2024-03-21T09:18:41-05:00 2023-06-30 521392008 GELMAN ROSENBERG & FREEDMAN 4550 MONTGOMERY AVE SUITE 800N BETHESDA MD 208142930 990 2022-07-01 134167155 WITNESS INC WITN 7187832000 228 PARK AVE S 26641 NEW YORK NY 10003 SAMUEL GREGORY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 7187832000 2024-03-21 1 SAMUEL GREGORY XXX-XX-XXXX 0 RICHARD J LOCASTRO CPA P00288314 3019519090 0 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z X SAMUEL GREGORY 228 PARK AVE S 26641 NEW YORK NY 10003 10873099 0 X WWW.WITNESS.ORG X 2001 DE SEE PART III, LINE 1. 13 13 31 16 0 0 6411076 8612823 0 11829 43590 89757 51302 1519 6505968 8715928 60473 66015 0 0 3271759 4351375 65000 112247 829811 1256981 1889179 4654213 6418816 1851755 2297112 12318415 15109334 919998 1131176 11398417 13978158 X WITNESS INC. ("WITNESS") IS AN INTERNATIONAL, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS PEOPLE USE VIDEO AND TECHNOLOGY TO PROTECT AND DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES GLOBALLY IN FIVE REGIONS: SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN, THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA, AND THE UNITED STATES. WITNESS' GLOBAL TEAM DESIGNS SOLUTIONS, PROVIDES GUIDANCE, AND CO-DEVELOPS STRATEGIES THAT ENABLE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND ORDINARY PEOPLE TO HOLD THE POWERFUL TO ACCOUNT, STAND UP FOR JUSTICE, AND FORTIFY THE TRUTH. 0 0 3607581 36015 11829 TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING: WITNESS TRAININGS HELP FILL CRITICAL GAPS IN THE USE OF VIDEO FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, ENSURING THAT THE VIDEOS PEOPLE OFTEN GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO CAPTURE CAN BE TRUSTED AND VERIFIED; THAT ACTIVISTS CAN STAY SAFE AND MANAGE RISK; THAT EVIDENTIARY VIDEOS CAN BE FOUND AMIDST MASS VOLUME; THAT MOVEMENTS AND GROUPS CAN USE VISUAL STORYTELLING IN STRATEGIC AND IMPACTFUL WAYS; AND THAT NEW AND EXISTING TECHNOLOGIES CAN ENABLE GREATER CITIZEN PARTICIPATION. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) EACH YEAR, PROGRAM STAFF PROVIDE A SERIES OF IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL TRAININGS TO COMMUNITIES, HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, ACTIVISTS, JOURNALISTS, AND LAWYERS AROUND THE WORLD, SHARING CONCRETE RESOURCES, GUIDANCE, AND TOOLS AROUND THE SAFE, ETHICAL, AND EFFECTIVE USE OF VIDEO AND TECHNOLOGY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. 352377 TECHNOLOGY THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES:BUILDING ON A RICH HISTORY OF ANTICIPATING THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES POSED BY EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, WITNESS REMAINS LASER-FOCUSED ON ENSURING THAT INNOVATION OPERATES IN SERVICE OF A HEALTHY AND INFORMED SOCIETY, WHILE SERVING AND PROTECTING THE MOST MARGINALIZED. IT ENGAGES ACTORS ACROSS THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND TECHNOLOGY ECOSYSTEM, BRINGING GRASSROOTS PERSPECTIVES TO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES PUSHING THEM TO BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE AND SCALING IMPACT IN THE PROCESS. WITNESS UTILIZES AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE REAL AND UNPRECEDENTED THREATS POSED BY EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES TO DEVELOP THREAT MODELS, ADVOCATE TO COMPANIES ON RIGHTS-RESPECTING APPROACHES, AND COLLABORATE ON APPLIED RESEARCH. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE ORGANIZATION IS A THOUGHT LEADER AND CROSS-SECTOR CONVENER, ADDRESSING THE THREATS OF SYNTHETIC MEDIA, MIS-AND DISINFORMATION, GENERATIVE AI, SURVEILLANCE, AND SECURITY FACING VULNERABLE GROUPS AND THE HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT AT LARGE. 