2018-01-19T14:07:55-06:00 2017-06-30 231144520 TAIT WELLER & BAKER LLP 1818 MARKET STREET SUITE 2400 PHILADELPHIA PA 19103 990 2016-07-01 320077563 THE INNOCENCE PROJECT INC INNO 2123645340 40 WORTH STREET SUITE 701 NEW YORK NY 10013 CANDICE CARNAGE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 2123645340 2018-01-19 1 STACY CULLEN P00974308 2159798800 2018-01-19 2016 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z CANDICE CARNAGE 40 WORTH STREET SUITE 701 NEW YORK NY 10013 21682050 0 X WWW.INNOCENCEPROJECT.ORG X 2003 NY DEDICATED TO EXONERATING THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND REFORMING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. 18 18 85 30 0 0 14885515 15595492 0 0 112959 237619 29305 58884 15027779 15891995 0 0 0 0 6939475 7843903 65000 64117 1093398 3875965 4174647 10880440 12082667 4147339 3809328 22111511 26837374 1221470 1273276 20890041 25564098 X THE INNOCENCE PROJECT, INC. IS A NATIONAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO EXONERATING INNOCENT PEOPLE THROUGH DNA TESTING AND REFORMING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO PREVENT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS. THE INNOCENCE PROJECT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1992 AS A LEGAL CLINIC AT CARDOZO SCHOOL OF LAW AT YESHIVA UNIVERSITY AND INCORPORATED AS ITS OWN 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION IN 2004. THE INNOCENCE PROJECT MAINTAINS A STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH CARDOZO THROUGH ITS CLINIC, WHICH TRAINS LAW STUDENTS IN INNOCENCE-RELATED MATTERS. TO DATE, 351 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE BEEN EXONERATED BY DNA TESTING, INCLUDING 20 WHO SERVED TIME ON DEATH ROW. THE INNOCENCE PROJECT WORKED ON MORE THAN 200 OF THOSE CASES. THE EXONEREES REFLECT THE NATION'S ETHNIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC DIVERSITY, BUT A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR. THE 351 EXONEREES SPENT A COMBINED TOTAL OF 4,788 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CRIMES THEY DID NOT COMMIT. 0 0 3859881 LEGAL SERVICES (INCLUDES LEGAL, INTAKE AND SOCIAL WORK): THE INNOCENCE PROJECT LEVERAGES THE FACT-FINDING SCIENCE OF DNA TESTING TO EXPOSE ERRORS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND TO EXONERATE PEOPLE IN PRISON OR ON DEATH ROW FOR CRIMES THEY DID NOT COMMIT. TO DETERMINE WHICH CASES WE CAN ACCEPT, OUR STEADFAST INTAKE TEAM REVIEWS AN ESTIMATED 2,400 LETTERS ANNUALLY FROM INCARCERATED PEOPLE REQUESTING INVESTIGATION INTO THEIR INNOCENCE CLAIMS. THE TEAM THEN COLLABORATES CLOSELY WITH OUR LEGAL TEAM TO DETERMINE WHETHER DNA TESTING CAN PROVE INNOCENCE. ONCE CASES ARE ACCEPTED, OUR STAFF ATTORNEYS WORK WITH CARDOZO LAW SCHOOL CLINIC STUDENTS TO INVESTIGATE THE CASES, TO FIND BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE AND TO GAIN ACCESS TO POST-CONVICTION TESTING THROUGH AGREEMENTS OR COURT ORDERS. WHEN DNA RESULTS PROVE OUR CLIENTS' INNOCENCE, WE SEEK THEIR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. IN FISCAL YEAR 2017, WE EXONERATED SIX MEN OF CRIMES THEY DID NOT COMMIT AND WORKED TO FREE MANY MORE. TO DATE THE INNOCENCE PROJECT HAS HELPED FREE MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE. FOR EACH EXONERATION CASE, INNOCENCE PROJECT SOCIAL WORKERS HELPED CLIENTS REUNITE WITH THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO SECURE HOUSING, DAY-TO-DAY TRANSPORTATION, CRITICAL MEDICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND SUPPORT IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT. THE INNOCENCE PROJECT REPRESENTED 234 CLIENTS AND THE SOCIAL WORK TEAM WORKED WITH 45 FORMER CLIENTS DURING THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2017. 