2019-05-02T18:04:08-05:00 2018-06-30 GRANT THORNTON LLP 757 THIRD AVENUE 3RD FLOOR NEW YORK NY 100172013 990 2017-07-01 133976062 NRDC Action Fund Inc % VERONICA FOO CFO NRDC 2127272700 40 WEST 20TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011 VERONICA FOO cfo 2127272700 2019-05-02 true scott thompsett P00741490 2125990100 65.229.26.130 26377520191225000011 2019-05-02 P 32778C9288487CCB557400271BF2B2D8D9E2E3C7 7D14034AF515942D2ABE7F7E27EA16D2649DB046 2017 2019-02-21 02:37:17Z Rhea Suh President 40 WEST 20TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011 5056695 false X www.nrdcactionfund.org X 1996 NY The NRDC action fund's mission is to build political support in the United States for protecting the planet and its people. 20 17 0 0 0 0 4891902 5056695 0 0 0 0 0 0 4891902 5056695 456300 876000 0 0 1449820 1472684 0 0 1221046 3557978 3489647 5464098 5838331 -572196 -781636 2887670 2045441 764788 734195 2122882 1311246 X The NRDC Action Funds mission is to build political support in the United States for protecting the planet and its people. We exist to further the policy goals of the Natural Resources Defense Council. false false 4292779 906000 0 During the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2018, the NRDC Action Fund held elected officials accountable by educating constituents when their congressional representatives voted for or against environmental priorities and exposing those who side with polluters rather than the public good. We worked to expand and mobilize our influential constituencies, experts, community leaders, and others to champion clean air and water, public health, biodiversity, and a stable climate. We advocated to decision makers on the federal and state level to protect and strengthen bedrock environmental policies. We supported political candidates who stand up for the environment and climate action in an effort to elect more climate champions to Congress. As an example of its federal advocacy, the NRDC Action Fund launched successful lobbying and media campaigns to oppose deep cuts to funding for the Environmental Protection Agency proposed by the Trump administration in its annual budget request to Congress. We also lobbied against the turnover of public lands to extractive industries, against the expansion of oil and gas drilling off Americas coasts, and against legislation that would weaken federal safeguards that protect the health of American families. The NRDC Action Fund also engages in advocacy and accountability on the state level. In California, our campaigns helped reauthorize landmark state laws designed to fight climate change. In Nevada, we continued to lobby for new clean energy legislation. The NRDC Action Fund also funded activities in Virginia that led to its new governor issuing an executive order mandating that state agencies consider climate change in all regulatory activities. The NRDC Action Fund endorsed a record 22 U.S. Senate candidates ahead of the 2018 midterm elections and began planning for its largest-ever get-out-the-vote program, which went into effect the following fiscal year. 4292779 false true true true false false false false false false false false false true true false true false false false false false false false false false true false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true true false false true 37 0 true 0 false false false false true true false X 20 17 true false false false true true true true true false false true true true true true true false AL AK AR CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY ME MD MA MN MS MO NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI X X VERONICA FOO CFO 2127272700 40 WEST 20TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011 Wendy Abrams Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 John H Adams Director 1.0 20.0 X 0 160417 35038 Christopher Arndt Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Richard E Ayres Director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 Anne Bartley Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Patricia Bauman Chair/Director 1.0 1.0 X X 0 0 0 Sherwood Boehlert Director (THRU 03/2018) 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Hamilton Candee Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Bob Epstein Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Michael Finnegan Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Vernice Miller-Travis Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Edward James Olmos Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Daniel R Tishman Director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 Eric Wepsic Director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 Ira Ziering Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 KATHLEEN WELCH Director 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 JOANN KAPLAN Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sigmund Anderman Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JILL SOFFER DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 FRANCES BEINECKE director 1.0 3.0 X 0 22145 5812 RHEA SUH PRESIDENT 1.0 40.0 X X 0 506947 36784 MARIPAT ALPUCHE SECRETARY 1.0 1.0 X 0 0 0 Jennifer Reynoso Assistant Secretary 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Steven Baginski CFO & TREASURER 1.0 40.0 X 0 244525 35621 KEVIN CURTIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 0 217208 31564 ANDREW JACKSON CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 1.0 40.0 X 0 201607 10676 DENIS DISON COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR 40.0 0.0 X 0 116849 16185 MITCHELL BERNARD former COO 1.0 40.0 X 0 307125 59059 0 1776823 230739 0 true true false M R STRATEGIC SERVICES INC 1101 CONNECTICUT