Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
| (i)Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
| Total | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any unusual grants.) .... | 235,640 | 179,423 | 270,883 | 148,006 | 221,115 | 1,055,067 |
| 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 | 235,640 | 179,423 | 270,883 | 148,006 | 221,115 | 1,055,067 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | ||||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 1,055,067 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 235,640 | 179,423 | 270,883 | 148,006 | 221,115 | 1,055,067 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 2,358 | 1,780 | 888 | 455 | 324 | 5,805 |
| 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.).. | 100,000 | 59,200 | 102,129 | 176,401 | 104,877 | 542,607 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10. | 1,603,479 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (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.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (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.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 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 | ||||
| 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 2015 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-2015 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2015 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 |
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|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2015 (reasonable cause required--see instructions) |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2015: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c | ||||
| d From 2013....... | ||||
| e From 2014....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2010 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2015 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2015, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2015. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
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|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2016. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c Excess from 2013....... | ||||
| d From 2014....... | ||||
| e From 2015....... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: | FOUNDED IN 2002, GEORGIA WATCH IS THE STATE'S LEADING CONSUMER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, FOCUSED ON ISSUES THAT IMPACT CONSUMERS' WALLET AND QUALITY OF LIFE. GEORGIA WATCH IS A NON-PROFIT, NONPARTISAN 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION THAT UTILIZES EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY TO HELP GIVE CONSUMERS A STRONG ALLY TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD WITH POWERFUL SPECIAL INTERESTS IN THE STATE. WE WORK EVERY DAY TO CREATE A GEORGIA THAT IS A MODEL FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION. OUR WORK FOCUSES ON EDUCATING CONSUMERS AND INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICIES IN WAYS THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT CONSUMERS. WHILE WE SERVE ALL GEORGIA RESIDENTS, WE PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WHO MOST NEED A CHAMPION - SENIOR CITIZENS, LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR - THOSE WHO ARE MOST AT-RISK FOR PREDATORY BUSINESS PRACTICES AND MOST BURDENED BY THE HIGH COST OF UTILITIES AND HEALTHCARE. TO FULFILL OUR MISSION, GEORGIA WATCH WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE PUBLIC, COALITION PARTNERS, LEGISLATORS, REGULATORS, AND THE MEDIA TO SERVE AS AN ADVOCATE AS WELL AS A TRUSTED RESOURCE FOR INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE. ALL GEORGIA WATCH ACTIVITIES ARE MANAGED AND OVERSEEN BY ITS STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS. |
| PART III, LINE 1 | BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION: OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER AND PROTECT GEORGIA CONSUMERS ON MATTERS THAT IMPACT THEIR WALLETS AND QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT. WE WORK TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICIES THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT CONSUMERS, SAFEGUARD CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN THE AREA OF PERSONAL FINANCE, PROMOTE ACCESS TO SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE, ENCOURAGE FAIR UTILITY RATES AND RENEWABLE ENERGY OPTIONS, PROTECT THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AND PROMOTE ACCESS TO THE COURTS. |
| PART III, LINE 4A | 4A) CONSUMER EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMS GEORGIA WATCH WORKED IN 2015 TO EDUCATE GEORGIA CITIZENS, THE MEDIA AND POLICYMAKERS ABOUT CRITICAL AREAS OF PUBLIC CONCERN, INCLUDING PREDATORY LENDING, PROACTIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, IDENTITY THEFT, SCAM AVOIDANCE AND ENERGY ISSUES. GEORGIA WATCH OFFERS NUMEROUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ASSIST GEORGIANS WITH BASIC CONSUMER PROTECTIONS, INCLUDING GETTING ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE OPTIONS; MANAGING PERSONAL FINANCES MORE EFFECTIVELY, AND LOWERING ENERGY BILLS. GEORGIA WATCH STAFF MEMBERS TRAVEL AROUND THE STATE TO PRESENT THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH ARE CONSTANTLY UPDATED AND EXPANDED AS NEEDED. THESE PROGRAMS OFFER TOOLS THAT HELP CONSUMERS BUILD WEALTH, GROW ASSETS, AND AVOID PREDATORY PRACTICES SUCH AS PAYDAY LENDING. WE ALSO ADVOCATED IN 2015 FOR CONSUMER PROTECTIONS AGAINST THE DEBT SETTLEMENT INDUSTRY FOR FINANCIALLY VULNERABLE GEORGIANS BEFORE THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. GEORGIA WATCH HOSTED FREE CONSUMER WORKSHOPS AT COMMUNITY CENTERS, LIBRARIES, AND WITH CIVIC GROUPS AROUND THE STATE, OFFERED A TOLL-FREE HOTLINE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER QUESTIONS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION, PUBLISHED A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER AND WAS FEATURED OVER 80 TIMES IN NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL MEDIA THROUGH PRINT, TELEVISION, RADIO AND INTERNET NEWS. OUR WORK IN 2015 REACHED AT LEAST 50,000 CONSUMERS IN ALL GEORGIA COUNTIES. |
