TY 2014 Form 990

(A) Name and Title	(B) Average hours per week (list any hours for related organizations below dotted line)	(C) Position (do not check more than one box, unless person is both an officer and a director/trustee)	(E) Reportable compensation from related organizations (W- 2/1099-MISC)
(1) JACLYN SCHROEDER........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(2) MERRITT CLAPP-SMITH THRU 12015........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(3) ANDREW STEINER........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(4) SARA THURIN ROLLIN........................................................................ DIRECTOR/SEC	1.00 .......................	X	X
(5) JOHN HELLAND........................................................................ DIRECTOR/CHA	2.00 .......................	X	X
(6) ELLEN HERMAN........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(7) DOUG HEMER STARTED 12015........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(8) ALAN THOMETZ........................................................................ DIRECTOR/VP/	2.00 .......................	X
(9) ALEXANDRA KLASS........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(10) LAWRENCE DOWNING........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(11) MEHMET KONAR-STEENBERG........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(12) GENE MERRIAM THRU 112014........................................................................ DIRECTOR/TRE	1.00 .......................	X	X
(13) IRENE QUALTERS........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(14) PETER REICH........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(15) PAIGE STRADLEY STARTED 12015........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(16) CAROL TOMER STARTED 32015........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X
(17) MATT SAMUEL........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X

Do not include amounts reported on lines 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, and 10b of Part VIII.	(A) Total expenses	(B) Program service expenses	(C) Management and general expenses	(D) Fundraising expenses
1	Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. See Part IV, line 21 ....	25,000	25,000
2	Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. See Part IV, line 22 ....
3	Grants and other assistance to foreign organizations, foreign governments, and foreign individuals. See Part IV, lines 15 and 16 ............
4	Benefits paid to or for members ....
5	Compensation of current officers, directors, trustees, and key employees ....	128,120	81,958	23,051	23,111
6	Compensation not included above, to disqualified persons (as defined under section 4958(f)(1)) and persons described in section 4958(c)(3)(B) ....
7	Other salaries and wages ....	830,434	684,715	76,256	69,463
8	Pension plan accruals and contributions (include section 401(k) and 403(b) employer contributions) ....	26,309	18,639	3,835	3,835
9	Other employee benefits .......	111,166	88,695	11,649	10,822
10	Payroll taxes ...........	74,219	57,361	8,716	8,142
11	Fees for services (non-employees):
a	Management ......
b	Legal .........
c	Accounting ...........	19,703	5,336	9,773	4,594
d	Lobbying ...........
e	Professional fundraising services. See Part IV, line 17
f	Investment management fees ......	14,860		14,860
g	Other (If line 11g amount exceeds 10% of line 25, column (A) amount, list line 11g expenses on Schedule O) ....	106,410	105,680		730
12	Advertising and promotion ....
13	Office expenses .......	63,159	56,694	1,836	4,629
14	Information technology ......	18,628	17,704	462	462
15	Royalties ..
16	Occupancy ...........	58,780	54,708	2,506	1,566
17	Travel ............	12,943	12,311	316	316
18	Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials ......
19	Conferences, conventions, and meetings ....	6,983	6,715	179	89
20	Interest ...........
21	Payments to affiliates .......
22	Depreciation, depletion, and amortization .....	5,015	3,812	401	802
23	Insurance ..............	11,816	8,099	3,186	531
24	Other expenses. Itemize expenses not covered above (List miscellaneous expenses in line 24e. If line 24e amount exceeds 10% of line 25, column (A) amount, list line 24e expenses on Schedule O.)
a	DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS	15,854	12,373	237	3,244
b	LEGAL DISB./LIBRARY	10,226	10,226
c	MISCELLANEOUS	3,788	2,417	220	1,151
d
e	All other expenses
25	Total functional expenses. Add lines 1 through 24e	1,543,413	1,252,443	157,483	133,487
26	Joint costs. Complete this line only if the organization reported in column (B) joint costs from a combined educational campaign and fundraising solicitation. Check here if following SOP 98-2 (ASC 958-720).

Part X Balance Sheet Check if Schedule O contains a response or note to any line in this Part X ..............
	1	Cash–non-interest-bearing .............	863,254	1	886,066
2	Savings and temporary cash investments .........		2
3	Pledges and grants receivable, net ...........	75,000	3	272,200
4	Accounts receivable, net .............	17,071	4	9,648
5	Loans and other receivables from current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and highest compensated employees. Complete Part II of Schedule L ..................
			5
6	Loans and other receivables from other disqualified persons (as defined under section 4958(f)(1)), persons described in section 4958(c)(3)(B), and contributing employers and sponsoring organizations of section 501(c)(9) voluntary employees' beneficiary organizations (see instructions) Complete Part II of Schedule L
			6
7	Notes and loans receivable, net .............		7
8	Inventories for sale or use ..............		8
9	Prepaid expenses and deferred charges ..........	16,331	9	5,934
10a	Land, buildings, and equipment: cost or other basis. Complete Part VI of Schedule D	10a	43,113
b	Less: accumulated depreciation .....	10b	30,281	10,121	10c	12,832
11	Investments—publicly traded securities ..........	1,434,662	11	1,496,430
12	Investments—other securities. See Part IV, line 11 .....		12
13	Investments—program-related. See Part IV, line 11 .....		13
14	Intangible assets ...............		14
15	Other assets. See Part IV, line 11 ...........		15
16	Total assets. Add lines 1 through 15 (must equal line 34)......	2,416,439	16	2,683,110
	17	Accounts payable and accrued expenses .........	63,873	17	94,624
18	Grants payable .................		18
19	Deferred revenue ................	24,250	19
20	Tax-exempt bond liabilities .............		20
21	Escrow or custodial account liability. Complete Part IV of Schedule D..		21
22	Loans and other payables to current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, highest compensated employees, and disqualified
	persons. Complete Part II of Schedule L..........		22
23	Secured mortgages and notes payable to unrelated third parties ..		23
24	Unsecured notes and loans payable to unrelated third parties ....		24
25	Other liabilities (including federal income tax, payables to related third parties, and other liabilities not included on lines 17-24). Complete Part X of Schedule D....................		25
26	Total liabilities. Add lines 17 through 25.........	88,123	26	94,624
		Organizations that follow SFAS 117 (ASC 958), check here and complete lines 27 through 29, and lines 33 and 34.
27	Unrestricted net assets ..............	1,299,369	27	1,270,312
28	Temporarily restricted net assets ...........	471,340	28	760,567
29	Permanently restricted net assets ...........	557,607	29	557,607
	Organizations that do not follow SFAS 117 (ASC 958), check here and complete lines 30 through 34.
30	Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds ........		30
31	Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund .....		31
32	Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds		32
33	Total net assets or fund balances ...........	2,328,316	33	2,588,486
34	Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances ........	2,416,439	34	2,683,110

- TIN:

SCHEDULE A
(Form 990 or 990EZ)

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.
right arrow

Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
right arrow

Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2014

Open to Public
Inspection

Name of the organization

MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY

Employer identification number

23-7412105

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.)

A church, convention of churches, or association of churches described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(i).

A school described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii). (Attach Schedule E.)

A hospital or a cooperative hospital service organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii).

A medical research organization operated in conjunction with a hospital described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii). Enter the hospital's name, city, and state:

An organization operated for the benefit of a college or university owned or operated by a governmental unit described in

section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)

A federal, state, or local government or governmental unit described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(v).

An organization that normally receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or from the general public described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). (Complete Part II.)

A community trust described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). (Complete Part II.)

An organization that normally receives: (1) more than 331/3% of its support from contributions, membership fees, and gross

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.)

An organization organized and operated exclusively to test for public safety. See section 509(a)(4).

An organization organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the purposes of one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2). See section 509(a)(3). Check the box in lines 11a through 11d that describes the type of supporting organization and complete lines 11e, 11f, and 11g.

Type I. A supporting organization operated, supervised, or controlled by its supported organization(s), typically by giving the supported organization(s) the power to regularly appoint or elect a majority of the directors or trustees of the supporting organization. You must complete Part IV, Sections A and B.

Type II. A supporting organization supervised or controlled in connection with its supported organization(s), by having control or management of the supporting organization vested in the same persons that control or manage the supported organization(s). You must complete Part IV, Sections A and C.

Type III functionally integrated. A supporting organization operated in connection with, and functionally integrated with, its supported organization(s) (see instructions). You must complete Part IV, Sections A, D, and E.

Type III non-functionally integrated. A supporting organization operated in connection with its supported organization(s) that is not functionally integrated. The organization generally must satisfy a distribution requirement and an attentiveness requirement (see instructions). You must complete Part IV, Sections A and D, and Part V.

Check this box if the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, Type III functionally integrated, or Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organization.

Enter the number of supported organizations .............................

Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).

(i)Name of supported organization	(ii) EIN	(iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document?		(v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions)	(vi) Amount of other support (see instructions)
(i)Name of supported organization	(ii) EIN	Yes	No	(v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions)	(vi) Amount of other support (see instructions)


Total

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.

Cat. No. 11285F

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

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) 2010	(b) 2011	(c) 2012	(d) 2013	(e) 2014	(f) Total
1	Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....	1,254,816	860,111	1,585,020	964,331	1,365,403	6,029,681
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	1,254,816	860,111	1,585,020	964,331	1,365,403	6,029,681
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)..						2,408,868
6	Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.						3,620,813

Section B. Total Support

Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)		(a) 2010	(b) 2011	(c) 2012	(d) 2013	(e) 2014	(f) Total
7	Amounts from line 4..	1,254,816	860,111	1,585,020	964,331	1,365,403	6,029,681
8	Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...	23,639	25,391	33,258	34,014	26,765	143,067
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 VI.)..				20,962	7,926	28,888
11	Total support Add lines 7 through 10.						6,201,636

Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions) ..................

