2020-07-07T10:29:17-07:00 2019-12-31 134036703 SCHALL & ASHENFARB CPAS 307 5th Ave 15th Floor NEW YORK NY 100166517 990 2019-01-01 133116646 Human Rights First HUMA 2128455200 75 Broad Street New York NY 10004 Michael Breen President & CEO 2020-07-07 true Michael Schall P02024184 2122682800 2019 2020-09-23 17:36:50Z Michael Breen 75 Broad Street Fl 31 New York NY 10004 21398161 false X www.humanrightsfirst.org X 1978 NY To ensure that the United States is a global leader on human rights. 23 22 82 1000 0 16138186 13824855 0 -20092 213893 402636 295224 16520730 14333972 0 0 6889624 6568731 69000 58000 848656 3316721 3787620 10275345 10414351 6245385 3919621 9782893 13961911 1346213 1322521 8436680 12639390 X Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. We believe American leadership is essential in the global struggle for human rights, so we press the U.S. government and private companies to respect human rights and the rule of law. When they fail, we step in to demand reform, accountability and justice. Around the world, we work where we can best harness American influence to secure core freedoms. We know it's not enough to expose and protest injustice, so we create the political environment and policy solutions necessary to ensure consistent respect for human rights. Whether we are protecting refugees, combating torture, or defending persecuted minorities, we focus not on making a point, but on making a difference. For more than 40 years, we've built bipartisan coalitions and teamed up with front line activists and lawyers to tackle global challenges that demand American leadership. false false 5580427 PROTECTING REFUGEESHuman Rights Firsts Refugee Representation team promotes human rights by assisting refugees fleeing persecution. We achieve this goal by providing legal representation, frequently with pro bono lawyers, to help our clients access legal protections in the United States consistent with U.S. and international law. We also assist our clients in accessing other critical services. We use this experience to advocate for laws and policies that protect refugees. In 2019, volunteer lawyers in the New York, Washington, D.C., Houston, and Los Angeles metropolitan areas provided more than 100,000 hours of in-kind legal services. During that period, we won legal protection for 116 clients and family members and represented more than 1,600 people from 89 countries. We also conducted 16 pro bono attorney trainings, during which we equipped nearly 300 attorneys to represent asylum clients.Among the key 2019 policy achievements resulting from our advocacy to protect refugees were the following:-We were instrumental in preventing Congress from placing legislative limits on asylum.-Secured 4,000 special immigrant visas for Afghans who worked with American military and civilian personnel.Donated Legal and Related Expenses: $56,090,613 865886 ADVANCING A VALUES-BASED FOREIGN POLICYIn 2019, we worked to contain a U.S. retreat from global leadership on human rights while holding the worlds most corrupt actors and human rights abusers accountable for their actions, countering authoritarianism in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, fighting a rise in antisemitism, and protecting human rights defenders.Among the key 2019 achievements resulting from our advocacy to strengthen the role of human rights in U.S. foreign policy were the following:-The U.S. government issued sanctions designations against nearly 100 individuals and entities involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption under the Global Magnitsky Act.-The UK and EU moved closer to joining the U.S. in establishing targeted sanctions programs concerning human rights violations and acts of significant corruption. -Congress included provisions in the annual National Defense Authorization Act seeking accountability for the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. -Hundreds of human rights non-government organizations and scholars, led and coordinated by Human Rights First, publicly objected to the U.S. State Departments Commission on Unalienable Rights as a threat to longstanding U.S. government policy concerning human rights. -Members of Congress publicly expressed concern over democracy and human rights backsliding in Hungary, Poland,and Hong Kong.Donated Legal and Related Expenses: $766,416 765690 NATIONAL SECURITY We have worked for more than two decades to challenge U.S. national security policies that violate human rights and undermine U.S. global leadership. In 2019, we pursued several objectives, including: 1) Strengthen the domestic and international law restrictions on the use of counterterrorism war powers that enable extrajudicial killings, indefinite detention, and military tribunals; 2) Secure additional transparency, accountability, oversight, and rule of law protections for the U.S. targeted killing program; 3) Close the detention facilities at Guantanamo, and ensure that the U.S. policies of indefinite detention and trial by military commission are limited and ultimately ended; and 4) Solidify a durable, bipartisan consensus against torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment by closing loopholes that could allow detainee abuse.Among the key 2019 achievements resulting from our advocacy to bring U.S. national security policy into compliance with human rights norms were the following:-We successfully prevented the transfer of new detainees to the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.