2017-01-16T00:00:00-06:00 2016-06-30 231144520 TAIT WELLER & BAKER LLP 1818 MARKET STREET SUITE 2400 PHILADELPHIA PA 19103 990 2015-07-01 320077563 THE INNOCENCE PROJECT INC INNO 2123645340 40 WORTH STREET SUITE 701 NEW YORK NY 10013 CANDICE CARNAGE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 2123645340 2017-01-17 1 STACY CULLEN P00974308 2159798800 2017-01-17 2015 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z CANDICE CARNAGE 40 WORTH STREET SUITE 701 NEW YORK NY 10013 23850455 0 X WWW.INNOCENCEPROJECT.ORG X 2003 NY DEDICATED TO EXONERATING THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND REFORMING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. 17 17 86 30 0 0 20825121 14885515 0 0 -10613 112959 -92821 29305 20721687 15027779 0 0 0 0 6677605 6939475 65000 65000 1030496 3265515 3875965 10008120 10880440 10713567 4147339 17733582 22111511 1199170 1221470 16534412 20890041 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, 344 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 344 EXONEREES SPENT A COMBINED TOTAL OF 4,685 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CRIMES THEY DID NOT COMMIT. 0 0 3459236 LEGAL SERVICES (NOTE INCLUDES LEGAL, INTAKE AND SOCIAL WORK): THE INNOCENCE PROJECT USES DNA TESTING TO EXONERATE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGFULLY CONVICTED OF CRIMES. A TEAM OF INTAKE SPECIALISTS REVIEW THE ROUGHLY 2,500 REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE WE RECEIVE EACH YEAR FROM INDIVIDUALS CLAIMING INNOCENCE AND DETERMINE WHETHER DNA TESTING MIGHT BE ABLE TO PROVE INNOCENCE. ONCE WE DECIDE TO TAKE ON A CASE, OUR ATTORNEYS, AIDED BY CLINIC STUDENTS FROM CARDOZO LAW SCHOOL, SEARCH FOR REMAINING BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE AND THEN SEEK ACCESS TO POST CONVICTION TESTING THROUGH AGREEMENT OR IN THE COURTS. WHEN THE RESULTS PROVE OUR CLIENTS INNOCENT, WE SEEK THEIR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND HELP THEM TRANSITION BACK INTO SOCIETY. IN FISCAL YEAR 2016 WE CONDUCTED TESTING FOR 43 CLIENTS AND SIX INDIVIDUALS WERE FULLY EXONERATED. IN EACH INSTANCE, OUR TEAM OF SOCIAL WORKERS WORKED TO REUNITE THE CLIENT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND PROVIDED AROUND THE CLOCK ASSISTANCE TO HELP SECURE HOUSING, ANY NECESSARY MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT AND SUPPORT IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT. THE INNOCENCE PROJECT REPRESENTED 230 CLIENTS DURING THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2016. 1241013 POLICY: THE INNOCENCE PROJECT WORKS WITH CONGRESS, STATE LEGISLATURES, STATE COURTS, EXECUTIVE AGENCIES AND LOCAL LEADERS TO PASS LAWS, POLICIES AND RULES TO BOTH REVEAL AND PREVENT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS. THE INNOCENCE PROJECT'S POLICY PRIORITIES REFLECT THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM DNA EXONERATIONS. OUR POLICY WORK ADDRESSES EACH OF THE CONTRIBUTORS TO WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS -EYEWITNESS MISIDENTIFICATION, UNVALIDATED AND IMPROPER FORENSIC SCIENCE, FALSE CONFESSIONS, INCENTIVIZED WITNESSES, GOVERNMENT MISCONDUCT AND INADEQUATE DEFENSE. IN ADDITION, THE INNOCENCE PROJECT PROMOTES LAWS THAT ENSURE ROBUST ACCESS TO POST CONVICTION DNA TESTING - AND THAT BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE IS PRESERVED FOR TESTING - AS WELL AS LEGAL MECHANISMS FOR THE INNOCENT TO ACHIEVE RELIEF BASED ON NEW, NON-DNA, EVIDENCE OF INNOCENCE. WE ALSO ADVOCATE FOR LAWS THAT ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE INNOCENT PEOPLE FOR THE HARM EXPERIENCED BY WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS. IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2016, THE INNOCENCE PROJECT HAD EIGHT LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES, ADVOCATED FOR FOUR ADDITIONAL STATEWIDE POLICE PRACTICE POLICIES THROUGH EXECUTIVE AGENCIES AND THE COURTS, AND WORKED WITH CONGRESS TO PASS A BILL THAT PERMANENTLY EXEMPTED COMPENSATION FROM TAXATION. 