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
MESORAH HERITAGE FOUNDATION
Employer identification number
11-2981112
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.") ....
5,331,734
6,946,294
10,004,974
10,543,131
11,069,909
43,896,042
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
5,331,734
6,946,294
10,004,974
10,543,131
11,069,909
43,896,042
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)..
10,602,608
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
33,293,434
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..
5,331,734
6,946,294
10,004,974
10,543,131
11,069,909
43,896,042
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
15,696
4,590
354
55
4,252
24,947
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).
43,920,989
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
75.800 %
15
Public support percentage for 2012 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
65.260 %
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.") .
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) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(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 2013 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2013 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
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
MESORAH HERITAGE FOUNDATION
Employer identification number
11-2981112
Return Reference
Explanation
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A
THE MESORAH HERITAGE FOUNDATION WAS CREATED TO RESPOND TO URGENT NEEDS THAT BECAME APPARENT IN THE POST-WORLD WAR II ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD. THESE CONTINUING NEEDS ARE TWOFOLD: (I) A LARGE JEWISH PUBLIC, INCLUDING THOSE WITH A YESHIVAH EDUCATION, FIND IT DIFFICULT TO STUDY CLASSIC JEWISH TEXTS, AND (II) A GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WISH TO STUDY THE JEWISH CLASSICS, BUT HAVE LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE LANGUAGES IN WHICH THEY WERE WRITTEN. THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO SELECT, TRANSLATE, ELUCIDATE, AND PREPARE FOR PUBLICATION, CLASSIC JEWISH WORKS OF RELIGION, LAW, CULTURE, AND SCHOLARSHIP THAT HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN UNAVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, OR WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE WITH A THOROUGH ELUCIDATION IN THE MODERN IDIOM. THE GOAL OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO PRESENT THESE WORKS IN A FORM THAT IS AUTHORITATIVE AND ACCURATE - WITH LITERARY GRACE - IN A MANNER THAT MAKES THEM ACCESSIBLE TO LAYMEN, STUDENTS, AND SCHOLARS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO COMMISSIONS, IN ENGLISH AND OTHER LANGUAGES, MANUSCRIPTS ON JEWISH SCHOLARSHIP, LAW, ETHICS, LITURGY, AND HISTORY. THE FOUNDATION FULFILLS ITS MISSION AND GOALS BY ENGAGING SCHOLARS AND EDITORS - 90-150 AT ANY GIVEN TIME ON THREE CONTINENTS - TO RESEARCH, WRITE, AND PREPARE THE WORKS FOR PUBLICATION. THE FOUNDATION HAS PUBLISHED 73-VOLUME ELUCIDATIONS OF THE BABYLONIAN TALMUD IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CONTEMPORARY HEBREW, WHICH THE LATE LORD IMANUEL JAKOBOVITS, CHIEF RABBI OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH, DESCRIBED AS "THE GREATEST PUBLISHING PROJECT ACROSS THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF JEWISH HISTORY." IN PROGRESS IS A FRENCH-LANGUAGE ELUCIDATION OF THIS MAJOR WORK. ALSO IN PROGRESS - AN UNPRECEDENTED SCHOLARLY ENDEAVOR - ARE 44-VOLUME ELUCIDATIONS, IN ENGLISH AND MODERN HEBREW, OF THE JERUSALEM TALMUD. THE FOUNDATION'S VOLUMES ON THE TALMUD HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO ENGAGE IN DAILY STUDY. IN 2012, 90,000 PEOPLE FILLED METLIFE STADIUM TO CELEBRATE THE COMPLETION OF "DAF YOMI," THE SEVEN-AND-A-HALF-YEAR CYCLE OF DAILY TALMUD STUDY. ORGANIZERS OF THE EVENT CREDITED THE FOUNDATION FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR MOST OF THE PARTICIPANTS TO STUDY AND UNDERSTAND THE TALMUD. THE FOUNDATION'S WORKS ALSO INCLUDE TRANSLATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS OF THE SABBATH, FESTIVAL, AND WEEKDAY PRAYER BOOKS - IN HEBREW-ENGLISH, AND ALSO IN TRANSLITERATED AND INTERLINEAR VERSIONS. THESE PRAYER BOOKS HAVE BECOME STANDARD IN SYNAGOGUES ALL OVER THE WORLD. THE FOUNDATION'S EDITION OF THE FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES IN FRENCH IS VERY POPULAR AND A SPANISH VERSION WILL SOON BE PUBLISHED. ALSO IN PROGRESS ARE HEBREW AND ENGLISH ELUCIDATIONS OF THE