381,250

First five years. If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a section 501(c)(3) organization, check this box and stop here........................................ right arrow

Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage

Public support percentage for 2014 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f)) .........

58.380 %

Public support percentage for 2013 Schedule A, Part II, line 14 ...............

63.500 %

16a

33 1/3% support test—2014. 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 ....................... right arrow

33 1/3% support test—2013. 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 ..................... right arrow

17a

10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2014. 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 VI how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization ..................................................... right arrow

10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2013. 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 VI how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly
supported organization ................................................ right arrow

Private foundation. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions ..................................................... right arrow

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

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) 2010	(b) 2011	(c) 2012	(d) 2013	(e) 2014	(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) 2010	(b) 2011	(c) 2012	(d) 2013	(e) 2014	(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 VI.) ..
13	Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..

First five years. If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a section 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here............................................. right arrow

Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage

Public support percentage for 2014 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f)) .........

Public support percentage from 2013 Schedule A, Part III, line 15 ...............

Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage

Investment income percentage for 2014 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f)) ......

Investment income percentage from 2013 Schedule A, Part III, line 17 .............

19a

33 1/3% support tests—2014. 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 ....... right arrow

33 1/3% support tests—2013. 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 .... right arrow

Private foundation. If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions .... right arrow

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Page 4

Part IV

Supporting Organizations

(Complete only if you checked a box on line 11 of Part I. If you checked 11a of Part I, complete Sections A and B. If you checked 11b of Part I, complete Sections A and C. If you checked 11c of Part I, complete Sections A, D, and E. If you checked 11d of Part I, complete Sections A and D, and complete Part V.)

Section A. All Supporting Organizations

Yes

Are all of the organization’s supported organizations listed by name in the organization’s governing documents?
If "No," describe in Part VI how the supported organizations are designated. If designated by class or purpose,
describe the designation. If historic and continuing relationship, explain.

Did the organization have any supported organization that does not have an IRS determination of status under section 509(a)(1) or (2)? If "Yes," explain in Part VI how the organization determined that the supported organization was described in section 509(a)(1) or (2).

Did the organization have a supported organization described in section 501(c)(4), (5), or (6)? If "Yes," answer (b) and (c) below.

Did the organization confirm that each supported organization qualified under section 501(c)(4), (5), or (6) and satisfied the public support tests under section 509(a)(2)? If "Yes," describe in Part VI when and how the organization made the determination.

Did the organization ensure that all support to such organizations was used exclusively for section 170(c)(2)(B) purposes? If "Yes," explain in Part VI what controls the organization put in place to ensure such use.

Was any supported organization not organized in the United States ("foreign supported organization")? If “Yes” and if you checked 11a or 11b in Part I, answer (b) and (c) below.

Did the organization have ultimate control and discretion in deciding whether to make grants to the foreign supported organization? If “Yes,” describe in Part VI how the organization had such control and discretion despite being controlled or supervised by or in connection with its supported organizations....

Did the organization support any foreign supported organization that does not have an IRS determination under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or (2)? If “Yes,” explain in Part VI what controls the organization used to ensure that all support to the foreign supported organization was used exclusively for section 170(c)(2)(B) purposes.

Did the organization add, substitute, or remove any supported organizations during the tax year? If “Yes,” answer (b) and (c) below (if applicable). Also, provide detail in Part VI, including (i) the names and EIN numbers of the supported organizations added, substituted, or removed, (ii) the reasons for each such action, (iii) the authority under the organization's organizing document authorizing such action, and (iv) how the action was accomplished (such as by amendment to the organizing document).

Type I or Type II only. Was any added or substituted supported organization part of a class already designated in the organization's organizing document?

Substitutions only. Was the substitution the result of an event beyond the organization's control?

Did the organization provide support (whether in the form of grants or the provision of services or facilities) to anyone other than (a) its supported organizations; (b) individuals that are part of the charitable class benefited by one or more of its supported organizations; or (c) other supporting organizations that also support or benefit one or more of the filing organization’s supported organizations? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.

Did the organization provide a grant, loan, compensation, or other similar payment to a substantial contributor (defined in IRC 4958(c)(3)(C)), a family member of a substantial contributor, or a 35-percent controlled entity with regard to a substantial contributor? If “Yes,” complete Part I of Schedule L (Form 990) .

Did the organization make a loan to a disqualified person (as defined in section 4958) not described in line 7? If “Yes,” complete Part II of Schedule L (Form 990).

Was the organization controlled directly or indirectly at any time during the tax year by one or more disqualified persons as defined in section 4946 (other than foundation managers and organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or (2))? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.

Did one or more disqualified persons (as defined in line 9(a)) hold a controlling interest in any entity in which the supporting organization had an interest? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.

Did a disqualified person (as defined in line 9(a)) have an ownership interest in, or derive any personal benefit from, assets in which the supporting organization also had an interest? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.

10a

Was the organization subject to the excess business holdings rules of IRC 4943 because of IRC 4943(f) (regarding certain Type II supporting organizations, and all Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organizations)? If “Yes,” answer b below.

10a

Did the organization have any excess business holdings in the tax year? (Use Schedule C, Form 4720, to determine whether the organization had excess business holdings).

10b

Has the organization accepted a gift or contribution from any of the following persons?

A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (b) and (c) below, the governing body of a supported organization?

11a

A family member of a person described in (a) above?

11b

A 35% controlled entity of a person described in (a) or (b) above? If “Yes” to a, b, or c, provide detail in Part VI.

11c

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Page 5

Part IV

Supporting Organizations (continued)

Section B. Type I Supporting Organizations

Yes

Did the directors, trustees, or membership of one or more supported organizations have the power to regularly appoint or elect at least a majority of the organization’s directors or trustees at all times during the tax year? If “No,” describe in Part VI how the supported organization(s) effectively operated, supervised, or controlled the organization’s activities. If the organization had more than one supported organization, describe how the powers to appoint and/or remove directors or trustees were allocated among the supported organizations and what conditions or restrictions, if any, applied to such powers during the tax year.

Did the organization operate for the benefit of any supported organization other than the supported organization(s) that operated, supervised, or controlled the supporting organization? If “Yes,” explain in Part VI how providing such benefit carried out the purposes of the supported organization(s) that operated, supervised or controlled the supporting organization.

Section C. Type II Supporting Organizations

Yes

Were a majority of the organization’s directors or trustees during the tax year also a majority of the directors or trustees of each of the organization’s supported organization(s)? If “No,” describe in Part VI how control or management of the supporting organization was vested in the same persons that controlled or managed the supported organization(s).

Section D. All Type III Supporting Organizations

Yes

Did the organization provide to each of its supported organizations, by the last day of the fifth month of the organization’s tax year, (1) a written notice describing the type and amount of support provided during the prior tax year, (2) a copy of the Form 990 that was most recently filed as of the date of notification, and (3) copies of the organization’s governing documents in effect on the date of notification, to the extent not previously provided?

Were any of the organization’s officers, directors, or trustees either (i) appointed or elected by the supported organization(s) or (ii) serving on the governing body of a supported organization? If "No," explain in Part VI how the organization maintained a close and continuous working relationship with the supported organization(s).

By reason of the relationship described in (2), did the organization’s supported organizations have a significant voice in the organization’s investment policies and in directing the use of the organization’s income or assets at all times during the tax year? If "Yes," describe in Part VI the role the organization’s supported organizations played in this regard.

Section E. Type III Functionally-Integrated Supporting Organizations

Check the box next to the method that the organization used to satisfy the Integral Part Test during the year (see instructions):

The organization satisfied the Activities Test. Complete line 2 below.

The organization is the parent of each of its supported organizations. Complete line 3 below.

The organization supported a governmental entity. Describe in Part VI how you supported a government entity (see instructions)

Activities Test. Answer (a) and (b) below.

Yes

Did substantially all of the organization’s activities during the tax year directly further the exempt purposes of the supported organization(s) to which the organization was responsive? If "Yes," then in Part VI identify those supported organizations and explain how these activities directly furthered their exempt purposes, how the organization was responsive to those supported organizations, and how the organization determined that these activities constituted substantially all of its activities.

Did the activities described in (a) constitute activities that, but for the organization’s involvement, one or more of the organization’s supported organization(s) would have been engaged in? If "Yes," explain in Part VI the reasons for the organization’s position that its supported organization(s) would have engaged in these activities but for the organization’s involvement.

Parent of Supported Organizations. Answer (a) and (b) below.

Did the organization have the power to regularly appoint or elect a majority of the officers, directors, or trustees of each of the supported organizations? Provide details in Part VI.

Did the organization exercise a substantial degree of direction over the policies, programs and activities of each of its supported organizations? If "Yes," describe in Part VI the role played by the organization in this regard.

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Page 6

Part V – Type III Non-Functionally Integrated 509(a)(3) Supporting Organizations

1. Check here if the organization satisfied the Integral Part Test as a qualifying trust on Nov. 20, 1970. See instructions. All other Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organizations must complete Sections A through E.

