2016-11-03T15:28:08-05:00 2015-12-31 580945566 CLARK L TOMLIN CO PC CPAS 2400 LAKEVIEW PARKWAY SUITE 600 ALPHARETTA GA 30009 990 2015-01-01 161639971 GEORGIA WATCH GEOR 4045251085 55 MARIETTA STREET NW NO 903 ATLANTA GA 30303 LIZ COYLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4045251085 2016-10-26 0 ALAN R TOMLIN P01260125 7703957024 2016-10-26 2015 2017-02-10 21:41:12Z LIZ COYLE 55 MARIETTA STREET NW ATLANTA GA 30303 326316 0 X WWW.GEORGIAWATCH.ORG X 2002 GA SEE SCHEDULE O 12 12 4 10 0 0 198006 256115 0 0 455 324 119401 66067 317862 322506 0 0 0 0 284227 250293 0 0 0 98947 105354 383174 355647 -65312 -33141 161839 128698 0 0 161839 128698 X SEE SCHEDULE O 0 0 132543 CONSUMER EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMS: SEE SCHEDULE O 28537 CONSUMER ENERGY PROGRAM (CEP) SEE SCHEDULE O 101395 HOSPITAL ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT/HEALTH ACCESS PROGRAM (HAP): SEE SCHEDULE O 262475 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 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 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 12 12 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 X LIZ COYLE 4045251085 55 MARIETTA STREET NW SUITE 903 ATLANTA GA 30303 X JIMMY HURT BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALLISON KELLY BEATON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 CLARK HOWARD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 DENNIS CREECH BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 BETH CAYCE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 DANNY ORROCK BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MAURA GEORGE MD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARTHA WILBER MD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHELLE PUTNAM BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROY BARNES BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN DALTON MD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN BEVIS VICE CHAIRMAN 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOANNE BRYANT TREASURER 1.00 X 0 0 0 KATHY FLOYD SECRETARY 1.00 X 0 0 0 RAYMOND P CARPENTER CHAIRMAN 1.00 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35000 221115 256115 324 324 13193 35000 3810 9383 9383 CY PRES - OTHER INCOME 900099 56684 56684 56684 322506 57008 0 9383 89375 67031 22344 117375 117375 28476 25399 3077 15067 13439 1628 7551 7551 32495 32495 10719 10719 2302 833 1469 6528 824 5704 7746 7746 23568 23568 3226 2783 443 314 314 764 764 2264 2264 TELEPHONE 4324 4324 MISC 2328 2296 32 DUES 1165 1165 LICENSES / PERMITS 60 60 355647 262475 93172 0 158694 126317 14222 13421 1565 801 1580 1580 161839 128698 0 0 X 131387 9694 30452 119004 161839 128698 161839 128698 -33141 0 X 1 X 1 X 0 0 X 235640 179423 270883 148006 221115 1055067 235640 179423 270883 148006 221115 1055067 1055067 2358 1780 888 455 324 5805 100000 59200 102129 176401 104877 542607 1603479 0.65800 0.65800 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1890 30605 32495 326962 359457 71891 17973 0 0 106973 78044 78035 71891 334943 502415 26460 25157 31791 32495 115903 26743 19511 19509 17973 83736 125604 1500 197 350 1890 3937 14222 13421 801 801 X 326316 0 326316 -3810 -3810 322506 359457 0 359457 -3810 -3810 355647 PART X, LINE 2: GEORGIA WATCH, INC. HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN OTHER-THAN PRIVATE FOUNDATION AND IS TAX EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. GEORGIA WATCH, INC. IS SUBJECT TO A TAX ON INCOME FROM ANY UNRELATED BUSINESS. ON JANUARY 1, 2011, GEORGIA WATCH, INC. ADOPTED THE RECOGNITION REQUIREMENTS FOR UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AS REQUIRED BY GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, WITH NO CUMULATIVE EFFECT ADJUSTMENT REQUIRED. INCOME TAX BENEFITS ARE RECOGNIZED FOR INCOME TAX POSITIONS TAKEN OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN IN A TAX RETURN, ONLY WHEN IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE INCOME TAX POSITION WILL MORE-LIKELY-THAN-NOT BE SUSTAINED UPON EXAMINATION BY TAXING AUTHORITIES. GEORGIA WATCH, INC. HAS ANALYZED TAX POSITIONS TAKEN FOR FILING WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND ALL STATE JURISDICTIONS WHERE IT OPERATES. GEORGIA WATCH, INC. BELIEVES THAT INCOME TAX FILING POSITIONS WILL BE SUSTAINED UPON EXAMINATION AND DOES NOT ANTICIPATE ANY ADJUSTMENTS THAT WOULD RESULT IN A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON GEORGIA WATCH, INC.'S FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OR CASH FLOWS. ACCORDINGLY, GEORGIA WATCH HAS NOT RECORDED ANY RESERVES, OR RELATED ACCRUALS FOR INTEREST AND PENALTIES FOR UNCERTAIN INCOME TAX POSITIONS AT DECEMBER 31, 2015. GEORGIA WATCH, INC. IS SUBJECT TO ROUTINE AUDITS BY TAXING JURISDICTIONS, HOWEVER, THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO AUDITS FOR ANY TAX PERIODS IN PROGRESS. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: LESS FUNDRAISER EVENT EXPENSES REPORTED AT FORM 990 PART VIII LINE 8B -3,810. PART XII, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: LESS FUNDRAISER EVENT EXPENSES REPORTED AT FORM 990 PART VIII LINE 8B -3,810. FUNDRAISER DINNER & COCKTAIL PARTY 48193 35000 13193 2693 1117 48193 35000 13193 2693 1117 3810 9383 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: FOUNDED IN 2002, GEORGIA WATCH IS THE STATE'S LEADING CONSUMER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, FOCUSED ON ISSUES THAT IMPACT CONSUMERS' WALLET AND QUALITY OF LIFE. GEORGIA WATCH IS A NON-PROFIT, NONPARTISAN 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION THAT UTILIZES EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY TO HELP GIVE CONSUMERS A STRONG ALLY TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD WITH POWERFUL SPECIAL INTERESTS IN THE STATE. WE WORK EVERY DAY TO CREATE A GEORGIA THAT IS A MODEL FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION. OUR WORK FOCUSES ON EDUCATING CONSUMERS AND INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICIES IN WAYS THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT CONSUMERS. WHILE WE SERVE ALL GEORGIA RESIDENTS, WE PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WHO MOST NEED A CHAMPION - SENIOR CITIZENS, LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR - THOSE WHO ARE MOST AT-RISK FOR PREDATORY BUSINESS PRACTICES AND MOST BURDENED BY THE HIGH COST OF UTILITIES AND HEALTHCARE. TO FULFILL OUR MISSION, GEORGIA WATCH WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE PUBLIC, COALITION PARTNERS, LEGISLATORS, REGULATORS, AND THE MEDIA TO SERVE AS AN ADVOCATE AS WELL AS A TRUSTED RESOURCE FOR INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE. ALL GEORGIA WATCH ACTIVITIES ARE MANAGED AND OVERSEEN BY ITS STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS. PART III, LINE 1 BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION: OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER AND PROTECT GEORGIA CONSUMERS ON MATTERS THAT IMPACT THEIR WALLETS AND QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT. WE WORK TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICIES THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT CONSUMERS, SAFEGUARD CONSUMER PROTECTIONS IN THE AREA OF PERSONAL FINANCE, PROMOTE ACCESS TO SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE, ENCOURAGE FAIR UTILITY RATES AND RENEWABLE ENERGY OPTIONS, PROTECT THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AND PROMOTE ACCESS TO THE COURTS. PART III, LINE 4A 4A) CONSUMER EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMS GEORGIA WATCH WORKED IN 2015 TO EDUCATE GEORGIA CITIZENS, THE MEDIA AND POLICYMAKERS ABOUT CRITICAL AREAS OF PUBLIC CONCERN, INCLUDING PREDATORY LENDING, PROACTIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, IDENTITY THEFT, SCAM AVOIDANCE AND ENERGY ISSUES. GEORGIA WATCH OFFERS NUMEROUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ASSIST GEORGIANS WITH BASIC CONSUMER PROTECTIONS, INCLUDING GETTING ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE OPTIONS; MANAGING PERSONAL FINANCES MORE EFFECTIVELY, AND LOWERING ENERGY BILLS. GEORGIA WATCH STAFF MEMBERS TRAVEL AROUND THE STATE TO PRESENT THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH ARE CONSTANTLY UPDATED AND EXPANDED AS NEEDED. THESE PROGRAMS OFFER TOOLS THAT HELP CONSUMERS BUILD WEALTH, GROW ASSETS, AND AVOID PREDATORY PRACTICES SUCH AS PAYDAY LENDING. WE ALSO ADVOCATED IN 2015 FOR CONSUMER PROTECTIONS AGAINST THE DEBT SETTLEMENT INDUSTRY FOR FINANCIALLY VULNERABLE GEORGIANS BEFORE THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. GEORGIA WATCH HOSTED FREE CONSUMER WORKSHOPS AT COMMUNITY CENTERS, LIBRARIES, AND WITH CIVIC GROUPS AROUND THE STATE, OFFERED A TOLL-FREE HOTLINE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER QUESTIONS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION, PUBLISHED A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER AND WAS FEATURED OVER 80 TIMES IN NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL MEDIA THROUGH PRINT, TELEVISION, RADIO AND INTERNET NEWS. OUR WORK IN 2015 REACHED AT LEAST 50,000 CONSUMERS IN ALL GEORGIA COUNTIES. PART III, LINE 4B 4B) CONSUMER ENERGY PROGRAM (CEP) OUR CONSUMER ENERGY PROGRAM IMPACTED THOUSANDS OF GEORGIANS IN 2015 THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY FOR SAFE, CLEAN, AND AFFORDABLE ENERGY AND THROUGH OUR CONSUMER HOTLINE AND WEB-BASED CONSUMER RESOURCES. WE SUCCESSFULLY HIGHLIGHTED THE CRITICAL