-We successfully secured legislation providing additional transparency regarding the legal and policy frameworks for U.S. counterterrorism operations.-We prevented passage of a new, expansive Authorization for the Use of Military Force that would undermine human rights in the counterterrorism context.Donated Legal and Related Expenses: $1,998,261 1304510 8516513 true true false true false false false false false true true false false false false true true false false true true false false true true false false false false true false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false true 32 0 true 82 true false false false false false true true false 0 false false false false false false false X 23 22 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false NY X X Kurt Pacquette 2128455200 75 Broad Street Floor 31 New York NY 10004 Michael Breen President & CEO 37.50 0.00 X 245835 0 21740 Zachary Silverstein COO 37.50 0.00 X 217159 0 28244 Eleanor Acer Sr. Dir-Ref Prot. 37.50 0.00 150629 0 28015 Robert Berschinski Senior VP, Policy 37.50 0.00 166123 0 11457 Sharon Kelly McBride Senior VP, Advocacy 37.50 0.00 163557 0 11845 Hardy Vieux VP, Legal 37.50 0.00 156258 0 11736 Melissa Hooper Dir. Frgn Pl & Adv 37.50 0.00 131364 0 11056 Cynthia Burns Dir of Operations 37.50 0.00 125865 0 15025 Elisa Massimino Former President & CEO 37.50 0.00 138654 0 0 Kurt Pacquette Dir. of Finance 37.50 0.00 X 116963 0 10851 Vinincia Ellington Dorsey Director of HR 37.50 0.00 100727 0 24374 Raha Wala Sr Dir Govt Reltns 37.50 0.00 109500 0 9681 Michael K Rozen Co-Chair 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Mona Sutphen Co-Chair 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Tony Blinken Vice Chair 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Lynda Clarizio Vice Chair 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 J Adam Abram Treasurer 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Robbie Karp Secretary 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Tom A Bernstein Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Elizabeth Bowyer Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Donald Francis Donovan Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Matthew Dontzin Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Leslie Gimbel Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 R Scott Greathead Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Myrna K Greenberg Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Lewis B Kaden Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kerry Kennedy Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bobby Mandell Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Alexi Ashe Meyers Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 David Matthews Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Matthew G Olsen Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Alberto Mora Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 William D Zabel Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Sanja Partalo Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Lev A Sviridov Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 1822634 184024 17 true true false Seven Letter 1140 Connecticut Avenue NW Ste 900 Washington DC 20036 Strategic Communications 180000 Freedman Consulting LLC 1818 N Street NW Suite 450 Washington DC 20036 Strat Pln/Ongoing Advice 160000 Brian Dooley 11 Poyntz Road London UK SW11 58H Program Advisor 120000 3 1494118 975000 11355737 13824855 0 152976 152976 0 0 0 6948356 6887439 60917 60917 60917 176750 1494118 176750 0 0 0 Fellowship income 900099 238086 238086 Miscellaneous 900099 57138 57138 295224 14333972 295224 213893 0 0 0 0 1300424 1075577 129934 94913 0 4156207 3437591 415273 303343 64258 52573 6786 4899 634402 519872 66465 48065 413440 339137 43101 31202 0 24280 24280 43200 21600 21600 0 58000 58000 31858 31858 1001360 901024 53186 47150 27832 24231 8 3593 68376 49772 16084 2520 120842 100515 12195 8132 0 1435769 1191938 141532 102299 199867 169873 10051 19943 0 170237 121431 4669 44137 0 0 178694 147855 17705 13134 91381 71578 13959 5844 Repairs & maintenance 158189 121433 9690 27066 Miscellaneous 60495 53039 7206 250 Copying 56645 46842 5733 4070 Bank, investmt. & payroll fees 35680 1933 7934 25813 82915 68699 9933 4283 10414351 8516513 1049182 848656 1994 1704 875873 910635 4775646 6906308 74214 65233 0 0 0 0 113325 120138 2414505 1971556 587699 442949 2703769 4834101 519249 539584 0 0 131124 141259 9782893 13961911 450669 471843 895544 850678 1346213 1322521 X 1306262 -92107 7130418 12731497 8436680 12639390 9782893 13961911 3919621 283089 X false true X true false X 11033925 10290212 6971612 16138186 8824855 53258790 0 0 11033925 10290212 6971612 16138186 8824855 53258790 7582174 45676616 335519 324366 219287 59945 152976 1092093 0 296367 453519 467798 385336 295224 1898244 56249127 0.81200 0.80220 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false 20742 235792 256534 8259979 8516513 575826 143957 false 