	Section A - Adjusted Net Income		(A) Prior Year	(B) Current Year (optional)
1	Net short-term capital gain	1
2	Recoveries of prior-year distributions	2
3	Other gross income (see instructions)	3
4	Add lines 1 through 3	4
5	Depreciation and depletion	5
6	Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions)	6
7	Other expenses (see instructions)	7
8	Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4)	8

	Section B - Minimum Asset Amount		(A) Prior Year	(B) Current Year (optional)
1	Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year):	1
a	Average monthly value of securities	1a
b	Average monthly cash balances	1b
c	Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets	1c
d	Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c)	1d
e	Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI):
2	Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets	2
3	Subtract line 2 from line 1d	3
4	Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions).	4
5	Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3)	5
6	Multiply line 5 by .035	6
7	Recoveries of prior-year distributions	7
8	Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6)	8

	Section C - Distributable Amount		Current Year
1	Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A)	1
2	Enter 85% of line 1	2
3	Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A)	3
4	Enter greater of line 2 or line 3	4
5	Income tax imposed in prior year	5
6	Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions)	6
7	Check here if the current year is the organization's first as a non-functionally-integrated Type III supporting organization (see instructions)

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Page 7

Section D - Distributions		Current Year
1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes
2 Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity
3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations
4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets
5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required)
6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions
7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6.
8 Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions
9 Distributable amount for 2014 from Section C, line 6
10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount

Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions)		(i) Excess Distributions	(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2014	(iii) Distributable Amount for 2014
1 Distributable amount for 2014 from Section C, line 6
2 Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2014 (reasonable cause required--see instructions)
3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2014:
a From 2009.......X
b From 2010.......X
c From 2011.......X
d From 2012.......X
e From 2013.......
fTotal of lines 3a through e
g Applied to underdistributions of prior years
h Applied to 2014 distributable amount
i Carryover from 2009 not applied (see instructions)
j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f.
4Distributions for 2014 from Section D, line 7:
$
a Applied to underdistributions of prior years
b Applied to 2014 distributable amount
c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4.
5 Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2014, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions)
6 Remaining underdistributions for 2014. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions)
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2015. Add lines 3j and 4c.
8 Breakdown of line 7:
a From 2010.......X
b From 2011.......X
c From 2012.......X
d From 2013.......
e From 2014.......

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) (2014)

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Page 8

Part VI

Supplemental Information. Provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; Part III, line 12; Part IV, Section A, lines 1, 2, 3b, 3c, 4b, 4c, 5a, 6, 9a, 9b, 9c, 11a, 11b, and 11c; Part IV, Section B, lines 1 and 2; Part IV, Section C, line 1; Part IV, Section D, lines 2 and 3; Part IV, Section E, lines 1c, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b; Part V, line 1; Part V, Section B, line 1e; Part V Section D, lines 5, 6, and 8; and Part V, Section E, lines 2, 5, and 6. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).

Facts And Circumstances Test

Return Reference	Explanation
PART II, LINE 10	OTHER INCOME 28,888

Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

Schedule B
(Form 990, 990-EZ,
or 990-PF)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Schedule of Contributors

Attach to Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF.

Information about Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2014

Name of the organization

MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY

Employer identification number

23-7412105

Organization type (check one):

Filers of:

Section:

Form 990 or 990-EZ

501(c)( ) (enter number) organization

4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust not treated as a private foundation

527 political organization

Form 990-PF

501(c)(3) exempt private foundation

4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust treated as a private foundation

501(c)(3) taxable private foundation

Check if your organization is covered by the General Rule or a Special Rule.
Note. Only a section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) organization can check boxes for both the General Rule and a Special Rule. See instructions.

General Rule

For an organization filing Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF that received, during the year, contributions totaling $5,000 or more (in money or
property) from any one contributor. Complete Parts I and II. See instructions for determining a contributor's total contributions.

Special Rules

For an organization described in section 501(c)(3) filing Form 990 or 990-EZ that met the 33¹/3% support test of the regulations
under sections 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), that checked Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ), Part II, line 13, 16a, or 16b, and that received from any one contributor, during the year, total contributions of the greater of (1) $5,000 or (2) 2% of the amount on (i) Form 990, Part VIII, line 1h, or (ii) Form 990-EZ, line 1. Complete Parts I and II.

For an organization described in section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) filing Form 990 or 990-EZ that received from any one contributor,
during the year, total contributions of more than $1,000 exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. Complete Parts I, II, and III.

For an organization described in section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10) filing Form 990 or 990-EZ that received from any one contributor,
during the year, contributions exclusively for religious, charitable, etc., purposes, but no such contributions totaled more than $1,000. If this box is checked, enter here the total contributions that were received during the year for an exclusively religious, charitable, etc., purpose. Do not complete any of the parts unless the General Rule applies to this organization because it received nonexclusively religious, charitable, etc., contributions totaling $5,000 or more during the year ......... Arrow Bullet

Caution. An organization that is not covered by the General Rule and/or the Special Rules does not file Schedule B (Form 990,
990-EZ, or 990-PF), but it must answer “No” on Part IV, line 2, of its Form 990; or check the box on line H of its
Form 990-EZ or on its Form 990PF, Part I, line 2, to certify that it does not meet the filing requirements of Schedule B (Form 990,
990-EZ, or 990-PF).

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions
for Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF.

Cat. No. 30613XSchedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2014)

Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2014)

Page 2

Name of organization MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY

Part I	Contributors (see instructions). Use duplicate copies of Part I if additional space is needed.
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
RESTRICTED	,	$RESTRICTED	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
		$	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
		$	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
		$	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
		$	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
(a) No.	(b) Name, address, and ZIP + 4	(c) Total contributions	(d) Type of contribution
		$	Person Payroll Noncash (Complete Part II for noncash contributions.)
Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2014)

Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2014)

Page 3

Name of organization MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY

Part II	Noncash Property (see instructions). Use duplicate copies of Part II if additional space is needed.
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
(a) No. from Part I	(b) Description of noncash property given	(c) FMV (or estimate) (see instructions)	(d) Date received
		$
Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2014)

Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2014)

Page 4

Name of organization
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY

Employer identification number

23-7412105

Part III

Exclusively religious, charitable, etc., contributions to organizations described in section 501(c)(7), (8), or (10)
that total more than $1,000 for the year from any one contributor. Complete columns (a) through (e) and the following line entry. For organizations completing Part III, enter the total of exclusively religious, charitable, etc., contributions of $1,000 or less for the year. (Enter this information once. See instructions.) Arrow Bullet

$
Use duplicate copies of Part III if additional space is needed.

(a) No.
from
Part I

(b) Purpose of gift

(d) Description of how gift is held

(e) Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4	Relationship of transferor to transferee

(a) No.
from
Part I

(b) Purpose of gift

(d) Description of how gift is held

(e) Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4	Relationship of transferor to transferee

(a) No.
from
Part I

(b) Purpose of gift

(d) Description of how gift is held

(e) Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4	Relationship of transferor to transferee

(a) No.
from
Part I

(b) Purpose of gift

(d) Description of how gift is held

(e) Transfer of gift
Transferee's name, address, and ZIP 4	Relationship of transferor to transferee

Schedule B (Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF) (2014)

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE C
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Political Campaign and Lobbying Activities

For Organizations Exempt From Income Tax Under section 501(c) and section 527
SchCMd Bullet

Complete if the organization is described below. SchCMd Bullet

Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
SchCMd Bullet

Information about Schedule C (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2014

Open to Public
Inspection

If the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, Line 3, or Form 990-EZ, Part V, line 46 (Political Campaign Activities), then
Round Bullet

Section 501(c)(3) organizations: Complete Parts I-A and B. Do not complete Part I-C.
Round Bullet

Section 501(c) (other than section 501(c)(3)) organizations: Complete Parts I-A and C below. Do not complete Part I-B.
Round Bullet

Section 527 organizations: Complete Part I-A only.
If the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, Line 4, or Form 990-EZ, Part VI, line 47 (Lobbying Activities), then
Round Bullet

Section 501(c)(3) organizations that have filed Form 5768 (election under section 501(h)): Complete Part II-A. Do not complete Part II-B.
Round Bullet

Section 501(c)(3) organizations that have NOT filed Form 5768 (election under section 501(h)): Complete Part II-B. Do not complete Part II-A.
If the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, Line 5 (Proxy Tax) (see separate instructions) or Form 990-EZ, Part V, line 35c (Proxy Tax) (see separate instructions), then
Round Bullet

Section 501(c)(4), (5), or (6) organizations: Complete Part III.

Name of the organization

MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY

Employer identification number

23-7412105

Part I-A

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c) or is a section 527 organization.

Provide a description of the organization’s direct and indirect political campaign activities in Part IV.

Political expenditures .................................... SchCMd Bullet

Volunteer hours ........................................

Part I-B

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c)(3).

Enter the amount of any excise tax incurred by the organization under section 4955 ......... SchCMd Bullet

Enter the amount of any excise tax incurred by organization managers under section 4955 ...... SchCMd Bullet

If the organization incurred a section 4955 tax, did it file Form 4720 for this year? ..............

Yes No

Was a correction made? .........................................

Yes No

If "Yes," describe in Part IV.

Part I-C

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c), except section 501(c)(3).

Enter the amount directly expended by the filing organization for section 527 exempt function activities SchCMd Bullet

Enter the amount of the filing organization's funds contributed to other organizations for section 527 exempt function activities ................................... SchCMd Bullet

Total exempt function expenditures. Add lines 1 and 2. Enter here and on Form 1120-POL, line 17b.. SchCMd Bullet

Did the filing organization file Form 1120-POL for this year? ..........................