1281633 POLICY: THE INNOCENCE PROJECT WORKS WITH CONGRESS, STATE LEGISLATURES AND COURTS, EXECUTIVE AGENCIES, LOCAL LEADERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PASS LAWS, POLICIES AND RULES TO REVEAL AND PREVENT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS. OUR POLICY PRIORITIES REFLECT THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM DNA EXONERATIONS AND ADDRESS THE CONTRIBUTORS TO WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS, WHICH INCLUDE: EYEWITNESS MISIDENTIFICATION, INVALIDATED AND IMPROPER FORENSIC SCIENCE, FALSE CONFESSIONS, INCENTIVIZED WITNESSES, GOVERNMENT MISCONDUCT, INADEQUATE DEFENSE, AND RACISM AND RACIAL BIAS. THE INNOCENCE PROJECT WORKS TO ENSURE FAIR ACCESS TO POST-CONVICTION DNA TESTING AND PRESERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR TESTING, AS WELL AS LEGAL MECHANISMS FOR INNOCENT PEOPLE SEEKING RELIEF THROUGH NEW NON-DNA EVIDENCE. WE ALSO ADVOCATE FOR LAWS THAT FAIRLY COMPENSATE EXONERATED PEOPLE SO THAT THEY HAVE THE FINANCIAL FOOTING AND OTHER SUPPORT THEY NEED AND DESERVE TO RESTART THEIR LIVES. IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 31, 2017, THE INNOCENCE PROJECT HAD 10 LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES AND ADVOCATED FOR THREE ADDITIONAL STATEWIDE POLICE PRACTICE POLICIES THROUGH EXECUTIVE AGENCIES AND THE COURTS. 770112 SCIENCE AND RESEARCH: THE MISAPPLICATION OF FORENSIC SCIENCE CONTRIBUTED TO ALMOST HALF OF THE WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN CLEARED THROUGH DNA TESTING IN THE UNITED STATES. TO ADDRESS THIS DIRE ISSUE, THE INNOCENCE PROJECT CONTRACTS LOBBYISTS TO URGE CONGRESS AND EXECUTIVE AGENCIES TO SUPPORT RESEARCH THAT WILL VALIDATE FORENSIC DISCIPLINES AND SET SMART AND CONSISTENT STANDARDS AROUND THEIR USE IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND IN COURT. WE'RE ALSO WORKING TO IMPROVE FORENSIC SCIENCE OVERSIGHT AND REVIEW AT THE STATE LEVEL. IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2017, WE RESPONDED TO REQUESTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR COMMENTS ON VARIOUS PROJECTS, INCLUDING PROPOSED GUIDANCE FOR UNIFORM STANDARDS FOR TESTIMONY AND REPORTING, AS WELL AS METHODOLOGY FOR REVIEWING FORENSIC SCIENCE DISCIPLINES, AND A PROPOSED SENTINEL EVENTS RESEARCH PLAN. 3613120 STRATEGIC LITIGATION: COURT DECISIONS CAN LEAD TO WIDE-RANGING REFORM, SPURRING BETTER PRACTICES BY POLICE AND PROSECUTORS. THE INNOCENCE PROJECT'S STRATEGIC LITIGATION DEPARTMENT WORKS THROUGH THE COURTS AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM TO ADDRESS THE LEADING CAUSES OF WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND TO MAKE JUDGES, ATTORNEYS AND POLICYMAKERS AWARE OF THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO WRONGFUL CONVICTION. OUR STRATEGIC LITIGATION ATTORNEYS USE MULTIPLE STRATEGIES TO CHANGE THE LAW AROUND THE USE OF UNVALIDATED FORENSIC TECHNIQUES, UNRELIABLE EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATIONS, AND FALSE CONFESSIONS. THEY ENGAGE IN DIRECT REPRESENTATION OF CLIENTS, TAKING ON CASES THAT THEY BELIEVE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PROMPT SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE ACROSS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THEY ALSO FILE AMICUS BRIEFS, CONSULT WITH AND SUPPORT DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND PROVIDE TRAINING TO ATTORNEYS AND JUDGES. IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2017, STAFF TRAINED MORE THAN 1,900 LAWYERS AND HAD TWENTY-SIX MAJOR COURT RULINGS. COMMUNICATIONS: THE INNOCENCE PROJECT BELIEVES THAT EACH DNA EXONERATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE AWARENESS AROUND AND BUILD PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR IMPROVING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. ITS COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT WORKS TO ENSURE THAT EACH EXONERATION GENERATES SIGNIFICANT MEDIA ATTENTION IN ALL TYPES OF MEDIA. IT ALSO WORKS TO INSERT THE ORGANIZATION'S VOICE INTO THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT SYSTEMIC REFORM, PLACING STORIES AND OPINION PIECES THAT FURTHER OUR PUBLIC POLICY GOALS. THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A ROBUST DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE AND ENGAGES AND EDUCATES OUR MANY SUPPORTERS THROUGH A DAILY BLOG, AS WELL AS INNOCENCE PROJECT VIDEOS, INTERVIEWS AND OTHER MEDIA. ITS THREE ANNUAL PRINT PUBLICATIONS PROVIDE SUPPORTERS WITH AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT CLIENTS' CASES AND STORIES AND ALSO THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO RUNS THE INNOCENCE PROJECT SPEAKERS BUREAU, WHICH ARRANGES FOR EXONEREES AND STAFF TO