749796 620099 562212 575826 2507933 3761900 451895 444941 324492 256534 1477862 187449 155025 140553 143957 626984 940476 139365 79497 90396 20742 330000 1004885 2893688 412196 4310769 922030 670000 -27145 -560000 1004885 1003496 507952 40582 -630000 922030 1111291 -107795 1003496 1116542 -5251 1111291 1.00000 false false false 1008232 626309 381923 926131 869622 56509 480142 475625 4517 442949 X 74109860 283089 59524657 59807746 14302114 31858 31858 14333972 69907150 59524657 59524657 10382493 31858 31858 10414351 Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. In 2011 the Organization received a donor-restricted endowment to be held in perpetuity in a separate permanent fund to be distributed to promote the policies and projects of the Organization.In 2018 and continuing into 2019, the Organization received additional donor-restricted endowment funds to be held in perpetuity in a separate restricted fund to be used for (i) representing and/or advocating for refugees, (ii) supporting human rights defenders, and (iii) advancing U.S. policy in human rights. It also permits the Board to change programmatic focus as long as the focus remains in the spirit of the donor's intent. Part X : FIN48 Footnote The Organization does not believe its financial statements include any material, uncertain tax positions. Tax filings for the periods ending December 31, 2016 and later are subject to examination by applicable taxing authorities. Europe 0 1 Program Services Research/ Advocacy 125801 North America 0 0 Program Services Research/ Advocacy 2184 East Asia and Pacific 0 1 Program Services Legal Review/Ref. Rep. 81091 2 2 209076 209076 false false false false false false X X X X X X true Harvest Fund Raising 82 Colonial Drive Newtown PA 18940 F/R Counsel false 58000 58000 AL AK AR AZ CA CO CT DC FL GA HI IL KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI Award Dinner 1670868 1494118 176750 176750 1670868 1494118 176750 176750 176750 X X X X true false false false false false false false false Eleanor Acer Sr. Dir-Ref Prot. 150629 3173 24842 178644 Elisa Massimino Former President & CEO 138654 138654 Hardy Vieux VP, Legal 156258 3242 8494 167994 Michael Breen President & CEO 245835 5000 16740 267575 Robert Berschinski Senior VP, Policy 166123 2955 8502 177580 Sharon Kelly McBride Senior VP, Advocacy 163557 3343 8502 175402 Zachary Silverstein COO 217159 3331 24913 245403 Tom Bernstein Director 138777 See Part V false Schedule L, Part V Supplemental Information Tom Bernstein is the President and Co-Founder of Chelsea Piers. Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers was selected as the venue for Human Rights First's Annual Fundraising Dinner after a review of alternate vnues showed Pier Sixty's cost to be materially lower and best suited for the event. Based on Mr. Bernstein's disclosure of a potential conflict of interest, and in accordance with Human Rights First's Conflict of Interest Policy, the audit committee of the board met to review the proposed transaction and approved it on the basis that it was fair, reasonable, and in the organization's best interest. Mr. Bernstein was not part of the discussion or vote to approve Pier Sixty as the event venue. Form 990, Part III, Line 4d: Other Program Services Description OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Communications and MarketingDonated Legal and Related Expenses: $0 OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: VFAI:Donated Legal and Related Expenses: $0 Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process Form 990 was prepared by our accounting firm in conjunction with the Organization's financial department. The draft form was reviewed by the Organization's Director of Finance, Chief Operating Officer, Counsel, President/CEO, and key members of the executive team. A complete copy of the Form 990 was then provided to all members of the board of directors via electronic mail before it was filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts The Organization requires all directors, officers, and key employees annually to acknowledge receipt of the conflict of interest policy and disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of the Board review all annual disclosures, in addition to any other disclosures made during the course of the year. Any disclosure that indicates a potential conflict of interest is reported to the audit committee and appropriate follow up is undertaken as set forth in the policy. The Organization's conflict of interest policy requires that individuals with conflicts of interest with respect to a particular transation or action may not participate in the discussion or decision making with respect to that transaction. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management After a performance review, the executive committee sets the compensation of the organization's President and CEO based on a review of compensation paid by comparable organizations for comparable positions and based on appropriate salary surveys of comparable positions in comparable organizations. The executive committee contemporaneously documents the basis for its decisions. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available either on the website or upon request.