2018-05-15T09:06:07-05:00 2017-12-31 271728945 PKF O'CONNOR DAVIES LLP 665 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK NY 10022 990 2017-01-01 274108978 FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTING NETWORK INC FOOD 6462486014 576 FIFTH AVENUE NO 903 NEW YORK NY 10036 THOMAS LASKAWY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6462486014 2018-05-15 1 GARRETT M HIGGINS P00543209 2122862600 2018-05-15 4.15.211.182 2018-05-15 07:33:51 ED P DA39A3EE5E6B4B0D3255BFEF95601890AFD80709 F1414B3F3FD8BCF368F99BE899BC5EFCA72B4395 2017 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z THOMAS LASKAWY 576 FIFTH AVENUE NO 903 NEW YORK NY 10036 760225 0 X HTTP://THEFERN.ORG X 2010 NY OUR ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE IS TO EVALUATE, COMMISSION AND DISTRIBUTE INVESTIGATIVE NEWS ARTICLES OF BETWEEN 1,500 AND 5,000 WORDS IN LENGTH. THIS INCLUDES PLANNING, CONTRACTING WITH PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS FOR WRITING SERVICES, PROVIDING EDITORIAL OVERSIGHT, AND COPY EDITING, FACT CHECKING AND PROVIDING PRE-PUBLICATION LEGAL REVIEWS OF SUBMITTED STORIES. WE THEN DISTRIBUTE OUR REPORTS AT NO CHARGE TO MAINSTREAM PUBLICATIONS. 7 6 7 9 0 0 806648 639205 40673 109921 1359 357 -3929 -18737 844751 730746 0 0 0 0 453713 510689 0 0 0 458949 547486 912662 1058175 -67911 -327429 496960 188926 54252 73647 442708 115279 X SEE SCHEDULE O 0 0 654607 79525 SEE SCHEDULE OIN 2017, WE PRODUCED 32 STORIES, INCLUDING THREE INTERNATIONAL STORIES, ON SUBJECTS RANGING FROM THE MAN KNOWN AS "THE CODFATHER," WHO EXPLOITED LOOPHOLES IN THE NEW ENGLAND'S CATCH-SHARE SYSTEM OUR FIRST PIECE TO BE OPTIONED FOR FILM PRODUCTION, TO WHETHER CUBA'S NEW FARMING MODEL CAN PROVIDE TRUE FOOD SECURITY FOR THAT ISLAND NATION.WE ADDED SEVERAL IMPORTANT NEW PARTNERS, INCLUDING HIGHLINE (HUFFINGTON POST'S LONGFORM CHANNEL), GRAVY, THE AWARD-WINNING PODCAST BY THE SOUTHERN FOODWAYS ALLIANCE, THE LENS, A NEW ORLEANS-BASED OUTLET DEVOTED TO IN-DEPTH, PUBLIC-INTEREST REPORTING, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, THE NEW REPUBLIC, VOGUE, GRIST, THE WEATHER CHANNEL AND MORE.FERN'S REPORTING GARNERED SEVERAL AWARDS IN 2017. WE WON THE SPJ NORCAL EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARD, IN THE "FEATURES AND LONGFORM STORYTELLING (RADIO/AUDIO)" CATEGORY, FOR LISA MOREHOUSE'S STORY, "75 YEARS LATER, JAPANESE AMERICANS RECALL INCARCERATION, FORCED FARM LABOR," WHICH WAS PRODUCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KQED'S CALIFORNIA REPORT. AND RICHARD MANNING'S DEEP DIVE INTO THE INFLUENCE OF AGRIBUSINESS IN IOWA POLITICS, PUBLISHED IN HARPER'S MAGAZINE, WON AN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CULINARY PROFESSIONALS AWARD FOR "WRITING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.""NAPA'S WATER WAR WITH BIG WINE" WON A CALIFORNIA NEWS PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION BETTER NEWSPAPERS CONTEST AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING. THE PIECE "A LOOK INTO THE GROWING INDUSTRIAL WINE INDUSTRY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE FIGHT FOR WATER RIGHTS" WAS WRITTEN BY STETT HOLBROOK AND CO-PRODUCED BY FERN AND THE BOHEMIAN.IN 2017, FERN'S SOCIAL-MEDIA PRESENCE CONTINUED TO EXPAND ITS REACH AND INFLUENCE. WE ARE ACTIVE ON THREE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM