FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION INC: Form 990, tax year 2024

View the entire original 990 at ProPublica ↗

Organization
FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION INC (EIN 04-3467254)
Tax period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30
Filed
2025-10-29
IRS object ID
202513029349302776
Schema version
2024v5.2
Source
Download XML · Original 990 at ProPublica

Every field in the e-filed return. Faint text is the IRS element name, for citing.

Return header ReturnHeader

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return2025-10-29T17:04:31-05:00ReturnTs
Tax Period End2025-06-30TaxPeriodEndDt

Preparer Firm PreparerFirmGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer Firm EIN410746749PreparerFirmEIN

Preparer Firm Name PreparerFirmName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLPBusinessNameLine1Txt

Preparer US Address PreparerUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1150 S WARNER ROAD SUITE 310AddressLine1Txt
CityKING OF PRUSSIACityNm
State AbbreviationPAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP19406ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return Type990ReturnTypeCd
Tax Period Begin2024-07-01TaxPeriodBeginDt

Filer Filer

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EIN043467254EIN

Business Name BusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS ANDBusinessNameLine1Txt
Business Name Line2EXPRESSION INCBusinessNameLine2Txt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name ControlFOUNBusinessNameControlTxt
Phone2157173473PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1510 WALNUT STREET 900AddressLine1Txt
CityPHILADELPHIACityNm
State AbbreviationPAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP19106ZIPCd

Business Officer BusinessOfficerGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonGREGORY LUKIANOFFPersonNm
Person TitlePRESIDENT AND CEOPersonTitleTxt
Phone2157173473PhoneNum
Signature2025-10-28SignatureDt
Discuss With Paid PreparerYes (1)DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
IRS Responsible Prty Info Curr0IRSResponsiblePrtyInfoCurrInd

Preparer Person PreparerPersonGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer PersonWILLIAM A LOUGHERYPreparerPersonNm
PTINP01603932PTIN
Phone2156433900PhoneNum
Preparation2025-10-28PreparationDt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Tax2024TaxYr
Build TS2025-03-06 01:10:19ZBuildTS

Form 990 IRS990

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Principal OfficerGREGORY LUKIANOFFPrincipalOfficerNm

