK. We worked to expand and mobilize our network of members, advocates, experts, community leaders, and others to champion clean air and water, public health, biodiversity, and a stable climate. We advocated to decision makers on the federal and state levels to protect and strengthen bedrock environmental policies, including those relating to public lands, climate and public health. 2. Educating the Public and Holding Elected Officials Accountable ONE OF THE NRDC ACTION FUND'S TOP PRIORITIES IS TO EDUCATE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT HOW THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS VOTE ON environmental and energy issues. USING BOTH TRADITIONAL MEDIA AND ADVANCED DIGITAL TECHNIQUES, THE NRDC ACTION FUND MAKES SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS WHERE THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS, on both the federal and state levels, STAND ON THE ISSUES. 3. Supporting Environmental Champions IN ORDER TO CONFRONT THE CRISIS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AMERICA NEEDS MORE ELECTED OFFICIALS COMMITTED TO PASSING FORWARD-LOOKING CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE LEGISLATION. THE NRDC ACTION FUND HELPS ELECT THOSE CHAMPIONS TO OFFICE AND SUPPORT THEM WHEN IT COMES TIME TO VOTE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. 5016349 false true true true false false false false false false false false false true true false true false false false false false false false false false true false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true true false false true 30 0 true 0 false false false false true true false X 21 18 true false false false true true true true true false false true true true true true true false AL AK AR CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY ME MD MA MN MS MO NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI X X STEVE BAGINSKI CFO 2127272700 40 WEST 20TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011 Wendy Abrams Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 John H Adams Director 1.0 20.0 X 0 160417 23650 Christopher Arndt Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Richard E Ayres Director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 Anne Bartley Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Patricia Bauman Chair/Director 1.0 1.0 X X 0 0 0 Sherwood Boehlert Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Hamilton Candee Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Bob Epstein Director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 Michael Finnegan Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Vernice Miller-Travis Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Edward James Olmos Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Daniel R Tishman Director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 Eric Wepsic Director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 Ira Ziering Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 KATHLEEN WELCH Director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 JOANN KAPLAN Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sigmund Anderman Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JILL SOFFER DIRECTOR (AS OF 07/2016) 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 FRANCES BEINECKE director/Former President 1.0 3.0 X 0 31820 0 RHEA SUH PRESIDENT 1.0 40.0 X X 0 497907 36751 Mitchell Bernard COO (UNTIL 04/17) 1.0 40.0 X 0 311149 70793 MARIPAT ALPUCHE SECRETARY 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 Jennifer Reynoso Assistant Secretary 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Steven Baginski CFO & TREASURER 1.0 40.0 X 0 295216 17413 KEVIN CURTIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 0 188847 13621 ANDREW JACKSON AS OF 42017 CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 1.0 40.0 X 0 0 0 DENIS DISON COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 0 112492 10345 0 1597848 172573 0 false true false M R STRATEGIC SERVICES INC 1901 L STREET NW STE 800 WASHINGTON DC 20036 ADVERTISING 271295 THE STRATEGY GROUP 730 N FRANKLIN STreet STE 404 CHICAGO IL 60654 DIRECT MAIL 164300 2 44925 10000 4836977 5245 4891902 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4891902 X 456300 456300 0 0 0 278211 240242 30392 7577 0 878363 774917 66181 37265 0 293246 258247 24178 10821 0 240 240 29647 29647 0 1138676 1138676 0 0 823135 721134 90885 11116 899926 899910 16 180785 97173 40806 42806 13497 13497 0 283725 248425 24395 10905 67267 67247 20 0 12304 12304 0 0 0 0 FILING FEES 13394 602 12792 CREDIT CARD FEES 5582 1188 4394 TEMPORARY/CLERICAL 3553 3553 RECRUITING EXPENSES 530 530 85717 85717 5464098 5016349 327259 120490 2868140 2537069 0 0 89415 389848 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2957555 2926917 190998 450911 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35727 313877 226725 764788 X 0 0 2730830 2162129 0 0 2730830 2162129 2957555 2926917 X -572196 3495 X false true X true false RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1299645 1299645 1299645 false true false false Schedule C, Part I-A, Line 1 The Action Funds political expenditures during this period focused on the 2016 federal elections. They included communications efforts encouraging voting among constituencies concerned about climate change and the environment. The Action Fund produced blogs and social media content highlighting candidates who were running on pro-environmental positions, as well as calling out those who held anti-environmental positions. $544,314 of the total political expenditures was spent on staff salaries (including benefits and overhead), while the remaining $755,331, was spent on discretionary expenses, including consultants and other vendors, advertising and grants to other organizations. The total amount of political expenditures represents 24 percent of the organization's overall expenditures for the year. 0 DUE TO RELATED PARTIES 313877 313877 X Form 990, Schedule D, Part X, Line 2 NRDC Action Fund is included within the consolidated financial statements of its parent, the natural resources defense council, inc. The below Fin-48 footnote is reproduced from the consolidated financial STATEMENTS. NRDC follows guidance that clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, including issues relating to financial statement recognition and measurement. This guidance provides that the tax effects from an uncertain tax position can only be recognized in the consolidated financial statements if the position is "more-likely-than-not" to be sustained if the position were to be challenged by a taxing authority. The assessment of the tax position is based solely on the technical merits of the position, without regard to the likelihood that the tax position may be challenged. NRDC has processes presently in place to ensure the maintenance of its tax-exempt status; to identify and report unrelated income; determine its filing and tax obligations in jurisdictions for which it has nexus; and to review other matters that may be considered uncertain tax positions. This standard had no impact on NRDCs 2017 and 2016 consolidated financial statements. NRDC does not believe its 2017 and 2016 consolidated financial statements include any material uncertain tax positions. true CLEAN ENERY PROJECT INC 817 S MAIN STREET LAS VEGAS NV 89101 262791337 501(C)(3) 14000 ENV. ADVOCACY FAITH IN PUBLIC LIFE ACTION 1990 M STREET Nw WASHINGTON DC 20036 263827419 501(C)(4) 7000 ENV. ADVOCACY LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS 1920 L STREET NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 521733698 501(C)(4) 300000 ENV. ADVOCACY NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE 3 WADE STREET AUGUSTA ME 04330 010270690 501(C)(3) 10000 ENV. ADVOCACY NRCM ACTION FUND 3 WADE STREET AUGUSTA ME 04330 021044033 501(C)(4) 99300 ENV. ADVOCACY NEVADA CONSERVATION LEAGUE 2275 RENAISSANCE DR LAS VEGAS NV 89119 710931708 501(C)(3) 16000 ENV. ADVOCACY 3 3 Form 990, Schedule I, Line 2 In fiscal year 2017, the NRDC Action Fund Inc. provided grants to support environmental initiatives. NRDC Action Fund Inc. only provides funding to organizations that have an environmental mission that aligns with the organization's own mission. Grantees are expected to provide the organization with periodic status reports about their environmental projects. false false false false false false false false false John H Adams Director 0 160417 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23650 0 184067 0 0 Mitchell Bernard COO (UNTIL 04/17) 0 311149 0 0 0 0 0 52592 0 18201 0 381942 0 0 Steven Baginski CFO & TREASURER 0 295216 0 0 0 0 0 729 0 16684 0 312629 0 0 KEVIN CURTIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 0 188847 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13621 0 202468 0 0 RHEA SUH PRESIDENT 0 497907 0 0 0 0 0 18550 0 18201 0 534658 0 0 Compensation Information Part II, Compensation Reporting of Trustee, Mr. John H Adams Column B(I): Base Compensation After thirty-five years of committed service as NRDC's Founder and President, John Adams retired on April 1, 2006. John is a part-time consultant for NRDC and received $160,417 for these services in calendar year 2016. Column D: Nontaxable Benefits: As part of his retirement agreement, NRDC provides John Adams with medical and dental benefits and a long term care plan. The value of these benefits are: Medical $21,120 DENTAL REIMBURSEMENT $2,530 Form 990, Part VII & Schedule J, Part I The FOLLOWING individuals reported on NRDC Action Fund's Form 990, Steven Baginski, Mitchell Bernard, Rhea Suh, Kevin Curtis and Denis Dison receive their compensation from the parent organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (NRDC). Accordingly, all compensation is being reported on NRDC Action Fund's Form 990 as related organization compensation. However, a portion of each officer's compensation is reimbursed by NRDC Action Fund to NRDC based on services rendered to NRDC Action Fund. In