Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 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 |
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Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | ||||||
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | ||||||
| 5 | 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. | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | ||||||
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | ||||||
| 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.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | 3,194,902 | 3,204,958 | 2,650,200 | 4,210,414 | 4,133,529 | 17,394,003 |
| 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 | 9,100 | 1,500 | 6,534 | 16,969 | 2,125 | 36,228 |
| 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 | 3,204,002 | 3,206,458 | 2,656,734 | 4,227,383 | 4,135,654 | 17,430,231 |
| 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.) | 17,430,231 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2016 | (b) 2017 | (c) 2018 | (d) 2019 | (e) 2020 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | 3,204,002 | 3,206,458 | 2,656,734 | 4,227,383 | 4,135,654 | 17,430,231 |
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | 9,000 | 19,000 | 4,221 | 741 | 51 | 33,013 |
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | 9,000 | 19,000 | 4,221 | 741 | 51 | 33,013 |
| 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.).. | 3,213,002 | 3,225,458 | 2,660,955 | 4,228,124 | 4,135,705 | 17,463,244 |
| 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) |
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| 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): |
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| 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 0.015 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 0.035 | 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 | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2020 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2020 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2020 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2020 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2019 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2020: | ||||
| a From 2015....... | ||||
| b From 2016....... | ||||
| c From 2017....... | ||||
| d From 2018....... | ||||
| e From 2019....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2020 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2015 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2020 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2020 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2020, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2020. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2021. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2016..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| 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.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Form 990 governing body review Part VI line 11 | A draft of the return is provided to the president and treasurer for their review. Copies are distributed to all members of the board of directors to review and comment prior to submission to the taxing authorities. |
| Conflict of interest policy compliance Part VI line 12c | Annual review and meeting. |
| Governing documents etc available to public Part VI line 19 | All governing documents of the organization are available upon request or at the organizations headquarters in Takoma Park, MD. |
| List of other fees for services expenses Part IX line 11g | Consulting: Program Service Expenses 618,564 Management and General Expenses 85,939 Fundraising Expenses 11,433 Total Expenses 715,936Total Other Fees on Form 990, Part IX, Line 11G, Col A 715,936 |
| General explanation attachment | FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION (CONTINUED):Since 1992, we have a proven record as a nonpartisan innovator in elections at the local, state, and national level through our strategic research, communications, and collaboration. Today, we are a driving force behind the potential of ranked choice voting and fair representation in multi-winner legislative districts to open up our elections to better choices, fairer representation and more civil campaigns. * FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACOMPLISHMENTS (CONTINUED):The four state primaries with RCV for all ballots had 98% of their ballots count for active candidates, as opposed to the 91% that counted for active candidates in non-RCV states, even though more than ten percent of voters had a first choice who had withdrawn from the race. Well over 99.5% of ballots were valid. While the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic undercut media interest in this use of RCV, FairVote staffers frequently appeared in print and national television to discuss RCV in presidential primaries.-STATES AND CITY PARTNERS: Our communications, movement support resources, and service-oriented approach continue to support progress on the state and local level.Examples of our state and local support include newly organized biweekly phone calls with reformers from most states, a Slack channel for peer-to-peer networking, and a new internal RCV Library website with strong resources created by FairVote and reform allies. This support is widely appreciated, both by the many newly-formed state organizations working on RCV and several more established ones.The leadership of state and local partners yielded important progress over the last year. In November 2020, Alaska voters approved Measure 2, which will lead to implementation of top-4 RCV for all federal and state elections in 2022 and use of RCV in Alaskas presidential election in 2024. RCV legislation passed in Virginia in April 2020 and in Utah in March 2021. Three Republican