Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions. Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS PROJECT INC
Employer identification number
22-3432160
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
A family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
A 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of monetary support
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
901,920
1,487,956
766,080
806,490
578,386
4,540,832
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
901,920
1,487,956
766,080
806,490
578,386
4,540,832
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)..
741,479
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
3,799,353
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
901,920
1,487,956
766,080
806,490
578,386
4,540,832
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
29,354
5,153
2,663
1,419
553
39,142
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..
16,217
16,217
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
4,596,191
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
1,157,289
13
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.................................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public support percentage for 2013 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))
.........
14
82.660 %
15
Public support percentage for 2012 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
81.200 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2013.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2013.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b, and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
.....................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a, and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
................................................
18
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
.....................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
8
Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
..
13
Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..
14
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public support percentage for 2013 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2013 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2013.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3%, and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....
20
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at
www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS PROJECT INC
Employer identification number
22-3432160
Return Reference
Explanation
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A
REPRESENTED VARIOUS FIELDS, INCLUDING RELIGIOUS LEADERS, ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT, COACHES, SOCIAL WORKERS, EDUCATORS, CONFLICT RESOLUTION PRACTITIONERS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS OFFERED WORKSHOPS IN: DESIGNING AND FACILITATING DIALOGUES; FACILITATING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS; FORMING EFFECTIVE AND POWERFUL QUESTIONS; PREPARING FOR MEETINGS; AND FACILITATING PUBLIC MEETINGS. HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR INCLUDED: MOVING PASTORS TOWARD SCIENTIFIC LITERACY IN ADDITION TO FINDINGS IN A 2012 GALLUP SURVEY THAT 46% OF AMERICANS REJECT AN EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN FOR HUMANS, THE 30-YEAR SURVEY FOUND THAT 55% OF EVANGELICAL PROTESTANTS REJECT AN EVOLUTIONARY ACCOUNT OF HUMAN ORIGINS AND BELIEVE THAT ALL LIVING THINGS HAVE EXISTED IN THEIR PRESENT FORM SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. THIS CONTROVERSY OVER FAITH AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR PASTORS TO ENGAGE IN THIS CONVERSATION, ESPECIALLY AS THEY LEAD CONGREGATIONS WHOSE MEMBERS HAVE WIDELY DIFFERING ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS. FUNDED BY THE BIO LOGOS FOUNDATION AND SPONSORED BY GORDON COLLEGE, PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS PRACTITIONERS SUPPORTED AND FACILITATED PORTIONS OF A WEEKLONG SERIES OF TRAININGS TO TEACH THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF SCIENCE TO EVANGELICAL PASTORS. DIALOGUE HELPED THE PASTORS WRESTLE OPENLY WITH THE IMPLICATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY WITH THEIR THEOLOGY AND PASTORAL CARE. OUTCOMES INCLUDE EQUIPPING PASTORS WITH INTERPERSONAL DIALOGUE SKILLS, INCREASING THEIR SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, AND DEVELOPING A SUSTAINED INTEREST IN IMPROVING THEIR SCIENTIFIC LITERACY. FINALLY, TRAINING EQUIPPED PASTORS TO REPLICATE THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THEIR OWN CHURCHES, USING SOME OF THE MATERIALS THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO AND THE METHODS THAT WERE MODELED IN THE COURSE. PASTORS RESPONDED: "PASTORS, SCIENCE AND FAITH WAS EYE-OPENING AND CHANGED THE WAY I LOOK AT MANY ISSUES IN SCIENCE. I NOW SEE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR ME AS A PASTOR TO BE SCIENTIFICALLY LITERATE IN TODAY'S WORLD. THE LEADERS BEHIND THIS COURSE ARE TRULY DOING GOD'S WORK, AND I BELIEVE THE BENEFIT TO THE CHURCH WILL BE SUBSTANTIAL." AND: "THIS WEEK HAS GIVEN ME A BETTER GLIMPSE OF GOD'S WONDERFULLY COMPLEX CREATION. I HAVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH AND LEARN FROM WORKING SCIENTISTS. IT HAS EXPANDED MY UNDERSTANDING OF GOD'S REVELATION THROUGH NATURE AND SCRIPTURE." IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION INITIATIVE IN MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE WORKED WITH WELCOMING AMERICA WITH FUNDING FROM THE JAMS FOUNDATION AND THE CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT AS A PILOT PROGRAM TO DESIGN AND FOSTER COMMUNITY PROCESSES FOR STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS AND RESOLVING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IMMIGRANTS AND U.S.