555869 SCIENCE AND RESEARCH: THE DNA EXONERATIONS HAVE SHOWN THAT THE MISAPPLICATION OF FORENSIC TECHNIQUES CONTRIBUTES TO WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS. THE INNOCENCE PROJECT WORKS WITH CONTRACT LOBBYISTS TO URGE CONGRESS AND THE EXECUTIVE AGENCIES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT RESEARCH TO VALIDATE FORENSIC SCIENCE DISCIPLINES AND TO SET STANDARDS FOR THEIR USAGE. IN THE FY ENDING JUNE 30, 2016, THE INNOCENCE PROJECT RESPONDED TO REQUESTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR COMMENTS ON NUMEROUS PROJECTS INCLUDING PROPOSED GUIDANCE FOR UNIFORM STANDARDS FOR TESTIMONY AND REPORTING, THE METHODOLOGY FOR CONDUCTING REVIEWS OF FORENSIC SCIENCE DISCIPLINES, AND A PROPOSED SENTINEL EVENTS RESEARCH PLAN. 3261117 STRATEGIC LITIGATION: 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. LAWYERS USE MULTIPLE STRATEGIES TO CHANGE THE LAW AROUND THE USE OF UNVALIDATED FORENSIC TECHNIQUES AND UNRELIABLE EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATIONS . THEY ENGAGE IN DIRECT REPRESENTATION OF CLIENTS, FILE AMICUS BRIEFS, CONSULT WITH AND SUPPORT DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ACROSS THE COUNTRY REPRESENTING INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS AND PROVIDE TRAINING TO ATTORNEYS AND JUDGES. IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2016, STAFF TRAINED MORE THAN 1,700 LAWYERS AND HAD NINE MAJOR COURT RULINGS. COMMUNICATIONS: THE INNOCENCE PROJECT BELIEVES THAT EACH DNA EXONERATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO 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 IN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT REFORMING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, PLACING STORIES AND OPINION PIECES THAT FURTHER OUR PUBLIC POLICY GOALS. IT MAINTAINS A ROBUST ONLINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE AND SEEKS TO ENGAGE AND EDUCATE OUR MANY SUPPORTERS THROUGH THESE CHANNELS. IT PUBLISHES THREE ANNUAL PRINT PUBLICATIONS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK AND ARRANGES FOR EXONEREES AND STAFF TO SPEAK AT UNIVERSITIES, CORPORATIONS AND CIVIC AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY. 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. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - INCLUDES STRATEGIC LITIGATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE NETWORK SUPPORT UNIT. 3261117 8517235 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 44 0 1 86 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 17 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AL AK AZ 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 MA 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 8.00 X X 0 0 0 JACK TAYLOR BOARD MEMBER/TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 GORDON DUGAN BOARD MEMBER/ASST.TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 EKOW YANKAH BOARD MEMBER/EXECUTIVE CMTE. MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 MARVIN ANDERSON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JASON FLOM BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN GRISHAM BOARD MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 DR ERIC S LANDER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 VERED RABIA BOARD MEMBER 12.00 X 0 0 0 STEVEN REISS BOARD MEMBER 2.50 X 0 0 0 MATTHEW ROTHMAN BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 CHIEF DARREL STEPHENS BOARD MEMBER 1.50 X 0 0 0 DENISE FODERADO BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREW TANANBAUM BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN KANEB BOARD MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 JESSICA AROTH BOARD MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 