AVE NW 7TH FLOOR WASHINGTON DC 20036 ADVERTISING 476679 DEVINE MULVEY LONGABAUGH INC 2141 WISCONSIN AVE NW SUITE H WASHINGTON DC 20002 lobbying/consulting 310000 FACEBOOK INC 15161 COLLECTIONS CENTER DRIVE CHICAGO IL 60693 lobbying/consulting 280929 PARTNERSHIP PROJECT ACTION FUND PO BOX 65826 WASHINGTON DC 20035 lobbying/consulting 200326 ERIN MOSHER Walheim 4438 17TH STREET SAN FRANCISCO CA 94114 lobbying/consulting 165575 8 681825 85000 4289870 5056695 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5056695 876000 876000 0 0 0 314978 276793 33226 4959 0 911419 685785 87850 137784 0 246287 186768 22726 36793 0 0 21801 21801 0 1271653 1271458 195 0 0 376098 75537 60936 239625 808445 477772 70 330603 468616 25087 35283 408246 39487 37495 1860 132 0 309795 242155 29792 37848 83390 54936 5286 23168 0 4348 1646 902 1800 0 0 0 0 MEMBERSHIP DUES 30000 30000 TEMPORARY/CLERICAL 21829 21829 CREDIT CARD FEES 20291 39 20252 LIST EXCHANGE AND RENTAL 13073 13073 20821 16406 4327 88 5838331 4292779 324506 1221046 2497822 1936700 0 0 389848 108741 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2887670 2045441 450911 626706 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 313877 107489 764788 734195 X 0 0 2122882 1311246 0 0 2122882 1311246 2887670 2045441 X -781636 -30000 X false true X true false 320651 320651 320651 false true false false Schedule C, Part I-A, Line 1 The Action Funds political expenditures during this period focused on the 2018 federal elections. They included communications efforts encouraging voting among constituencies concerned about climate change and the environment. The Action Fund produced blogs and social media content highlighting candidates who were running on pro-environmental positions, as well as calling out those who held anti-environmental positions. $162,601 of the total political expenditures was spent on staff salaries (including benefits and overhead), while the remaining $158,050 was spent on discretionary expenses, including consultants and other vendors, advertising and grants to other organizations. The total amount of political expenditures represents 5.47 percent of the organization's overall expenditures for the year. 0 DUE TO RELATED PARTIES 107489 107489 X Form 990, Schedule D, Part X, Line 2 NRDC Action Fund is included within the consolidated financial statements of its parent, the natural resources defense council, inc. The below Fin-48 footnote is reproduced from the consolidated financial STATEMENTS. NRDC follows guidance that clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, including issues relating to financial statement recognition and measurement. This guidance provides that the tax effects from an uncertain tax position can only be recognized in the consolidated financial statements if the position is "more-likely-than-not" to be sustained if the position were to be challenged by a taxing authority. The assessment of the tax position is based solely on the technical merits of the position, without regard to the likelihood that the tax position may be challenged. NRDC has processes presently in place to ensure the maintenance of its tax-exempt status; to identify and report unrelated income; determine its filing and tax obligations in jurisdictions for which it has nexus; and to review other matters that may be considered uncertain tax positions. This standard had no impact on NRDCs 2018 and 2017 consolidated financial statements. NRDC does not believe its 2018 and 2017 consolidated financial statements include any material uncertain tax positions. true CITIZEN UTILITY BOARD 309 W WA STREET CHICAGO IL 60606 363306846 501(C)(4) 6000 ENV. ADVOCACY COALITION TO PROTECT LOCAL TRANSP IMPROVE 1787 TRIBUTE RD SACRAMENTO CA 95815 823812581 501(c)(4) 10000 ENV. ADVOCACY CONSERVATION VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA PO BOX 2125 PHILADELPHIA PA 19103 270800179 501(C)(4) 15000 ENV. ADVOCACY HIP HOP CAUCUS EDUCATION FUND INC 1638 R STREET NW WASHINGTON DC 20009 271165010 501(C)(3) 25000 ENV. ADVOCACY LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS 1155 CT AVE NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 521733698 501(c)(4) 537500 ENV. ADVOCACY NATIONAL RELIGIOUS PARTNERSHIP 110 MARYLAND AVE NE WASHINGTON DC 20002 136996770 501(c)(3) 30000 ENV. ADVOCACY NATIONAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE 3 WADE STREET AUGUSTA ME 04330 010270690 501(C)(3) 127000 ENV. ADVOCACY PARTNERSHIP PROJECT ACTION FUND PO BOX 65826 WASHINGTON DC 20035 810606786 501(C)(4) 30000 ENV. ADVOCACY PennEnvironment INC 1429 walnut stREET PHILADELPHIA PA 19102 020611111 501(C)(4) 7500 ENV. ADVOCACY SOUTHWEST ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT 2334 BROADWAY SUITE A BOULDER CO 80304 841593046 501(C)(3) 37500 ENV. ADVOCACY WATERKEEPERS CHESAAPEAKE INC PO BOX 11075 TAKOMA PARK MD 209131075 454381850 501(C)(3) 5500 ENV. ADVOCACY WOMEN'S MARCH INC 394 BROADWAY 5TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10013 814571869 501(C)(4) 35000 ENV. ADVOCACY 5 7 Form 990, Schedule I, Line 2 In fiscal year 2018, the NRDC Action Fund Inc. provided grants to support environmental initiatives. NRDC Action Fund Inc. only provides funding to organizations that have an environmental mission that aligns with the organization's own mission. Grantees are expected to provide the organization with periodic status reports about their environmental projects. false false false false false false false false false John H Adams Director 0 160417 0 0 0 0 0 13918 0 21120 0 195455 0 0 Steven Baginski CFO & TREASURER 0 244525 0 0 0 0 0 17737 0 17884 0 280146 0 0 KEVIN CURTIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 0 214708 0 2500 0 0 0 13680 0 17884 0 248772 0 0 ANDREW