TIN:
SCHEDULE O
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
(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.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2019
Open to Public
Inspection
Inspection
Name of the organization
SIERRA CLUB
Employer identification number
94-1153307
94-1153307
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: | THE SIERRA CLUB IS THE OLDEST AND LARGEST GRASSROOTS ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION ON THE PLANET. ITS MISSION REMAINS TO EXPLORE, ENJOY, AND PROTECT THE WILD PLACES OF THE EARTH; TO PRACTICE AND PROMOTE THE RESPONSIBLE USE OF THE EARTH'S ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES; TO EDUCATE AND ENLIST HUMANITY TO PROTECT AND RESTORE THE QUALITY OF THE NATURAL AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT; AND TO USE ALL LAWFUL MEANS TO CARRY OUT THESE OBJECTIVES. AS JOHN MUIR SAID, "WHEN WE TRY TO PICK OUT ANYTHING BY ITSELF, WE FIND IT HITCHED TO EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE UNIVERSE." THE SIERRA CLUB BELIEVES THAT ALL PEOPLE DESERVE A HEALTHY PLANET WITH CLEAN AIR AND WATER AND A STABLE CLIMATE. ALL PEOPLE ALSO DESERVE EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW, EDUCATIONAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, A VOICE IN OUR DEMOCRACY, AND THE RIGHT TO LIVE THEIR LIVES FREE OF DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE. THESE ISSUES ARE NOT SEPARATE. INDEED, WE BELIEVE THAT WORKING TOWARD A JUST, EQUITABLE, AND TRANSPARENT SOCIETY IS NOT ONLY MORALLY NECESSARY, BUT ALSO EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO CONFRONT THE UNPRECEDENTED ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES WE FACE. THIS COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE HAS SHAPED OUR WORK OVER THE LAST YEAR. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: | THROUGH ITS EDUCATIONAL AND NON-DIRECT LOBBYING PROGRAMS, THE SIERRA CLUB INFORMS THE PUBLIC AND DECISION-MAKERS ABOUT PRESSING ISSUES AND CULTIVATES AWARENESS AND ACTIVISM AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS. WITH STAFF IN NEARLY EVERY STATE AND VOLUNTEERS IN EVERY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AND MEDIA MARKET, WE ARE ABLE TO MOBILIZE ACTIVISTS THROUGH EMAIL ALERTS AND PERSONAL CONTACTS. STATE AND NATIONAL LOBBYISTS REPRESENT US IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND IN ALMOST EVERY STATE CAPITOL. THROUGH OUR AWARD-WINNING WEBSITE, SIERRA MAGAZINE, NATIONAL REPORTS, MANY LOCAL AND REGIONAL PUBLICATIONS, AND OUR OUTINGS PROGRAMS WE ARE ABLE TO REACH BEYOND MEMBERS TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE NEW CONSTITUENCIES. ADDITIONALLY, OUR ENVIRONMENTAL LAW PROGRAM EXTENDS THE FIGHT FOR SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TO THE COURTS DIRECTLY WITH OUR STAFF LAWYERS AND THROUGH THE TRAINING AND MENTORING OF ALL OF OUR LEGAL PARTNERS. THE SIERRA CLUB'S ENVIRONMENTAL LAW PROGRAM IS USING COURTROOM AND ADMINISTRATIVE LITIGATION TO BLOCK ROLLBACKS WHILE CONTINUING OUR VERY SUCCESSFUL WORK TO RETIRE COAL PLANTS AND ADVANCE CLEAN ENERGY. A STRONG LEGAL PROGRAM IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SIERRA CLUB'S ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH OUR ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION AND TO THE ABILITY OF CITIZENS TO PROTECT THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. SEVEN U.S. STATES, PLUS WASHINGTON, D.C.; PUERTO RICO; AND 145 CITIES, ARE COMMITTED TO MOVING TO 100 PERCENT CLEAN ENERGY, AND THIS LOCAL ACTION SHOWS NO SIGN OF SLOWING. WITH RECENT COMMITMENTS FROM NEW YORK AND MAINE, ONE IN FOUR AMERICANS NOW LIVE IN PLACES THAT ARE MOVING AWAY FROM DIRTY FUELS ENTIRELY. BY LEADING COORDINATED COMMUNICATIONS AND ORGANIZING EFFORTS, SIERRA CLUB READY FOR 100 ACTIVISTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE AT THE HEART OF MANY OF THESE COMMITMENTS, INSPIRING LOCAL LEADERS TO ADVANCE CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS AT A MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE PACE AND PROVING THAT WHAT WAS ONCE CONSIDERED AN