SCHUMACHER CENTER FOR A NEW ECONOMICS: Form 990, tax year 2022

View the entire original 990 at ProPublica ↗

Organization
SCHUMACHER CENTER FOR A NEW ECONOMICS (EIN 46-1421645)
Tax period
2022-01-01 to 2022-12-31
Filed
2023-03-08
IRS object ID
202340679349301404
Schema version
2022v4.1
Source
Download XML · Original 990 at ProPublica

Every field in the e-filed return. Faint text is the IRS element name, for citing.

Return header ReturnHeader

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return2023-03-08T14:45:26-05:00ReturnTs
Tax Period End2022-12-31TaxPeriodEndDt

Preparer Firm PreparerFirmGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer Firm EIN205579753PreparerFirmEIN

Preparer Firm Name PreparerFirmName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1ALAN S GLACKMAN CPA PCBusinessNameLine1Txt

Preparer US Address PreparerUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line138 MAHAIWE ST STE 5AddressLine1Txt
CityGREAT BARRINGTONCityNm
State AbbreviationMAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP01230ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return Type990ReturnTypeCd
Tax Period Begin2022-01-01TaxPeriodBeginDt

Filer Filer

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EIN461421645EIN

Business Name BusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1SCHUMACHER CTR FOR A NEW ECONOMICSBusinessNameLine1Txt
Business Name Line2INCBusinessNameLine2Txt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name ControlSCHUBusinessNameControlTxt
Phone4135281737PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1140 JUG END ROADAddressLine1Txt
CityGREAT BARRINGTONCityNm
State AbbreviationMAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP01230ZIPCd

Business Officer BusinessOfficerGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonMATTHEW STINCHCOMBPersonNm
Person TitlePRES OF BD OF DIRPersonTitleTxt
Phone4135281737PhoneNum
Signature2023-03-07SignatureDt
Discuss With Paid PreparerYes (true)DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd

Signing Officer SigningOfficerGrp

Person Full Name PersonFullName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Person FirstMATTHEWPersonFirstNm
Person LastSTINCHCOMBPersonLastNm
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
SSNXXX-XX-XXXXSSN
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
IRS Responsible Prty Info CurrfalseIRSResponsiblePrtyInfoCurrInd

Preparer Person PreparerPersonGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer PersonALAN S GLACKMANPreparerPersonNm
PTINP00004273PTIN
Phone4135286804PhoneNum
Preparation2023-03-08PreparationDt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Tax2022TaxYr
Build TS2023-04-26 12:10:37ZBuildTS

Form 990 IRS990

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Principal OfficerMATTHEW STINCHCOMBPrincipalOfficerNm

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1133 SKIBA ROADAddressLine1Txt
CityPINE PLAINSCityNm
State AbbreviationNYStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP12567ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Gross Receipts$680,895GrossReceiptsAmt
Group Return For AffiliatesfalseGroupReturnForAffiliatesInd
Organization501c3Yes (X)Organization501c3Ind
Website AddressHTTP://CENTERFORNEWECONOMICS.ORGWebsiteAddressTxt
Type Of Organization CorpYes (X)TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd
Formation2012FormationYr
Legal Domicile StateMALegalDomicileStateCd
Activity Or MissionEDUCATION - TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT AN ECONOMICS THAT SUPPORTS BOTH PEOPLE AND THE PLANET.ActivityOrMissionDesc
Voting Members Governing Body12VotingMembersGoverningBodyCnt
Voting Members Independent12VotingMembersIndependentCnt
Total Employee11TotalEmployeeCnt
Total Gross UBI$0TotalGrossUBIAmt
PY Contributions Grants$614,933PYContributionsGrantsAmt
CY Contributions Grants$663,462CYContributionsGrantsAmt
PY Program Service Revenue$125PYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
CY Program Service Revenue$1,500CYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
PY Investment Income$418PYInvestmentIncomeAmt
CY Investment Income$0CYInvestmentIncomeAmt
PY Other Revenue$3,756PYOtherRevenueAmt
CY Other Revenue$7,729CYOtherRevenueAmt
PY Total Revenue$619,232PYTotalRevenueAmt
CY Total Revenue$672,691CYTotalRevenueAmt
CY Grants And Similar Paid$0CYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
CY Benefits Paid To Members$0CYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt
PY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$318,886PYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
CY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$407,759CYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
CY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$0CYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Fundraising Expense$52,335CYTotalFundraisingExpenseAmt
PY Other Expenses$328,421PYOtherExpensesAmt
CY Other Expenses$325,404CYOtherExpensesAmt
PY Total Expenses$647,307PYTotalExpensesAmt
CY Total Expenses$733,163CYTotalExpensesAmt
PY Revenues Less Expenses-$28,075PYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
CY Revenues Less Expenses-$60,472CYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
Total Assets BOY$968,901TotalAssetsBOYAmt
Total Assets EOY$912,234TotalAssetsEOYAmt
Total Liabilities BOY$1,127TotalLiabilitiesBOYAmt
Total Liabilities EOY$4,021TotalLiabilitiesEOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances BOY$967,774NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances EOY$908,213NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt
Info In Schedule O Part IIIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd
MissionEDUCATION - TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT AN ECONOMICS THAT SUPPORTS BOTH PEOPLE AND THE PLANET.MissionDesc
Significant New Program SrvcfalseSignificantNewProgramSrvcInd
Significant ChangefalseSignificantChangeInd
Expense$221,563ExpenseAmt
DescLOCAL CURRENCY PROJECT - THE SCHUMACHER CENTER FOR A NEW ECONOMICS PROVIDED RESEARCH ASSISTANCE, DEVELOPMENT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT FOR BERKSHARES, A LOCAL CURRENCY DESIGNED TO EDUCATE CITIZENS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF VIBRANT, SELF-SUFFICIENT, REGIONAL ECONOMIES. THE CENTER CREATED EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FOR PRINT AND ONLINE; DEVELOPED SYSTEMS FOR INTEGRATING WITH BANK OPERATIONS; HOSTED MEDIA, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMUNITIES IN OTHER REGIONS WHO ARE STUDYING THE PROGRAM. BERKSHARES IS COLLABORATED WITH A BLOCKCHAIN DEVELOPER TO BUILD A DIGITAL COMPONENT OF THE CURRENCY. THE BETA VERSION LAUNCHED IN MARCH OF 2022. ALL DIGITAL B IN CIRCULATION WERE BACKED ONE TO ONE WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS HELD ON DEPOSIT AT TWO LOCAL BANKS. 600 DIGITAL ACCOUNTS WERE OPENED INCLUDING 125 BUSINESSES. THE BERKSHARES PROGRAM SERVES 10,000 PERSONS REGIONALLY AND THROUGH MEDIA AND INTERNET REACHES OVER 50,000 PERSONS NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.Desc