255674 LEARNING AND SHARING: A PRIMARY MECHANISM BY WHICH WITNESS HELPS BUILD THE FABRIC OF ECOSYSTEMS IS THROUGH THE UNIQUE ABILITY TO LEARN AND SHARE, ENSURING THAT GUIDANCE AND TOOLS CAN BE ADAPTED TO, AND SHARED WITH, VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES FACING SIMILAR ISSUES AROUND THE WORLD. AS PATTERNS OF INJUSTICE AND MARGINALIZATION REPEAT THEMSELVES ACROSS BORDERS AND GEOGRAPHIES, SO TOO MUST THE STRATEGIES AND TACTICS FOR HOW VIDEO AND TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP REALIZE OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPOSE THESE ABUSES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) A ROHINGYA VILLAGER TRYING TO ARCHIVE AND PRESERVE THE MASS VOLUME OF WAR CRIMES FOOTAGE CAPTURED ON THEIR MOBILE PHONE VIA WHATSAPP IN MYANMAR CAN LEARN FROM A CIVIC JOURNALIST IN SYRIA WHO HAS ALREADY THOUGHT THROUGH THESE CHALLENGES AND WORKFLOWS IN A WAR CRIMES CONTEXT; JUST AS A COMMUNITY LEADER TRYING TO PREVENT THE ILLEGAL DEFORESTATION OF THEIR LAND IN MALAYSIA CAN LEARN FROM INDIGENOUS LEADERS USING VIDEO EVIDENCE TO END THE ILLEGAL INVASION OF THEIR ANCESTRAL LANDS IN THE AMAZON. 81822 30000 RESOURCE CREATION AND DISTRIBUTION:WITNESS ONLINE LIBRARY ENABLES ANYONE, ANYWHERE TO ACCESS, DOWNLOAD, AND ADAPT A RANGE OF OPEN SOURCE TIPS AND GUIDANCE ON HOW TO USE VIDEO MORE SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. YEAR AFTER YEAR, WITNESS HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE OVERALL ENGAGEMENT WITH THESE RESOURCES, DEMONSTRATING APPETITE AND NEED FOR ITS MATERIALS ACROSS ISSUE AREAS, REGIONS, AND LANGUAGES. THE ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZES THE STRATEGIC POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS AS TOOLS TO WIDELY DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT ACTIVISTS AND VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE ARE TURNING TO THESE PLATFORMS TO COMMUNICATE, ADVOCATE, AND PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY. 81822 30000 4297454 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 20 0 1 31 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 13 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 CA DE IL NY X X SONALI THIMMAYA 7187832000 228 PARK AVE S 26641 NEW YORK NY 10003 MONICA ALEMAN CO-CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 POLLY FIELDS CO-CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 HELEN ENRIGHT TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 SABRY MOHIDEEN TREASURER (BEG. 06/23) 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MICHAEL HIRSCHHORN SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 INCA MOHAMED BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ADELIN CAI BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 LEONARDO CUSTODIO BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 PAMILLA MUDHRAY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JULIE OWONO BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 DEBORA DINIZ BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 PETER GABRIEL BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 KOKETSO MOETI BOARD MEMBER (BEG. 06/23) 1.00 X 0 0 0 REGAN RALPH BOARD MEMBER (THROUGH 12/22) 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID MENDELS BOARD MEMBER (THROUGH 12/22) 1.00 X 0 0 0 LEKHA SINGH BOARD MEMBER (THROUGH 02/23) 1.00 X 0 0 0 SAMUEL GREGORY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 176324 0 31099 SONALI THIMMAYA DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 40.00 X 111075 0 28898 SARA FEDERLEIN DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY 40.00 X 131170 0 29648 TANYA KARANASIOS DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL PROGRAMS 40.00 X 123972 0 6712 YVETTE ALBERDINGK THIJM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THROUGH 06/23) 40.00 X 232041 0 20273 774582 0 116630 5 0 1 0 0 1512915 7099908 8612823 HONORARIA 900099 11829 11829 11829 99494 99494 2147434 2157171 -9737 -9737 -9737 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 1519 1519 1519 8715928 11829 0 91276 66015 66015 386506 180779 155767 49960 3155277 2211021 504694 439562 60194 42937 8840 8417 547247 385576 85212 76459 202151 137406 36760 27985 153 74 58 21 41236 41236 112247 112247 25633 25633 595996 284954 285434 25608 8684 7100 933 651 55488 33623 18154 3711 107229 90770 16372 87 196 160 21 15 219565 156122 42113 21330 364931 336537 8495 19899 20228 11271 1123 7834 278 278 56957 