ROLE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RESOURCE DIVERSIFICATION PLAY IN MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF RISING ENERGY COSTS FROM GEORGIA POWER COMPANY'S PREDOMINANTLY NUCLEAR-, COAL- AND OIL-BASED PORTFOLIO. WE REGULARLY INTERVENED IN MATTERS BEFORE THE GEORGIA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC) TO PROMOTE INVESTMENT IN CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE RETIREMENT OF COAL PLANTS. IN 2015, WE ENGAGED WITH COALITION PARTNERS TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES AROUND STATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE EPA'S CLEAN POWER PLAN. WE CALLED ON STATE ENERGY REGULATORS AND GEORGIA POWER TO REDUCE HARMFUL EMISSIONS WHILE DRIVING ENERGY INNOVATION, PROMOTING CLEAN ENERGY JOB GROWTH, AND HELPING CONSUMERS SAVE MONEY ON THEIR POWER BILLS THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY. WE ALSO SPOKE UP FOR CONSUMERS AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION IN THE PLANT VOGTLE CONSTRUCTION MONITORING HEARINGS. NEARLY HALF THE POPULATION OF GEORGIA IS SERVED BY ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATIONS OR COOPERATIVES (EMCS), AND A MAJORITY CLAIM TAX-EXEMPT STATUS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (I.R.C.), 501(C)(12). RURAL EMCS WERE FOUNDED IN THE 1930S ON PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY TO MEET THE ENERGY NEEDS IN REMOTE AND RURAL AREAS OF THE COUNTRY. GEORGIA WATCH CONDUCTED RESEARCH INTO EMC PRACTICES REGARDING IRS REQUIREMENTS AND DEMOCRATIC MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNANCE. TO PROMOTE EMC TRANSPARANCY AND DEMOCRACY, WE RELEASED A REPORT ON OUR FINDINGS IN NOVEMBER 2015. PART III, LINE 4C 4C) HOSPITAL ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT/HEALTH ACCESS PROGRAM (HAP) IN 2007 GEORGIA WATCH CREATED THE HOSPITAL ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM TO PROMOTE INCREASED TRANSPARENCY OF BILLING PRACTICES AT GEORGIA HOSPITALS, HELPING ENSURE AFFORDABLE CARE FOR ALL. IN 2012, GEORGIA WATCH CREATED THE HEALTH ACCESS PROGRAM TO ENSURE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE FOR LOW INCOME, UNDER- AND UNINSURED GEORGIANS. IN JANUARY 2015, WE RELEASED A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT EXAMINING BARRIERS FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES (APRNS) IN GEORGIA AND SUGGESTED POLICY CHANGES THAT WOULD IMPROVE HEALTHCARE ACCESS IN RURAL AREAS. IN MAY 2015, WE RELEASED A POLICY REPORT THAT GAVE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE FIRST ROUND OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENTS (CHNAS) CONDUCTED BY GEORGIA NONPROFIT HOSPITALS. EIGHT HOSPITALS ARE USING GEORGIA WATCH'S CHNA REPORT AS AN IMPROVEMENT TOOL. PART IV, LINE 34 EXPLANATION: THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS FUNDS IN TRUST TOTALING $211,269 ON 12/31/2015, AS STATED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S SEPARATE AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. FOR INCOME TAX REPORTING, THE FUNDS IN TRUST ARE REPORTED SEPARATELY ON FORM 990-EZ FOR GEORGIA WATCH FOUNDATION, INC. (EIN 26-1477073). GEORGIA WATCH FOUNDATION, INC. IS IDENTIFIED IN SCHEDULE R. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THIS ORGANIZATION HAS MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 THE FORM 990 WILL BE REVIEWED IN DETAIL BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD AND APPROVED FOR FILING, AFTER WHICH IT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE ENTIRE BOARD FOR RATIFICATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE BOARD REVIEWS THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HAS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL OR DENIAL OVER THE PACKAGE AS WELL AS THE RETENTION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE FORM 1023, FORM 990 AND OTHER GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICE. PART VIII, LINE 11A CY PRES - OTHER INCOME: THE ORGANIZATION WAS AWARDED A $56,684 GRANT FROM THE GREENE V. GEORGIA CASH AMERICA REMAINDER FUND FROM A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST A LENDING COMPANY THAT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF GEORGIA CONSUMERS. FORM 990 ELECTION SECTION 1.263(A)-1(F) DE MINIMIS SAFE HARBOR ELECTION GEORGIA WATCH 55 MARIETTA STREET NW NO. 903 ATLANTA, GA 30303 EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 16-1639971 FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2015, GEORGIA WATCH IS MAKING THE DE MINIMIS SAFE HARBOR ELECTION UNDER REG. SEC. 1.263(A)-1(F). GEORGIA WATCH FOUNDATION INC 55 MARIETTA STREET NW ATLANTA GA 30303 261477073 SUPPORT FOR GEORGIA WATCH GA 501 (C) (3) 509 (A) (2) N/A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0