Prog Srvc Accom Acty2 ProgSrvcAccomActy2Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Expense$167,382ExpenseAmt
DescTHE REINVENTING THE COMMONS PROGRAM CONDUCTS RESEARCH INTO THE COMMONS AS A PARADIGM OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHANGE, AND SHARES IT WITH SCHOLARS, POLICY EXPERTS AND THE PUBLIC. IN 2022 THIS WORK WAS PRESENTED IN MANY FORMS. THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR PARTICIPATED IN ONLINE VIDEO INTERVIEWS(3), PODCAST INTERVIEWS(7), WEBINARS(17), RESEARCH WORKSHOPS(2), WROTE ESSAYS IN PRINT AND WEB MAGAZINES(3), AND GAVE CONSULTATIONS WITH ACTIVISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS (60+). IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM SOLD MORE THAN 500 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF A BOOK SOLD IN 2021 AND MAINTAINED EIGHT WEBSITES ON DIFFERENT BOOKS AND PROJECTS RELATED TO THE COMMONS, WHICH HAD A COMBINED VISITORSHIP OF MORE THAN 15,000 PEOPLE. THE PROGRAM ALSO OVERSAW TWO NEW FOREIGN TRANSLATIONS OF AN ENGLISH-LANGUAGE BOOK ON THE COMMONS AND PRODUCED A MONTHLY PODCAST SERIES THAT HAD MORE THAN 15,000 DOWNLOADS FOR THE YEAR.Desc

Prog Srvc Accom Acty3 ProgSrvcAccomActy3Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Expense$60,405ExpenseAmt
DescTHE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST PROGRAM IS PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROLE OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES IN A NEW ECONOMIC SYSTEM. WORKING WITH THE BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, THE SCHUMACHER CENTER HELPED FOUND AND PROMOTE THE HARRY CONKLIN FUND FOR FARMSTEADS AS A WAY TO SUPPORT SECURE ACCESS TO FARMLAND AND HOUSING FOR THE MANY SMALL FARMERS PROVIDING FOOD FOR THE REGION. STORIES ABOUT THE HCFUND FOR FARMSTEADS APPEARED IN LOCAL AND REGIONAL PRINT,ONLINE,RADIO AND TV MEDIA REACHING OVER 30,000 PEOPLE. DOCUMENTS FOR THE FUND ARE ON THE SCHUMACHER CENTER'S WEBSITE WHERE THEY ARE ACCESSED BY GROUPS REPRESENTING FARMERS FACING SIMILAR LAND INSECURITY ISSUES. SEVERAL DONATIONS OF FARMSTEADS ARE IN PROCESS AT THE END OF 2022.Desc

