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. Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
COUNCIL FOR COURT EXCELLENCE
Employer identification number
52-1241825
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 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 monetary support
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 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) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
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
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)..
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
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 2013 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))
.........
14
15
Public support percentage for 2012 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
16a
33 1/3% support test—2013.
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—2012.
If the organization did not check a 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—2013.
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—2012.
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) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 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) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
622,604
619,307
662,761
585,232
674,356
3,164,260
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......
14,485
5,191
17,110
227
145
37,158
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.
637,089
624,498
679,871
585,459
674,501
3,201,418
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.)
3,201,418
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
637,089
624,498
679,871
585,459
674,501
3,201,418
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
11,266
9,206
9,352
11,504
7,592
48,920
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11,266
9,206
9,352
11,504
7,592
48,920
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.)..
648,355
633,704
689,223
596,963
682,093
3,250,338
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 2013 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
98.490 %
16
Public support percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
98.250 %
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2013 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
2.000 %
18
Investment income percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
2.000 %
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2013.
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—2012.
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) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and 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) 2013
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.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at
www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
COUNCIL FOR COURT EXCELLENCE
Employer identification number
52-1241825
Return Reference
Explanation
FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
THE COUNCIL FOR COURT EXCELLENCE IS A NONPARTISAN CIVIC ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN THE LOCAL AND FEDERAL COURTS AND RELATED AGENCIES IN THE WASHINGTON, DC METROPOLITAN AREA AND THROUGHOUT THE NATION BY (1) IDENTIFYING AND PROMOTING SPECIFIC JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORMS, (2) IMPROVING PUBLIC ACCESS TO JUSTICE, AND (3) INCREASING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B
OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION. AS AN OFFSHOOT OF THIS WORK GROUP, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE ALSO EXPLORED 2 POSSIBLE PROJECTS RELATED TO THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR DEAF/HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS. THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE ALSO PUBLISHED ITS FIRST EVER "COMPLIMENTS AND COMPLAINTS GUIDE" WHICH GATHERED INTO ONE PLACE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC ABOUT PROCESSES FOR SUBMITTING COMPLIMENTS OR MAKING AND RESOLVING COMPLAINTS ABOUT ANY OFFICIAL PARTICIPANT IN THE DC JUSTICE SYSTEM, SUCH AS LOCAL AND FEDERAL JUDGES, PROSECUTORS, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, OTHER LAWYERS, LOCAL AND FEDERAL COURT EMPLOYEES, POLICE OFFICERS, ETC. SIXTEEN COURTS AND AGENCIES WERE INCLUDED IN THE GUIDE.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D