AND ARE STARTING TO USE LINKEDIN TO A LIMITED EXTENT. OUR FULL-TIME AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT EDITOR SUPERVISES ACTIVITY ON THESE PLATFORMS, INCLUDING THE JUDICIOUS USE OF PAID PROMOTION (A.K.A. "BOOSTS") IN ORDER TO REACH BEYOND OUR FOLLOWERS (AND IN THE CASE OF FACEBOOK, TO REACH A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OUR FOLLOWERS). WE ALSO WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR PUBLICATION PARTNERS' SOCIAL MEDIA STAFF, WHO ARE CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATED TO PROMOTE OUR COLLABORATIONS AS WELL AS TO "TAG" US WITHIN THE INDIVIDUAL PLATFORMS IN WHICH THEY OPERATE. PAID SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION HAS BEEN A VERY EFFECTIVE, LOW-COST WAY TO BROADEN THE REACH OF INDIVIDUAL STORIES AND INCREASE FERN'S BRAND AWARENESS. OUR SOCIAL AUDIENCE IS APPROXIMATELY 40,000 USERS AND TOTAL IMPRESSIONS FOR OUR POSTS AND TWEETS IS APPROXIMATELY 3 MILLION PER YEAR. OUR WEBSITE, WHILE NOT DESIGNED TO BE A DESTINATION SITE, REACHES 160,000 UNIQUE USERS A YEAR, AND WE HAVE AN EMAIL NEWSLETTER AUDIENCE OF 5,500 PEOPLE. IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT OUR EXPECTATION IS THAT OUR WORK FINDS ITS AUDIENCE PRIMARILY THROUGH OUR PUBLICATION PARTNERS.IN ADDITION, OVER THE PAST YEAR, OUR ABILITY TO PLACE STORIES WITH MAJOR MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AND VOGUE, HAS INCREASED OUR REACH SIGNIFICANTLY. ORGANIZATIONS AT THEIR SCALE REACH A NATIVE AUDIENCE IN THE MILLIONS THROUGH THEIR PUBLICATIONS, AND ADDITIONAL MILLIONS THROUGH THEIR OWN SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS. THIS BRINGS OUR WORK OUT OF THE SILO OF FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTING, AND ENGAGES MUCH BROADER AUDIENCES.FOR EARNED MEDIA THROUGHOUT 2017, FERN HAS BUILT AN IMPRESSIVE LIST, BOTH FOR OUR STORIES AND FOR AWARENESS OF THE ORGANIZATION ITSELF. OUR STORIES AND REPORTERS HAVE BEEN FEATURED IN INTERVIEWS WITH WNYC'S THE TAKEAWAY, KCRW'S GOOD FOOD, NPR'S ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, WHYY'S THE PULSE, NEW ENGLAND NEWS COLLABORATIVE, HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK, GASTROPOD, WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO'S THE KATHLEEN DUNN SHOW, NIEMAN STORYBOARD AND MORE. FERN STORIES HAVE BEEN MENTIONED BY POPULAR SITES SUCH AS LONGFORM, DIGG, NEWSER, AND VOX. INFLUENTIAL GROUPS LIKE SLOWFOOD, UC FOOD OBSERVER, STONE BARNS, AND FOOD TANK HAVE BEEN VOCAL ABOUT FERN'S WORK. AND INFLUENCERS SUCH AS MARION NESTLE, MARK BITTMAN, MICHAEL POLLAN, AND TOM COLICCHIO CONTINUE TO BOOST FERN'S PROFILE VIA THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA AND PERSONAL BLOGS. MEANWHILE, BOTH THE AMERICAN PRESS INSTITUTE AND NIEMAN LAB CITED FERN IN PIECES THEY DID ON THE SUCCESS, AND IMPORTANCE, OF COLLABORATIVE JOURNALISM. AND OUR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WAS PART OF A PANEL ON MEDIA AT THE 2017 INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT NEWS CONFERENCE.WE CONTINUE TO PRODUCE FERN'S FRIDAY FEED NEWSLETTER, A.K.A. #FFF, A WEEKLY MUST-READ LIST OF STORIES IN OUR AREAS OF INTEREST PUBLISHED BY OTHER OUTLETS. SOME SELECTIONS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE NEWS WHILE OTHERS ARE PRESCIENT OR IN-DEPTH FEATURES THAT WE THINK OUR READERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT. WE SEND THIS NEWSLETTER WEEKLY TO A SUBSCRIBER BASE OF 3,100 AS A WAY TO ENHANCE ENGAGEMENT WITH AN AUDIENCE THAT IS MOSTLY DISTINCT FROM OUR SOCIAL-MEDIA AUDIENCE. THIS INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH FERN AS A SOURCE FOR CURATION AND GUIDANCE IN NAVIGATING FOOD MEDIA, AND NOT ONLY A PRODUCER OF ORIGINAL JOURNALISM. THIS ADDED TOUCH OF ENGAGEMENT HAS ALSO HELPED US TO DISCERN WHICH TOPICS RESONATE MOST WITH OUR AUDIENCE. WE CONTINUED TO EXPAND OUR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE POLICY NEWS SERVICE, FERN'S AG INSIDER. FOR A SMALL ANNUAL FEE, SUBSCRIBERS GAIN ACCESS TO REPORTING, INCLUDING A FULL ARCHIVE ON OUR WEBSITE, WITH A SUBJECT-TAG ORGANIZATION. THE EMAIL NEWSLETTER, NOW INCLUDING ONLY SUMMARIES OF THE FULL STORIES, REMAINS FREE. WE HAVE A MODEST BUT GROWING NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE SUBSCRIBERS AND A GROWING NUMBER OF ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONAL SUBSCRIBERS, INCLUDING STANFORD UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, HARVARD LAW SCHOOL AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY. IN 2017 WE ADDED TUFTS AND YALE TO OUR INSTITUTIONAL SUBSCRIBERS. IN ADDITION, AGRICULTURE.COM (ONE OF THE FOREMOST NEWS OUTLETS FOR COMMODITY FARMERS), SUCCESSFUL FARMER MAGAZINE, NPR'S THE SALT AND MOTHER JONES CURRENTLY SYNDICATE SELECTED AG INSIDER ARTICLES. WE SEE FERN'S AG INSIDER, PARTICULARLY INSTITUTIONAL AND CORPORATE SALES, AS A SIGNIFICANT AREA FOR EARNED REVENUE GROWTH.AT THE END OF THE YEAR, WE PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED OUR LATEST PRINT COLLECTION, THE DIRT 2017 SIX OF OUR FAVORITE STORIES FROM THE PAST YEAR.OUR RANGE OF IMPACT IS RISING. WE CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE A VARIETY OF PARTNERS AND AUDIENCES. SOME ARE SMALL BUT HIGHLY FOCUSED, SUCH AS ENSIA, WHICH CATERS TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLICYMAKERS, ADVOCATES AND MEDIA, OR THE LENS, WHICH IS NEW ORLEANS' FIRST INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT NEWS SITE. OTHERS ARE BROAD AND MAINSTREAM, LIKE EATINGWELL, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AND VOGUE. WE BELIEVE WE SUCCEEDED IN ALERTING MILLIONS OF "NEW TO THE ISSUES" READERS AND PRIMING THEM FOR REFORM.FEBRUARY SAW THE RELEASE OF "REVENGE OF THE LUNCH LADY: HOW AN UNASSUMING BUREAUCRAT OUTSMARTED JAMIE OLIVER AND PULLED OFF AN HONEST-TO-GOD MIRACLE IN ONE OF AMERICA'S UNHEALTHIEST CITIES," BY JANE BLACK, PUBLISHED WITH THE HUFFINGTON POST HIGHLINE. THIS STORY REALLY STRUCK A NERVE, GARNERING SHOUT-OUTS FROM A HOST OF INFLUENTIAL FOLKS, INCLUDING TOM COLICCHIO, KIMBAL MUSK, MICHAEL POLLAN, JONATHAN BLOOM, THE NEW YORK TIMES' IAN URBINA, AND QUESTLOVE. BLACK WAS INTERVIEWED ON WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO'S THE KATHLEEN DUNN SHOW, ON CHEDDAR, A BUSINESS-NEWS SHOW THAT BROADCASTS FROM THE NYSE, AND ON THE HUFFINGTON POST. THE PIECE WAS CITED IN A NUMBER OF PLACES, INCLUDING FOOD POLITICS, MARION NESTLE'S INFLUENTIAL SITE, NEWSER, AND LONGFORM, AND HAD A TOTAL SOCIAL REACH OF 22 MILLION. "THE DELICIOUSLY FISH CASE OF THE CODFATHER: NEW ENGLAND'S FISHING INDUSTRY IS IN DEEP TROUBLE, THANKS IN NO SMALL PART TO ONE MOGUL'S SERIOUSLY SHADY BUSINESS," BY BEN GOLDFARB, WAS PUBLISHED WITH MOTHER JONES. IT READS