Prog Srvc Accom Acty Other ProgSrvcAccomActyOtherGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Expense$77,054ExpenseAmt
DescLIBRARY OPERATIONS - THE SCHUMACHER CENTER'S VALUABLE COLLECTION OF BOOKS AND PAPERS, INCLUDING FRITZ SCHUMACHER'S PERSONAL BOOKS AND PAPERS AND THOSE OF OTHER DECENTRALIST AUTHORS AND ACTIVISTS ARE ALL CATALOGUED AND THAT CATALOGUE IS SEARCHABLE ONLINE. RESEACHERS SEARCHED THE ONLINE CATALOGUE TO LEARN WHAT THE SUBJECTS OF THE COLLECTIONS WERE READING. HISTORIANS ARE ONLY NOW REALIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THINKERS IN THE PERIOD OF 1950-1970S ON CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ACTIVISM. THE SCHUMACHER CENTER'S LIBRARY HAS FOCUSED ON COLLECTIONS FROM THIS PERIOD AND HAS PROVEN AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR HISTORIANS. NEW COLLECTIONS RECEIVED IN 2022 INCLUDE THE BOOKS AND PAPERS OF ELIZABETH HENDERSON WHO IS KNOWN FOR HER EXTENSIVE WORK PROMOTING COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE(CSA)FARMS. AND THE COLLECTION OF GRACE GERSHUNY, WHO WRITES ON REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE ISSUES AND LAND ACCESS FOR FARMERS. LIBRARIANS COMPLETED CATALOGUING THE JOHN DAVIS COLLECTION ON THE HISTORY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS. LECTURES & EDUCATIONAL EVENTS - A CONTINUING CONSEQUENCE OF COVID 19, THE SCHUMACHER CENTER'S LECTURE PROGRAMS, PREVIOUSLY CONDUCTED IN-PERSON, ALL MOVED ONLINE. THE RESULT WAS AN ENORMOUS INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE. THE FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL E.F. SCHUMACHER LECTURE WAS GIVEN BY KATE RAWORTH, A BRITISH ECONOMIST WHO COINED THE TERM "DOUGHNUT ECONOMICS." THE TALK WAS VIDEOED AND PLACED ON THE CENTER'S WEBSITE AND PUT IN PODCAST FORM. THERE WERE 1,479 ATTENDING THE EVENT VIRTUALLY AND ANOTHER 4,500 HAVE DOWNLOADED THE TALK SINCE THEN. THE SCHUMACHER CENTER MAINTAINS A PUBLICATION PROGRAM BOTH IN PRINT AND ONLINE. THE PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE SCHUMACHER LECTURES, BUT ALSO INCLUDE THE LEGAL AND OPERATIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S LOCAL CURRENCY, COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, AND SHARE MICRO-CREDIT PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS BACKGROUND TEXTS TO THESE PROGRAMS. THE SCHUMACHER CENTER MAINTAINS A WEBSITE OF THE 40 YEAR'S PUBLICATION OF MANAS, A JOURNAL OF INDEPENDENT INQUIRY, CONCERNED WITH THE STUDY OF PRINCIPLES WHICH MOVE THE WORLD ON ITS PRESENT COURSE. THE SCHUMACHER CENTER DIGITALIZED ALL OF THE TAPES FROM THE LINDISFARNE ASSOCIATION, A COLLECTION OF CONVERSATIONS ON CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND TECHNOLOGY. THESE ARE ALL ONLINE AT THE CENTER'S ARCHIVE.ORG SITE. THERE WERE 4,198 DOWNLOADS OF THE PODCASTS OF THE LINDISFARNE TAPES IN 2022. ADDITIONALY, THE SCHUMACHER CENTER PUBLISHES ITS AUDIO LECTURES AS PODCASTS, WITH 9,320 DOWNLOADS IN 2022, AND THE FRONTIERS IN COMMONNING PODCAST, WITH 20,091 DOWNLOADS IN 2022. SOCIAL MEDIA STATISTICS (2022) TWITTER - NEW FOLLOWERS IN 2022: 522 NUMBER OF PROFILE VISITS: 45,574 TWEET IMPRESSIONS TOTAL 2022: 200,400 TOTAL FOLLOWERS END OF 2022: 5,584 INSTAGRAM - NEW FOLLOWERS 2022: 572 TOTAL FOLLOWERS END OF 2022: 1,722 FACEBOOK - NEW PAGE LIKES IN 2022: 526 TOTAL REACH (THE NUMBER OF TIMES USERS SAW POSTS FROM OUR PAGE ENTER THEIR FEED): 20,634 TOTAL PAGE LIKES AT THE END OF 2022: 4,551 LINKEDIN - NEW FOLLOWERS IN 2022: 502 IMPRESSION 2022: 35,460 TOTAL FOLLOWERS END OF 2022: 1,569 SCHUMACHER PODCASTS (SIMPLECAST) - THE SCHUMACHER CENTER PUBLISHES LECTURES AS PODCASTS AND MAINTAINS DIGITIZED RECORDINGS OF THE LINDISFARNE ASSOCIATION - TAPES OF CONVERSATIONS ON CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND TECHNOLOGY. THESE AUDIO FILES ARE ALL ONLINE AT THE CENTER'S ARCHIVE.ORG SITE AND AS PODCASTS, WHICH WERE DOWNLOADED A TOTAL OF 33,609 TIMES IN 2022.Desc
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Other Prog Srvc Expense$77,054TotalOtherProgSrvcExpenseAmt
Total Program Service Expenses$526,404TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt
Described In Section501c3Yes (true)DescribedInSection501c3Ind
Schedule B RequiredYes (true)ScheduleBRequiredInd
Political Campaign ActyfalsePoliticalCampaignActyInd
Lobbying ActivitiesfalseLobbyingActivitiesInd
Subject To Proxy TaxfalseSubjectToProxyTaxInd
Donor Advised FundfalseDonorAdvisedFundInd
Conservation EasementsfalseConservationEasementsInd
Collections Of ArtfalseCollectionsOfArtInd
Credit CounselingfalseCreditCounselingInd
Donor Rstr Or Quasi EndowmentsfalseDonorRstrOrQuasiEndowmentsInd
Report Land Building EquipmentYes (true)ReportLandBuildingEquipmentInd