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1510 WALNUT STREET 900AddressLine1Txt
CityPHILADELPHIACityNm
State AbbreviationPAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP19106ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Gross Receipts$61,946,167GrossReceiptsAmt
Group Return For Affiliates0GroupReturnForAffiliatesInd
All Affiliates IncludedYes (1)AllAffiliatesIncludedInd
Organization501c3Yes (X)Organization501c3Ind
Website AddressHTTP://THEFIRE.ORG/WebsiteAddressTxt
Type Of Organization CorpYes (X)TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd
Formation1999FormationYr
Legal Domicile StateMALegalDomicileStateCd
Activity Or MissionFIRE DEFENDS FREE SPEECH IN COURT, ON CAMPUS, AND IN OUR CULTURE.ActivityOrMissionDesc
Voting Members Governing Body11VotingMembersGoverningBodyCnt
Voting Members Independent11VotingMembersIndependentCnt
Total Employee162TotalEmployeeCnt
Total Volunteers17TotalVolunteersCnt
Total Gross UBI$1,134TotalGrossUBIAmt
Net Unrelated Bus Txbl Incm$0NetUnrelatedBusTxblIncmAmt
PY Contributions Grants$32,251,288PYContributionsGrantsAmt
CY Contributions Grants$36,482,507CYContributionsGrantsAmt
PY Program Service Revenue$81,306PYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
CY Program Service Revenue$535,440CYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
PY Investment Income$1,049,430PYInvestmentIncomeAmt
CY Investment Income$2,927,609CYInvestmentIncomeAmt
PY Other Revenue$42,310PYOtherRevenueAmt
CY Other Revenue$71,207CYOtherRevenueAmt
PY Total Revenue$33,424,334PYTotalRevenueAmt
CY Total Revenue$40,016,763CYTotalRevenueAmt
PY Grants And Similar Paid$468,100PYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
CY Grants And Similar Paid$665,615CYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
PY Benefits Paid To Members$0PYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt
CY Benefits Paid To Members$0CYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt
PY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$15,071,641PYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
CY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$17,997,846CYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
PY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$0PYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$0CYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Fundraising Expense$3,243,989CYTotalFundraisingExpenseAmt
PY Other Expenses$12,451,397PYOtherExpensesAmt
CY Other Expenses$11,072,114CYOtherExpensesAmt
PY Total Expenses$27,991,138PYTotalExpensesAmt
CY Total Expenses$29,735,575CYTotalExpensesAmt
PY Revenues Less Expenses$5,433,196PYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
CY Revenues Less Expenses$10,281,188CYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
Total Assets BOY$63,265,155TotalAssetsBOYAmt
Total Assets EOY$74,097,710TotalAssetsEOYAmt
Total Liabilities BOY$10,036,913TotalLiabilitiesBOYAmt
Total Liabilities EOY$9,637,453TotalLiabilitiesEOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances BOY$53,228,242NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances EOY$64,460,257NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt
Info In Schedule O Part IIIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd
MissionTHE FOUNDATION FOR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND EXPRESSION'S (FIRE'S) MISSION IS TO DEFEND AND SUSTAIN THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF ALL AMERICANS TO FREE SPEECH AND FREE THOUGHT-THE MOST ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF LIBERTY.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)FIRE EDUCATES AMERICANS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE INALIENABLE RIGHTS, PROMOTES A CULTURE OF RESPECT FOR THESE RIGHTS, AND PROVIDES THE MEANS TO PRESERVE THEM. FIRE RECOGNIZES THAT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN PRESERVING FREE THOUGHT WITHIN A FREE SOCIETY. TO THIS END, WE PLACE A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON DEFENDING THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS ON OUR NATION'S CAMPUSES, INCLUDING FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION, DUE PROCESS, LEGAL EQUALITY, RELIGIOUS LIBERTY, AND SANCTITY OF CONSCIENCE.MissionDesc
Significant New Program Srvc0SignificantNewProgramSrvcInd
Significant ChangeYes (1)SignificantChangeInd
Expense$6,343,916ExpenseAmt
Grant$1,593GrantAmt
Revenue$3,700RevenueAmt
DescPUBLIC AWARENESS: FIRE EXECUTES BROAD COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS TO GENERATE AWARENESS OF FREE SPEECH ISSUES. WE SEEK TO REACH MILLIONS OF AMERICANS BY GETTING OUR CASES AND COMMENTARY IN PRINT, PLACING OP-EDS, AND COORDINATING MEDIA APPEARANCES; PRODUCING CREATIVE AND COMPELLING CONTENT FOR OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS THAT IS EASILY DIGESTIBLE AND SHAREABLE; AND MAINTAINING A ROBUST PUBLICATIONS PROGRAM TO GET OUR THOUGHT LEADERSHIP IN FRONT OF THE EXPERTS THAT NEED TO SEE IT IN SCHOLARLY ARTICLES, ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS, BOOKS, AND MORE. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, FIRE RECEIVED 19,089 MEDIA MENTIONS; OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT RECEIVED 1.6 MILLION LIKES, COMMENTS, AND SHARES; AND OUR VIDEOS RECEIVED 10.4 MILLION VIEWS. OUR WEBSITE RECEIVED 4.7 MILLION VIEWS.Desc

Prog Srvc Accom Acty2 ProgSrvcAccomActy2Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Expense$4,144,884ExpenseAmt
Grant$1,296GrantAmt
Revenue$459,550RevenueAmt
DescFIRE LITIGATION: FIRE STRATEGICALLY LITIGATES IN COURTS NATIONWIDE TO VINDICATE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. IN SERVICE OF OUR EXPANDED MISSION TO DEFEND FREE SPEECH BOTH ON AND OFF CAMPUS, OUR LITIGATION PROGRAM IS GROWING INTO A PREMIER PUBLIC-INTEREST LAW FIRM FOR FREE EXPRESSION. FIRE ATTORNEYS REVIEW EACH AND EVERY CASE SUBMISSION WE RECEIVE AND ALSO PROACTIVELY SEEK OUT LEGAL CHALLENGES WITH THE POTENTIAL TO SECURE LASTING LEGAL PRECEDENTS, MAJOR PUBLIC-POLICY REFORM, OR CLEAR CULTURAL IMPACT. SINCE FIRE BEGAN LITIGATING IN 2014, FIRE'S LITIGATION PROGRAM HAS SECURED 42 VICTORIES AND NEARLY $4 MILLION IN DAMAGES AND FEES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.)Desc