LIKE A MOVIE SCRIPT, AND IN FACT HAS BEEN OPTIONED FOR FILM PRODUCTION. BEYOND THE INTEREST FROM HOLLYWOOD, GOLDFARB WAS ALL OVER THE MEDIA. HE WAS INTERVIEWED BY HARTFORD'S WNCR (WHICH FEEDS STATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND), HERITAGE PUBLIC RADIO, KCRW, AND NIEMAN STORYBOARD AND MOTHER JONES' THE BITE PODCAST. IT ALSO WAS INCLUDED ON LONGFORM, AND GOT A LOT OF LOVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, WITH A TOTAL REACH OF 1.2 MILLION."RECLAIMING NATIVE GROUND: CAN LOUISIANA'S TRIBES RESTORE THEIR TRADITIONAL DIETS AS WATERS RISE?" BY BARRY YEOMAN, WAS PUBLISHED BY THE LENS, AND BROADCAST ON THE PODCAST GRAVY. WE LIKED THIS PIECE FROM THE START, BUT WERE SURPRISED BY HOW MUCH RESPONSE IT GOT FROM THE WIDER MEDIA WORLDWEEKEND MORNING EDITION, AND WNYC'S THE TAKEAWAY, PLUS A SOCIAL REACH OF NEARLY 7,000 READERS. YEOMAN ALSO PARTICIPATED IN A PANEL DISCUSSION IN NEW ORLEANS ABOUT THE STORY WHICH WAS ARRANGED BY THE LENS. BEYOND THAT, THOUGH, THIS WAS OUR FIRST FULLY MULTIMEDIA PIECE, WITH THE PODCAST, ONLINE STORY, PHOTOGRAPHY AND INFOGRAPHIC ELEMENTS. IT IS PART OF OUR ONGOING EFFORT TO DIVERSIFY THE WAYS THAT FERN STORIES REACH MULTIPLE AUDIENCES. "75 YEARS LATER, JAPANESE-AMERICANS RECALL INCARCERATION, FORCED FARM LABOR FARMERS IN JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMPS DURING WWII," BY LISA MOREHOUSE, AIRED ON MORE THAN TWO DOZEN RADIO STATIONS 220002 30396 SEE SCHEDULE OFERN'S AG INSIDER IS A DAILY FOOD AND AGRICULTURE POLICY PAID SUBSCRIPTION NEWS SERVICE. IT INCLUDES ORIGINAL REPORTING, ANALYSIS, AND A DAILY SURVEY OF BREAKING NEWS IN THE AREAS OF FEDERAL AND STATE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE POLICY AS WELL AS RELATED CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS. THE PRODUCT IS AIMED AT AN AUDIENCE OF POLICYMAKERS, ADVOCATES, JOURNALISTS, AND FOOD INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES. FERN'S AG INSIDER PAID SUBSCRIPTION FEATURES INCLUDE:-A, DEDICATED, PAYWALLED AG INSIDER MINI-SITE ON THE FERN WEBSITE-ORIGINAL, IN-DEPTH REPORTING AND ANALYSIS-ARTICLES TAGGED AND VIEWABLE BY SUBJECT-A SEARCHABLE ARCHIVE OF ALL AG INSIDER REPORTING 874609 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 46 0 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 7 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 NY CA X X THOMAS LASKAWY 2153702765 725 WESTVIEW ST PHILADELPHIA PA 19119 DAN PULLMAN CHAIR-TREASURER 5.00 X X 0 0 0 SAMUEL FROMARTZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 40.00 X X 87550 0 0 MICHAEL RANKOWITZ UNTIL 1117 SECRETARY 5.00 X X 0 0 0 ALISON CAYNE UNTIL 1117 BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN WEST BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 LESLIE WILLIAMS BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 JOANNE KELLEY BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 NATHANIEL BROWN BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 LORRAINE FONTES BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 THOMAS LASKAWY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 90917 0 0 178467 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 77518 561687 639205 EDITORIAL FEE 511110 79525 79525 SUBSCRIPTIONS REVENUE 519130 30396 30396 109921 357 357 8209 77518 29479 -21270 -21270 REIMBURSEMENT 900099 2533 2533 2533 730746 