Report Investments Other SecfalseReportInvestmentsOtherSecInd
Report Program Related InvstfalseReportProgramRelatedInvstInd
Report Other AssetsfalseReportOtherAssetsInd
Report Other LiabilitiesfalseReportOtherLiabilitiesInd
Include FIN48 FootnotefalseIncludeFIN48FootnoteInd
Independent Audit Fincl StmtYes (true)IndependentAuditFinclStmtInd
Consolidated Audit Fincl StmtfalseConsolidatedAuditFinclStmtInd
School OperatingfalseSchoolOperatingInd
Foreign OfficefalseForeignOfficeInd
Foreign ActivitiesfalseForeignActivitiesInd
More Than5000 K To OrgfalseMoreThan5000KToOrgInd
More Than5000 K To IndividualsfalseMoreThan5000KToIndividualsInd
Professional FundraisingfalseProfessionalFundraisingInd
Fundraising ActivitiesfalseFundraisingActivitiesInd
Gaming ActivitiesfalseGamingActivitiesInd
Operate HospitalfalseOperateHospitalInd
Grants To OrganizationsfalseGrantsToOrganizationsInd
Grants To IndividualsfalseGrantsToIndividualsInd
Schedule J RequiredfalseScheduleJRequiredInd
Tax Exempt BondsfalseTaxExemptBondsInd
Engaged In Excess Benefit TransfalseEngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd
PY Excess Benefit TransfalsePYExcessBenefitTransInd
Loan OutstandingfalseLoanOutstandingInd
Grant To Related PersonfalseGrantToRelatedPersonInd
Business Rln With Org MemfalseBusinessRlnWithOrgMemInd
Business Rln With Fam MemfalseBusinessRlnWithFamMemInd
Business Rln With35 Ctrl EntfalseBusinessRlnWith35CtrlEntInd
Deductible Non Cash ContrifalseDeductibleNonCashContriInd
Deductible Art ContributionfalseDeductibleArtContributionInd
Terminate OperationsfalseTerminateOperationsInd
Partial LiquidationfalsePartialLiquidationInd
Disregarded EntityfalseDisregardedEntityInd
Related EntityfalseRelatedEntityInd
Related Organization Ctrl EntfalseRelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd
Trnsfr Exmpt Non Chrtbl Rltd OrgfalseTrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd
Activities Conducted PrtshpfalseActivitiesConductedPrtshpInd
Schedule O RequiredYes (true)ScheduleORequiredInd
IRP Document9IRPDocumentCnt
IRP Document W2 G0IRPDocumentW2GCnt
Backup Wthld ComplianceYes (true)BackupWthldComplianceInd
Employee11EmployeeCnt
Employment Tax Returns FiledYes (true)EmploymentTaxReturnsFiledInd
Unrelated Bus Incm Over LimitfalseUnrelatedBusIncmOverLimitInd
Foreign Financial AccountfalseForeignFinancialAccountInd
Prohibited Tax Shelter TransfalseProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd
Taxable Party NotificationfalseTaxablePartyNotificationInd
Nondeductible ContributionsfalseNondeductibleContributionsInd
Quid Pro Quo ContributionsfalseQuidProQuoContributionsInd
Form8282 Property Disposed OffalseForm8282PropertyDisposedOfInd
Rcv Fnds To Pay Prsnl Bnft CntrctfalseRcvFndsToPayPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Pay Premiums Prsnl Bnft CntrctfalsePayPremiumsPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Form8899 FiledindfalseForm8899Filedind
Form1098 C FiledfalseForm1098CFiledInd
Indoor Tanning ServicesfalseIndoorTanningServicesInd
Subj To Tax Rmnrtn Ex Prcht PymtfalseSubjToTaxRmnrtnExPrchtPymtInd
Subject To Excs Tax Net Invst IncfalseSubjectToExcsTaxNetInvstIncInd
Info In Schedule O Part VIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartVIInd
Governing Body Voting Members12GoverningBodyVotingMembersCnt
Independent Voting Member12IndependentVotingMemberCnt
Family Or Business RlnfalseFamilyOrBusinessRlnInd
Delegation Of Mgmt DutiesfalseDelegationOfMgmtDutiesInd
Change To Org DocumentsfalseChangeToOrgDocumentsInd
Material Diversion Or MisusefalseMaterialDiversionOrMisuseInd
Members Or StockholdersfalseMembersOrStockholdersInd
Election Of Board MembersfalseElectionOfBoardMembersInd
Decisions Subject To ApprovafalseDecisionsSubjectToApprovaInd
Minutes Of Governing BodyYes (true)MinutesOfGoverningBodyInd
Minutes Of CommitteesYes (true)MinutesOfCommitteesInd
Officer Mailing AddressfalseOfficerMailingAddressInd
Local ChaptersfalseLocalChaptersInd
Form990 Provided To Gvrn BodyfalseForm990ProvidedToGvrnBodyInd
Conflict Of Interest PolicyYes (true)ConflictOfInterestPolicyInd
Annual Disclosure Covered PrsnYes (true)AnnualDisclosureCoveredPrsnInd
Regular Monitoring EnfrcYes (true)RegularMonitoringEnfrcInd
Whistleblower PolicyYes (true)WhistleblowerPolicyInd
Document Retention PolicyfalseDocumentRetentionPolicyInd
Compensation Process CEOYes (true)CompensationProcessCEOInd
Compensation Process OtherfalseCompensationProcessOtherInd
Investment In Joint VenturefalseInvestmentInJointVentureInd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldMAStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
Own WebsiteYes (X)OwnWebsiteInd
Other WebsiteYes (X)OtherWebsiteInd
Upon RequestYes (X)UponRequestInd