Prog Srvc Accom Acty3 ProgSrvcAccomActy3Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Expense$3,086,891ExpenseAmt
Grant$500,032GrantAmt
Revenue$52,300RevenueAmt
DescRESEARCH: FIRE'S RESEARCH TEAM GATHERS SIGNIFICANT DATA ON THE NATION'S CLIMATE FOR FREE EXPRESSION SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE CONCRETE EVIDENCE OF AMERICA'S FREE SPEECH CRISIS AND ARM ADVOCATES WITH TOOLS THEY CAN USE TO FIGHT CENSORSHIPS. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE OUR FREE SPEECH INDEX, A QUARTERLY SURVEY ON NATIONAL ATTITUDES TOWARD FREE SPEECH, AND ANNUAL COLLEGE FREE SPEECH RANKINGS, THE NATION'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE CAMPUS CLIMATE FOR FREE EXPRESSION.Desc

Prog Srvc Accom Acty Other ProgSrvcAccomActyOtherGrp (8 entries)

ExpenseExpenseAmtGrantGrantAmtRevenueRevenueAmtDescDesc
$2,844,709$142,924$0STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: FIRE'S STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM INITIATES, CULTIVATES, AND MAINTAINS RELATIONSHIPS WITH FIRE'S GROWING LIST OF ALLIES. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, WE MONITOR AND MAINTAIN OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE OUR WORK BY COLLABORATING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF PARTNERS.
$2,636,541$879$12,492CAMPUS RIGHTS ADVOCACY (CRA): FIRE CONTINUES TO PLACE A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON DEFENDING THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS ON CAMPUS, AND OUR CRA PROGRAM LEADS THESE EFFORTS. OUR EXPERT STAFF REVIEWS EVERY CASE SUBMISSION AND TAKES ACTION BY INTERVENING DIRECTLY WITH ADMINISTRATORS; USING FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) REQUESTS OR THREATS TO SCHOOLS' ACCREDITATION; APPLYING PUBLIC PRESSURE TO SCHOOLS TO REVERSE RIGHTS VIOLATIONS; AND WORKING WITH STUDENTS AND FACULTY WITH OTHER MEANS OF CREATIVE ADVOCACY. IN THE 2024-25 FISCAL YEAR, FIRE'S CRA TEAM SECURED 82 VICTORIES.
$1,580,594$510$1,000LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY: FIRE'S LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY TEAM WORKS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF FREE SPEECH-FRIENDLY LEGISLATION AND AGAINST PROPOSED LAWS THAT WOULD RESTRICT SPEECH. THE TEAM PROPOSES MODEL LEGISLATION, TESTIFIES BEFORE STATE AND FEDERAL BODIES, MEETS WITH POLICYMAKERS TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS, AND ISSUES PUBLIC COMMENTARY. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THEY SECURED 20 LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES IN 11 STATES, SHORING UP CAMPUS DUE PROCESS RIGHTS, DEFEATING RESTRICTIONS ON ONLINE EXPRESSION, AND MORE.
$970,629$334$1,750PUBLIC ADVOCACY: FIRE'S PUBLIC ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT ENGAGES IN NON-LITIGATION ADVOCACY TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE EXPRESSIVE RIGHTS AND A STRONG CULTURE OF FREE EXPRESSION. OUR EXPERT STAFF REVIEWS EVERY CASE SUBMISSION AND TAKES ACTION BY INTERVENING DIRECTLY WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, WHILE ENGAGING IN CREATIVE ADVOCACY SUCH AS EMAIL-WRITING CAMPAIGNS AND PETITIONS THAT APPLY PUBLIC PRESSURE TO BAD ACTORS TO REVERSE RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE PUBLIC ADVOCACY TEAM SECURED 17 VICTORIES.
$913,085$12,717$1,648ENGAGEMENT & MOBILIZATION: FIRE'S ENGAGEMENT AND MOBILIZATION TEAM IS RAPIDLY BECOMING THE "HOME BASE" FOR AMERICA'S FREE SPEECH CONSTITUENCY, GIVING THEM THE COMMUNITY, THE KNOWLEDGE, AND THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO PROMOTE A CULTURE OF FREEEXPRESSION.
$840,622$289$3,000POLICY REFORM PROJECT: OUR POLICY REFORM TEAM PROACTIVELY AND SYSTEMATICALLY DOCUMENTS AND EXPOSES CAMPUS POLICIES THAT VIOLATE COLLEGE STUDENTS' FREE SPEECH RIGHTS. THE CENTERPIECE OF THEIR WORK IS MAINTAINING FIRE'S SPOTLIGHT DATABASE, WHICH CATALOGS RESTRICTIONS ON FREE SPEECH ON OVER 475 CAMPUSES NATIONWIDE. THE TEAM ALSO WORKS TO REFORM POLICIES BY WRITING LETTERS, MEETING WITH ADMINISTRATORS, COORDINATING WITH CAMPUS CONSTITUENTS SUCH AS ALUMNI OR FACULTY, AND PROVIDING POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, THE POLICY REFORM TEAM REFORMED 43 POLICIES ON 29 CAMPUSES, IMPACTING OVER 630,000 STUDENTS.