Yes No

Enter the names, addresses and employer identification number (EIN) of all section 527 political organizations to which the filing
organization made payments. For each organization listed, enter the amount paid from the filing organization’s funds. Also enter the amount of political contributions received that were promptly and directly delivered to a separate political organization, such as a separate segregated fund or a political action committee (PAC). If additional space is needed, provide information in Part IV.

(a) Name	(b) Address	(c) EIN	(d) Amount paid from filing organization's funds. If none, enter -0-.	(e) Amount of political contributions received and promptly and directly delivered to a separate political organization. If none, enter -0-.

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Cat. No. 50084S

Schedule C (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Page 2

Part II-A

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c)(3) and filed Form 5768 (election under section 501(h)).

A Check SchCMd Bullet

if the filing organization belongs to an affiliated group (and list in Part IV each affiliated group member's name, address, EIN, expenses, and share of excess lobbying expenditures).
B Check SchCMd Bullet

if the filing organization checked box A and "limited control" provisions apply.

Limits on Lobbying Expenditures (The term "expenditures" means amounts paid or incurred.)		(a) Filing organization's totals	(b) Affiliated group totals
1a	Total lobbying expenditures to influence public opinion (grass roots lobbying) ......
b	Total lobbying expenditures to influence a legislative body (direct lobbying) .......	75,193
c	Total lobbying expenditures (add lines 1a and 1b) ...................	75,193
d	Other exempt purpose expenditures ........................	1,468,220
e	Total exempt purpose expenditures (add lines 1c and 1d) ...............	1,543,413
f	Lobbying nontaxable amount. Enter the amount from the following table in both columns.	227,171
	If the amount on line 1e, column (a) or (b) is:The lobbying nontaxable amount is:
	Not over $500,00020% of the amount on line 1e.
	Over $500,000 but not over $1,000,000$100,000 plus 15% of the excess over $500,000.
	Over $1,000,000 but not over $1,500,000$175,000 plus 10% of the excess over $1,000,000.
	Over $1,500,000 but not over $17,000,000$225,000 plus 5% of the excess over $1,500,000.
	Over $17,000,000$1,000,000.

g	Grassroots nontaxable amount (enter 25% of line 1f) .................	56,793
h	Subtract line 1g from line 1a. If zero or less, enter -0-. ................
i	Subtract line 1f from line 1c. If zero or less, enter -0-. ................
j	If there is an amount other than zero on either line 1h or line 1i, did the organization file Form 4720 reporting section 4911 tax for this year? ......................................		Yes No

4-Year Averaging Period Under section 501(h) (Some organizations that made a section 501(h) election do not have to complete all of the five columns below. See the separate instructions for lines 2a through 2f.)
Lobbying Expenditures During 4-Year Averaging Period
	Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)	(a) 2011	(b) 2012	(c) 2013	(d) 2014	(e) Total

2a	Lobbying nontaxable amount	221,671	218,550	225,681	227,171	893,073

b	Lobbying ceiling amount (150% of line 2a, column(e))					1,339,610

c	Total lobbying expenditures	54,264	56,602	63,613	75,193	249,672

d	Grassroots nontaxable amount	55,418	54,638	56,420	56,793	223,269

e	Grassroots ceiling amount (150% of line 2d, column (e))					334,904

f	Grassroots lobbying expenditures

Schedule C (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Page 3

Part II-B

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c)(3) and has NOT filed Form 5768 (election under section 501(h)).

For each "Yes" response to lines 1a through 1i below, provide in Part IV a detailed description of the lobbying activity.

(a)

Yes

(b)

Amount

During the year, did the filing organization attempt to influence foreign, national, state or local legislation, including any attempt to influence public opinion on a legislative matter or referendum, through the use of:

Volunteers? .........................................

Paid staff or management (include compensation in expenses reported on lines 1c through 1i)? ....

Media advertisements? ....................................

Mailings to members, legislators, or the public? .........................

Publications, or published or broadcast statements? .......................

Grants to other organizations for lobbying purposes? .......................

Direct contact with legislators, their staffs, government officials, or a legislative body? ........

Rallies, demonstrations, seminars, conventions, speeches, lectures, or any similar means? ......

Other activities? ..........................

Total. Add lines 1c through 1i ...............................

Did the activities in line 1 cause the organization to be not described in section 501(c)(3)? .....

If "Yes," enter the amount of any tax incurred under section 4912 .................

If "Yes," enter the amount of any tax incurred by organization managers under section 4912 .....

If the filing organization incurred a section 4912 tax, did it file Form 4720 for this year? .......

Part III-A

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c)(4), section 501(c)(5), or section 501(c)(6).

Yes

Were substantially all (90% or more) dues received nondeductible by members? ................

Did the organization make only in-house lobbying expenditures of $2,000 or less? ................

Did the organization agree to carry over lobbying and political expenditures from the prior year? ..........

Part III-B

Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501(c)(4), section 501(c)(5), or section 501(c)(6) and if either (a) BOTH Part III-A, lines 1 and 2, are answered "No" OR (b) Part III-A, line 3, is answered “Yes."

Dues, assessments and similar amounts from members .....................

Section 162(e) nondeductible lobbying and political expenditures (do not include amounts of political
expenses for which the section 527(f) tax was paid).

Current year .........................................

Carryover from last year ....................................

Total ............................................

Aggregate amount reported in section 6033(e)(1)(A) notices of nondeductible section 162(e) dues .

If notices were sent and the amount on line 2c exceeds the amount on line 3, what portion of the excess does the organization agree to carryover to the reasonable estimate of nondeductible lobbying and political expenditure next year? ................................

Taxable amount of lobbying and political expenditures (see instructions) ..............

Part IV

Supplemental Information

Provide the descriptions required for Part l-A, line 1; Part l-B, line 4; Part l-C, line 5; Part II-A (affiliated group list); Part II-A, lines 1 and 2 (see instructions), and Part ll-B, line 1. Also, complete this part for any additional information.

Return Reference	Explanation
SCHEDULE C, PART IV	MCEA REPORTS ITS "DIRECT LOBBYING EXPENDITURES" AS DEFINED BY FEDERAL TAX LAW. THAT IS LIMITED TO EFFORTS TO "INFLUENCE" SPECIFIC PIECES OF LEGISLATION, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ADVOCACY WORK IN THE EXECUTIVE OR JUDICIAL BRANCHES, NONPARTISAN ANALYSIS OF POLICY ISSUES AND RELATED COMMUNICATIONS AND HANDLING REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM LEGISLATORS OR STAFF. "LOBBYING" UNDER MINNESOTA CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW IS MUCH BROADER THAN "LOBBYING" UNDER FEDERAL TAX LAW. IN 990 RETURNS FILED PRIOR TO 2010, MCEA INCLUDED EXPENDITURES FOR SOME ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD FALL OUTSIDE THE FEDERAL DEFINITION OF LOBBYING. THIS RETURN CONSINUTES MCEA REPORTING TO THE FEDERAL DEFINITION.

Return Reference

Explanation

SCHEDULE C, PART IV

MCEA REPORTS ITS "DIRECT LOBBYING EXPENDITURES" AS DEFINED BY FEDERAL TAX LAW. THAT IS LIMITED TO EFFORTS TO "INFLUENCE" SPECIFIC PIECES OF LEGISLATION, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ADVOCACY WORK IN THE EXECUTIVE OR JUDICIAL BRANCHES, NONPARTISAN ANALYSIS OF POLICY ISSUES AND RELATED COMMUNICATIONS AND HANDLING REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION FROM LEGISLATORS OR STAFF. "LOBBYING" UNDER MINNESOTA CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAW IS MUCH BROADER THAN "LOBBYING" UNDER FEDERAL TAX LAW. IN 990 RETURNS FILED PRIOR TO 2010, MCEA INCLUDED EXPENDITURES FOR SOME ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD FALL OUTSIDE THE FEDERAL DEFINITION OF LOBBYING. THIS RETURN CONSINUTES MCEA REPORTING TO THE FEDERAL DEFINITION.

Schedule C (Form 990 or 990EZ) 2014

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE D
(Form 990)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Supplemental Financial Statements

Complete if the organization answered "Yes," to Form 990,
Part IV, line 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 12a, or 12b.
SchDMd Bullet

Attach to Form 990.
Information about Schedule D (Form 990) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2014

Open to Public Inspection

Name of the organization

MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY

Employer identification number

23-7412105

Part I

Organizations Maintaining Donor Advised Funds or Other Similar Funds or Accounts. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 6.

		(a) Donor advised funds	(b) Funds and other accounts
1	Total number at end of year .........
2	Aggregate value of contributions to (during year)
3	Aggregate value of grants from (during year)
4	Aggregate value at end of year ........

Did the organization inform all donors and donor advisors in writing that the assets held in donor advised
funds are the organization's property, subject to the organization's exclusive legal control? ............

Yes No

Did the organization inform all grantees, donors, and donor advisors in writing that grant funds can be
used only for charitable purposes and not for the benefit of the donor or donor advisor, or for any other purpose conferring impermissible private benefit? ...................................

Yes No

Part II

Conservation Easements. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 7.

Purpose(s) of conservation easements held by the organization (check all that apply).