Books In Care Of Detail BooksInCareOfDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonMICHAL SNYDERPersonNm
Phone4135284465PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1140 JUG END ROADAddressLine1Txt
CityGREAT BARRINGTONCityNm
State AbbreviationMAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP01230ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
No Listed Persons CompensatedYes (X)NoListedPersonsCompensatedInd

Form990 Part VII Section A Form990PartVIISectionAGrp (13 entries)

TitleTitleTxtAverage Hours Per WeekAverageHoursPerWeekRtHighest Compensated EmployeeHighestCompensatedEmployeeIndReportable Comp From OrgReportableCompFromOrgAmtReportable Comp From Rltd OrgReportableCompFromRltdOrgAmtOther CompensationOtherCompensationAmtIndividual Trustee Or DirectorIndividualTrusteeOrDirectorIndOfficerOfficerInd
SUSAN C WITT
EXECUTIVE DI60.00Yes (X)$122,000$0$0
AGATHA BACELAR
DIRECTOR0.50$0$0$0Yes (X)
JODIE EVANS
DIRECTOR0.50$0$0$0Yes (X)
SEVERINE VON TSCHARNER FLEMING
DIRECTOR0.50$0$0$0Yes (X)
PAUL FLETCHER-HILL
TREASURER2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)Yes (X)
HILDEGARDE HANNUM
DIRECTOR0.50$0$0$0Yes (X)
TONY HERNANDEZ
DIRECTOR0.50$0$0$0Yes (X)
BROOKE LEHMAN
VICE PRESIDE0.50$0$0$0Yes (X)Yes (X)
ALICE MAGGIO
CLERK2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)Yes (X)
JERRY MANDER
DIRECTOR0.50$0$0$0Yes (X)
MATTHEW STINCHCOMB
PRES OF BD O2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)Yes (X)
KALI AKUNO WILLIAMS
DIRECTOR0.50$0$0$0Yes (X)
SEBASTIAN WOOD
DIRECTOR0.50$0$0$0Yes (X)
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Reportable Comp From Org$122,000TotalReportableCompFromOrgAmt
Indiv Rcvd Greater Than100 K2IndivRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
Former Ofcr Employees ListedfalseFormerOfcrEmployeesListedInd
Total Comp Greater Than150 KfalseTotalCompGreaterThan150KInd
Compensation From Other SrcsfalseCompensationFromOtherSrcsInd
All Other Contributions$663,462AllOtherContributionsAmt
Noncash Contributions$4,949NoncashContributionsAmt
Total Contributions$663,462TotalContributionsAmt

Program Service Revenue ProgramServiceRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
DescSPEAKING FEESDesc
Business611600BusinessCd
Total Revenue Column$1,500TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$1,500RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Program Service Revenue$1,500TotalProgramServiceRevenueAmt

Gross Rents GrossRentsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Real$1,800RealAmt

Rental Income Or Loss RentalIncomeOrLossGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Real$1,800RealAmt

Net Rental Income Or Loss NetRentalIncomeOrLossGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$1,800TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$1,800RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt

Gross Amount Sales Assets GrossAmountSalesAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Securities$5,024SecuritiesAmt

Less Cost Oth Basis Sales Expnss LessCostOthBasisSalesExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Securities$5,024SecuritiesAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Gross Sales Of Inventory$9,109GrossSalesOfInventoryAmt
Cost Of Goods Sold$3,180CostOfGoodsSoldAmt

Net Income Or Loss NetIncomeOrLossGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$5,929TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$5,929RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt

Total Revenue TotalRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$672,691TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$9,229RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt

Comp Current Ofcr Directors CompCurrentOfcrDirectorsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$110,664TotalAmt
Program Services$110,664ProgramServicesAmt

Other Salaries And Wages OtherSalariesAndWagesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$266,997TotalAmt
Program Services$157,966ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$73,613ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$35,418FundraisingAmt

