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) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 9,924,540 | 9,390,696 | 13,150,603 | 11,487,635 | 12,350,908 | 56,304,382 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.... | 0 | |||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | 0 | |||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 9,924,540 | 9,390,696 | 13,150,603 | 11,487,635 | 12,350,908 | 56,304,382 |
| 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).. | 5,339,551 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 50,964,831 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 9,924,540 | 9,390,696 | 13,150,603 | 11,487,635 | 12,350,908 | 56,304,382 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 103,307 | 113,751 | 126,671 | 194,956 | 168,530 | 707,215 |
| 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.).. | 18,306 | 17,163 | 43,859 | 13,121 | 21,399 | 113,848 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 57,142,304 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (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) 2015 | (b) 2016 | (c) 2017 | (d) 2018 | (e) 2019 | (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 2019 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-2019 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2019 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2019 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 2019: | ||||
| a From 2014....... | ||||
| b From 2015....... | ||||
| c From 2016....... | ||||
| d From 2017....... | ||||
| e From 2018....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2019 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2014 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2019 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2019 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2019, 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 2019. 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 2020. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2015..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2016..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2017..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2018..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|
| Software ID: | 19009920 |
| Software Version: | 2019v5.0 |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Form 990, Part III, Line 4d: Other Program Services Description | OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: PublicationsThe publications department supports the Physicians Committees nutrition and research ethics educational efforts through the design and production of print and electronic materials. In FY 2020, the department completed approximately 676 separately tracked projects. These projects included e-books and e-cookbooks, ads, fact sheets, brochures, postcards, educational diagrams, posters, billboards, flyers, program booklets, event signage, stationery, program logos, web pages, infographics, and social media graphics. Supported projects included the 2019 and 2020 International Conferences on Nutrition in Medicine, demonstrations at universities and medical centers, Food for Life curriculum updates, scientific conferences (academic posters), diabetes education curriculum, school nutrition education, Native American nutrition education materials, Kickstart Intensive/Plant-Based Immersion events, the Barnard Medical Center, recruitment for clinical studies, Universal Meals, New York and Michigan lobbying efforts, additional Spanish language materials, COVID-19 education, Exam Room podcast promotion, development events and outreach, India outreach, 10-Cities Kickstart events, Lets Beat Breast Cancer campaign, and toxicology and research conferences.Good Medicine, the Physicians Committees 24-page magazine, keeps members informed and involved. Four issues of Good Medicine were published in FY 2020. Total print distribution was 320,315. The magazine also appears in electronic format on our website. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: CommunicationsWorking with physicians, health experts, and celebrities who serve as spokespeople, we aim to inform, persuade, and inspire readers through strategic media relations, public relations, digital communications, content generation, social media, celebrity engagement, and advertisements. In the past year, our work was featured and referenced in traditional news outlets, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, the Boston Globe, Miami Herald, and the Baltimore Sun. Our message has been reported by wires including the Associated Press, Capitol Hill papers including The Hill, and by major television networks including NBC News and ABC News. International outlets such as CBC, Toronto Star, the Vancouver Sun, and the Daily Mail have covered our campaigns. Each month, we reach a potential audience of 218 million readers by appearing in an average of 212 news outlets.We further amplify this coverage on social media to empower our followers to make lasting health changes. Our social media content has created conversations daily among more than 1.4 million followers on 12 social media accounts.In 2018, we launched The Exam Room podcast. Episodes have since been downloaded more than 2.9 million times. In April 2020, we launched The Exam Room LIVE, which airs daily on Facebook and YouTube. As of July 31, 2020, the show had been viewed 1.5 million times.On our websites, we post news about our peer-reviewed medical studies, our medical perspective on cultural commentary, our recommendations to strengthen scientific research standards, and expert-authored consumer health tips. In FY 2020, the Physicians Committee's websites received about 8 million visitors and 9.3 million page views. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: Clinical ResearchThe Physicians Committee designs and conducts clinical health and nutrition research studies, with the goal of motivating more attention in diet and prevention among health care workers, medical researchers, policymakers, and patients.The paper entitled The Role of Nutrition in Asthma Prevention and Treatment, published in Nutrition Reviews by the Physicians Committee research staff, showed that plant-based diets can be used in clinical practice in the prevention and treatment of asthma. This paper may influence the dietary recommendations for patients with asthma.The paper entitled The Effects of Different Quantities and Qualities of Protein Intake in People with Diabetes Mellitus, published in Nutrients by the Physicians Committee research staff and colleagues, showed that plant protein, as part of a plant-based diet, may play an important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. A Physicians Committee researcher co-authored an umbrella review and meta-analysis on legumes and cardiovascular outcomes, published in Advances in Nutrition, showing that legume consumption reduces cardiovascular mortality and incidence. This paper highlights the usefulness of legumes for people with elevated cardiovascular risk.The Physicians Committee published an editorial on plant-based diets for healthy aging in the Journal of American College of Nutrition, giving examples from the Blue Zones around the world that have used plant-based nutrition to stay healthy and live long. The editorial also demonstrates that after implementing a healthy lifestyle intervention, the changes in society can occur in one generation.Physicians Committee research staff and colleagues published a review paper entitled Nutrition Interventions in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Potential Use of Plant-Based Diets. A Review, in Frontiers in Nutrition. A plant-based diet appears to be beneficial for people