THE ISSUE OF JURY SERVICE HAS BEEN ONE OF CONTINUAL IMPORTANCE TO CCE SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1982. CCE'S WORK HAS RESULTED IN A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT REFORMS, INCLUDING: THE ONE DAY/ONE TRIAL SYSTEM IN THE DC SUPERIOR COURT; THE EXPANSION OF GOVERNMENT LISTS OF POSSIBLE JURORS AVAILABLE TO THE LOCAL AND FEDERAL COURTS IN DC VIA THE JURY TRIAL IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2006; NUMEROUS JURY SERVICE APPRECIATION CAMPAIGNS; THE PROMOTION OF JUROR NOTE-TAKING AND QUESTION-ASKING; EDUCATING STUDENTS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF JURY SERVICE; THE 1998 PUBLICATION OF JURIES FOR THE YEAR 2000 AND BEYOND: PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE JURY SYSTEMS IN WASHINGTON, DC; THE 2006 PUBLICATION OF IMPROVING JUROR RESPONSE RATES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; AND THE 2001 PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND JURY OF TOMORROW: NEW LIFE FOR AN ARCHAIC INSTITUTION. CCE PLACES A HIGH PRIORITY ON INFORMING THE COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WORKS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE COUNCIL PUBLISHES PLAIN- LANGUAGE GUIDES AND DISTRIBUTES THEM WIDELY AND WITHOUT COST THROUGH THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES, JUSTICE SYSTEM AGENCIES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND IN RESPONSE TO INDIVIDUAL REQUESTS. EARLY IN 2012, CCE BEGAN WORKING ON EFFORTS TO COMBAT NOTARIO FRAUD IN THE WASHINGTON REGION, A FOCUS ISSUE OF OUR 2012-2016 LONG-RANGE PLAN. NOTARIO FRAUD IS WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL FRAUDULENTLY REPRESENTS HIMSELF OR HERSELF AS POSSESSING CREDENTIALS, EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, OR EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD QUALIFY HIM OR HER TO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE AND SERVICES TO AN IMMIGRANT. BETWEEN JULY 2010 AND DECEMBER 2012, CCE HELD EIGHT DISCUSSIONS AMONG THE BENCH, BAR AND MEDIA IN DC ABOUT CROSS-CUTTING AND TOPICAL ISSUES TO PROMOTE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THOSE SECTORS. CONTINUOUSLY SINCE 1992, CCE HAS ALSO RUN A PROGRAM TO TEACH DC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT OUR JURY SYSTEM. ALL DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA RESIDENTS BECOME ELIGIBLE TO SERVE AS JURORS ONCE THEY REACH AGE EIGHTEEN, AND CCE BELIEVES IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRAIN OUR FUTURE JURORS ABOUT WHAT THE EXPERIENCE IS LIKE. PLANNING EFFORTS GOT UNDERWAY ON CCE'S JURY PROJECT, INCLUDING SEVERAL MEETINGS OF CCE BOARD DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF THE 1998 JURY PROJECT TO DEVELOP THE FOCUS OF THE PROJECT, BEGIN SELECTING A COMMITTEE, AND SEEK FUNDING.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 2
DAVID LESSER NANCY LESSER BOARD MEMBER BOARD MEMBER SPOUSE
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B
BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMITTEES REVIEW THE 990 BEFORE IT IS FILED.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C
FORM 990 PART VI SECTION B LINE 12A-12C THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS EACH SIGN AN INDIVIDUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED VIA A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, A SUB- COMMITTEE OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REVIEWS EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION FROM 3-5 SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS. SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS ARE DEEMED TO BE ORGANIZATIONS WITH SIMILAR OPERATING BUDGETS THAT HAVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WITH THE SAME ACADEMIC AND EXPERIENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AS CCE'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. WHILE AN EFFORT IS MADE AT FINDING SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE METRO DC AREA, THE COMMITTEE MAY LOOK TO OTHER GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS AND ADJUST COMPENSATION DATA FOUND BASED ON COMPARATIVE COST OF LIVING DIFFERENCES. ADDITIONALLY, CCE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE SALARY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COULD EARN IN A GOVERNMENTAL OR FOR-PROFIT CAPACITY AND USES SUCH COMPENSATION RANGE AS AN UPPER LIMIT OF COMPENSATION.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED VIA A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE, A SUB- COMMITTEE OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REVIEWS OFFICER COMPENSATION FROM 3-5 SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS. SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS ARE DEEMED TO BE ORGANIZATIONS WITH SIMILAR OPERATING BUDGETS THAT HAVE OFFICERS IN SIMILAR ROLES WITH THE SAME ACADEMIC AND EXPERIENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AS CCE'S OFFICERS. WHILE AN EFFORT IS MADE AT FINDING SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE METRO DC AREA, THE COMMITTEE MAY LOOK TO OTHER GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS AND ADJUST COMPENSATION DATA FOUND BASED ON COMPARATIVE COST OF LIVING DIFFERENCES. ADDITIONALLY, CCE TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE SALARY THE OFFICER COULD EARN IN A GOVERNMENTAL OR FOR-PROFIT CAPACITY AND USES SUCH COMPENSATION RANGE AS AN UPPER LIMIT OF COMPENSATION.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19
INTERNAL REVENUE FORMS 990 ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.