the interest of clarity, NRDC Action Fund is disclosing the following salary and benefits amounts as having been reimbursed by NRDC Action Fund to NRDC for these services: Salary Benefits Steven Baginski $401 $112 Mitchell Bernard $2,099 $584 Rhea Suh $24,242 $6,876 Kevin Curtis $123,678 $35,066 Denis Dison $74,068 $20,954 NRDC Action Fund reimburses NRDC for the services of other NRDC employees. Those individuals do not meet the criteria of an officer, key employee or highly compensated employee of the Action Fund and accordingly are not disclosed in Part VII or Schedule J of the 990. Form 990, Part VI - Governing Body And Management Form 990, Part VI, Line 2 Board of Directors Members, Bob Epstein and Patricia Bauman, have a business relationship. Board of Directors members Kathleen Welch and Dan Tishman have a business relationship. Form 990, Part VI, Line 6 NRDC Action Fund's sole institutional member is its parent organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc ("NRDC"). Form 990, Part VI, Line 7a The sole institutional member, NRDC, has the sole authority to appoint NRDC Action Fund's Board of Directors on an annual basis. This power is reserved to NRDC in NRDC Action Fund's organizational documents. Policies, Part VI - Governance 990 review process form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11 NRDC Action Fund's Form 990 is prepared by a nationally recognized accounting firm in conjunction with the organization's senior management and financial team. Upon completion, NRDCs external accounting firm presents the Form 990 to the finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to enable them to fulfill their due diligence and oversight responsibilities A copy of the final Form 990 is shared with the full board of directors prior to its electronic filing with the Internal Revenue Service. Conflict of interest policy monitoring & Enforcement Form 990, part VI, Section B, LINE 12 Each officer, director, and key employee is required to annually disclose any conflicts of interest that arise by virtue of their relationship to the organization, board service, or position with either NRDC Action Fund or NRDC. NRDC Action Fund monitors compliance with its conflict of interest policy through an annual questionnaire/disclosure statement that is distributed to these individuals. Potential conflicts are investigated immediately. Process to determine compensation Form 990, Part VI, Section B, LINE 15 NRDC Action Fund does not directly compensate any officers, directors and/or employees. All compensation is paid by the parent organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, and is reimbursed by NRDC Action Fund to NRDC. The processes used for determining compensation as paid by the parent entity are described on that organization's Form 990. availability of documents FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 NRDC Action Fund makes its Form 990 available to the public by retaining a copy at its place of business. The Action Fund also makes the 990 available on the Action Fund website at www.nrdcactionfund.org (and on www.guidestar.org). The organization's financial statements, governing documents and conflict of interest policy are not ordinarily made available to the public, but, if requested, will be provided at management's discretion. Other changes in net assets or fund balances Form 990, Part XI Reconciliation of Net Assets Net Gain of Action Fund PAC $3,495 form 990, part XII, line 2c THe NRDC Action Fund does not receive standalone financial statements; for audit purposes its operations are consolidated with an affiliated organization, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G DESCRIPTION:STRATEGIC PLANNING TOTAL FEES:164987 FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G DESCRIPTION:MEDIA DESIGN & PRODUCTION TOTAL FEES:18226 FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G DESCRIPTION:WEB SERVICES- DIGITAL COMM. TOTAL FEES:39222 FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G DESCRIPTION:WRITING & EDITING TOTAL FEES:15050 FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G DESCRIPTION:POLITICAL OUTREACH & LOBBYING TOTAL FEES:188984 FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G DESCRIPTION:PUBLIC EDUCATION & ADVOCACY TOTAL FEES:52081 FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G DESCRIPTION:CONSULTING MEDIA/CREATIVE TOTAL FEES:344350 FORM 990 PART IX LINE 11G DESCRIPTION:PRINTING EXPENSES TOTAL FEES:235 NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC 40 WEST 20TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011 132654926 ENVIRONMENTAL NY 501(c)(3) 7 NA false NRDC Limited 22/F Bank of China Tower HONG KONG HK Environmental HK N/A N/A NRDC false NRDC Action Fund PAC 40 west 20th street new york NY 10011 320413564 environmental NY 527 N/A NRDC true false false true false false false false false false false false false false true true true false false false NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC C, N, 2212663 COST