UNATTAINABLE DREAM IS QUICKLY BECOMING THE NEW NORMAL. AS A RESULT OF TIRELESS ADVOCACY FROM OUR BEYOND COAL CAMPAIGN, 18 DIRTY COAL PLANTS WERE ANNOUNCED FOR RETIREMENT IN 2019, BRINGING OUR TOTAL TO 299 COAL PLANTS RETIRED OR PROPOSED TO RETIRE SINCE 2010, REPRESENTING NEARLY HALF OF THE TOTAL COAL FLEET AND PUTTING US ON TRACK TO RETIRE TWO-THIRDS OF THE ENTIRE FLEET IN THE NEXT YEAR. EARLIER IN 2019, OUR COUNTRY REACHED ANOTHER INCREDIBLE ENERGY MILESTONE, MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE MANY VICTORIES ACHIEVED BY SIERRA CLUB'S LOCAL EFFORTS: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, THE UNITED STATES IS ON TRACK TO PRODUCE MORE POWER FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY THAN FROM COAL. THE OUR WILD AMERICA CAMPAIGN'S ORGANIZING EFFORTS IMPEDED ATTEMPTS TO ROLL BACK THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (ESA). THE SIERRA CLUB WORKED WITH A BROAD COALITION TO COLLECT AND SUBMIT MORE THAN 800,000 COMMENTS OPPOSING THE PROPOSED ROLLBACKS. WE ARE ALSO STANDING UP FOR THIS FOUNDATIONAL CONSERVATION LAW IN COURT, AS WELL AS LEADING A PUBLIC EDUCATION AND MEDIA PUSH TO BRING HEIGHTENED ATTENTION TO THIS CRITICAL ISSUE. AS A RESULT, AND FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL QUESTIONS FROM AGENCY STAFF, THE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED DELAYED IMPLEMENTATION OF ESA CHANGES. BEYOND DIRTY FUELS CONTINUED THE FIGHT AGAINST DIRTY AND DANGEROUS PIPELINES IN 2019, WITH OPPOSITION EFFORTS COALESCING AROUND ENBRIDGE'S PROPOSED LINE 3 TAR SANDS PIPELINE THROUGH MINNESOTA. A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE SIERRA CLUB'S WORK OPPOSING LINE 3 HAS BEEN SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS PARTNERS AND WORKING TOGETHER TO SAVE THEIR LAND FROM THIS DESTRUCTIVE PROJECT. THE SIERRA CLUB'S HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM WAS ONE OF 75 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS THAT CAME TOGETHER TO ADVANCE AN EQUITABLE AND JUST NATIONAL CLIMATE PLATFORM IN 2019. THIS HISTORIC, BOLD PLATFORM HIGHLIGHTS PRIORITY OUTCOMES AND ADVANCES THE GOALS OF ECONOMIC, RACIAL, CLIMATE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TO IMPROVE THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF ALL COMMUNITIES WHILE TACKLING THE CLIMATE CRISIS. SIERRA STUDENT COALITION (SSC) VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON CULTIVATING AND SUPPORTING YOUTH LEADERS TO ORGANIZE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE. THE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE SEEN AN INCREDIBLE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF YOUTH LEADING ON CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. IN 2019, THE DEMOCRACY PROGRAM WAS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN STATE COALITIONS AND CAMPAIGNS AROUND DEMOCRACY IN HAWAI'I, OREGON, CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, TEXAS, COLORADO, MISSOURI, MICHIGAN, FLORIDA, VIRGINIA, GEORGIA, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW YORK, MASSACHUSETTS, ILLINOIS, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, WASHINGTON, D.C., AND INDIANA. FOR EXAMPLE, OUR MICHIGAN CHAPTER PARTICIPATES IN A STATE COALITION AND WITH GROUPS COORDINATING TO PREPARE FOR THE 2020 CENSUS. IN MISSOURI, WE HAVE ADVOCATED THAT THE LEGISLATURE IMPLEMENT THE BALLOT MEASURE MISSOURIANS OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED IN 2019 TO CREATE MORE RULES AROUND CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING. MILITARY OUTDOORS REACHES 15,000 VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS WITH OUTDOOR OPPORTUNITIES, LED BY A NETWORK OF 300 CERTIFIED VOLUNTEERS. THESE OUTINGS USE ADVENTURE THERAPY TO HELP PARTICIPANTS TRANSITION BACK TO CIVILIAN LIFE AND GROW LIFELONG CONNECTIONS WITH THE LAND THEY SERVED TO PROTECT. BUILDING GRASSROOTS POWER. WE GREW OUR BASE TO BE BIGGER AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE. WE RECRUITED MORE THAN 232,000 NEW DUES-PAYING MEMBERS AND THOUSANDS MORE ON- AND OFFLINE SUPPORTERS, BRINGING OUR TOTAL MEMBER AND SUPPORTER