109921 0 -18380 X 266017 214866 51151 204974 165561 39413 39698 30703 8995 26750 26750 282276 282276 52398 52398 27814 9007 18807 93744 90138 3606 45941 27383 18558 1289 1289 11604 11604 MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES 3393 3393 PHOTOGRAPH LICENSES 2277 2277 1058175 874609 183566 0 140857 102770 187756 17687 150000 60000 18347 8469 496960 188926 41548 56256 12704 17391 54252 73647 X 242708 -54147 200000 169426 442708 115279 496960 188926 -327429 0 X X 0 1 X 0 0 X 644113 688331 738848 806648 639205 3517145 644113 688331 738848 806648 639205 3517145 1340752 2176393 698 1271 1428 1359 357 5113 1048 1500 2533 5081 3527339 252661 0.61700 0.67910 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 X 760225 29479 29479 730746 0 730746 1087654 29479 29479 1058175 0 1058175 PART X, LINE 2: MANAGEMENT OF FERN HAS DETERMINED THAT THERE ARE NO MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE RECOGNITION OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. FERN'S TAX RETURNS FOR ALL YEARS SINCE 2014 REMAIN OPEN TO EXAMINATION BY THE APPLICABLE TAXING AUTHORITIES. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO EXAMINATIONS IN PROGRESS. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: DIRECT FUNDRAISING EXPENSES REPORTED ON FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 8B 29,479. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: DIRECT FUNDRAISING EXPENSES REPORTED ON FORM 990, PART VIII, LINE 8B 29,479. NYC DINNER 55742 51392 4350 4000 716 2791 DC DINNER 24750 21882 2868 1440 482 1 5235 4244 991 3196 16854 85727 77518 8209 4000 5352 20127 29479 -21270 FORM 990, PART III, LINE 1: THE FOOD & ENVIRONMENT REPORTING NETWORK (FERN) IS THE FIRST AND ONLY INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT NEWS ORGANIZATION THAT PRODUCES AWARD-WINNING INVESTIGATIVE AND EXPLANATORY REPORTING ON FOOD, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL MEDIA OUTLETS. THROUGH IMPARTIAL, FACT-BASED JOURNALISM, FERN EXPLORES THE FULL IMPACT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT. WITHIN THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SPACE, WE SHINE A LIGHT ON INJUSTICES AND ABUSES OF POWER, BOTH CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENTAL, AND ACT AS A BULWARK AGAINST THE GROWING SUPPRESSION OF SCIENCE WITHIN GOVERNMENT. WE UNCOVER AND EXPLAIN NEWS THAT IS CRITICAL TO THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT FOOD, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. FERN PRIMARILY PRODUCES NEWS ARTICLES OF BETWEEN 1,500 AND 5,000 WORDS, AND FUNCTIONS AS A FULL-SERVICE NEWS ORGANIZATION. FERN'S PROCESS INCLUDES STORY AND PITCH DEVELOPMENT, CONTRACTING WITH JOURNALISTS, PROVIDING EDITORIAL SUPPORT AND SERVICES AND NEGOTIATING DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS WITH MAINSTREAM PUBLICATIONS. FERN COMPLEMENTS ITS WRITTEN REPORTS WITH INFOGRAPHICS AND OTHER VISUALIZATIONS, WITH SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY, THROUGH RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCAST COLLABORATIONS, AND THROUGH LIVE EVENTS. FERN RIGOROUSLY TRACKS THE IMPACT OF ITS STORIES USING A RANGE OF METRICS. THE ISSUES FERN COVERS ARE AT THE HEART OF TODAY'S POLITICAL BATTLES. TRADE, IMMIGRATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, TOXIC CHEMICALS, LABOR, NUTRITION AND WATER QUALITY, ALL