state parties in in Indiana, Utah, and Virginia all employed RCV in their 2020 conventions to streamline the nomination process. Six cities adopted RCV: Albany, CA; Bloomington, MN; Boulder, CO; Eureka, CA; Minnetonka, MN; and Portland, ME. Over the course of 2020, more than 1.4 million Americans used RCV when casting their ballots in Maine and 10 cities, maintaining a string of RCV elections where turnout surpassed expectations. Our strategy includes providing particularly customized support to some local ranked choice voting groups per year. Utah RCV was the focus of such support in 2020. FairVote supported Utah RCV with regular advice and applied research. - COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA: FairVote continues to be the leading national voice to tell the story of RCVs progress and draw attention to the leaders in states making change possible. FairVotes detailed year-end media audit showed that we successfully placed content and stayed on message with reporters. FairVotes David Daley and Rob Richie appeared in the Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and FairVote speakers were featured on CNN, NBC, and NPR. We also used our expertise on RCV polling to help attract media attention for RCV; a FairVote RCV survey featured in Vox identified Kamala Harris as Joe Bidens most popular potential running mate one of four SurveyUSA/FairVote RCV polls in presidential and congressional primaries and general general elections.At least 17 newspapers took positions in favor of RCV, with the largest papers in cities like Buffalo, San Antonio, St. Louis and New York City editorializing in favor of RCV. After talking with FairVote staff, the New York Times and Washington Post penned particularly strong editorials. - ENGAGING INFLUENCERS: FairVotes engagement with thought leaders contributed to several breakthroughs and demonstrates that we are well-positioned to be the national voice for RCV, confirming the value of expanding our communications team. After ongoing engagement with FairVote CEO, Rob Richie, the Academy of Arts and Sciences issued a report, Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century, listing RCV and multi-member districts among its first three recommendations among 31 ideas. After years of engagement with FairVote and close allies, the League of Women Voters US took a position allowing the League and all its state and local arms to advocate for RCV and proportional voting. FairVotes endorsements page for RCV details numerous endorsements, many of them directly as a result of FairVotes outreach over the past year, including 10 Nobel prize winners, 10 Johan Skytte Prize (The Nobel for political science) winners, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D), and Utah Governor Gary Herbert (R). FarVote is also a prominent, impactful voice on broader democracy topics:Research and media work on our elections In addition to media about RCV, we were a go-to resource on other election issues like statewide recounts and faithless electors, issued updated reports on competitiveness in congressional elections and runoff elections, and were frequently cited and praised by election scholars like Rick Hasen and Rick Pildes. FairVote resources on statewide recounts and faithless electors were cited in national media, including FiveThirtyEight, ABC, CNBC, Axios, USA Today, and Reuters. This coverage was important in and of itself that also enhances our brand as a source of honest, useful research.Speaking engagements, events, and scholarly articles: FairVote had prominent speaking engagements, including presenting at annual conferences of the National Civic League, American Political Science Association, and U.S. Air Force Academy and prominent events organized by the National Conference of State Legislatures and FixUs. We had a string of well-attended webinars with leading thinkers and reformers. We completed two long-form scholarly articles on presidential elections that will be published in 2021.STRATEGIC PLANNING AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTHENING:Strategic Planning: FairVote invested in 2020 in a strategic planning process to define our long-term goals and theory of change, our four-year plans to help us achieve measurable and meaningful progress, and our unique role within the greater reform ecosystem. A critical component of this process was a rigorous analysis, based on extensive internal and external feedback, of FairVotes organizational values, core competencies, and maximum value-add to the greater movement ecosystem. We concluded that we would build on areas where we already add significant and unique value to the reform ecosystem, including: (1) prioritizing strategies that promote change from within the existing system, such as policy development and applied research; (2) engaging political and media thought leaders; and (3) making use of the networks and experience we have from our key role as a leader and resource for state partners.Covid-19 and staff: While not a challenge unique to FairVote, Covid-19 disrupted our office workflow and forced us to adapt to a remote-working environment. We have adjusted well to remote work, but the disruption contributed to delays in operationalizing our strategic plan. Our work plan process has landed in a good place to build from, with clear one-year, two-year, and four-year milestones and detailed project plans and assignments for each member of our team.Fundraising and board development: FairVote had a strong fundraising year in 2020. In addition, an experienced consultant conducted a review of our governance practices and submitted recommendations based on the Board self-assessment, individual interviews, and observation and engagement in three board meetings. Our Board and staff head into 2021 with FairVote in its strongest-ever position. |
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