$285,892$5,041$0FACULTY OUTREACH: THE FIRE FACULTY NETWORK CONDUCTS OUTREACH TO COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY FACULTY, CONNECTING THEM WITH A NETWORK THAT WILL GIVE THEM THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC FREEDOM ON THEIR CAMPUSES.
$0$0$0FIRE STUDENT DEVELOPMENT: FIRE'S STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS EDUCATE AND EMPOWER HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND LAW STUDENTS TO DEFEND FREE SPEECH THROUGH STUDENT CONFERENCES, INTERNSHIPS, AND LEGAL FELLOWSHIPS. THESE PROGRAMS ARE ALSO HELPING FIRE BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENTED FREE SPEECH LEADERS, MANY OF WHOM GO ON TO WORK WITH US. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025, FIRE HOSTED 30 INTERNS AND 13 LEGAL FELLOWS AND CLERKS.
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Other Prog Srvc Expense$10,072,072TotalOtherProgSrvcExpenseAmt
Total Other Prog Srvc Grant$162,694TotalOtherProgSrvcGrantAmt
Total Other Prog Srvc Revenue$19,890TotalOtherProgSrvcRevenueAmt
Total Program Service Expenses$23,647,763TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt
Described In Section501c3Yes (1)DescribedInSection501c3Ind
Schedule B RequiredYes (1)ScheduleBRequiredInd
Political Campaign Acty0PoliticalCampaignActyInd
Lobbying ActivitiesYes (1)LobbyingActivitiesInd
Subject To Proxy Tax0SubjectToProxyTaxInd
Donor Advised Fund0DonorAdvisedFundInd
Conservation Easements0ConservationEasementsInd
Collections Of Art0CollectionsOfArtInd
Credit Counseling0CreditCounselingInd
Donor Rstr Or Quasi EndowmentsYes (1)DonorRstrOrQuasiEndowmentsInd
Report Land Building EquipmentYes (1)ReportLandBuildingEquipmentInd
Report Investments Other Sec0ReportInvestmentsOtherSecInd
Report Program Related Invst0ReportProgramRelatedInvstInd
Report Other AssetsYes (1)ReportOtherAssetsInd
Report Other LiabilitiesYes (1)ReportOtherLiabilitiesInd
Include FIN48 FootnoteYes (1)IncludeFIN48FootnoteInd
Independent Audit Fincl StmtYes (1)IndependentAuditFinclStmtInd
Consolidated Audit Fincl Stmt0ConsolidatedAuditFinclStmtInd
School Operating0SchoolOperatingInd
Foreign Office0ForeignOfficeInd
Foreign ActivitiesYes (1)ForeignActivitiesInd
More Than5000 K To OrgYes (1)MoreThan5000KToOrgInd
More Than5000 K To Individuals0MoreThan5000KToIndividualsInd
Professional Fundraising0ProfessionalFundraisingInd
Fundraising Activities0FundraisingActivitiesInd
Gaming Activities0GamingActivitiesInd
Operate Hospital0OperateHospitalInd
Grants To OrganizationsYes (1)GrantsToOrganizationsInd
Grants To IndividualsYes (1)GrantsToIndividualsInd
Schedule J RequiredYes (1)ScheduleJRequiredInd
Tax Exempt Bonds0TaxExemptBondsInd
Engaged In Excess Benefit Trans0EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd
PY Excess Benefit Trans0PYExcessBenefitTransInd
Loan Outstanding0LoanOutstandingInd
Grant To Related Person0GrantToRelatedPersonInd
Business Rln With Org Mem0BusinessRlnWithOrgMemInd
Business Rln With Fam Mem0BusinessRlnWithFamMemInd
Business Rln With35 Ctrl Ent0BusinessRlnWith35CtrlEntInd
Deductible Non Cash ContriYes (1)DeductibleNonCashContriInd
Deductible Art Contribution0DeductibleArtContributionInd
Terminate Operations0TerminateOperationsInd
Partial Liquidation0PartialLiquidationInd
Disregarded Entity0DisregardedEntityInd
Related Entity0RelatedEntityInd
Related Organization Ctrl Ent0RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd
Trnsfr Exmpt Non Chrtbl Rltd Org0TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd
Activities Conducted Prtshp0ActivitiesConductedPrtshpInd
Schedule O RequiredYes (1)ScheduleORequiredInd
IRP Document140IRPDocumentCnt
IRP Document W2 G0IRPDocumentW2GCnt