with rheumatoid arthritis by promoting the development of more diverse and stable gut microbial systems. High fiber intake also encourages the growth of species that ferment fiber into metabolites as short-chain fatty acids, which improve immunity against pathogens, promote blood-brain barrier integrity, provide energy substrates, and regulate critical functions of the intestine. Plant-based diets seem to be an important treatment option for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.Two papers by Physicians Committee research staff and colleagues, entitled Dietary Patterns and Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Diabetes: A Summary of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes by Lifestyle Changes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, published in Nutrients, showed the practical implementation of the research and suggested the use of intense lifestyle interventions including a plant-based diet in the treatment of diabetes.Physicians Committee research staff and colleagues published an editorial entitled Vegetarian Dietary Patterns in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease in Frontiers in Nutrition. The collection of a dozen papers on this topic published in this issue show clear benefits of plant-based diets in the prevention and treatment of different health conditions. This highlights the usefulness of plant-based diets for human health.We finished a randomized crossover clinical trial that compared the effects of a low-fat, plant-based diet to a Mediterranean diet, on body weight, metabolism, and body composition. Using indirect calorimetry, we were measuring metabolism of overweight and/or obese participants in the fasting state, and then for three hours after a standard meal. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess detailed body composition. The participants insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism were also tested. All these tests were performed at baseline and after 16 weeks of a low-fat vegan vs. Mediterranean diet, at week 20 (after a four-week wash-out period), and at week 36 (after 16 weeks of the second intervention). Sixty-two participants were enrolled and started the study and 52 participants completed the whole study. This study will provide important insights for dietary recommendations.We finished a 12-week clinical study for the employees at the Sibley Hospital, tracking their body weight, blood pressure, blood lipids, and glucose control. This study will help in implementing plant-based nutrition in the hospitals.Using the design of a randomized crossover trial, we are testing the effects of dietary cholesterol on serum cholesterol levels in vegans who have no baseline dietary cholesterol intake. This study will provide the dose-response information on how much dietary cholesterol affects blood lipids and cardiovascular risk. We are currently conducting a randomized crossover trial, exploring the power of a plant-based diet to reduce pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis switch to a plant-based diet for 16 weeks. A rheumatologist assesses the changes in their joint pain and inflammation. Ten participants are currently going through the study. This study will show how much can be achieved through diet to relieve the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.We are currently testing the ability of a vegan diet in combination with soybeans (1/2 cup a day) to reduce the number of hot flashes experienced by postmenopausal women. In this 12-week randomized clinical trial, women are tracking their hot flashes, using the MyLuna smartphone app. This study may have a great impact on the current nutrition recommendations for these women.Our goal is to build upon the body of knowle |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 7a: How Members or Shareholders Elect Governing Body | The membership (of which there is only one class) has the right to elect or appoint the governing body. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 7b: Describe Decisions of Governing Body Approval by Members or Shareholders | The membership (of which there is only one class) has the right to approve the board's decision to amend the articles of incorporation and amend the bylaws. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process | Before it is filed, a Draft copy of Form 990 is sent to each member of the board. The Form 990 is accompanied by a letter illuminating the most important information on Form 990 and addressing any potential difficulties or controversies (if any). The letter asks each board member to respond by a date certain if they have any questions or input regarding Form 990. Also before it is filed, a representative from the preparers audit firm will review Form 990 with the Form 990 Review Committee, which consists of members of the audit committee and the Vice President of Legal Affairs. Upon unanimous approval of the draft 990 by individuals noted above, and after addressing any concerns and/or other input from the full board, Form 990 is filed with the I.R.S. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts | Each year board members are required to complete a detailed questionnaire designed to help them determine whether they have a conflict of interest. The board reviews the completed questionnaires, along with the conflict of interest policy, together annually. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management | Dr. Barnards (President of Physicians Committee) compensation was determined as follows: During a regular meeting the Physicians Committee's board reviewed data, including published salary surveys and compensation data from Form 990s from other charitable organizations, reflecting comparable compensation for similarly qualified persons in functionally comparable positions at similarly situated organizations. Dr. Barnard was then asked to temporarily leave the meeting, at which time the remaining independent board members discussed whether Dr. Barnards compensation is objectively reasonable, and upon finding it to be so, the board officially approved Dr. Barnards compensation. The deliberation and decision were contemporaneously substantiated. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees | Betsy Wason's (Physicians Committees Assistant Secretary and Vice President for Development) compensation was determined as follows: During a regular meeting the Physicians Committee's board reviewed data, including published salary surveys and compensation data from Form 990s from other charitable organizations, reflecting comparable compensation for similarly qualified persons in functionally comparable positions at similarly situated organizations. Ms. Wason was not present at this board meeting. The board members discussed whether Ms. Wasons compensation is objectively reasonable, and upon finding it to be so, the board officially approved Ms. Wasons compensation. The deliberation and decision were contemporaneously substantiated. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available | PHYSICIANS COMMITTEES AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, FORM 990, FORM 990-T AND FORM 1023 ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST. THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FORM 990 ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON ITS OWN WEBSITE AT WWW.PCRM.ORG. PHYSICIANS COMMITTEES FORM 990 IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON OTHER SITES SUCH AS WWW.GUIDESTAR.ORG. PHYSICIANS COMMITTEE MAKES ITS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND OTHER GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS, SUBJECT TO THE DISCRETION OF THE ORGANIZATION. |
| Software ID: | 19009920 |
| Software Version: | 2019v5.0 |