2017-11-02T17:12:37-07:00 2016-12-31 ALLAN LIU CPA 201 WILLOW AVE MILLBRAE CA 940302536 990 2016-01-01 943214166 Common Counsel Foundation COMM 5108342995 1624 Franklin Street Oakland CA 94612 Laura Livoti CEO 2017-11-02 true Allan Liu P01432586 6506921172 X 2016 2018-03-14 21:41:22Z 3857360 false false X www.commoncounsel.org X 1988 CA CCF advances equity and environmental health through a combination of direct grant making and strategic philanthropic advising for client member funds and manages projects focused on organizational development, leadership sustainability and donor education. 9 9 12 9 0 3705219 2989059 523561 691621 290 1154 1002 139 4230072 3681973 1442061 1824792 0 633925 778477 0 84885 1087390 1310754 3163376 3914023 1066696 -232050 3047765 2729957 418345 372178 2629420 2357779 Common Counsel Foundation advances equity and environmental health through a combination of direct grant making and strategic philanthropic advising for client member funds and manages projects focused on organizational development, leadership sustainability, and donor education. false false 1835787 1824792 Strategic Grantmaking-During 2016, Common Counsel Foundation (CCF) disbursed over $1.8 million in direct grants to charitable organizations. Moreover, CCF advised an additional $2.3 million granted by independent foundations (See philanthropic services section regarding these advised grants). In total, therefore, CCF has disbursed and advised over $4.1 million in grants to charitable organizations that are advancing effective solutions to longstanding social and environmental inequities. CCF supports organizations that work to develop community leadership, to advance systemic solutions defined by community members themselves, and to ensure health and equity for everyone. In order to aggregate the power and develop the scale required to implement change at local, regional, state, and federal levels, CCF invests in the collaborative endeavors of organizations who share values and have a common vision of solutions. CCF looks for groups promoting innovative, community-led solutions to the most intractable social and ecological issues. Through its different funds, CCF is able to support mature and sophisticated organizations, which tend to have greater capacity, as well as newly emerging organizations with pioneering ideas. CCF is often one of the first to invest in innovative ideas and new organizations. Below are a few examples of CCF grant recipients, which demonstrate the range of organizations and issues that we support.Systemic Criminal Justice Reform:All of Us or None, a project of Legal Services for Prisoners With Children | San Francisco, CaliforniaAll of Us or None (AOUON) is a project of Legal Services for Prisoners with Children. The project works to organize and build leadership among formerly incarcerated people who in turn work to advance criminal-justice reform and to win full restoration of civil rights for people with incarceration or convictions in their past. The organization is working to eliminate the many forms of discrimination that exclude people with prior convictions from eligibility for employment, education, housing, voting, or public benefits. AOUON also advocates for alternatives to prisons and policing. The organizations efforts are headquartered in the Bay Area and include six other chapters in California and two outside the State in Texas and Oklahoma. AOUON, alongside its coalition partners in the Justice Reinvestment Coalition, recently won a major victory in Alameda County, California where almost one in four residents have a criminal record. Through its on-the-ground organizing work, AOUON was able to convince the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to vote unanimously (5-0) in favor of a new Re-Entry Hiring Program, to provide 1,400 county jobs for people impacted by the criminal justice system and youth in the school-to-prison pipeline in Alameda County. The Re-Entry Hiring Program includes job coaching and mentorship, court advocacy to assist program participants in reducing their probation terms, and training for County managers who will supervise participants in the program.Native Rights & Climate or Environmental Justice:Owe Aku Bring Back the Way | Manderson, SDOwe Aku works to bring back the Lakota peoples way of life which includes a recognition of humanitys role in nature: "We are a part of it, not outside of it, not having dominion over it". To achieve this, Owe Aku works to stop mining that contaminates water and land. Owe Aku works with tribal youth and adults to utilize the wisdom of Lakota ancestors in combatting the effects of inter-generational trauma caused by colonization and cultural domination, and offering alternatives, based on traditional knowledge, that respect the changing environmental conditions of Mother Earth. Owe Akus work is centered on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in