Preservation of land for public use (e.g., recreation or education) Preservation of an historically important land area

Protection of natural habitat Preservation of a certified historic structure

Preservation of open space

Complete lines 2a through 2d if the organization held a qualified conservation contribution in the form of a conservation easement on the last day of the tax year.


a	Total number of conservation easements .......................	2a
b	Total acreage restricted by conservation easements ..................	2b
c	Number of conservation easements on a certified historic structure included in (a) .....	2c
d	Number of conservation easements included in (c) acquired after 8/17/06, and not on a historic structure listed in the National Register ....................	2d

Number of conservation easements modified, transferred, released, extinguished, or terminated by the organization during
the tax year SchDMd Bullet

Number of states where property subject to conservation easement is located SchDMd Bullet

Does the organization have a written policy regarding the periodic monitoring, inspection, handling of violations, and
enforcement of the conservation easements it holds? .............................

Yes No

Staff and volunteer hours devoted to monitoring, inspecting, and enforcing conservation easements during the year
SchDMd Bullet

Amount of expenses incurred in monitoring, inspecting, and enforcing conservation easements during the year
SchDMd Bullet

Does each conservation easement reported on line 2(d) above satisfy the requirements of section 170(h)(4)(B)(i) and section 170(h)(4)(B)(ii)? .......................................

Yes No

In Part XIII, describe how the organization reports conservation easements in its revenue and expense statement, and
balance sheet, and include, if applicable, the text of the footnote to the organization’s financial statements that describes
the organization’s accounting for conservation easements.

Part III

Organizations Maintaining Collections of Art, Historical Treasures, or Other Similar Assets.
Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 8.

If the organization elected, as permitted under SFAS 116 (ASC 958), not to report in its revenue statement and balance sheet works of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets held for public exhibition, education, or research in furtherance of public service, provide, in Part XIII, the text of the footnote to its financial statements that describes these items.

If the organization elected, as permitted under SFAS 116 (ASC 958), to report in its revenue statement and balance sheet works of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets held for public exhibition, education, or research in furtherance of public service, provide the following amounts relating to these items:

(i)

Revenue included in Form 990, Part VIII, line 1 ........................ SchDMd Bullet

(ii)

Assets included in Form 990, Part X .............................. SchDMd Bullet

If the organization received or held works of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets for financial gain, provide the
following amounts required to be reported under SFAS 116 (ASC 958) relating to these items:

Revenue included in Form 990, Part VIII, line 1 .......................... SchDMd Bullet

Assets included in Form 990, Part X ............................... SchDMd Bullet

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.

Cat. No. 52283D

Schedule D (Form 990) 2014

Page 2

Part III

Organizations Maintaining Collections of Art, Historical Treasures, or Other Similar Assets (continued)

Using the organization’s acquisition, accession, and other records, check any of the following that are a significant use of its collection items (check all that apply):

Public exhibition

Loan or exchange programs

Scholarly research

Other

Preservation for future generations

Provide a description of the organization’s collections and explain how they further the organization’s exempt purpose in
Part XIII.

During the year, did the organization solicit or receive donations of art, historical treasures or other similar
assets to be sold to raise funds rather than to be maintained as part of the organization’s collection?........

Yes No

Part IV

Escrow and Custodial Arrangements. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990,
Part IV, line 9, or reported an amount on Form 990, Part X, line 21.

Is the organization an agent, trustee, custodian or other intermediary for contributions or other assets not
included on Form 990, Part X? ....................................

Yes No

If "Yes," explain the arrangement in Part XIII and complete the following table:


c	Beginning balance .................................	1c
d	Additions during the year ..............................	1d
e	Distributions during the year .............................	1e
f	Ending balance ...................................	1f

Did the organization include an amount on Form 990, Part X, line 21, for escrow or custodial account liability?

Yes No

If "Yes," explain the arrangement in Part XIII. Check here if the explanation has been provided in Part XIII .......

Part V

Endowment Funds. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 10.

		(a)Current year	(b)Prior year	b (c)Two years back	(d)Three years back	(e)Four years back
1a	Beginning of year balance ....	1,431,063	1,235,158	1,212,039	1,178,061	997,961
b	Contributions ........
c	Net investment earnings, gains, and losses	76,473	209,750	83,119	45,247	191,311
d	Grants or scholarships .....
e	Other expenditures for facilities and programs ........			60,000
f	Administrative expenses ....	14,860	13,845	12,438	11,269	11,211
g	End of year balance ......	1,492,676	1,431,063	1,235,158	1,212,039	1,178,061

Provide the estimated percentage of the current year end balance (line 1g, column (a)) held as:

Board designated or quasi-endowment SchDMd Bullet

62.600 %

Permanent endowment SchDMd Bullet

37.400 %

Temporarily restricted endowment SchDMd Bullet

The percentages in lines 2a, 2b, and 2c should equal 100%.

Are there endowment funds not in the possession of the organization that are held and administered for the
organization by:

Yes

(i) unrelated organizations ........................

3a(i)

(ii) related organizations ........................

3a(ii)

If "Yes" to 3a(ii), are the related organizations listed as required on Schedule R? .........

Describe in Part XIII the intended uses of the organization's endowment funds.

Part VI

Land, Buildings, and Equipment. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 11a. See Form 990, Part X, line 10.

Description of property		(b)Cost or other basis (other)	(c) Accumulated depreciation	(d) Book value
1a	Land .................
b	Buildings ................
c	Leasehold improvements ............
d	Equipment ................
e	Other .................	43,112	30,281	12,831
Total. Add lines 1a through 1e. (Column (d) must equal Form 990, Part X, column (B), line 10(c).).......				12,831

Schedule D (Form 990) 2014

Page 3

Part VII

InvestmentsOther Securities. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 11b. See Form 990, Part X, line 12.

(a) Description of security or category (including name of security)		(b)Book value	(c) Method of valuation: Cost or end-of-year market value
(1)Financial derivatives
(2)Closely-held equity interests
Other








Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col. (B) line 12.)

Part VIII

InvestmentsProgram Related. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 11c. See Form 990, Part X, line 13.

(a) Description of investment		(b) Book value	(c) Method of valuation: Cost or end-of-year market value









Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col.(B) line 13.)

Part IX

Other Assets. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 11d. See Form 990, Part X, line 15.

(a) Description				(b) Book value









Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col.(B) line 15.)...........

Part X

Other Liabilities. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 11e or 11f. See Form 990, Part X, line 25.

1.(a) Description of liability		(b) Book value
Federal income taxes









Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col.(B) line 25.)
2. Liability for uncertain tax positions. In Part XIII, provide the text of the footnote to the organization's financial statements that reports the organization's liability for uncertain tax positions under FIN 48 (ASC 740). Check here if the text of the footnote has been provided in Part XIII

Schedule D (Form 990) 2014

Page 4

Part XI Reconciliation of Revenue per Audited Financial Statements With Revenue per Return Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 12a.
1	Total revenue, gains, and other support per audited financial statements .......			1	1,803,583
2	Amounts included on line 1 but not on Form 990, Part VIII, line 12:
a	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments ....	2a	-48,277
b	Donated services and use of facilities .........	2b
c	Recoveries of prior year grants ...........	2c
d	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ............	2d
e	Add lines 2a through 2d .....................			2e	-48,277
3	Subtract line 2e from line 1.....................			3	1,851,860
4	Amounts included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 12, but not on line 1:
a	Investment expenses not included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 7b .	4a
b	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ...........	4b
c	Add lines 4a and 4b.......................			4c
5	Total revenue. Add lines 3 and 4c. (This must equal Form 990, Part I, line 12.) ......			5	1,851,860

Part XII Reconciliation of Expenses per Audited Financial Statements With Expenses per Return. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' to Form 990, Part IV, line 12a.
1	Total expenses and losses per audited financial statements ...........		1	1,543,413
2	Amounts included on line 1 but not on Form 990, Part IX, line 25:
a	Donated services and use of facilities ..........	2a
b	Prior year adjustments ..............	2b
c	Other losses ................	2c
d	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ............	2d
e	Add lines 2a through 2d......................		2e
3	Subtract line 2e from line 1.....................		3	1,543,413
4	Amounts included on Form 990, Part IX, line 25, but not on line 1:
a	Investment expenses not included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 7b ..	4a
b	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ............	4b
c	Add lines 4a and 4b.......................		4c
5	Total expenses. Add lines 3 and 4c. (This must equal Form 990, Part I, line 18.) ......		5	1,543,413

Part XIII

Supplemental Information

Provide the descriptions required for Part II, lines 3, 5, and 9; Part III, lines 1a and 4; Part lV, lines 1b and 2b;
Part V, line 4; Part X, line 2; Part XI, lines 2d and 4b; and Part XII, lines 2d and 4b. Also complete this part to provide any additional information.

Return Reference

Explanation

SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART V, LINE 4

THE BOARD DESIGNATED A FUND FOR FUTURE PROGRAMMING NEEDS. THESE AMOUNTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS UNTIL RELEASED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE BOARD HAS DESIGNATED THE USE OF CUMULATIVE EARNINGS FROM THE ENDOWMENT FUND FOR FUTURE PROGRAMMING NEEDS. THE PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED - ENDOWMENT FUND HAS BEEN CREATED FROM GIFTS, BEQUESTS AND LEGACIES SPECIFIED AS ENDOWMENT FUNDS BY THE DONOR. IT IS TO ENSURE THE LONGEVITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF MCEA BY PROVIDING A LONG-TERM FUNDING SOURCE, ENABLING MCEA TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN PROGRAMMING AND FACILITIES IN LINE WITH ITS MISSION. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SETS THE SPENDING POLICY FOR THE ENDOWMENT FUND AND CONSIDERS THE BALANCE BETWEEN RE-INVESTMENT OF ANNUAL EARNINGS WITH THE OPERATING NEEDS OF THE ORGANIZATION.

SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X

THE ORGANIZATION HAS EVALUATED ITS POTENTIAL EXPOSURE FOR UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AND MANAGEMENT HAS EXPRESSED THERE ARE NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AS OF JUNE 30, 2015. TAX RETURNS FOR THE PAST THREE TAX YEARS REMAIN OPEN FOR EXAMINATION BY TAX JURISDICTIONS.

Schedule D (Form 990) 2014

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE G (Form 990 or 990-EZ)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Supplemental Information Regarding
Fundraising or Gaming Activities

Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, lines 17, 18, or 19, or if the organization entered more than $15,000 on Form 990-EZ, line 6a. right arrow

Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
right arrow

Information about Schedule G (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2014

Open to Public Inspection

Name of the organization
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY

Employer identification number

23-7412105

Part I

Fundraising Activities. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 17. Form 990-EZ

filers are not required to complete this part.

Indicate whether the organization raised funds through any of the following activities. Check all that apply.

a	Mail solicitations	e	Solicitation of non-government grants
b	Internet and email solicitations	f	Solicitation of government grants
c	Phone solicitations	g	Special fundraising events
d	In-person solicitations

Did the organization have a written or oral agreement with any individual (including officers, directors, trustees

or key employees listed in Form 990, Part VII) or entity in connection with professional fundraising services?

Yes

If "Yes," list the ten highest paid individuals or entities (fundraisers) pursuant to agreements under which the fundraiser is
to be compensated at least $5,000 by the organization.

(i) Name and address of individual or entity (fundraiser)	(iii) Did fundraiser have custody or control of contributions?
	Yes	No










Total .................

List all states in which the organization is registered or licensed to solicit contributions or has been notified it is exempt from registration or licensing.

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990or 990-EZ.

Cat. No. 50083H

Schedule G (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Page 2

Part II

Fundraising Events. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 18, or reported more than $15,000 of fundraising event contributions and gross income on Form 990-EZ, lines 1 and 6b. List events with gross receipts greater than $5,000.

		(a) Event #1 LEGALLY GREEN G (event type)	(b) Event #2 HOUSE PARTIES (event type)	(c) Other events 1 (total number)	(d) Total events (add col. (a) through col. (c))
1	Gross receipts . . .	120,818	22,125	8,840	151,783
2	Less: Contributions . .	102,578	22,125	4,530	129,233
3	Gross income (line 1 minus line 2) . . .	18,240		4,310	22,550
4	Cash prizes . . .
5	Noncash prizes . .
6	Rent/facility costs . .	500		800	1,300
7	Food and beverages .	17,926		3,071	20,997
8	Entertainment . . .
9	Other direct expenses .	2,132	1,411	769	4,312
10	Direct expense summary. Add lines 4 through 9 in column (d) ...........				26,609
11	Net income summary. Subtract line 10 from line 3, column (d)...........				-4,059

Part III

Gaming. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 19, or reported more than $15,000 on Form 990-EZ, line 6a.

(a) Bingo

(b) Pull tabs/Instant
bingo/progressive bingo

(c) Other gaming

(d) Total gaming (add col.(a) through col.(c))

Gross revenue . . . .

Cash prizes . . . .

Non-cash prizes . . .

Rent/facility costs . . .

Other direct expenses . .

Volunteer labor . . .

	Yes %
	No

	Yes %
	No

	Yes %
	No

Direct expense summary. Add lines 2 through 5 in column (d) ........... right arrow

Net gaming income summary. Subtract line 7 from line 1, column (d) ......... right arrow

Enter the state(s) in which the organization conducts gaming activities:

Is the organization licensed to conduct gaming activities in each of these states? ............

YesNo

If "No," explain:

10a

Were any of the organization's gaming licenses revoked, suspended or terminated during the tax year? .....

YesNo

If "Yes," explain:

Schedule G (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Page 3

Does the organization conduct gaming activities with nonmembers? .................

YesNo

Is the organization a grantor, beneficiary or trustee of a trust or a member of a partnership or other entity

formed to administer charitable gaming? ..........................

YesNo

Indicate the percentage of gaming activities conducted in:

The organization's facility ......................

13a

An outside facility ........................

13b

Enter the name and address of the person who prepares the organization's gaming/special events books and records:

Name

Address

15a

Does the organization have a contract with a third party from whom the organization receives gaming

revenue? ......................................

YesNo

If "Yes," enter the amount of gaming revenue received by the organization right arrow

$ and the

amount of gaming revenue retained by the third party right arrow

If "Yes," enter name and address of the third party:

Name

Address

Gaming manager information:

Name

Gaming manager compensation right arrow

Description of services provided right arrow

Director/officer Employee Independent contractor

Mandatory distributions:

Is the organization required under state law to make charitable distributions from the gaming proceeds to

retain the state gaming license? ............................

YesNo

Enter the amount of distributions required under state law distributed to other exempt organizations or spent

in the organization's own exempt activities during the tax year right arrow

Part IV

Supplemental Information. Provide the explanations required by Part I, line 2b, columns (iii) and (v), and Part III, lines 9, 9b, 10b, 15b, 15c, 16, and 17b, as applicable. Also provide any additional information (see instructions).

Return Reference	Explanation

Schedule G (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

Schedule I
(Form 990)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Grants and Other Assistance to Organizations,
Governments and Individuals in the United States

Complete if the organization answered "Yes," to Form 990, Part IV, line 21 or 22.
lBullet

Attach to Form 990.
lBullet

Information about Schedule I (Form 990) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2014

Open to Public
Inspection

Name of the organization
MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY

Employer identification number
23-7412105

Part I

General Information on Grants and Assistance

Does the organization maintain records to substantiate the amount of the grants or assistance, the grantees' eligibility for the grants or assistance, and
the selection criteria used to award the grants or assistance? ....................................

Yes No

Describe in Part IV the organization's procedures for monitoring the use of grant funds in the United States.

Part II

Grants and Other Assistance to Domestic Organizations and Domestic Governments. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to
Form 990, Part IV, line 21, for any recipient that received more than $5,000. Part II can be duplicated if additional space is needed.

(a) Name and address of organization or government	(b) EIN	(c) IRC section if applicable	(d) Amount of cash grant	(h) Purpose of grant or assistance
(1) FRIENDS BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS 401 N 3RD ST 290 MINNEAPOLIS,MN55401	36-3414821	C3	20,000	SUBCONTRACTOR

Enter total number of section 501(c)(3) and government organizations listed in the line 1 table ................ Bullet Image

Enter total number of other organizations listed in the line 1 table ........................ . Bullet Image

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.

Cat. No. 50055P

Schedule I (Form 990) 2014

Page 2

Part III

Grants and Other Assistance to Domestic Individuals. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" to Form 990, Part IV, line 22.
Part III can be duplicated if additional space is needed.

(a)Type of grant or assistance	(b)Number of recipients	(c)Amount of cash grant	(d)Amount of non-cash assistance	(e)Method of valuation (book, FMV, appraisal, other)	(f)Description of non-cash assistance

Part IV

Supplemental Information. Provide the information required in Part I, line 2, Part III, column (b), and any other additional information.

Return Reference

Explanation

SCHEDULE I, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 2

MCEA ENTERS INTO A CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVING THE FUNDS. THIS AGREEMENT SPECIFIES THE TYPE OF ACTIVITIES THE FUNDING IS TO BE USED FOR, THE TIME PERIOD OF THE AGREEMENT, ANY END-OF-AGREEMENT DELIVERABLES OR REPORTS, AND THE PORTION OF THE FUNDING THAT IS WITHHELD PENDING COMPLETION OF THE AGREEMENT AND RELATED ACTIVITIES. PROGRESS ON ACTIVITIES AND THE FINAL REPORT ARE REVIEWED BY MCEA STAFF OVER THE COURSE OF THE AGREEMENT. FINAL PAYMENT IS AUTHORIZED WHEN MCEA ACCEPTS THE FINAL REPORT.

Schedule I (Form 990) 2014

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE M
(Form 990)

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

Noncash Contributions

Complete if the organizations answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, lines 29 or 30.
Right pointing arrow large image

Attach to Form 990.
Right pointing arrow large image

Information about Schedule M (Form 990) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2014

Open to Public Inspection

Name of the organization

MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY

Employer identification number

23-7412105

Part I

Types of Property

	(a) Check if applicable	(b) Number of contributions or items contributed	(c) Noncash contribution amounts reported on Form 990, Part VIII, line 1g	(d) Method of determining noncash contribution amounts
1 Art—Works of art ....
2 Art—Historical treasures .
3 Art—Fractional interests ..
4 Books and publications ..
5 Clothing and household goods .......
6 Cars and other vehicles ..
7 Boats and planes ....
8 Intellectual property ...
9 Securities—Publicly traded .	X	15	30,427	SELLING PRICE
10 Securities—Closely held stock .
11 Securities—Partnership, LLC, or trust interests ....
12 Securities—Miscellaneous ..
13 Qualified conservation contribution—Historic structures .....
14 Qualified conservation contribution—Other ...
15 Real estate—Residential .
16 Real estate—Commercial ..
17 Real estate—Other ...
18 Collectibles .....
19 Food inventory ...
20 Drugs and medical supplies .
21 Taxidermy ......
22 Historical artifacts ....
23 Scientific specimens ..
24 Archeological artifacts ...
25 Other ( )
26 Other ( )
27 Other ( )
28 Other ( )

Number of Forms 8283 received by the organization during the tax year for contributions
for which the organization completed Form 8283, Part IV, Donee Acknowledgement ...