MADELINE DELONE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETA 40.00 X 200044 0 27969 CANDICE CARNAGE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40.00 X 131831 0 16164 DAVID LOFTIS MANAGING ATTORNEY 40.00 X 148520 0 20176 AUDREY LEVITIN DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 40.00 X 148692 0 25922 CHRIS FABRICANT STRATEGIC LITIGATION DIREC 40.00 X 125104 0 25918 MERYL SHWARTZ DEPUTY DIRECTOR 40.00 X 162030 0 26335 PAUL CATES COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR 40.00 X 132728 0 15809 1048949 0 158293 7 0 1 0 THE RABEN GROUP 1640 RHODE ISLAND AVE NW STE 600 WASHINGTON DC 20036 LEGISLATIVE CONSULTING 122730 1 1755458 13130057 14885515 113837 113837 8455384 8456262 -878 -878 -878 140605 1755458 366414 -225809 -225809 NETWORK CONFERENCE FEES 900099 175997 175997 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 61784 61784 NETWORK DUES 900099 17333 17333 255114 15027779 255114 0 -112850 397389 307635 53542 36212 4974225 3850755 670199 453271 163101 126264 21975 14862 1000573 774585 134812 91176 404187 312898 54458 36831 5843 5843 24750 24750 389823 389823 65000 65000 629393 474740 126154 28499 439492 290533 31600 117359 782356 607326 101844 73186 425019 399228 12274 13517 271882 238432 22396 11054 190979 148253 24861 17865 66271 51445 8627 6199 DNA AND FORENSIC TESTS 324173 324173 EXONERATION PROGRAM EXP 154389 154389 BANK AND FILING FEES 72498 8464 23282 40752 RESEARCH AND PROGRAM MA 27360 25470 110 1780 71737 26979 21825 22933 10880440 8517235 1332709 1030496 1876999 1132717 3804437 4711819 6618993 5172619 6306 7803 118070 222147 2427961 1637577 723659 790384 4327830 9816734 257288 257288 17733582 22111511 696882 717196 502288 504274 1199170 1221470 X 15718593 19243374 815819 1646667 16534412 20890041 17733582 22111511 4147339 208290 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 8868412 8799588 10532633 19247376 14885515 62333524 8868412 8799588 10532633 19247376 14885515 62333524 6870097 55463427 8429 1827 2919 3822 113837 130834 26339 157535 243436 166203 255114 848627 63312985 0.87600 0.89530 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1204 560260 561464 10318975 10880439 694022 173506 0 0 625380 649729 650406 694022 2619537 3929306 482461 442229 456766 561464 1942920 156345 162432 162602 173506 654885 982328 15105 11021 8702 1204 36032 14801629 3267077 18068706 3082449 11719180 14801629 1809109 1273340 3082449 1809109 1809109 1809109 1809109 1.00000 0 0 716470 300706 415764 1708106 1336871 371235 3385 3385 790384 DEFERRED RENT CREDIT 504274 504274 X 30443966 208290 15207897 15416187 15027779 0 15027779 26088337 15207897 15207897 10880440 0 10880440 PART V, LINE 4: BOARD-DESIGNATED NET ASSETS ARE RESTRICTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR CASH RESERVE PURPOSES. 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 (2013-2015) OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN IN THE ORGANIZATION'S 2016 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 65000 -65000 65000 -65000 AL AK AR AZ 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 GALA 1748607 1608002 140605 199760 125001 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS 147456 147456 31100 10553 1896063 1755458 140605 230860 135554 366414 -225809 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MADELINE DELONE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/SECRETA 200044 0 0 0 0 0 8078 0 19891 0 228013 0 0 0 DAVID LOFTIS MANAGING ATTORNEY 148520 0 0 0 0 0 6011 0 14165 0 168696 0 0 0 AUDREY LEVITIN DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 148692 0 0 0 0 0 6031 0 19891 0 174614 0 0 0 CHRIS FABRICANT STRATEGIC LITIGATION DIREC 125104 0 0 0 0 0 5471 0 20447 0 151022 0 0 0 MERYL SHWARTZ DEPUTY DIRECTOR 162030 0 0 0 0 0 6523 0 19812 0 188365 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 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.