FALL WITHIN OUR REPORTING MANDATE AND GROW MORE CONTENTIOUS WITH EACH PASSING DAY. FERN PROVIDES THE EDITORIAL EXPERTISE TO EXPLORE, EXPLAIN AND INVESTIGATE ALL CORNERS OF THE FOOD SYSTEM AS WELL AS TO FILL GAPS IN COVERAGE THAT HAVE ARISEN DUE TO THE ONGOING AND ACCELERATING DISRUPTION OF THE TRADITIONAL MEDIA BUSINESS MODEL. FERN EXPANDS PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THESE CRUCIAL ISSUES AT A TIME WHEN TRUSTED SOURCES OF FACTS ARE ESSENTIAL. FERN STORIES HAVE APPEARED IN A WIDE RANGE OF OUTLETS, INCLUDING ABC'S WORLD NEWS TONIGHT, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, THE WASHINGTON POST, THE NEW YORKER, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, EATING WELL, MOTHER JONES, PACIFIC STANDARD, HARPER'S, THE NATION, FAST COMPANY, THE GUARDIAN, SUNSET MAGAZINE, PRI'S THE WORLD, NPR'S LATINO USA, CALIFORNIA SUNDAY, AND VOGUE. WE HAVE REPEATEDLY DEMONSTRATED AN ABILITY TO DELIVER HIGH-IMPACT JOURNALISM THAT REACHES A LARGE AUDIENCE. IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, SEVERAL OF OUR STORIES HAVE HELPED SPUR POLICY CHANGES AT THE INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL, AND STATE LEVELS. OUR COLLABORATIVE DISTRIBUTION MODEL GIVES US THE RARE ABILITY TO REACH AUDIENCES THAT ARE NOT ALREADY EXPOSED TO, OR FAMILIAR WITH, THE ISSUES BOUND UP IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE. OUR CAPACITY TO DELIVER SUCH RESULTS IS SIGNIFICANT AT A TIME WHEN THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY IS FOCUSED ON THE SOCIAL RETURN ON ITS INVESTMENTS AND IMPACT. FERN MAINTAINS THAT SUPPORT OF CIVIC COMMUNICATION PARTICULARLY THE STYLE OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM WE PRACTICE IS CRITICAL IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A FUNCTIONING DEMOCRACY AND IS A GROWING OBLIGATION OF THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY. INDEED, INDEPENDENT REPORTING FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE CAN HAVE AN OUTSIZED EFFECT ON PUBLIC-POLICY DEBATES. WE'VE SHOWN THE POWER OF TAKING THOSE ISSUES AND THE FACTS AND SCIENCE TIED UP WITHIN THEM AND WRAPPING THEM IN CAPTIVATING STORYTELLING. A 501(C)3 NONPROFIT CORPORATION BASED IN NEW YORK AND OPERATING SINCE 2011, FERN HAS WORKED WITH 50 FREELANCE WRITERS ON OVER 116 STORIES THAT HAVE APPEARED IN 50 OUTLETS. FERN IS A MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT NEWS, THE PRIMARY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION FOR NONPROFIT NEWS ORGANIZATIONS, AND HAS BUILT KEY PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER NONPROFIT NEWS OUTLETS LIKE THE INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM, THE PULITZER CENTER FOR CRISIS REPORTING AND PUBLIC RADIO INTERNATIONAL. WE SHARE THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF ALL INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS: TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE AT THE CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENTAL LEVEL. IN AGGREGATE, OUR STORIES HAVE REACHED OVER 150 MILLION AMERICANS. WE ALSO PRODUCE FERN'S AG INSIDER, A DAILY FOOD AND AGRICULTURE POLICY PAID SUBSCRIPTION NEWS SERVICE AND HAVE RELEASED TWO PRINT COLLECTIONS, THE DIRT: DISPATCHES FROM THE FRONT LINES OF FOOD AND FARMING 2011-2016, AN ANTHOLOGY OF OUR FIRST FIVE YEARS OF REPORTING AND THE DIRT 2017. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRESENTS A DRAFT FORM 990 TO THE CHAIR-TREASURER OF THE BOARD ELECTRONICALLY. HE REVIEWS AND APPROVES PRIOR TO SUBMISSION TO THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ANY ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH THE GOVERNING BOARD. AFTER DISCLOSURE, AN INVESTIGATION IS HELD DURING WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL MUST RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM VOTING ON THE MATTER. IF THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT AN INDIVIDUAL HAS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY ACTUAL OR POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST, APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY AND CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. SUCH MATTERS INVOLVING THE EXISTENCE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ARE TO BE DOCUMENTED IN THE MINUTES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD. ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, EACH BOARD MEMBER AND OFFICER IS REQUIRED TO SIGN A STATEMENT WHICH AFFIRMS THAT THEY RECEIVED A COPY OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 TO DETERMINE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, THE BOARD UTILIZES COMPENSATION DATA FOR EACH POSITION AMONG PEER ORGANIZATIONS. A PROPOSED AMOUNT FOR EACH POSITIION IS THEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD AND RECORDED IN THE MINUTES OF THE GOVERNING BOARD. THE PROCESS WAS LAST CONDUCTED IN 2016. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S FORM 990 AND THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT IS MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 6104 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. IT IS POSTED ON NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL WEBSITE, GUIDESTAR.ORG AND OTHER SIMILAR TYPES OF WEBSITES. IN ADDITION, THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AT 576 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10036 OR BY CALLING THE ORGANIZATION DIRECTLY AT (646)248-6014. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G WRITERS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 147,194. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 147,194. STORY EDITORS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 22,000. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 22,000. PHOTOGRAPHER: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 31,305. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 31,305. COPYEDITING & FACT CHECKING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 18,804. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 18,804. PROJECT MANAGER: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 1,080. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 1,080. GENERAL: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 61,793. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 61,793. REPUBLICATION: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 100. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 100. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE ORGANIZATION HAS A COMMITTEE THAT ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SELECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT. THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.