COUNT TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF OVER 3.8 MILLION. OUR ONLINE EFFORTS BROUGHT IN MORE THAN 24,000 NEW MONTHLY DONORS IN 2019, CREATING A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE C4 FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE SIERRA CLUB. WE CONTINUE TO TEST NEW MESSAGING TO DETERMINE WHAT ISSUES ARE MOST COMPELLING FOR CURRENT AND POTENTIAL MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS, CONTINUALLY HONING OUR MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM TO BE AS EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE. SIERRA CLUB CONTINUES TO INVEST SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES IN ONLINE SYSTEMS AND COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS THAT ENABLE OUR STAFF AND FIELD ORGANIZERS AND VOLUNTEERS TO REACH A BROADER SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION AND PROVIDE THEM A QUICK AND EASY AVENUE FOR INFLUENCING DECISION-MAKERS. AS A RESULT, WE CURRENTLY CORRESPOND WITH MORE THAN A MILLION DISTINCT EMAIL ADDRESSES AND ENGAGE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. THE SIERRA CLUB ALSO CREATES PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY CONTENT FOR A VARIETY OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES DESIGNED TO REACH A NEW GENERATION OF ACTIVISTS. WE CONTINUE TO BRING IMPORTANT ISSUES TO OUR ACTIVISTS' ATTENTION THROUGH ELECTRONIC PUBLICATIONS AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CHAPTER AND FIELD-BASED ONLINE ORGANIZING EFFORTS, INCLUDING DATA SUPPORT. LOBBYING EFFORTS IN 2019, THE SIERRA CLUB UNDERTOOK DIRECT ADVOCACY EFFORTS AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS. NATIONALLY, ONE MAJOR ISSUE OF FOCUS WAS THE GREEN NEW DEAL, WHICH WE SUPPORTED THROUGH LOBBY VISITS WITH MORE THAN 100 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ACROSS 36 STATES. AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE PUSHED FORWARD CLEAN ENERGY LEGISLATION. NOTABLY, 15 STATES AND PUERTO RICO INTRODUCED LEGISLATION IN 2019 TO AIM FOR 100 PERCENT CLEAN ENERGY. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 | ANY PERSON INTERESTED IN ADVANCING THE PURPOSES OF THE SIERRA CLUB MAY BECOME A MEMBER. THERE SHALL BE SEVERAL CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP: REGULAR, LIKE, AND SUCH OTHER SPECIAL CLASSES AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY ESTABLISH. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7A | ALL ACTIONS REQUIRING A VOTE OF THE MEMBERSHIP SHALL BE DECIDED BY WRITTEN BALLOTS PROVIDED FOR IN BYLAW 4, SECTION 8, AND BYLAW 11. A QUORUM FOR ANY BALLOT OR FOR ANY MEETING OF THE MEMBERS SHALL BE FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF THE MEMBERSHIP ON THE DATE OF RECORD SET BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW. EACH PERSON WHO IS A RENEWED MEMBER ON THE DATE OF RECORD SHALL BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AND SHALL HAVE ONE VOTE ON ANY ISSUE PRESENTED TO THE MEMBERSHIP EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 5.7. VOTING BY PROXY SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED. ALL REGULAR AND LIFE MEMBERS OF RECORD ON JANUARY 31 SHALL BE SENT BALLOTS FOR THE ANNUAL ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS. EACH SUCH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER SHALL BE SENT ONE BALLOT; JOINT MEMBERSHIPS SHALL RECEIVE TWO BALLOTS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 7B | IN ACCORDANCE WITH CORPORATION LAW SECTION 5057, THE ONLY MEMBERSHIP RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE CLUB ARE THE RIGHTS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED BY THE ARTICLES, BYLAWS, AND THE CORPORATION LAW. ALL OTHER PRIVILEGES OR OPPORTUNITIES GRANTED TO MEMBERS OF THE CLUB UNDER ITS STANDING RULES, POLICIES, OR THE BYLAWS OR RULES OF CLUB SUB-ENTITIES ARE NOT RIGHTS OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE CLUB FOR PURPOSES OF CORPORATION LAW SECTION 5057. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | A DRAFT OF THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND ASSISTANT TREASURER. AFTER REVIEW, A COPY IS SENT TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE WHO MEETS WITH THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND TAX PREPARERS TO REVIEW THE 990. THE DRAFT IS THEN SENT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRIOR TO FILING. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OTHER SENIOR VOLUNTEERS MUST COMPLETE AND SIGN A WRITTEN DISCLOSURE FORM ANNUALLY. FOR EMPLOYEES (CURRENT AND FORMER) PLUS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DISCLOSING ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RELATED TO THEIR CLUB ACTIVITIES. THE POLICY IS INCLUDED IN THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK. IN-HOUSE LEGAL COUNSEL WILL INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF VIOLATIONS. WHEN A POTENTIAL CONFLICT IS DISCLOSED BY AN EMPLOYEE, THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT MAKES A DETERMINATION REGARDING THE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE CLUB'S POLICIES. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS, IF ANY, IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UTILIZING EXTERNAL DATA FROM LIKE ORGANIZATIONS, THE RATIONALE FOR WHICH IS DOCUMENTED. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION IS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AFTER AN EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE AND INTERVIEWS WITH APPROPRIATE PARTIES. COMPENSATION IS BASED ON EXTERNAL DATA FROM LIKE ORGANIZATIONS. A DOCUMENTED PERFORMANCE EVALUATION IS MAINTAINED. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SALARY IS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THE COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE SALARIES AND YEARLY INCREASES. IT ALSO ESTABLISHES BUDGETED INCREASE RATE FOR ALL MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL. THE COMMITTEE HAS COMPARATIVE SALARY DATA AVAILABLE FROM HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS ARE CONDUCTED AND DOCUMENTED. WITH RESPECT TO ALL OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES, THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT CONDUCTS A SALARY PRACTICES. THIS INCLUDES THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY. SALARIES FOR OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ARE DETERMINED ACCORDING TO THE CLUB'S ESTABLISHED PROCEDURE AND GUIDELINES FOR ANNUAL MERIT RAISES, AS ADMINISTERED BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE EXECUTIVE TEAM, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES MUST APPROVE SPECIFIC RAISES. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | THE ORGANIZATION'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS, AND STANDING RULES (WHICH CONTAINS THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY) ARE AVAILABLE ON ITS PUBLIC WEBSITE WWW.SIERRACLUB.ORG. PORTIONS OF THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ALONG WITH A LINK TO THE FULL AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE PUBLISHED IN SIERRA MAGAZINE (NOV.-DEC. ISSUE). |
| FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G | FEES & CONCESSIONS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 15,706,541. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 941,558. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 1,867,296. TOTAL EXPENSES 18,515,395. CONSULTANTS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 5,461,520. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 327,060. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 649,614. TOTAL EXPENSES 6,438,194. STAFF TRAINING/SEARCH: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 815,210. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 48,818. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 96,964. TOTAL EXPENSES 960,992. |
| FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: | SEGREGATED FUND ELIMINATIONS -55,136. PENSION RELATED CHARGES -1,616,300. |
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Cat. No. 51056K
Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2019
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