present-day South Dakota, the home of the Oglala Lakota people. In 2016, Owe Aku, alongside many other CCF grant partners such as Native Youth Leadership Alliance and the Indigenous Peoples Power Project, converged in South Dakota when called by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (another CCF grantee) to opposed the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. These groups convened around the linked issues of land rights, water protection, Native sovereignty, environmental protection, and climate & energy policy. The efforts at Standing Rock contributed significantly to a decision by the Obama Administration to halt construction of the pipeline, and raised the profile of Native and environmental justice issues before the mainstream public. In 2017, Owe Aku, Native people and their allies continue to resist the development of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and other fossil fuel extraction projects. Immigrant Rights, Economic Justice & Public Safety:Housing Justice & Tenants Rights: Causa Justa :: Just Cause | San Francisco, CaliforniaCausa Justa :: Just Cause (CJJC) is a multi-racial, grassroots organization building community leadership to achieve justice for low-income Bay Area residents, with a focus on housing rights and access to affordable housing. Despite the Bay Areas reputation as one of the most progressive places in the nation, persistent racial and economic inequality, in combination with the out-of-control housing market, is leading to the rapid displacement of working families. Elected officials throughout the region have acknowledged that the accelerating displacement of low-income Black and Latino communities and lack of access to quality affordable housing constitutes a real housing crisis. However, there has been a distinct void in government leadership for the kind of bold and comprehensive solutions that are required to effectively address this crisis. That said, in 2016, CJJC helped win comprehensive tenant protection legislation in Oakland, by leveraging its experience and knowledge in offering tenant rights education and assistance to over 1,000 families. In November 2016, CJJC led the charge with other community organizations (including several CCF grant partners) to successfully pass Measure JJ in Oakland. Despite being significantly outspent by the legislations opponents, Measure JJ passed with 75 percent of the vote, and expands the rights of 15,000 Oakland renters. This legislation protects Oakland renters from illegal rent increases and unjustified evictions in the hopes of stemming the gentrification crisis in the Bay Area. 1543593 Fiscal SponsorshipCommon Counsel Foundations fiscal-sponsorship program ensures the health and vitality of the sponsored community-led organizations and their leaders and promotes coordination and learning in the philanthropic sector. In 2016, CCF acted as fiscal sponsor for the Kindle Project, The Windcall Institute, RoadMAP and the Bay Area Justice Funders Network. The Kindle Project seeks to foster creative ideas to inspire and support possibilities for transformational change. The Windcall Institute supports the development and sustainability of leaders, which is a key to ensuring strong, healthy visionary organizations. RoadMAP is a national network of organizational-development consultants dedicated to serving social-justice organizations. Roadmap serves as a forum for peer exchange and innovation among organizational-development consultants. The Bay Area Justice Funders Network promotes learning and coordination among donors to strengthen grantmaking for social justice. 223392 Philanthropic Services Common Counsel Foundation provides strategic philanthropic advice, grants management and administration and accounting support to independent foundations that share a commitment to equity and environmental health. CCF assists its clients in streamlining their grantmaking processes and deepening their impact. In addition to the services already noted, CCF helps clients refine their grantmaking strategy and provides research, due diligence, grant recommendations, trustee support, and legal compliance. CCF taps community advisors, each of whom has deep connections to community-led organizations and whose knowledge and expertise adds to the knowledge and expertise of Common Counsels staff. CCFs community advisors and staff ensure that the organization is aware of the latest innovations emerging from local communities and of pioneering solutions developed by local leaders. CCFs staff and advisors are able to identify community leaders who have exciting vision and organizations with promising new models and approaches 3602772 true true false true false false false false false false true true false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false true false true true false false false false false false false false false true 60 0 true 12 true