Yes

30a

During the year, did the organization receive by contribution any property reported in Part I, lines 1 through 28, that

it must hold for at least three years from the date of the initial contribution, and which is not required to be used

for exempt purposes for the entire holding period? ..................

30a

If "Yes," describe the arrangement in Part II.

Does the organization have a gift acceptance policy that requires the review of any non-standard contributions?

Yes

32a

Does the organization hire or use third parties or related organizations to solicit, process, or sell noncash

contributions? ..........................

32a

If "Yes," describe in Part II.

If the organization did not report an amount in column (c) for a type of property for which column (a) is checked,

describe in Part II.

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.

Cat. No. 51227J

Schedule M (Form 990) (2014)

Page 2

Part II

Supplemental Information. Provide the information required by Part I, lines 30b,
32b, and 33, and whether the organization is reporting in Part I, column (b), the number of contributions, the number of items received, or a combination of both. Also complete this part for any additional information.

Return Reference	Explanation

Schedule M (Form 990) (2014)

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 990-EZ or to provide any additional information.
MediumBullet

Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
MediumBullet

Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at
www.irs.gov/form990.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2014

Open to Public
Inspection

Name of the organization

MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY

Employer identification number

23-7412105

Return Reference	Explanation
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C	CLIMATE.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D	MINING: ADDRESSES THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF PROPOSED NONFERROUS SULFIDE MINING PROJECTS IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, INCLUDING WATER AND AIR POLLUTION, WETLAND CONVERSION AND TAILINGS BASIN STABILITY. MCEA'S FOCUS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE PROPOSED MINES PROVE THEY CAN MEET APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS, THAT AGENCIES USE THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE TO EVALUATE THESE PROPOSALS, AND THE LONG-TERM INTEREST OF TAXPAYERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT ARE PROTECTED. WILDLIFE AND NATURAL RESOURCES: WORKS TO CONSERVE, PROTECT, AND ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT WILL SUSTAIN LAKES, RIVERS, STREAMS, WETLANDS AND FORESTS, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITIES THAT DEPEND UPON THEM TO PREVENT LONG TERM DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION. FOR EXAMPLE, MCEA HAS BEEN A KEY ADVOCATE FOR STRENGTHENING MINNESOTA'S WETLAND CONSERVATION ACT AND FOR FUNDING FOR ACTIONS AND RESEARCH THAT WORK TO STOP THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 8B	BOARD COMMITTEES REPORT VERBALLY TO THE BOARD ON COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES DURING BOARD MEETINGS, WITH BOARD MINUTES INCLUDING DOCUMENTATION OF COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B	IT IS THE POLICY OF THE MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY (MCEA) THAT MCEA STAFF WILL GENERATE ALL FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE EXTERNAL AUDIT AND 990 TAX RETURN. AFTER STAFF REVIEW OF THE DRAFT AUDIT AND 990 DOCUMENTS, THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD WILL MEET WITH STAFF TO REVIEW THE DRAFT DOCUMENTS FOR APPROVAL AND RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD. THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE FULL BOARD FOR ADOPTION. THESE ACTIONS WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE FIRST FILING DATE OF NOVEMBER 15 OF REPORTING YEAR. IF THE FULL BOARD CANNOT MEET AND CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATION PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MAY ACT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD ON THE RECOMMENDATION.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C	THE BOARD REQUIRES EACH DIRECTOR, OFFICER AND STAFF MEMBER TO BE ADVISED OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND PROVIDED A COPY, IMMEDIATELY UPON ASSUMING DUTIES OR RELATIONSHIP AT MCEA. AT EVERY OTHER BOARD MEETING, THE MEMBERS ARE REMINDED OF THEIR OBLIGATION TO DECLARE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. EACH FALL, THE BOARD MEMBERS ARE PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS TO UPDATE THEIR STATUS. STAFF WORKS WITH BOARD MEMBERS TO HAVE ALL FORMS COMPLETED AND RETURNED.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A	THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBES THE PROCESS USED BY MCEA TO SET COMPENSATION FOR ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. MCEA COMPENSATION INCLUDES SALARY AND BENEFITS. THE BENEFITS PACKAGE INCLUDES PAID TIME OFF (ACCRUED AT VARYING RATES BASED ON TENURE) AND A BENEFITS PAYMENT THAT CAN BE USED TO PURCHASE HEALTH CARE, PURCHASE OTHER COVERAGE, CONTRIBUTE TO RETIREMENT OR BE USED IN ANOTHER MANNER AS DETERMINED BY THE EMPLOYEE. EVERY EMPLOYEE RECEIVES THE SAME BENEFIT PACKAGE. THE BENEFITS PAYMENT IS DESIGNED TO COVER AT LEAST THE COST OF INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE INSURANCE FOR THE EMPLOYEE. THE AMOUNT OF THE PAYMENT IS REVIEWED ANNUALLY AND ADJUSTED AS COVERAGE COSTS AND BUDGET ALLOW. MCEA SALARY COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS DETERMINED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: 1.CURRENT SALARY AND TENURE OF INCUMBENT (OR PREVIOUS INCUMBENT IF FILLING VACANCY). 2.SALARY AND TENURE OF COMPARABLE POSITIONS, INCLUDING OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF LIKE SIZE AND ACTIVITY AS REPORTED ON THEIR 990. 3.A SURVEY OF THE EXISTING MARKET BASED ON SIMILAR JOB POSTINGS ON THE MN COUNCIL OF NONPROFITS WEBSITE, LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND JOB BOARDS AND NATIONAL SOURCES SUCH AS MONSTER.COM. 4.A PUBLISHED SURVEY OF REPORTED SALARIES/COMPENSATION FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR OTHER TOP POSITIONS. THE PRIMARY SOURCE FOR THIS INFORMATION IN MINNESOTA IS THE MINNESOTA NONPROFIT SALARY AND BENEFITS SURVEY PUBLISHED REGULARLY BY THE MN COUNCIL OF NONPROFITS. THIS INFORMATION IS EVALUATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WITH ACTION RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE SUBMITTED TO THE FULL BOARD FOR FINAL APPROVAL.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19	THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. IN ADDITION, FORM 990 IS PUBLISHED AT WWW.GUIDESTAR.COM.

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Cat. No. 51056K

Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2014

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

		Prior Year	Current Year
8	Contributions and grants (Part VIII, line 1h) .........	964,331	1,365,403
9	Program service revenue (Part VIII, line 2g) .........	286,392	358,700
10	Investment income (Part VIII, column (A), lines 3, 4, and 7d ) ....	54,580	123,490
11	Other revenue (Part VIII, column (A), lines 5, 6d, 8c, 9c, 10c, and 11e)	26,234	4,267
12	Total revenue—add lines 8 through 11 (must equal Part VIII, column (A), line 12)...................	1,331,537	1,851,860
13	Grants and similar amounts paid (Part IX, column (A), lines 1–3 )...		25,000
14	Benefits paid to or for members (Part IX, column (A), line 4).....		0
15	Salaries, other compensation, employee benefits (Part IX, column (A), lines 5–10)	1,130,360	1,170,248
16a	Professional fundraising fees (Part IX, column (A), line 11e).....		0
b	Total fundraising expenses (Part IX, column (D), line 25) 133,487
17	Other expenses (Part IX, column (A), lines 11a–11d, 11f–24e)....	383,257	348,165
18	Total expenses. Add lines 13–17 (must equal Part IX, column (A), line 25)	1,513,617	1,543,413
19	Revenue less expenses. Subtract line 18 from line 12.......	-182,080	308,447
		Beginning of Current Year	End of Year
20	Total assets (Part X, line 16).............	2,416,439	2,683,110
21	Total liabilities (Part X, line 26).............	88,123	94,624
22	Net assets or fund balances. Subtract line 21 from line 20.....	2,328,316	2,588,486

Sign Here

	Signature of officer	Date

	Type or print name and title


4a	(Code: ) (Expenses $ 495,894 including grants of $ ) (Revenue $ 333,700 )
	CLEAN ENERGY: FOCUSES ON LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOURCES FOR MINNESOTA AND THE REPLACEMENT OF OUT-DATED ENVIRONMENTALLY HARMFUL ENERGY SOURCES LIKE COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS. TO SUPPORT THIS GOAL, MCEA SERVES AS LEGAL COUNSEL FOR SEVERAL MINNESOTA ENERGY PARTNERS INCLUDING THE IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE, WIND ON THE WIRES, FRESH ENERGY, CENTER FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND SIERRA CLUB.

4b	(Code: ) (Expenses $ 355,163 including grants of $ ) (Revenue $ )
	WATER QUALITY: FOCUSES ON PROTECTING MINNESOTA'S GREATEST NATURAL RESOURCE AND ECONOMIC ASSET, ITS WATER. FOR EXAMPLE, MCEA ADVOCATES FOR THE ADOPTION AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROTECTIVE NITROGEN AND PHOSPHOROUS STANDARDS FOR FLOWING WATERS, DEFENDS THE STATE'S NUMERIC NITROGEN AND PHOSPHOROUS STANDARDS FOR LAKES AND RESERVOIRS, AND FULLY PARTICIPATES IN LARGE-SCALE IMPLEMENTATION PLANS FOR TURBIDITY REDUCTIONS IN THE MINNESOTA RIVER AND PHOSPHORUS REDUCTIONS IN LAKE PEPIN. MCEA ALSO ACTS AS A WATCHDOG TO ASSURE THAT CLEAN WATER FUNDS FROM THE LEGACY AMENDMENT ARE TARGETED EFFECTIVELY. MCEA CONTINUES TO PROVIDE LEGAL AND TECHNICAL PRESSURE ON MINNESOTA AGENCY OFFICIALS TO MEET FEDERAL STANDARDS FOR WATER QUALITY PERMITTING AND ENFORCEMENT.

