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
TOUCHSTONES DISCUSSION PROJECT INC
Employer identification number
52-2009938
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.") .
235,654
91,562
73,012
69,546
64,876
534,650
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......
315,199
242,381
207,641
286,438
279,722
1,331,381
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.
550,853
333,943
280,653
355,984
344,598
1,866,031
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
13,800
13,250
15,000
42,050
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..
13,800
13,250
15,000
42,050
8
Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
1,823,981
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...
550,853
333,943
280,653
355,984
344,598
1,866,031
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
179
141
7
13
3
343
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
179
141
7
13
3
343
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.)
..
875
110
985
13
Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..
551,907
334,194
280,660
355,997
344,601
1,867,359
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
97.680 %
16
Public support percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
98.580 %
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2013 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
0 %
18
Investment income percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
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
TOUCHSTONES DISCUSSION PROJECT INC
Employer identification number
52-2009938
Return Reference
Explanation
FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
TOUCHSTONES BUILDS CRITICAL THINKING, COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS THROUGH RESPECTFUL AND ENGAGED DISCUSSION-BASED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY, INCLUDING PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS, PRISONS,SENIOR CENTERS, AND WITH EXECUTIVE GROUPS.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A
CENTRAL TO THE TOUCHSTONES METHOD, TO TAILOR LESSONS TO THEIR STUDENTS' NEEDS, TO MEASURE STUDENT PROGRESS OVER TIME, AND TO CONTINUE THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT AS DISCUSSION LEADERS, CLASSROOM MANAGERS, AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS. STUDENTS IN TOUCHSTONES PROGRAMMING IN GRADES 2 THROUGH 12 ENGAGE IN TOUCHSTONES DISCUSSIONS ONE HOUR PER WEEK. THEY DEVELOP THE SKILLS ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS IN THE EMERGING GLOBAL AND DYNAMIC 21ST CENTURY WORLD BY LEARNING SYSTEMATICALLY TO QUESTION, LISTEN, AND COOPERATE THROUGH RESPECTFUL DISCUSSION. IN TOUCHSTONES, STUDENTS SHARE EXPLORATION OF TEXTS AND ISSUES CENTRAL TO CIVIL SOCIETY AND EXAMINE THEIR ROLES AS CITIZENS. THEY EVALUATE THEIR OWN WORK, SELF-CORRECT UNPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIORS, AND SET GOALS COLLECTIVELY FOR IMPROVED DISCUSSION OUTCOMES. THESE ESSENTIAL SKILLS TRANSFER TO MANY DIMENSIONS OF ACADEMIC SETTINGS AND EXTEND OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS YET ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, TOUCHSTONES' SCHOOL PROGRAMS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS HELP STUDENTS OF ALL ACADEMIC ABILITIES AND BACKGROUNDS BECOME ACTIVE COLLABORATORS IN THEIR OWN LEARNING. TOUCHSTONES MATERIALS ARE USED IN PROGRAMS FOR ADVANCED LEARNERS, ESL AND ELL STUDENTS, INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE, ADVANCED PLACEMENT, AVID ELECTIVE AND CRITICAL READING, STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, AND IN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOMS. TOUCHSTONES SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE IN MORE THAN 37 COUNTRIES AND HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED INTO ARABIC, BURMESE, FRENCH, HAITIAN KREYL, AND SPANISH. MORE THAN FIVE MILLION STUDENTS OF ALL AGES HAVE USED TOUCHSTONES PROGRAMS SINCE THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED IN 1984. COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES - POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS LEARN TO EXAMINE, FORMULATE, AND ARTICULATE THEIR IDEAS THROUGH READING, SPEAKING, AND LISTENING IN TOUCHSTONES' COLLABORATIVE SEMINARS. THEY TACKLE CHALLENGING ISSUES AND ACADEMIC CONCEPTS AND LEARN TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY AND IN TEAMS. COLLEGE STUDENTS IN TOUCHSTONES PROGRAMS OVERCOME THE PASSIVITY THAT GENERALLY CHARACTERIZES PRE-COLLEGE LEARNING. THEY LEARN TO EVALUATE AND REFINE THEIR OWN WORK AND SKILLS AND TAKE INITIATIVE IN DEVELOPING THEMSELVES AS REFLECTIVE AND LIFE-LONG LEARNERS AND LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. TOUCHSTONES CURRICULA STRENGTHEN A RANGE OF ESSENTIAL SKILLS THAT STUDENTS IN POST-SECONDARY PROGRAMS MUST POSSESS FOR SUCCESS IN RIGOROUS ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENTS AND THE WORKPLACE. TOUCHSTONES PROGRAMMING IS USED IN U.S. COLLEGE BRIDGE PROGRAMS, ELL AND ESL COURSES, FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE COURSES, FRESHMAN ORIENTATION PROGRAMS, TEACHER EDUCATION COURSES, AND HONORS LEADERSHIP SEMINARS.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C