Payroll Taxes PayrollTaxesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$30,098TotalAmt
Program Services$21,421ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$5,774ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$2,903FundraisingAmt

Fees For Services Legal FeesForServicesLegalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$10,000TotalAmt
Program Services$10,000ProgramServicesAmt

Fees For Services Accounting FeesForServicesAccountingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$15,975TotalAmt
Program Services$3,195ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$12,780ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Advertising AdvertisingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,656TotalAmt
Program Services$1,556ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$100ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Office Expenses OfficeExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$19,852TotalAmt
Program Services$9,230ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$3,344ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$7,278FundraisingAmt

Travel TravelGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$11,716TotalAmt
Program Services$11,078ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$638ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Depreciation Depletion DepreciationDepletionGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$36,934TotalAmt
Program Services$20,847ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$13,933ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$2,154FundraisingAmt

Insurance InsuranceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$10,190TotalAmt
Program Services$2,038ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$8,152ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Other Expenses OtherExpensesGrp (4 entries)

DescDescTotalTotalAmtProgram ServicesProgramServicesAmtManagement And GeneralManagementAndGeneralAmtFundraisingFundraisingAmt
PROGRAM EXPENSES$86,154$86,104$50
CONSULTANT-GROUNDS/DRIVEW$32,166$18,976$10,938$2,252
CONSULTANT - PROGRAM$25,584$25,584
INTERNET HOSTING$14,432$9,988$4,444

All Other Expenses AllOtherExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$60,745TotalAmt
Program Services$37,757ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$20,658ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$2,330FundraisingAmt

Total Functional Expenses TotalFunctionalExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$733,163TotalAmt
Program Services$526,404ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$154,424ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$52,335FundraisingAmt

Cash Non Interest Bearing CashNonInterestBearingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$177,119BOYAmt
EOY$126,005EOYAmt

Inventories For Sale Or Use InventoriesForSaleOrUseGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$22,342BOYAmt
EOY$19,725EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Land Bldg Equip Cost Or Other Bss$1,121,924LandBldgEquipCostOrOtherBssAmt
Land Bldg Equip Accum Deprec$356,353LandBldgEquipAccumDeprecAmt

Land Bldg Equip Basis Net LandBldgEquipBasisNetGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$769,418BOYAmt
EOY$765,571EOYAmt

Intangible Assets IntangibleAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$22BOYAmt
EOY$933EOYAmt

Total Assets TotalAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$968,901BOYAmt
EOY$912,234EOYAmt

Accounts Payable Accr Expnss AccountsPayableAccrExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$1,127BOYAmt
EOY$4,021EOYAmt

Total Liabilities TotalLiabilitiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$1,127BOYAmt
EOY$4,021EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Organization Follows FASB117Yes (X)OrganizationFollowsFASB117Ind

No Donor Restriction Net Assets NoDonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$899,174BOYAmt
EOY$857,372EOYAmt

Donor Restriction Net Assets DonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$68,600BOYAmt
EOY$50,841EOYAmt

Total Net Assets Fund Balance TotalNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$967,774BOYAmt
EOY$908,213EOYAmt

Tot Liab Net Assets Fund Balance TotLiabNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$968,901BOYAmt
EOY$912,234EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Reconcilation Revenue Expnss-$60,472ReconcilationRevenueExpnssAmt
Net Unrlzd Gains Losses Invst$911NetUnrlzdGainsLossesInvstAmt
Method Of Accounting AccrualYes (X)MethodOfAccountingAccrualInd
Accountant Compile Or ReviewfalseAccountantCompileOrReviewInd
FS AuditedYes (true)FSAuditedInd

FS Audited Basis FSAuditedBasisGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Separate Basis Fincl StmtYes (X)SeparateBasisFinclStmtInd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Audit CommitteeYes (true)AuditCommitteeInd
Federal Grant Audit RequiredfalseFederalGrantAuditRequiredInd

Schedule A IRS990ScheduleA

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Public Organization170Yes (X)PublicOrganization170Ind

Gifts Grants Contri Rcvd170 GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$454,900CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$748,025CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$850,237CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$614,933CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$663,462CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$3,331,557TotalAmt

Total Calendar Year170 TotalCalendarYear170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$454,900CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$748,025CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$850,237CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$614,933CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$663,462CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$3,331,557TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Public Support Total170$3,331,557PublicSupportTotal170Amt
Total Support$3,331,557TotalSupportAmt
Gross Receipts Rltd Activities$38,516GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt
Public Support CY1701.00000PublicSupportCY170Pct
Public Support PY1701.00000PublicSupportPY170Pct
Thirty Thr Pct Suprt Tests CY170Yes (X)ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind

Schedule B IRS990ScheduleB

Contributor Information ContributorInformationGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
ContributorRESTRICTEDContributorNum

Contributor Business Name ContributorBusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1RESTRICTEDBusinessNameLine1

Contributor US Address ContributorUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1RESTRICTEDAddressLine1
Address Line2RESTRICTEDAddressLine2
CityRESTRICTEDCity
StateRESTRICTEDState
ZIP CodeRESTRICTEDZIPCode
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total ContributionsRESTRICTEDTotalContributionsAmt