SPEAK AT UNIVERSITIES, CORPORATIONS, AND CIVIC AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY. IN LINE WITH THE INNOCENCE PROJECT'S STRATEGIC GOAL TO TACKLE SOME OF THE UNDERLYING PROBLEMS THAT SEVERELY COMPROMISE OUR QUALITY OF JUSTICE, THE DEPARTMENT IS EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF ITS PUBLIC AWARENESS WORK, PLANNING NEW EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS THAT TARGET THE RACIAL BIAS AND INJUSTICE THAT PERVADES OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; AMERICA'S MASSIVE PLEA DEAL SYSTEM AND THE PRESSURE IT PLACES ON INNOCENT PEOPLE TO PLEAD GUILTY; AND THE LACK OF PROSECUTORIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND OUR COUNTRY'S GROSSLY INADEQUATE INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM.NETWORK SUPPORT: THE ORGANIZATION'S NETWORK SUPPORT UNIT PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE INNOCENCE NETWORK, AN AFFILIATION OF LIKEMINDED ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY DEDICATED TO PROVIDING PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO PROVE THEIR INNOCENCE, AND MANAGES AND RUNS AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR NETWORK MEMBERS, EXONERATED MEN AND WOMEN, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES. 3613120 9524746 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 57 0 1 85 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 18 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AL AK AR CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY MA MD ME MI MN MS NC ND NJ NH NY OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WI WV NM X X CANDICE CARNAGE 2123645353 40 WORTH STREET SUITE 701 NEW YORK NY 10013 RODNEY ELLIS BOARD MEMBER/CHAIR 6.00 X X 0 0 0 STEPHEN SCHULTE BOARD MEMBER/VICE CHAIR 3.00 X X 0 0 0 JACK TAYLOR BOARD MEMBER/TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 GORDON DUGAN BOARD MEMBER/ASST.TREASURE 1.50 X X 0 0 0 EKOW YANKAH BOARD MEMBER/EXECUTIVE CMT 4.00 X 0 0 0 MARVIN ANDERSON BOARD MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 JASON FLOM BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN GRISHAM BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DR ERIC S LANDER BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 VERED RABIA BOARD MEMBER 12.50 X 0 0 0 STEVEN REISS BOARD MEMBER 3.50 X 0 0 0 MATTHEW ROTHMAN BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 CHARLES RAMSEY BOARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 DENISE FODERADO BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREW TANANBAUM BOARD MEMBER 2.50 X 0 0 0 JOHN KANEB BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JESSICA AROTH BOARD MEMBER 6.00 X 0 0 0 AUDREY STRAUSS BOARD MEMBER 1.50 X 0 0 0 MADELINE DELONE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETA 40.00 X 241463 0 32254 CANDICE CARNAGE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.00 X 144562 0 16904 REBECCA BROWN POLICY DIRECTOR 40.00 X 141802 0 16660 AUDREY LEVITIN DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 40.00 X 157481 0 30399 ANGELA AMEL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 40.00 X 146426 0 29806 MERYL SHWARTZ DEPUTY DIRECTOR 40.00 X 171534 0 30802 PAUL CATES COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR 40.00 X 147466 0 16844 1150734 0 173669 7 0 1 0 THE RABEN GROUP 1640 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW STE 600 WASHINGTON DC 20036 LEGISLATIVE CONSULTING 121472 1 2288324 13307168 15595492 237762 237762 5336820 5336963 -143 -143 -143 212900 2288324 453092 -240192 -240192 NETWORK CONFERENCE FEES 900099 215919 215919 NETWORK DUES 900099 41905 41905 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 41252 41252 299076 15891995 299076 0 -2573 441304 346061 54396 40847 5639179 4422128 695092 521959 214042 167847 26383 19812 1110661 870957 136902 102802 438717 344033 54077 40607 5489 5489 25500 25500 399976 399976 64117 64117 639744 491928 147816 412152 289844 32639 89669 795260 624345 98423 72492 574973 534323 26717 13933 319876 274203 20350 25323 219193 172085 27127 19981 72731 57100 9001 6630 EXONERATION PROGRAM EXP 238262 238162 100 DNA AND FORENSIC TESTS 234682 234682 BANK AND FILING FEES 92132 165 33824 58143 RESEARCH