| PART III, LINE 4B | 4B) CONSUMER ENERGY PROGRAM (CEP) OUR CONSUMER ENERGY PROGRAM IMPACTED THOUSANDS OF GEORGIANS IN 2015 THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY FOR SAFE, CLEAN, AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY AND THROUGH OUR CONSUMER HOTLINE AND WEB-BASED CONSUMER RESOURCES. WE SUCCESSFULLY HIGHLIGHTED THE CRITICAL ROLE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RESOURCE DIVERSIFICATION PLAY IN MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF RISING ENERGY COSTS FROM GEORGIA POWER COMPANY'S PREDOMINANTLY NUCLEAR-, COAL- AND OIL-BASED PORTFOLIO. WE REGULARLY INTERVENED IN MATTERS BEFORE THE GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC) TO PROMOTE INVESTMENT IN CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE RETIREMENT OF COAL PLANTS. IN 2015, WE ENGAGED WITH COALITION PARTNERS TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES AROUND STATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE EPA'S CLEAN POWER PLAN. WE CALLED ON STATE ENERGY REGULATORS AND GEORGIA POWER TO REDUCE HARMFUL EMISSIONS WHILE DRIVING ENERGY INNOVATION, PROMOTING CLEAN ENERGY JOB GROWTH, AND HELPING CONSUMERS SAVE MONEY ON THEIR POWER BILLS THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY. WE ALSO SPOKE UP FOR CONSUMERS AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IN THE PLANT VOGTLE CONSTRUCTION MONITORING HEARINGS. NEARLY HALF THE POPULATION OF GEORGIA IS SERVED BY ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATIONS OR COOPERATIVES (EMCS), AND A MAJORITY CLAIM TAX-EXEMPT STATUS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (I.R.C.), 501(C)(12). RURAL EMCS WERE FOUNDED IN THE 1930S ON PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY TO MEET THE ENERGY NEEDS IN REMOTE AND RURAL AREAS OF THE COUNTRY. GEORGIA WATCH CONDUCTED RESEARCH INTO EMC PRACTICES REGARDING IRS REQUIREMENTS AND DEMOCRATIC MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNANCE. TO PROMOTE EMC TRANSPARANCY AND DEMOCRACY, WE RELEASED A REPORT ON OUR FINDINGS IN NOVEMBER 2015. |
| PART III, LINE 4C | 4C) HOSPITAL ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT/HEALTH ACCESS PROGRAM (HAP) IN 2007 GEORGIA WATCH CREATED THE HOSPITAL ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM TO PROMOTE INCREASED TRANSPARENCY OF BILLING PRACTICES AT GEORGIA HOSPITALS, HELPING ENSURE AFFORDABLE CARE FOR ALL. IN 2012, GEORGIA WATCH CREATED THE HEALTH ACCESS PROGRAM TO ENSURE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE FOR LOW INCOME, UNDER- AND UNINSURED GEORGIANS. IN JANUARY 2015, WE RELEASED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT EXAMINING BARRIERS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES (APRNS) IN GEORGIA AND SUGGESTED POLICY CHANGES THAT WOULD IMPROVE HEALTHCARE ACCESS IN RURAL AREAS. IN MAY 2015, WE RELEASED A POLICY REPORT THAT GAVE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE FIRST ROUND OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS (CHNAS) CONDUCTED BY GEORGIA NONPROFIT HOSPITALS. EIGHT HOSPITALS ARE USING GEORGIA WATCH'S CHNA REPORT AS AN IMPROVEMENT TOOL. |
| PART IV, LINE 34 | EXPLANATION: THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS FUNDS IN TRUST TOTALING $211,269 ON 12/31/2015, AS STATED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S SEPARATE AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. FOR INCOME TAX REPORTING, THE FUNDS IN TRUST ARE REPORTED SEPARATELY ON FORM 990-EZ FOR GEORGIA WATCH FOUNDATION, INC. (EIN 26-1477073). GEORGIA WATCH FOUNDATION, INC. IS IDENTIFIED IN SCHEDULE R. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 | THIS ORGANIZATION HAS MEMBERS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 | THE FORM 990 WILL BE REVIEWED IN DETAIL BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD AND APPROVED FOR FILING, AFTER WHICH IT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE ENTIRE BOARD FOR RATIFICATION. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE BOARD REVIEWS THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HAS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL OR DENIAL OVER THE PACKAGE AS WELL AS THE RETENTION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE FORM 1023, FORM 990 AND OTHER GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICE. |
| PART VIII, LINE 11A | CY PRES - OTHER INCOME: THE ORGANIZATION WAS AWARDED A $56,684 GRANT FROM THE GREENE V. GEORGIA CASH AMERICA REMAINDER FUND FROM A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST A LENDING COMPANY THAT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF GEORGIA CONSUMERS. |
| FORM 990 ELECTION | SECTION 1.263(A)-1(F) DE MINIMIS SAFE HARBOR ELECTION GEORGIA WATCH 55 MARIETTA STREET NW NO. 903 ATLANTA, GA 30303 EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 16-1639971 FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2015, GEORGIA WATCH IS MAKING THE DE MINIMIS SAFE HARBOR ELECTION UNDER REG. SEC. 1.263(A)-1(F). |
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