MISHNAH, WHICH IS THE BASIS OF THE TALMUD. THE FOUNDATION HAS ENABLED PUBLICATION OF MANY VOLUMES OF HEBREW SCRIPTURES THAT ARE POPULAR IN SCHOOLS, HOMES, AND SYNAGOGUES - WITH COMPLETION OF THE ENTIRE BOOKS OF THE PROPHETS BY 2015. OTHER MAJOR CLASSIC TEXT PROJECTS - NEVER BEFORE PRESENTED SO THOROUGHLY IN ENGLISH, ARE MULTI-VOLUME TREATMENTS OF MIDRASH RABBAH, SEFER HACHINUCH, AND KITZUR SHULCHAN ARUCH. RECENTLY THE FOUNDATION LAUNCHED AN UNPRECEDENTED DIGITAL APP ON THE ENTIRE TALMUD, AND IS CURRENTLY FINALIZING THE APPS FOR MANY OF ITS OTHER CLASSIC WORKS. NOW, SOMEONE CAN ACCESS MORE THAN A MILLION CROSS-REFERENCES SPANNING 2,000 YEARS OF HEBREW, ARAMAIC, AND ENGLISH SCHOLARSHIP WITH JUST THE TAP OF A FINGER. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE FOUNDATION'S USE OF STATE-OF- THE-ART TECHNOLOGY TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION TO MAKE ITS SCHOLARLY WORKS EVEN MORE ACCESSIBLE TO LAYMEN, STUDENTS, AND SCHOLARS. THE FOUNDATION IS PROUD OF ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE, WHICH HAVE ENABLED THE PUBLICATION OF SEVERAL HUNDRED CLASSIC TITLES WHOSE IMPACT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS "A REVOLUTION" IN JEWISH AND SCHOLARLY LIFE. BUT, THIS IS STILL ONLY THE BEGINNING - AS THE WORK CONTINUES!
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2
RABBI MEIR ZLOTOWITZ & RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN HAVE A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITHIN MESORAH PUBLICATIONS, SEFERCRAFT & TEXTWORD PRESS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11
THE ORGANIZATION SENDS BY EMAIL A DRAFT COPY TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, AND AWAITS THEIR COMMENTS. AFTER UPDATING THE RETURN WITH ANY CHANGES, THE ORGANIZATION EMAILS A FINAL VERSION TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS. A MEETING OR CONFERENCE CALL IS ARRANGED FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO DISCUSS AND APPROVE FILING OF THE 990.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C
A QUESTIONNAIRE IS SENT ANNUALLY TO ALL PERSONNEL, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR THEM TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN. ALL DISCLOSURES ARE REVIEWED TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY CONFLICTS EXIST. ANY OFFICER, DIRECTOR, OR KEY EMPLOYEE WHO COULD HAVE A POTENTIAL CONFLICT IS RECUSED FROM ANY DELIBERATIONS THAT COULD POSSIBLY AFFECT THAT PERSON OR THE ORGANIZATION.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15
AT ITS MEETING, THE AUDIT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND APPROVES THE COMPENSATION FOR THE TWO SALARIED DIRECTORS. THIS PROCESS WAS LAST COMPLETED IN DECEMBER 2013.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19
THE ORGANIZATION MAKES AVAILABLE ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 16
THE ORGANIZATION HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A TAXABLE ENTITY. TWO DIRECTORS OF THE ORGANIZATION ARE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDERS IN THAT ENTITY. AS PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION, THE ENTITY DISTRIBUTES THE ORGANIZATION'S BOOKS AT BELOW FAIR MARKET VALUE. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT THE BOOKS WILL BE PUBLISHED AT A PRICE THAT IS AFFORDABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, A PRICE THAT IS LOWER THAN COMPARABLE SCHOLARLY WORKS. IN ADDITION, THE ENTITY PROVIDES THE ORGANIZATION WITH FREE FACILITIES, INCLUDING OFFICES, UTILITIES, AND CLERICAL SUPPORT. THE ORGANIZATION'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS ARE ENGAGED ANNUALLY,IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE'S OVERSIGHT ROLE, TO MONITOR THE AGREEMENT BY PERFORMING SPECIAL AGREED UPON PROCEDURES ON THE ENTITY COMPANY,TO ASSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS,INCLUDING THOSE THAT ASSURE THAT THE ENTITY COMPANY DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY EXCESS BENEFITS,AS DEFINED,AND THAT APPROPRIATE PROCEDURAL AND ACCOUNTING SAFEGUARDS ARE IN PLACE IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE ORGANIZATION'S INTERESTS. THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS MEET,IN PERSON,ANNUALLY WITH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THEIR SPECIAL AGREED UPON PROCEDURES REPORT AND FINDINGS.
FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C:
PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE PRIOR YEAR.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.