Schedule D IRS990ScheduleD

Buildings BuildingsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$939,565OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$284,077DepreciationAmt
Book Value$655,488BookValueAmt

Leasehold Improvements LeaseholdImprovementsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$105,989OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$25,223DepreciationAmt
Book Value$80,766BookValueAmt

Equipment EquipmentGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$25,552OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$17,431DepreciationAmt
Book Value$8,121BookValueAmt

Other Land Buildings OtherLandBuildingsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$50,818OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$29,622DepreciationAmt
Book Value$21,196BookValueAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Book Value Land Buildings$765,571TotalBookValueLandBuildingsAmt
Total Rev Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$672,691TotalRevEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Revenue Subtotal$672,691RevenueSubtotalAmt
Total Revenue Per Form990$672,691TotalRevenuePerForm990Amt
Tot Expns Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$733,163TotExpnsEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Expenses Subtotal$733,163ExpensesSubtotalAmt
Total Expenses Per Form990$733,163TotalExpensesPerForm990Amt

Schedule O IRS990ScheduleO

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (7 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4ALOCAL CURRENCY PROJECT - THE SCHUMACHER CENTER FOR A NEW ECONOMICS PROVIDED RESEARCH ASSISTANCE, DEVELOPMENT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT FOR BERKSHARES, A LOCAL CURRENCY DESIGNED TO EDUCATE CITIZENS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF VIBRANT, SELF-SUFFICIENT, REGIONAL ECONOMIES. THE CENTER CREATED EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FOR PRINT AND ONLINE; DEVELOPED SYSTEMS FOR INTEGRATING WITH BANK OPERATIONS; HOSTED MEDIA, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF COMMUNITIES IN OTHER REGIONS WHO ARE STUDYING THE PROGRAM. BERKSHARES IS COLLABORATED WITH A BLOCKCHAIN DEVELOPER TO BUILD A DIGITAL COMPONENT OF THE CURRENCY. THE BETA VERSION LAUNCHED IN MARCH OF 2022. ALL DIGITAL B IN CIRCULATION WERE BACKED ONE TO ONE WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS HELD ON DEPOSIT AT TWO LOCAL BANKS. 600 DIGITAL ACCOUNTS WERE OPENED INCLUDING 125 BUSINESSES. THE BERKSHARES PROGRAM SERVES 10,000 PERSONS REGIONALLY AND THROUGH MEDIA AND INTERNET REACHES OVER 50,000 PERSONS NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4BTHE REINVENTING THE COMMONS PROGRAM CONDUCTS RESEARCH INTO THE COMMONS AS A PARADIGM OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHANGE, AND SHARES IT WITH SCHOLARS, POLICY EXPERTS AND THE PUBLIC. IN 2022 THIS WORK WAS PRESENTED IN MANY FORMS. THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR PARTICIPATED IN ONLINE VIDEO INTERVIEWS(3), PODCAST INTERVIEWS(7), WEBINARS(17), RESEARCH WORKSHOPS(2), WROTE ESSAYS IN PRINT AND WEB MAGAZINES(3), AND GAVE CONSULTATIONS WITH ACTIVISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS (60+). IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM SOLD MORE THAN 500 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF A BOOK SOLD IN 2021 AND MAINTAINED EIGHT WEBSITES ON DIFFERENT BOOKS AND PROJECTS RELATED TO THE COMMONS, WHICH HAD A COMBINED VISITORSHIP OF MORE THAN 15,000 PEOPLE. THE PROGRAM ALSO OVERSAW TWO NEW FOREIGN TRANSLATIONS OF AN ENGLISH-LANGUAGE BOOK ON THE COMMONS AND PRODUCED A MONTHLY PODCAST SERIES THAT HAD MORE THAN 15,000 DOWNLOADS FOR THE YEAR.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4DLIBRARY OPERATIONS - THE SCHUMACHER CENTER'S VALUABLE COLLECTION OF BOOKS AND PAPERS, INCLUDING FRITZ SCHUMACHER'S PERSONAL BOOKS AND PAPERS AND THOSE OF OTHER DECENTRALIST AUTHORS AND ACTIVISTS ARE ALL CATALOGUED AND THAT CATALOGUE IS SEARCHABLE ONLINE. RESEACHERS SEARCHED THE ONLINE CATALOGUE TO LEARN WHAT THE SUBJECTS OF THE COLLECTIONS WERE READING. HISTORIANS ARE ONLY NOW REALIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THINKERS IN THE PERIOD OF 1950-1970S ON CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ACTIVISM. THE SCHUMACHER CENTER'S LIBRARY HAS FOCUSED ON COLLECTIONS FROM THIS PERIOD AND HAS PROVEN AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR HISTORIANS. NEW COLLECTIONS RECEIVED IN 2022 INCLUDE THE BOOKS AND PAPERS OF ELIZABETH HENDERSON WHO IS KNOWN FOR HER EXTENSIVE WORK PROMOTING COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE(CSA)FARMS. AND THE COLLECTION OF GRACE GERSHUNY, WHO WRITES ON REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE ISSUES AND LAND ACCESS FOR FARMERS. LIBRARIANS COMPLETED CATALOGUING THE JOHN DAVIS COLLECTION ON THE HISTORY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS. LECTURES & EDUCATIONAL EVENTS - A CONTINUING CONSEQUENCE OF COVID 19, THE SCHUMACHER CENTER'S LECTURE PROGRAMS, PREVIOUSLY CONDUCTED IN-PERSON, ALL MOVED ONLINE. THE RESULT WAS AN ENORMOUS INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE. THE FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL E.F. SCHUMACHER LECTURE WAS GIVEN BY KATE RAWORTH, A BRITISH ECONOMIST WHO COINED THE TERM "DOUGHNUT ECONOMICS." THE TALK WAS VIDEOED AND PLACED ON THE CENTER'S WEBSITE AND PUT IN PODCAST FORM. THERE WERE 1,479 ATTENDING THE EVENT VIRTUALLY AND ANOTHER 4,500 HAVE DOWNLOADED THE TALK SINCE THEN. THE SCHUMACHER CENTER MAINTAINS A PUBLICATION PROGRAM BOTH IN PRINT AND ONLINE. THE PUBLICATIONS INCLUDE SCHUMACHER LECTURES, BUT ALSO INCLUDE THE LEGAL AND OPERATIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S LOCAL CURRENCY, COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, AND SHARE MICRO-CREDIT PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS BACKGROUND TEXTS TO THESE PROGRAMS. THE SCHUMACHER CENTER MAINTAINS A WEBSITE OF THE 40 YEAR'S PUBLICATION OF MANAS, A JOURNAL OF INDEPENDENT INQUIRY, CONCERNED WITH THE STUDY OF PRINCIPLES WHICH MOVE THE WORLD ON ITS PRESENT COURSE. THE SCHUMACHER CENTER DIGITALIZED ALL OF THE TAPES FROM THE LINDISFARNE ASSOCIATION, A COLLECTION OF CONVERSATIONS ON CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND TECHNOLOGY. THESE ARE ALL ONLINE AT THE CENTER'S ARCHIVE.ORG SITE. THERE WERE 4,198 DOWNLOADS OF THE PODCASTS OF THE LINDISFARNE TAPES IN 2022. ADDITIONALY, THE SCHUMACHER CENTER PUBLISHES ITS AUDIO LECTURES AS PODCASTS, WITH 9,320 DOWNLOADS IN 2022, AND THE FRONTIERS IN COMMONNING PODCAST, WITH 20,091 DOWNLOADS IN 2022. SOCIAL MEDIA STATISTICS (2022) TWITTER - NEW FOLLOWERS IN 2022: 522 NUMBER OF PROFILE VISITS: 45,574 TWEET IMPRESSIONS TOTAL 2022: 200,400 TOTAL FOLLOWERS END OF 2022: 5,584 INSTAGRAM - NEW FOLLOWERS 2022: 572 TOTAL FOLLOWERS END OF 2022: 1,722 FACEBOOK - NEW PAGE LIKES IN 2022: 526 TOTAL REACH (THE NUMBER OF TIMES USERS SAW POSTS FROM OUR PAGE ENTER THEIR FEED): 20,634 TOTAL PAGE LIKES AT THE END OF 2022: 4,551 LINKEDIN - NEW FOLLOWERS IN 2022: 502 IMPRESSION 2022: 35,460 TOTAL FOLLOWERS END OF 2022: 1,569 SCHUMACHER PODCASTS (SIMPLECAST) - THE SCHUMACHER CENTER PUBLISHES LECTURES AS PODCASTS AND MAINTAINS DIGITIZED RECORDINGS OF THE LINDISFARNE ASSOCIATION - TAPES OF CONVERSATIONS ON CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND TECHNOLOGY. THESE AUDIO FILES ARE ALL ONLINE AT THE CENTER'S ARCHIVE.ORG SITE AND AS PODCASTS, WHICH WERE DOWNLOADED A TOTAL OF 33,609 TIMES IN 2022.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11BTHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUTHORIZED THE AUDIT COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AND APPROVE FORM 990 PRIOR TO ITS FILING. A FORM 8879-EO WAS THEN SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZATION AUTHORIZING THE ELECTRONIC FILING OF THE FORM 990.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12CTHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REQUIRES AN ANNUAL DECLARATION FROM ALL BOARD MEMBERS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AS TO THE EXISTANCE AND DISCLOSURE OF ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15ACOMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS SET BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT AN ANNUAL BOARD MEETING.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS CAME ABOUT THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND IS REVIEWED ANNUALLY FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND REVISIONS. THIS IS THE SAME FOR THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS WEBSITE, THROUGH THE WEBSITE OF THE SCHUMACHER CENTER FOR A NEW ECONOMICS,THROUGH GUIDESTAR'S WEBSITE AND UPON REQUEST.

Comments

Anonymous: no account or email. Up to 2,000 characters, at most one link. Comments are checked automatically; some wait for review.