BELOW POVERTY LEVEL. ADULT WORKFORCE READINESS AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING PROGRAMS - TOUCHSTONES PROGRAMS WITH ADULTS PROVIDE A WELCOMING AND COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO LEARN CRUCIAL SOCIO-BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE SKILLS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND AT WORK. TOUCHSTONES RECOGNIZES THAT ADULTS WHO ARE UNDEREDUCATED OR COMING FROM SEVERE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE MUST BE AFFORDED OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN THE BASIC SKILLS OF COMMUNICATION AND INTERACTION SO THEY ARE EMPOWERED TO CHANGE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCE. TOUCHSTONES ADULT PROGRAMS ARE RUN IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, BURMESE, AND HAITIAN KREYL WITH PARTICIPANTS IN THE U.S. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, MYANMAR, AND HAITI, RESPECTIVELY. MORE THAN 50,000 COPIES OF TOUCHSTONES VOLUMES IN KREYL ARE IN CIRCULATION FOR USE IN ADULT PROGRAMS IN HAITI, ALONE. CIVIC LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - TOUCHSTONES PROGRAMS FOR CIVIC LEADERS AFFORD PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON THEIR VALUES, SKILLS, AND COMMITMENT TO LEADERSHIP IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THROUGH GROUP EXPLORATION OF LEADERSHIP AND THE ROLE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN HEALTHY COMMUNITIES, PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS EXAMINE THEIR ASSUMPTIONS, OPINIONS, AND IDEAS. IN SO DOING, THEY BECOME MORE AWARE OF BARRIERS TO AUTHENTIC COLLABORATION AMONG THEIR PEERS AND BETWEEN GROUPS OF POPULATIONS. PARTICIPANTS WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS, OUTLINE SOLUTIONS, AND LEVERAGE THEIR PASSION TOWARD MORE EFFECTIVE AND INCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT. SENIORS GROUPS - TOUCHSTONES DISCUSSIONS PROVIDE A WELCOMING AND FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH SENIOR CITIZENS STAY INTELLECTUALLY AND SOCIALLY ACTIVE. AS A TOUCHSTONES GROUP, SENIORS EXPLORE NEW IDEAS AND PERSPECTIVES AS PRESENTED BY THEIR PEERS. THEY DEVELOP COMMUNITY AND FRIENDSHIPS WITHIN THE PROGRAM AND STAY CONNECTED TO THE WORLD. DRAWING FROM THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES, THE SENIORS PARTICIPATE IN LIVELY AND ENRICHING DISCUSSIONS THAT CONTINUE WELL AFTER THE SESSION'S END, PROVIDING ACCESS TO CONTINUED, MEANINGFUL, AND AUTHENTIC ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHERS.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 2
HOWARD ZEIDERMAN STEFANIE TAKACS PRESIDENT EXEC DIR. SPOUSE
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B
THE TOUCHSTONES' BOARD'S FINANCIAL REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS PROVIDED WITH DRAFTS OF THE 990 DURING ITS PREPARATION PERIOD. ONCE A FINAL VERSION WAS READY, THE 990 WAS PROVIDED ELECTRONICALLY FOR THE ENTIRE TOUCHSTONES' BOARD TO REVIEW AND GIVEN TIME TO REPLY WITH QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR REQUESTS FOR CHANGES. AFTER THAT REVIEW PERIOD THE FINAL 990 WAS SIGNED AND FILED.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROUTINELY PROVIDES MONTHLY SUMMARY REPORTS TO THE BOARD OUTLINING KEY PROGRAM ACTIVITIES, FINANCIAL CONTRACTS, AND OTHER CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS. ENGAGEMENT WITH BOARD MEMBERS OTHER THAN FOR ROUTINE BOARD BUSINESS OR THE BUSINESS CONDUCTED IN THE COURSE AND SEQUENCE OF HIS EMPLOYMENT BY TOUCHSTONES PRESIDENT, HOWARD ZEIDERMAN, WOULD BE REPORTED IN THOSE SUMMARIES.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A
PERFORMANCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS EVALUATED BASED ON DATA AND INFORMATION RELAYED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN THE FORM OF MONTHLY SUMMARIES, FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATIONS PLANS AND DELIVERABLES, FINANCIAL REPORTS, AND GENERAL OVERSIGHT OF MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES. THE ANNUAL EVALUATION ALSO INCLUDES A REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS PERFORMANCE BY AT LEAST THE BOARD OFFICERS, IF NOT THE ENTIRE BOARD, DURING THE YEAR-END BOARD MEETING. THE BOARD'S FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS ARE SHARED WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE END OF AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. BECAUSE THE ORGANIZATION'S CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT IS A VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD AND DOES NOT CARRY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR TOUCHSTONES' OPERATIONS OR MANAGEMENT, HIS PERFORMANCE IS NOT FORMALLY EVALUATED EXCEPT IN TERMS OF ANNUAL COMPENSATION RELATIVE TO CURRENT JOB RESPONSIBILITIES IN EXECUTIVE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19
PRINTED COPIES OF TOUCHSTONE'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND/OR CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ARE AVAILABLE UPON RECEIPT OF WRITTEN REQUEST.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.