false false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false false false false X 9 9 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false CA X X Common Counsel Foundation 5108342995 1624 Franklin St 1022 Oakland CA 94612 Dan Ringer-Barwick Treasurer 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Michelle Natividad Rodriguez Secretary 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Carly Hare Chairman 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Denns Quirin Trustee 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 China Ching Trustee 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Ron Rowell Trustee 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Garrett Collins Trustee 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Vanessa Daniel Trustee 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Alex Tom Trustee 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Laura Livoti CEO 40.00 0.00 X 120360 0 12642 120360 12642 1 false false false Emily Goldfarb 1521 Rivera Street San Francisco CA 94116 Consulting 131474 1 41150 2947909 795601 2989059 Fees 561000 691621 691621 691621 3401 3401 0 0 0 173140 175387 -2247 -2247 -2247 0 0 0 Miscellaneous 139 139 139 3681973 692914 X 1824792 1824792 0 0 0 120360 15647 58976 45737 0 540586 470746 54830 15010 0 64733 43322 15742 5669 52798 41513 7821 3464 0 3016 3016 16419 91 16328 0 0 0 1013966 983407 30559 0 53126 35766 12021 5339 22747 22747 0 41077 30512 7322 3243 66428 65694 734 0 59847 44694 9040 6113 0 0 3624 1140 2484 8829 3901 4618 310 Misc. Expenses 11389 11073 316 Member Fund Expenses 7727 7727 Equipment Rental 2559 2559 0 3914023 3602772 226366 84885 6311 6311 2019081 1622814 265500 167708 10598 18693 0 0 0 0 6871 5335 29261 16544 6916 12717 0 730219 888586 0 0 2269 7793 3047765 2729957 146659 180303 265811 186000 5875 5875 418345 372178 X 2394559 2220927 234861 136852 2629420 2357779 3047765 2729957 -232050 -39591 X false true X true false X 2088858 1663097 1480229 3705219 2989059 11926462 0 0 2088858 1663097 1480229 3705219 2989059 11926462 3905578 8020884 60333 50574 9774 209 3401 124291 0 22458 3456 1002 -41699 -14783 12035970 2581096 0.66640 0.57680 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false 1000 1000 3913023 3914023 345701 86425 false 304156 289754 308169 345701 1247780 1871670 8000 7000 7000 1000 23000 76039 72439 77042 86425 311945 467918 5000 5000 10000 Part II-B, Line 1i - Other Activities Description Grants were given to the following groups to travel to meet with legislators or their staff on specific legislation.- 9 to 5 Los Angeles, National Association of Working Women $1,000;- Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy & Leadership $500;- California Environmental Justice Alliance $1,000;- California Nail Salon Cooperative $1200;- Desis Rising Up & Moving $600;- Mujeres Unidas y Activas $2,000. 27227 15975 11252 2034 569 1465 12717 888586 3696832 -39591 54450 14859 3681973 3681973 3968473 54450 54450 3914023 3914023 true Alliance for Global Justice 225 E 26th St1 Tuscon AZ 85713 522094677 10000 0 General Support American Jewish World Service 45 W 36th Street New York NY 11222 222584370 10000 0 General Support Asian Pacfic Environment Netw 426 17th St 500 Oakland CA 94612 943261846 20000 0 General Support Be Present 1264 Ginger Wood Drive Stone Mountain GA 30083 581981535 25000 0 General Support Bend The Arc 330 7th Ave 19th Floor New York NY 10001 521332694 25000 0 General Support Boys&Girls Club of Puerto Ric PO Box 79526 Carolina RQ 00984 660327584 75000 0 General Support Causa Justa PO Box 3596 Oakland CA 94609 550883038 50500 0 General Support Center for American Progress 1333 H St NW 10 Flr Washington DC 20005 300126510 100000 0 General Support Center For Community Change 1536 U Street NW Washington DC 20009 520888113 75000 0 General Support Center For New Community 47 West Division 514 Chicago IL 60610 364017728 150000 0 General Support Chinese Progressive Association 1042 Grant Avenue 5th Floor San Francisco CA 94133 237404756 40000 0 Civic Engagement City College Fund 160 Convent Ave Shepard Hall 166 New York NY 10031 131760098 25000 0 General Support Communities United For Restor 490 Lake Park Ave 16086 Oakland CA 94610 275008441 21000 0 General Support Critical Resistance 1904 Franklin Street 504 Oakland CA 94612 204412916 25000 0 Environmental Justice Demos 220 Fifth Avenue 2nd Floor NY NY 10001 134105066 40000 0 General Support Dolores Street Community Serv 938 Valencia Street San Francisco CA 94103 942919302 20000 0 General Support Education Law Center 60 Park Place Suite 300 New Newark NJ 07102 222014555 25000 0 General Support Ella Baker Center For Human R 1970 Broadway Suite 1125 Oakland CA 94611 943252009 60000 0 General Support Environmental Justic Coalitio 311 W Murray Ave Visalia CA 93291 202539559 10000 0 General Support Every Voice Center 1199 19th Street NW 9th Floor Washington DC 20036 134105066 