4c	(Code: ) (Expenses $ 201,367 including grants of $ ) (Revenue $ 25,000 )
	LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION: ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC POLICY PLATFORMS AND FUNDING MECHANISMS THAT SUPPORT MORE COMPACT AND MIXED-USE FORMS OF DEVELOPMENT, BROADEN THE CHOICES FOR HOW WE LIVE AND GET AROUND, PROVIDE RESIDENTS ACCESS TO THE REGION'S ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, PROTECT FOREST, FARMS, AND NATURAL AREAS, AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE AIR WE BREATHE AND THE WATER WE DRINK. MCEA WORKS TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT RACIALLY DIVERSE AND TRANSIT-DEPENDENT NEIGHBORHOODS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE REGION'S SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IN TRANSITWAY CORRIDORS. MCEA ALSO WORKS TO INTEGRATE AUTHORITIES AND ALIGN INVESTMENTS AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL AND STATE LEVELS TO MITIGATE MINNESOTA'S CONTRIBUTION TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND ADAPT TO THE COMING CHANGES IN MINNESOTA'S CLIMATE.

	(Code: ) (Expenses $ 200,019 including grants of $ 25,000 ) (Revenue $ )
	MINING: ADDRESSES THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF PROPOSED NONFERROUS SULFIDE MINING PROJECTS IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, INCLUDING WATER AND AIR POLLUTION, WETLAND CONVERSION AND TAILINGS BASIN STABILITY. MCEA'S FOCUS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE PROPOSED MINES PROVE THEY CAN MEET APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS, THAT AGENCIES USE THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE TO EVALUATE THESE PROPOSALS, AND THE LONG-TERM INTEREST OF TAXPAYERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT ARE PROTECTED. WILDLIFE AND NATURAL RESOURCES: WORKS TO CONSERVE, PROTECT, AND ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT WILL SUSTAIN LAKES, RIVERS, STREAMS, WETLANDS AND FORESTS, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITIES THAT DEPEND UPON THEM TO PREVENT LONG TERM DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION. FOR EXAMPLE, MCEA HAS BEEN A KEY ADVOCATE FOR STRENGTHENING MINNESOTA'S WETLAND CONSERVATION ACT AND FOR FUNDING FOR ACTIONS AND RESEARCH THAT WORK TO STOP THE SPREAD OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES.

4d	Other program services (Describe in Schedule O.)
	(Expenses $ 200,019 including grants of $ 25,000 ) (Revenue $ )
4e	Total program service expenses1,252,443

1b	Sub-Total................
c	Total from continuation sheets to Part VII, Section A....
d	Total (add lines 1b and 1c)............	121,764	11,361

(A) Name and business address	(B) Description of services	(C) Compensation





2 Total number of independent contractors (including but not limited to those listed above) who received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization

1	Briefly describe the organization’s mission or most significant activities: THE MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT USES LAW, SCIENCE AND RESEARCH TO PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT, ITS NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE HEALTH OF ITS PEOPLE.
2	Check this box
3	Number of voting members of the governing body (Part VI, line 1a) ........	3	18
4	Number of independent voting members of the governing body (Part VI, line 1b) .....	4	18
5	Total number of individuals employed in calendar year 2014 (Part V, line 2a) ......	5	18
6	Total number of volunteers (estimate if necessary) .............	6	72
7a	Total unrelated business revenue from Part VIII, column (C), line 12 ........	7a	0
b	Net unrelated business taxable income from Form 990-T, line 34 .........	7b

(A) Name and Title	(B) Average hours per week (list any hours for related organizations below dotted line)	(C) Position (do not check more than one box, unless person is both an officer and a director/trustee)		(D) Reportable compensation from the organization (W- 2/1099-MISC)	(E) Reportable compensation from related organizations (W- 2/1099-MISC)	(F) Estimated amount of other compensation from the organization and related organizations
(A) Name and Title
(18) FRED MORRIS........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X		0	0	0
(19) STEVE KINSELLA........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X		0	0	0
(20) JANE KRENTZ........................................................................ DIRECTOR	1.00 .......................	X		0	0	0
(21) SCOTT STRAND........................................................................ EXECUTIVE DI	40.00 .......................		X	121,764	0	11,361

				(A) Total revenue	(B) Related or exempt function revenue	(C) Unrelated business revenue	(D) Revenue excluded from tax under sections 512-514
1a	Federated campaigns..1a
b	Membership dues....1b
c	Fundraising events....1c		129,233
d	Related organizations...1d
e	Government grants (contributions)1e

f	All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above1f		1,236,170

g	Noncash contributions included in lines 1a-1f:$		30,427
h	Total. Add lines 1a-1f.......			1,365,403
			Business Code
2a	PROGRAM SERVICE INCOME		541900	358,700	358,700
b
c
d
e
f	All other program service revenue .
g	Total. Add lines 2a–2f........			358,700
3	Investment income (including dividends, interest, and other similar amounts).......			26,765			26,765
4	Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds..
5	Royalties...........
		(i) Real	(ii) Personal
6a	Gross rents
b	Less: rental expenses
c	Rental income or (loss)
d	Net rental income or (loss).......
		(i) Securities	(ii) Other
7a	Gross amount from sales of assets other than inventory	324,895
b	Less: cost or other basis and sales expenses	228,170
c	Gain or (loss)	96,725
d	Net gain or (loss)..........			96,725			96,725
8a	Gross income from fundraising events (not including $ 129,233 of contributions reported on line 1c). See Part IV, line 18 ..
	a		22,550
b	Less: direct expenses ...b		26,609
c	Net income or (loss) from fundraising events..			-4,059
9a	Gross income from gaming activities. See Part IV, line 19 ...
	a
b	Less: direct expenses ...b
c	Net income or (loss) from gaming activities...
10a	Gross sales of inventory, less returns and allowances .
	a
b	Less: cost of goods sold ..b
c	Net income or (loss) from sales of inventory..
Miscellaneous Revenue			Business Code
11a	UNEMPLOYMENT RESERVE DIST.		900099	7,926			7,926
b	SALE OF EQUIPMENT		900099	400			400
c
d	All other revenue ....
e	Total. Add lines 11a–11d ......			8,326
12	Total revenue. See Instructions......			1,851,860	358,700		131,816


				(A) Beginning of year		(B) End of year
1	Cash–non-interest-bearing .............			863,254	1	886,066
2	Savings and temporary cash investments .........				2
3	Pledges and grants receivable, net ...........			75,000	3	272,200
4	Accounts receivable, net .............			17,071	4	9,648
5	Loans and other receivables from current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and highest compensated employees. Complete Part II of Schedule L ..................
					5
6	Loans and other receivables from other disqualified persons (as defined under section 4958(f)(1)), persons described in section 4958(c)(3)(B), and contributing employers and sponsoring organizations of section 501(c)(9) voluntary employees' beneficiary organizations (see instructions) Complete Part II of Schedule L
					6
7	Notes and loans receivable, net .............				7
8	Inventories for sale or use ..............				8
9	Prepaid expenses and deferred charges ..........			16,331	9	5,934
10a	Land, buildings, and equipment: cost or other basis. Complete Part VI of Schedule D	10a	43,113
b	Less: accumulated depreciation .....	10b	30,281	10,121	10c	12,832
11	Investments—publicly traded securities ..........			1,434,662	11	1,496,430
12	Investments—other securities. See Part IV, line 11 .....				12
13	Investments—program-related. See Part IV, line 11 .....				13
14	Intangible assets ...............				14
15	Other assets. See Part IV, line 11 ...........				15
16	Total assets. Add lines 1 through 15 (must equal line 34)......			2,416,439	16	2,683,110
17	Accounts payable and accrued expenses .........			63,873	17	94,624
18	Grants payable .................				18
19	Deferred revenue ................			24,250	19
20	Tax-exempt bond liabilities .............				20
21	Escrow or custodial account liability. Complete Part IV of Schedule D..				21
22	Loans and other payables to current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, highest compensated employees, and disqualified
	persons. Complete Part II of Schedule L..........				22
23	Secured mortgages and notes payable to unrelated third parties ..				23
24	Unsecured notes and loans payable to unrelated third parties ....				24
25	Other liabilities (including federal income tax, payables to related third parties, and other liabilities not included on lines 17-24). Complete Part X of Schedule D....................				25
26	Total liabilities. Add lines 17 through 25.........			88,123	26	94,624
	Organizations that follow SFAS 117 (ASC 958), check here and complete lines 27 through 29, and lines 33 and 34.
27	Unrestricted net assets ..............			1,299,369	27	1,270,312
28	Temporarily restricted net assets ...........			471,340	28	760,567
29	Permanently restricted net assets ...........			557,607	29	557,607
	Organizations that do not follow SFAS 117 (ASC 958), check here and complete lines 30 through 34.
30	Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds ........				30
31	Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund .....				31
32	Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds				32
33	Total net assets or fund balances ...........			2,328,316	33	2,588,486
34	Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances ........			2,416,439	34	2,683,110