40500 10924 5533 69015 49073 13237 6705 PAYROLL SERVICES 254534 208105 27335 19094 DUES & SUBS. 24093 19699 2587 1807 GIFTS & GRATUITIES 15527 12695 1667 1165 STAFF & PROG. EXPENSES 13691 11194 1470 1027 15745 11843 3208 694 6418816 4297454 1291551 829811 447471 310011 7258390 2669327 1662537 4157145 10293 4130 60564 114029 587681 462110 67140 125571 2709361 7585186 102659 143935 12318415 15109334 309675 366950 13280 610323 750946 919998 1131176 X 8607351 9940985 2791066 4037173 11398417 13978158 12318415 15109334 X 2297112 302193 -19564 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 7194107 6326143 5189060 6411076 8612823 33733209 7194107 6326143 5189060 6411076 8612823 33733209 9085332 24647877 41511 56473 47552 59918 99494 304948 86887 37163 7913 49435 1519 182917 34221074 19028 0.72030 0.54160 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 224122 224122 0 268196 142625 125571 95363 95363 0 125571 REFUNDABLE ADVANCES 750000 CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS 946 750946 X 9255514 302193 263026 565219 8690295 25633 25633 8715928 6656209 263026 263026 6393183 25633 25633 6418816 PART X, LINE 2: FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023, WITNESS HAS DOCUMENTED ITS CONSIDERATION OF FASB ASC 740-10, INCOME TAXES, THAT PROVIDES GUIDANCE FOR REPORTING UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES AND HAS DETERMINED THAT NO MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS QUALIFY FOR EITHER RECOGNITION OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1 CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 0 0 PROGRAM SERVICES CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING, SOLIDARITY WORK, HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM 8539 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 7 PROGRAM SERVICES CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING, SOLIDARITY WORK, HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM 194266 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 0 GRANTS TO RECIPIENTS LOCATED IN THE REGION 10000 EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND) 0 10 PROGRAM SERVICES CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING, SOLIDARITY WORK, HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM 622717 MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING, SOLIDARITY WORK, HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM 4068 NORTH AMERICA 0 7 PROGRAM SERVICES CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING, SOLIDARITY WORK, HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM 531214 NORTH AMERICA 0 0 GRANTS TO RECIPIENTS LOCATED IN THE REGION 6750 RUSSIA AND NEIGHBORING STATES 0 2 PROGRAM SERVICES CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING, SOLIDARITY WORK, HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM 22493 SOUTH AMERICA 0 9 PROGRAM SERVICES CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING, SOLIDARITY WORK, HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM 458505 SOUTH AMERICA 0 0 GRANTS TO RECIPIENTS LOCATED IN THE REGION 44265 SOUTH ASIA 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING, SOLIDARITY WORK, HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM 39793 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 0 6 PROGRAM SERVICES CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING, SOLIDARITY WORK, HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM 434151 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 0 0 GRANTS TO RECIPIENTS LOCATED IN THE REGION 5000 0 27 0 16 0 43 1400047 981714 2381761 SOUTH AMERICA SUPPORT FOR ARCHIVAL PROJECT AND STRENGTHENING OF CAPACITIES FOR VIDEO FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE TERRITORY IN THE SELECTED COMMUNITIES 23820 WIRE TRANSFER 0 1 0 SUPPORT FOR HUMAN RESOURCE AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES. EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 1 10000 WIRE TRANSFER SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FRONTLINE OF PROTESTS ANDTO STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITIES FOR VIDEO FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE TERRITORY IN THE SELECTED COMMUNITIES. SOUTH AMERICA 3 20445 WIRE TRANSFER SUPPORT FOR AUDIOVISUAL CAMPAIGN & MINIDOCUMENTARY NORTH AMERICA 1 6750 WIRE TRANSFER SUPPORT FOR HUMAN RESOURCE AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 1 5000 WIRE TRANSFER 1 0 0 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 2: WITNESS IS NOT A GRANTMAKING ORGANIZATION. WE SOMETIMES PROVIDE SUPPORT TO OUR PARTNERS IN THE FORM OF MICROGRANTS FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION AND SHARING OF KNOWLEDGE. THE PROVISION OF THESE SMALL MICROGRANTS REQUIRES A LETTER OF AGREEMENT OR CONTRACT TO OUTLINE ANTICIPATED ACTIVITIES OR AREAS OF SPENDING, BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE MONITORING OR REPORTING FROM THE PARTNER. WE DO OFTEN RECEIVE ANECDOTAL FEEDBACK FROM PARTNERS ABOUT HOW THE MICROGRANT HAS SUPPORTED THEIR WORK. PART III ACCOUNTING METHOD: X X X X X 1 LAPA FUNDRAISING 757 THIRD AVE NEW YORK NY 10017 PROVIDED FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN SUPPORT 0 803341 112247 691094 803341 112247 691094 CA DE IL NY X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 YVETTE ALBERDINGK THIJM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THROUGH 06/23) 232041 0 0 0 0 0 7036 0 13237 0 252314 0 0 0 SAMUEL GREGORY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 176324 0 0 0 0 0 5355 0 25744 0 207423 0 0 0 SARA FEDERLEIN DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY 131170 0 0 0 0 0 4002 0 25646 0 160818 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B SENIOR MANAGEMENT REVIEWS AND EVALUATES THE INFORMATION BEING COMPILED FOR THE 990 IN ADVANCE OF PREPARING A DRAFT, AND REVIEWS THE FINAL 990 PRIOR TO IRS FILING. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REVIEWS A FINAL DRAFT OF THE 990, AND THEN THE FINAL 990 IS CIRCULATED TO THE FULL BOARD PRIOR TO IRS FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C AS PART OF ONBOARDING, ALL NEW MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM. ADDITIONALLY, ALL BOARD MEMBERS MUST COMPLETE A NEW CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH FISCAL YEAR. THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT TAKE UP THE AFFAIRS OF WITNESS, IT IS THE OBLIGATION OF BOARD AND STAFF MEMBERS TO DISCLOSE A POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AT ONCE AND, WHEN A FINANCIAL INTEREST MAY BE INVOLVED, TO ABSTAIN FROM ANY INFLUENCE OR VOTE ON THE MATTER AND TO BE ABSENT DURING THE BOARD'S REVIEW AND VOTE ON THE DECISION IN QUESTION. THE ABSTENTION AND ABSENCE SHOULD BE NOTED IN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING. IF A BOARD OR STAFF MEMBER IS IN DOUBT AS TO WHETHER THERE IS A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN A SPECIFIC SITUATION, DISCLOSURE AND CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD CHAIR OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OUTSIDE COUNSEL IS ADVISED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 BASE SALARY AND SALARY INCREASES FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ARE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION AND STAYING WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S SALARY STRUCTURE. THE SALARY STRUCTURE WAS LAST UPDATED BY AN EXTERNAL COMPENSATION CONSULTING FIRM IN 2019, AND IS UPDATED BY HUMAN RESOURCES ANNUALLY. IN NOVEMBER 2022, HUMAN RESOURCES BEGAN RESEARCH FOR A BENCHMARKING PROCESS AGAINST UPDATED MARKET SALARY DATA. THE RESULTS OF THIS BENCHMARKING PROCESS WILL BE TO UPDATE ALL SALARIES (INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S) TO BE IN LINE WITH MARKET STANDARDS AND ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES OF EQUITY, AND TO HAVE THE FINALIZED AND UPDATED COMPENSATION FRAMEWORK TAKE EFFECT IN FY2024. THE LAST COMPENSATION REVIEW TOOK PLACE IN DECEMBER 2023. THE SAME COMPENSATION REVIEW PROCESS IS USED FOR OTHER OFFICERS AND KEY STAFF. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON ITS WEBSITE, WWW.WITNESS.ORG, AND BY REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: FOREIGN EXCHANGE LOSS -19,564.