-BORN AMERICANS TOOK PLACE IN FY2014. IN SUPPORT OF THE LOCAL IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION INITIATIVE, PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS PRACTITIONERS DELIVERED DIALOGUE FACILITATION TRAINING TO 22 MANCHESTER, NH RESIDENTS FROM 10 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, FOCUSING ON ISSUES RELATED TO IMMIGRATION. IMPORTANTLY, THIS WORK WAS MARKED BY INTENTIONAL EFFORT TO INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY OFTEN OVERLOOKED BY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS. BY PROVIDING STIPENDS TO PARTICIPANTS WHO WOULD STRUGGLE TO MISS WORK AND REACHING OUT TO EMERGING LEADERS AND YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY, CONVENERS ACTIVELY SOUGHT OUT MEMBERS OF DIVERSE STAKEHOLDER COMMUNITIES. THIS INTENTIONALITY PAID OFF, AS PARTICIPANTS RECOGNIZED THE VALUE OF HEARING DIVERSE VOICES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOUNGER LEADERS. AND DESPITE CONTINUING DISAGREEMENTS IN PERSPECTIVE, THESE LEADERS HAVE COMMITTED TO BEING IN COMMUNITY TOGETHER. PARTICIPANTS ECHOED THIS SENTIMENT, REFLECTING: "THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED IS THE VALUE OF A DIALOGUE THAT'S NOT GEARED TOWARDS CHANGING MINDS. BEFORE THIS WORKSHOP, I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PURPOSE WOULD BE IF NOT TO GET PEOPLE TO AGREE." PARTICIPANTS ALSO NOTED THE POWER OF THIS MODEL, EXPRESSING: "I FEEL LIKE THIS MODEL HAS INCREDIBLE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER FOR THE WORLD. I WAS SO GLAD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE STEEPED IN IT FOR 2 DAYS." DIALOGUE TRAINING AND FACILITATION WITH NEW YORK UNIVERSITY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NYU'S CENTER FOR GLOBAL SPIRITUAL LIFE, PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS BEGAN A YEARLONG PROGRAM IN DIALOGUE AND FACILITATION TRAINING. IN AUGUST 2014, PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS INSTRUCTORS TRAINED THREE GROUPS, TOTALING MORE THAN 400 RESIDENT ASSISTANTS, RESIDENTIAL LIFE AND STUDENT AFFAIRS STAFF ABOUT CONFLICT AND CONSTRUCTIVE COMMUNICATION. THIS JUMPSTARTED A YEARLONG EFFORT TO EQUIP STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE ACROSS DIVIDES, TO PARTICIPATE CONSTRUCTIVELY IN DIALOGUE, AND TO FACILITATE CONVERSATIONS AROUND ISSUES OF CONTROVERSY IN THE UNIVERSITY. PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS SUPPORTED THE NYU COMMUNITY AS IT APPROACHED CONVERSATIONS ON THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT IN LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS IN THE REGION. THE PRIOR ACADEMIC YEAR NYU EXPERIENCED A NUMBER OF VERY HIGH PROFILE ACTIONS REGARDING THIS ISSUE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO SPLINTERING THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY. THE HIGH CASUALTIES OF THE PREVIOUS SUMMER'S WAR AND THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ADDED TO THE TOXICITY OF THE DEBATE; THE TONE AND TENOR OF THE DEBATE IN PREVIOUS MONTHS HAD BEEN POLARIZING, ALIENATING, AND MARKED BY EXTREME USES OF DEMONIZING LANGUAGE. ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE NYU COMMUNITY IS COMMITTED TO A DEEP AND CIVIL EXPLORATION OF THE CONFLICT AND THAT THE CENTER FOR GLOBAL SPIRITUAL LIFE (GSL) AIMS TO EQUIP STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF WITH THE SKILLS TO DIALOGUE AND FACILITATE RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE, PCP STAFF WORKED WITH GSL AND THEIR DESIGNEES TO DESIGN THESE TRAININGS AND DIALOGUES, AS WELL AS CONSULT ON EMERGING ISSUES AND MEETING DESIGN. PARTICIPANTS FELT RELIEVED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT DIFFICULT ISSUES IN A SAFE-ENOUGH ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY COULD BE HEARD. THEY NOTED THE "IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL STORIES IN INCREASING EMPATHY" AND THE POWER OF "ACTUALLY GETTING TO DISCUSS OUR PERSPECTIVES ON PALESTINE-ISRAEL SO AUTHENTICALLY, AND MOVE THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OURSELVES." ONE STUDENT EXCLAIMED: "WE TALKED ABOUT ISRAEL AND PALESTINE WE WENT THERE"
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B
IRS FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE TREASURER AND CEO AND PROVIDED TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A
THE CEO'S PERFORMANCE IS EVALUATED ANNUALLY BY A TEAM OF BOARD MEMBERS INCLUDING THE BOARD CHAIR AND TWO VOLUNTEERS. COMPENSATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2006, WHEN THE CURRENT CEO WAS HIRED. AT THE TIME THE CEO WAS HIRED, THE BOARD REVIEWED AND APPROVED THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE. SINCE THEN, THE ONLY INCREASE GIVEN HAS ESSENTIALLY BEEN A COST OF LIVING INCREASE CONSISITENT WITH THAT RECEIVED BY THE REST OF THE PCP STAFF.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B
COMPENSATION FOR OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES IS DETERMINED BY THE CEO, WHO HAS FROM TIME TO TIME MADE SALARY ADJUSTMENTS TO ENSURE THAT KEY EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION WAS COMMENSURATE WITH THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, CONTRIBUTIONS TO PCP AND COMPARABLE TO THE SALARIES PAID TO STAFF AT SIMILAR-SIZED ORGANIZATIONS.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19
THE PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS PROJECT MAKES ALL REQUISITE FILINGS, INCLUDING: A. FORM 990, FILED WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND AVAILABLE ON-LINE THROUGH GUIDESTAR.ORG. B. FORM PC, FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MASSACHUSETTS. C. ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION AND BY-LAWS, FILED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. THE NAMES OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE AVAILABLE ON PCP'S WEBSITE.
FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G
OTHER CONSULTANTS 121,110 37,290 105,242
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.