AND PROGRAM MA 32000 31387 53 560 112677 20031 76223 16423 12082667 9524746 1464523 1093398 1132717 375507 4711819 5903712 5172619 4395921 503 7803 11888 222147 198686 2548724 1856770 790384 691954 9816734 15001915 257288 257288 22111511 26837374 717196 824472 504274 448804 1221470 1273276 X 19243374 23780464 1646667 1783634 20890041 25564098 22111511 26837374 3809328 864729 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 8799588 10532633 19247376 14885515 15595492 69060604 8799588 10532633 19247376 14885515 15595492 69060604 9185941 59874663 1827 2919 3822 113837 237762 360167 157535 243436 166203 255114 299076 1121364 70542135 0.84880 0.87600 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 371 592025 592396 11490273 12082669 754133 188533 0 0 649729 650406 694022 754133 2748290 4122435 442229 456766 561464 592396 2052855 162432 162602 173506 188533 687073 1030610 11021 8702 1204 371 21298 18068706 3551598 21620304 14801629 3267077 18068706 3082449 11719180 14801629 1809109 1273340 3082449 1809109 1809109 1.00000 0 0 741657 388362 353295 1803681 1468408 335273 3386 3386 691954 DEFERRED RENT CREDIT 448804 448804 X 37837395 864729 21080671 21945400 15891995 0 15891995 33163338 21080671 21080671 12082667 0 12082667 PART V, LINE 4: BOARD-DESIGNATED NET ASSETS ARE RESTRICTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR CASH RESERVE PURPOSES AND TO FUND UNANTICIPATED PROJECTS THAT FURTHER THE WORK OF THE INNOCENCE PROJECT. INCOME EARNED ON THESE FUNDS IS UNRESTRICTED. TRANSFERS FROM THIS FUND ARE PART OF A BOARD-APPROVED FUNDING PLAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION. BOARD-DESIGNATED CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE INCLUDE FUNDS DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD TO ENSURE THE ONGOING FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THE INNOCENCE PROJECT AND TO ALLOW THE ORGANIZATION TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW AND UNANTICIPATED OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY ARISE. INCOME EARNED ON THESE FUNDS IS UNRESTRICTED AND BOARD APPROVAL IS NECESSARY FOR ANY FUNDS WITHDRAWN. PART X, LINE 2: MANAGEMENT HAS REVIEWED THE TAX POSITIONS FOR EACH OF THE OPEN TAX YEARS (2014-2016) OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN IN THE ORGANIZATION'S 2017 TAX RETURN AND HAS CONCLUDED THAT THERE ARE NO SIGNIFICANT UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT WOULD REQUIRE RECOGNITION IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. X X X X X X X 0 CMI 1325 SIXTH AVE FL 27 NEW YORK NY 10019 BENEFIT EVENT CONSULTANT 0 0 64117 -64117 64117 -64117 AL AK AR CA CO FL GA HI IL KS KY MA MD ME MI MN MS NC ND NH NJ NY OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WI WV NM CT GALA 2074650 1861750 212900 246584 158044 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS 164393 164393 34560 93 7230 1 262181 262181 6581 2501224 2288324 212900 281144 6674 165274 453092 -240192 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MADELINE DELONE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETA 241463 0 0 0 0 0 8931 0 23323 0 273717 0 0 0 CANDICE CARNAGE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 144562 0 0 0 0 0 5918 0 10986 0 161466 0 0 0 REBECCA BROWN POLICY DIRECTOR 141802 0 0 0 0 0 5674 0 10986 0 158462 0 0 0 AUDREY LEVITIN DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 157481 0 0 0 0 0 6601 0 23798 0 187880 0 0 0 ANGELA AMEL DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS 146426 0 0 0 0 0 6095 0 23711 0 176232 0 0 0 MERYL SHWARTZ DEPUTY DIRECTOR 171534 0 0 0 0 0 7139 0 23663 0 202336 0 0 0 PAUL CATES COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR 147466 0 0 0 0 0 5900 0 10944 0 164310 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B DRAFT OF FORM 990 IS FIRST REVIEWED BY AUDIT COMMITTEE, THEN SENT TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO FILING WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL BOARD MEMBERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST CERTIFICATION AND FORM 990 DISCLOSURE FORM. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 COMPENSATION IS APPROVED BY THE BOARD BASED ON INDUSTRY STANDARD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.