Employee162EmployeeCnt
Employment Tax Returns FiledYes (1)EmploymentTaxReturnsFiledInd
Unrelated Bus Incm Over LimitYes (1)UnrelatedBusIncmOverLimitInd
Form990 T FiledYes (1)Form990TFiledInd
Foreign Financial Account0ForeignFinancialAccountInd
Prohibited Tax Shelter Trans0ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd
Taxable Party Notification0TaxablePartyNotificationInd
Nondeductible Contributions0NondeductibleContributionsInd
Quid Pro Quo Contributions0QuidProQuoContributionsInd
Form8282 Property Disposed Of0Form8282PropertyDisposedOfInd
Rcv Fnds To Pay Prsnl Bnft Cntrct0RcvFndsToPayPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Pay Premiums Prsnl Bnft Cntrct0PayPremiumsPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Indoor Tanning Services0IndoorTanningServicesInd
Subj To Tax Rmnrtn Ex Prcht Pymt0SubjToTaxRmnrtnExPrchtPymtInd
Subject To Excs Tax Net Invst Inc0SubjectToExcsTaxNetInvstIncInd
Info In Schedule O Part VIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartVIInd
Governing Body Voting Members11GoverningBodyVotingMembersCnt
Independent Voting Member11IndependentVotingMemberCnt
Family Or Business Rln0FamilyOrBusinessRlnInd
Delegation Of Mgmt Duties0DelegationOfMgmtDutiesInd
Change To Org Documents0ChangeToOrgDocumentsInd
Material Diversion Or Misuse0MaterialDiversionOrMisuseInd
Members Or Stockholders0MembersOrStockholdersInd
Election Of Board Members0ElectionOfBoardMembersInd
Decisions Subject To Approva0DecisionsSubjectToApprovaInd
Minutes Of Governing BodyYes (1)MinutesOfGoverningBodyInd
Minutes Of Committees0MinutesOfCommitteesInd
Officer Mailing Address0OfficerMailingAddressInd
Local Chapters0LocalChaptersInd
Form990 Provided To Gvrn BodyYes (1)Form990ProvidedToGvrnBodyInd
Conflict Of Interest PolicyYes (1)ConflictOfInterestPolicyInd
Annual Disclosure Covered PrsnYes (1)AnnualDisclosureCoveredPrsnInd
Regular Monitoring EnfrcYes (1)RegularMonitoringEnfrcInd
Whistleblower PolicyYes (1)WhistleblowerPolicyInd
Document Retention PolicyYes (1)DocumentRetentionPolicyInd
Compensation Process CEOYes (1)CompensationProcessCEOInd
Compensation Process Other0CompensationProcessOtherInd
Investment In Joint Venture0InvestmentInJointVentureInd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldALStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldARStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldCAStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldFLStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldGAStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldHIStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldILStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldKSStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldKYStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldMAStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldMDStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldMIStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldMNStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldMSStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldNDStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldNHStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldNJStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldNMStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldNYStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldORStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldPAStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldRIStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldSCStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldTNStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldUTStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldVAStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldWVStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldWIStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
Own WebsiteYes (X)OwnWebsiteInd
Upon RequestYes (X)UponRequestInd

