Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2010
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
OSPIRG FOUNDATION
Employer identification number
93-1150763
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) a person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
a family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
a 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of support?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in IRC 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
82,915
29,369
36,019
149,929
210,628
508,860
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3..
82,915
29,369
36,019
149,929
210,628
508,860
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
96,298
6
Public Support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
412,562
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
82,915
29,369
36,019
149,929
210,628
508,860
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
3,147
3,094
1,212
308
298
8,059
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. (Explain in Part IV.) Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets..
1,154
220
421
1,795
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
518,714
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (See instructions.)
..................
12
93,151
13
First Five Years
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here..........................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public Support Percentage for 2010 (line 6 column (f) divided by line 11 column (f))
.........
14
79.540 %
15
Public Support Percentage for 2009 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
63.110 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2010.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2009.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2010.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
..................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2009.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
..............................................
18
Private Foundation
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
...................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in IRC 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
8
Public Support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
13
Total support (Add lines 9, 10c, 11 and 12.).
14
First Five Years
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public Support Percentage for 2010 (line 8 column (f) divided by line 13 column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2009 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2010 (line 10c column (f) divided by line 13 column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2009 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2010.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3% and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
..........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2009.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
....
20
Private Foundation
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Supplemental Information. Complete this part to provide the explanation required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; or Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2010
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
OSPIRG FOUNDATION
Employer identification number
93-1150763
Identifier
Return Reference
Explanation
ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
WITH PUBLIC DEBATE AROUND IMPORTANT ISSUES OFTEN DOMINATED BY SPECIAL INTERESTS PURSUING THEIR OWN NARROW AGENDAS, OSPIRG FOUNDATION OFFERS AN INDEPENDENT VOICE THAT WORKS ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST. CONT'D SCH O OSPIRG FOUNDATION, A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION, WORKS TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AND PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNMENT. WE INVESTIGATE PROBLEMS, CRAFT SOLUTIONS, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, AND OFFER OREGONIANS MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIVIC PARTICIPATION.
FIRST ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTION
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A
THAT HAVE GREAT POTENTIAL TO RELIEVE OREGON'S FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES FROM THE CRUSHING COST OF HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING STRENGTHENING OREGON'S UNIQUE INSURANCE RATE REVIEW PROCESS, ESTABLISH AND EXPANDING THE OREGON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM. IN FISCAL YEAR 2011, OSPIRG FOUNDATION WORKED WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND CONSUMER SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT OREGON'S STRENGTHENED RATE REVIEW PROCESS WAS IMPLEMENTED IN A PRO-CONSUMER MANNER, CONDUCTED IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF SEVERAL HEALTH INSURANCE RATE HIKE PROPOSALS, AND ENGAGED THE PUBLIC AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE RATE REVIEW PROCESS. WE WORKED WITH NUMEROUS ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE A POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR A PRO-CONSUMER HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE AND WORKED TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND OUR NETWORK OF FIVE-HUNDRED SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FROM ACROSS OREGON TO VOICE THEIR SUPPORT FOR A STRONG EXCHANGE. OSPIRG FOUNDATION STAFF AUTHORED OVER A DOZEN REPORTS AND WHITE PAPERS RANGING FROM AN ANALYSIS OF REGENCE BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD'S PROPOSED 22% RATE HIKE TO A YOUNG PEOPLE'S GUIDE TO HEALTH CARE REFORM - AND WERE DISTRIBUTED WIDELY TO REPORTERS, POLICYMAKERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. OSPIRG FOUNDATION IS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT AND LEADER IN SEVERAL COALITION EFFORTS AROUND HEALTH CARE AND OTHER ISSUES, INCLUDING THE OREGON HEALTH CARE COLLABORATIVE, OREGON CONSUMER VOICES FOR COVERAGE, AND THE HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY ALLIES STEERING COMMITTEE. OSPIRG FOUNDATION HEALTH CARE ADVOCATE LAURA ETHERTON SERVES ON NUMEROUS OREGON COMMITTEES AND WORKGROUPS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH CARE REFORM. SHE WAS VICE-CHAIR OF THE EXCHANGE WORKGROUP OF THE OREGON HEALTH FUND BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE, CO-CHAIR OF THE OREGON OFFICE OF HEALTH POLICY AND RESEARCH WORKGROUP AROUND ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION, AND A MEMBER OF THE CONSUMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE OREGON HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE. 2. TAX TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY HOW GOVERNMENT COLLECTS AND SPENDS MONEY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. TAX AND BUDGETING DECISIONS ARE THE MOST CONCRETE WAY THAT GOVERNMENT DECLARES ITS PUBLIC PRIORITIES AND BALANCES BETWEEN COMPETING VALUES. RECENTLY, OSPIRG FOUNDATION LED EFFORTS TO PROMOTE OREGON'S NEW ONLINE TRANSPARENCY PORTAL, INTENDED TO USHER IN A NEW ERA OF ONLINE TRANSPARENCY FOR OREGON GOVERNMENT. OSPIRG FOUNDATION'S JON BARTHOLOMEW CONTINUED WORKING ALONGSIDE LEADERS ON ALL ENDS OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, AND IN HIS CAPACITY AS A MEMBER OF THE OREGON TRANSPARENCY ADVISORY COMMISSION, TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE NEW SITE: WWW.OREGON.GOV/TRANSPARENCY. WE AUTHORED OUR SECOND ANNUAL REPORT COMPARING OREGON'S WEBSITE WITH THOSE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, RELEASED NEW RESEARCH DEMONSTRATING THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FOR OVER 500 MILLION IN CORPORATE TAX SUBSIDIES, COMPLETED AN ANALYSIS SHOWING DEFICIENT TRANSPARENCY AMONG OREGON'S QUASI-PUBLIC AGENCIES AND RELEASED A REPORT DEMONSTRATING HOW CORPORATIONS' USE OF OFFSHORE TAX HAVENS TO DODGE TAXES FORCE AVERAGE OREGONIANS TO PICK UP THE TAB. OUR RESEARCH HELPED US ASSEMBLE A COALITION OF BUSINESSES AND POLICYMAKERS IN SUPPORT OF CREATING GREATER TRANSPARENCY STANDARDS FOR STATE-LEVEL CORPORATE TAX SUBSIDIES. 3. 21ST CENTURY TRANSPORTATION FOR OREGON WITH RISING GAS PRICES, INCREASING CONGESTION ON I-5 AND THE DANGERS OF OVERRELIANCE ON FOREIGN OIL, RESIDENTS OF THE TRI-COUNTY AREA SORELY NEED MORE AND BETTER TRANSPORTATION CHOICES BEYOND CARS AND TRUCKS. FASTER PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE BETWEEN EUGENE AND SEATTLE IS ONE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM - AND ONE THAT IS GAINING MORE TRACTION AMONG OREGON POLICYMAKERS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2011, OSPIRG FOUNDATION WORKED TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR AN ENHANCED PASSENGER RAIL PROGRAM BETWEEN EUGENE AND PORTLAND THAT IS FASTER, MORE FREQUENT AND MORE RELIABLE THAN THE CURRENT SERVICE. OSPIRG FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAVID ROSENFELD PARTICIPATED IN THE RAIL FUNDING TASK FORCE, WORKING WITH STATE TRANSIT OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS AND ELECTED LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE ON A RECOMMENDATION TO STATE LEADERS ABOUT THE BEST OPTIONS TO FINANCE ENHANCEMENTS TO OREGON'S PASSENGER AND FREIGHT RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE. AT THE SAME TIME, OSPIRG FOUNDATION STAFF RELEASED A STRING OF RESEARCH REPORTS DESIGNED TO DEEPEN PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF PUBLIC TRANSIT POLICY ISSUES INCLUDING: HOW HIGH SPEED RAIL HAS BOOSTED ECONOMIC GROWTH ACROSS THE WORLD, THE MYTH THAT ROADS ARE SELF-FINANCED BY GAS TAXES, AND HOW SPECULATION IS DRIVING UP GAS PRICES. OUR WORK WAS COVERED WIDELY IN MEDIA OUTLETS ACROSS THE STATE. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE WEBSITE "FUNNY OR DIE" TO PRODUCE AND RELEASE A VIDEO FEATURING THE ACTORS FROM THE HIT HBO SERIES, "MAD MEN" TO RAISE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL-WHICH GOT CONSIDERABLE VISIBILITY ON THE INTERNET. IN 2012 AND BEYOND, WE PLAN TO CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO ADVOCATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STATEWIDE FINANCING PLAN FOR PASSENGER AND FREIGHT RAIL, AND WORK WITH KEY POLICY MAKERS ON A POLITICAL STRATEGY TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR THE PLAN.
ORGANIZATION'S PROCESS USED TO REVIEW FORM 990
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B
A COPY OF THE 990 IS PROVIDED TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ADMINISTRATOR REVIEW IN DETAIL.
ENFORCEMENT OF CONFLICTS POLICY
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C
OSPIRG FOUNDATION REQUIRES THE BOARD MEMBERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES TO SIGN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH FISCAL YEAR AND REPORT ANY SUBSEQUENT CONFLICTS THAT MAY ARISE DURING THE YEAR.
COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR TOP OFFICIAL
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE WILL ESTABLISH ACCEPTABLE COMPENSATION PACKAGES AFTER REVIEWING AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) INFORMATION ABOUT COMPENSATION PAID BY SIMILARLY SITUATED TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS FOR SIMILAR SERVICES; 2) CURRENT COMPENSATION SURVEYS COMPILED BY INDEPENDENT FIRMS; OR 3) ACTUAL WRITTEN OFFERS FROM SIMILARLY SITUATED ORGANIZATIONS.
COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR OFFICERS
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE WILL ESTABLISH ACCEPTABLE COMPENSATION PACKAGES AFTER REVIEWING AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) INFORMATION ABOUT COMPENSATION PAID BY SIMILARLY SITUATED TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS FOR SIMILAR SERVICES; 2) CURRENT COMPENSATION SURVEYS COMPILED BY INDEPENDENT FIRMS; OR 3) ACTUAL WRITTEN OFFERS FROM SIMILARLY SITUATED ORGANIZATIONS.
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS DISCLOSURE EXPLANATION
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19
THE ORGANIZATION'S FORM 990 AND EXEMPT APPLICATIONS ARE KEPT IN OUR OFFICE AND ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.