10000 0 General Support Faith In Action Bay Area 1336 Arroyo Avenue San Carlos CA 94070 942716470 20000 0 General Support Grassroots Grantmakers PO Box 9069 Denver CO 80209 271380459 70000 0 General Support Groundswell Fund 436 14th Street Suite 723 Oakland CA 98612 474003615 35000 0 General Support Hawaii Center For Food Safety 1132 Bishop Street Honolulu HI 96813 522165893 10000 0 General Support Institute for Policy Studies 130 ConnAveNW Suite 600 Washington DC DC 20036 520788947 25000 0 General Support ISAIAH 2356 University Avenue W Saint Paul MN 55114 411957358 30000 0 General Support Justice Now 1322 Webster St Suite 210 Oakland CA 94612 421559699 21000 0 General Support Kentucky Coalition PO Box 1450 London KY 40743 311113237 15000 0 General Support Kenwood Oakland Community Org 4242 S Cottage Grove Ave Chicago IL 60653 362598637 20000 0 General Support Legal Services for Prisoners 1540 Market St Suite 490 San Francisco CA 94102 943080408 20000 0 General Support Media Mobilizing Project 20 Cooper Square 5th FL NY NY 10003 541429009 50000 0 General Support Movement Strategy Center 570 14th Street Ste 6 Oakland CA 94612 201037643 42500 0 Civic Engagement Mujeres Unidas y Activas 3542 18th St23 San Francisco CA 94110 202986926 20000 0 General Support National Domestic Workers All 395 Hudson St 4th Flr New York NY 10014 352420942 6000 0 General Support National Network for Immigran 310 8th Street Suite 303 Oakland CA 94607 943065434 6000 0 General Support NEO Philanthropy 45 West 36th St 6th Flr New York NY 10018 133191113 60000 0 Civic Engagement New Israel Fund 703 Market Street Suite 1503 San Franscisco CA 94103 942607722 25000 0 General Support North Star Fund 520 Eighth Avenue Suite 2203 New York NY 10018 132950801 100000 0 General Support Pesticide Action Network Nort 1611 Telegraph Ave Oakland CA 94612 942949686 10000 0 Civic Engagement Proteus Fund 15 Research Dr Suite 8 Amherst MA 10002 043243004 50992 0 Civic Engagement Public Policy And Education F 94 Central Avenue Albany NY 87193 133364209 50000 0 Civic Engagement Right To The City Alliance 388 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn NY 11217 943462187 25000 0 General Support Ruckus Society 369 15th St Oakland CA 94612 810504390 10000 0 Training Native Americans San Francisco Jewish Film Festiv 145 Ninth Street Suite 200 San Francisco CA 94103 942854068 7500 0 General Support Southern Vision Alliance 1803 Chapel Rd Suite D Durham NC 27707 611639641 11000 0 General Support Standing Rock Sioux Tribe PO Box D Fort Yates ND 58538 5500 0 General Support Tides Center 1012 Torney Avenue San Francisco CA 94129 943213100 20000 0 Community Organizing Womens Donors Network 565 Commercial St Suite 300 San Francisco CA 94111 500542397 25000 0 General Support World Trust 8115 McCormick Avenue Oakland CA 94605 943362739 10000 0 General Support 17 51 Grantmaker's Description of How Grants are Used Grant Selection team determines that recipients are qualified to receive grants for charitable purposes. Program Officers verify that grants were used for appropriate charitable purposes based on programmatic and financial reports grantees provide to CCF. Many grantees are groups that the Program Officers have had knowledge of over many years. Program Officers often attend grantee events to observe grantee activities. Dan Ringer-Barwick Treasurer 1659 Consulting false Schedule L, Part V Supplemental Information Provided $1,659 of consulting services to CCF. X 5 795601 Market Value false false false Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process Form 990 is prepared by the foundations outside auditor after the completion of the annual audit. The draft Form 990 is reviewed by staff before being forwarded to the Board Chair and Treasurer, who review the Form 990 and make comments or corrections prior to the filing of the return. When completed, the Form 990 is distributed to the full Board of Trustees. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts All Trustees of the CCF Board have read and understood the conflict of interest policy as indicated by their signature on the form. Trustees are asked to renew their commitment to the policy and to re-sign the form annually at the first meeting of the Board of Trustees each year. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management The Board of Trustees reviews salary surveys from various sources, including the Council on Foundations and Exponent Philanthropy and determines the salary for the CEO based on comparable data and the CEOs experience. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees The CEO follows a similar process for determining the salaries of key staff, reviewing salary surveys from a variety of sources, including the Council on Foundations and Exponent Philanthropy. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available CCF makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public by request.