JACKSON CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 0 201607 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10676 0 212283 0 0 RHEA SUH PRESIDENT 0 506947 0 0 0 0 0 18900 0 17884 0 543731 0 0 MITCHELL BERNARD former COO 0 302125 0 5000 0 0 0 41175 0 17884 0 366184 0 0 Compensation Information Part II, Compensation Reporting of Trustee, Mr. John H Adams Column B(I): Base Compensation After thirty-five years of committed service as NRDC's Founder and President, John Adams retired on April 1, 2006. John is a part-time consultant for NRDC and received $160,417 for these services in calendar year 2018. Column D: Nontaxable Benefits: As part of his retirement agreement , NRDC provides John Adams with medical benefits valued at $21,120. Form 990, Part VII & Schedule J, Part I The FOLLOWING individuals reported on NRDC Action Fund's Form 990, Steven Baginski, Mitchell Bernard, Andrew Jackson, and Rhea Suh receive their compensation from the parent organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (NRDC). Accordingly, all compensation is being reported on NRDC Action Fund's Form 990 as related organization compensation. However, a portion of each officer's compensation is reimbursed by NRDC Action Fund to NRDC based on services rendered to NRDC Action Fund. In the interest of clarity, NRDC Action Fund is disclosing the following salary and benefits amounts as having been reimbursed by NRDC Action Fund to NRDC for these services: Salary Benefits Steven Baginski $412 $119 Mitchell Bernard $247 $72 Andrew Jackson $317 $88 Rhea Suh $18,726 $5,269 100% of Officer, Kevin Curtis and Top 5 Highly Compensated Employee, Dennis Disons time is spent providing services to the NRDC Action Fund; accordingly, their respective compensation (disclosed in Part VII of the Form 990) is allocated to the NRDC Action Fund. NRDC Action Fund reimburses NRDC for the services of other NRDC employees. Those individuals do not meet the criteria of an officer, key employee or highly compensated employee of the Action Fund and accordingly are not disclosed in Part VII or Schedule J of the 990. Form 990, Part VI - Governing Body And Management Form 990, Part VI, Line 2 Board of Directors Members, Bob Epstein and Patricia Bauman, have a business relationship. Board of Directors members Kathleen Welch and Dan Tishman have a business relationship. Form 990, Part VI, Line 6 NRDC Action Fund's sole institutional member is its parent organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc ("NRDC"). Form 990, Part VI, Line 7a The sole institutional member, NRDC, has the sole authority to appoint NRDC Action Fund's Board of Directors on an annual basis. This power is reserved to NRDC in NRDC Action Fund's organizational documents. Policies, Part VI - Governance 990 review process form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11 NRDC Action Fund's Form 990 is prepared by a nationally recognized accounting firm in conjunction with the organization's senior management and financial team. Upon completion, NRDCs external accounting firm presents the Form 990 to the finance and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to enable them to fulfill their due diligence and oversight responsibilities A copy of the final Form 990 is shared with the full board of directors prior to its electronic filing with the Internal Revenue Service. Conflict of interest policy monitoring & Enforcement Form 990, part VI, Section B, LINE 12 Each officer, director, and key employee is required to annually disclose any conflicts of interest that arise by virtue of their relationship to the organization, board service, or position with either NRDC Action Fund or NRDC. NRDC Action Fund monitors compliance with its conflict of interest policy through an annual questionnaire/disclosure statement that is distributed to these individuals. Potential conflicts are investigated immediately. Process to determine compensation Form 990, Part VI, Section B, LINE 15 NRDC Action Fund does not directly compensate any officers, directors and/or employees. All compensation is paid by the parent organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, and is reimbursed by NRDC Action Fund to NRDC. The processes used for determining compensation as paid by the parent entity are described on that organization's Form 990. availability of documents FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 NRDC Action Fund makes its Form 990 available to the public by retaining a copy at its place of business. The Action Fund also makes the 990 available on the Action Fund website at www.nrdcactionfund.org (and on www.guidestar.org). The organization's financial statements, governing documents and conflict of interest policy are not ordinarily made available to the public, but, if requested, will be provided at management's discretion. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 Writeoff of Uncollectible Pledge ($30,000) form 990, part XII, line 2c THe NRDC Action Fund does not receive standalone financial statements; for audit purposes its operations are consolidated with an affiliated organization, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC 40 WEST 20TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011 132654926 ENVIRONMENTAL NY 501(c)(3) 7 NA false NRDC Limited 22/F Bank of China Tower HONG KONG HK Environmental HK N/A N/A NRDC false NRDC Action Fund PAC 40 west 20th street new york NY 10011 320413564 environmental NY 527 N/A NRDC true false false true false false false false false false false false false false true true true false false false NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC N, O, 2394478 COST NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL INC c 85000 cost