Books In Care Of Detail BooksInCareOfDetail

Business Name BusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1GAIL LUCAS CPA MBABusinessNameLine1Txt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Phone2157173473PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1510 WALNUT STREET SUITE 900AddressLine1Txt
CityPHILADELPHIACityNm
State AbbreviationPAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP19106ZIPCd

Form990 Part VII Section A Form990PartVIISectionAGrp (21 entries)

TitleTitleTxtAverage Hours Per WeekAverageHoursPerWeekRtIndividual Trustee Or DirectorIndividualTrusteeOrDirectorIndOfficerOfficerIndReportable Comp From OrgReportableCompFromOrgAmtReportable Comp From Rltd OrgReportableCompFromRltdOrgAmtOther CompensationOtherCompensationAmtKey EmployeeKeyEmployeeIndHighest Compensated EmployeeHighestCompensatedEmployeeInd
KURT JAGGERS
CHAIR AS OF NOV 20241.00Yes (X)Yes (X)$0$0$0
JACK HENNEMAN
VICE CHAIR1.00Yes (X)Yes (X)$0$0$0
SANDY LEONG
SECRETARY AS OF NOV 20241.00Yes (X)Yes (X)$0$0$0
KMELE FOSTER
TREASURER1.00Yes (X)Yes (X)$0$0$0
HARVEY SILVERGLATE
CO-FOUNDER1.00Yes (X)Yes (X)$0$0$0
SAMUEL J ABRAMS
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
JOHN ELLIS
DIRECTOR AS OF NOV 20241.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
ALLISON HAYWARD
DIRECTOR AS OF MAR 20251.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
JOSEPH MALINE
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
VIRGINIA POSTREL
DIRECTOR AS OF NOV 20241.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
KEITH WHITTINGTON
DIRECTOR1.00Yes (X)$0$0$0
GREGORY LUKIANOFF
PRESIDENT AND CEO40.00Yes (X)$621,657$0$45,399
ALISHA GLENNON
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER40.00Yes (X)$401,607$0$45,887
WILLIAM CREELEY
LEGAL DIRECTOR40.00$367,557$0$43,187Yes (X)
RONALD LONDON
GENERAL COUNSEL40.00$299,429$0$40,193Yes (X)
NICHOLAS PERRINO
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT40.00$279,251$0$39,402Yes (X)
BOB CORN REVERE
CHIEF COUNSEL40.00$400,432$0$40,129Yes (X)
DARPANA SHETH
VP OF LITIGATION THROUGH NOV 202440.00$248,997$0$38,187Yes (X)
MATT HARWOOD
VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNIC40.00$189,103$0$34,083Yes (X)
BRIDGET GLACKIN
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER40.00$185,916$0$33,064Yes (X)
SULEYMAN GOKYIGIT
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER40.00$188,272$0$7,868Yes (X)
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Reportable Comp From Org$3,182,221TotalReportableCompFromOrgAmt
Tot Reportable Comp Rltd Org$0TotReportableCompRltdOrgAmt
Total Other Compensation$367,399TotalOtherCompensationAmt
Indiv Rcvd Greater Than100 K47IndivRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
Former Ofcr Employees Listed0FormerOfcrEmployeesListedInd
Total Comp Greater Than150 KYes (1)TotalCompGreaterThan150KInd
Compensation From Other Srcs0CompensationFromOtherSrcsInd

Contractor Compensation ContractorCompensationGrp

Contractor Name ContractorName

Business Name BusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1NODEHAUS MEDIA LLCBusinessNameLine1Txt

Contractor Address ContractorAddress

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1921 36TH STREET SW SUITE 109AddressLine1Txt
CityWILLIAMSTOWNCityNm
State AbbreviationMAStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP01267ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
ServicesADVERTISING SERVICESServicesDesc
Compensation$146,497CompensationAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Cntrct Rcvd Greater Than100 K1CntrctRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
All Other Contributions$36,482,507AllOtherContributionsAmt
Noncash Contributions$1,396,087NoncashContributionsAmt
Total Contributions$36,482,507TotalContributionsAmt

Program Service Revenue ProgramServiceRevenueGrp (2 entries)

DescDescBusinessBusinessCdTotal Revenue ColumnTotalRevenueColumnAmtRelated Or Exempt Func IncomeRelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
LITIGATION SETTLEMENT PROCEEDS900099$444,323$444,323
SPEAKER FEES900099$91,117$91,117
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Program Service Revenue$535,440TotalProgramServiceRevenueAmt

Investment Income InvestmentIncomeGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$1,227,191TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Exclusion$1,227,191ExclusionAmt

Royalties Revenue RoyaltiesRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$69,696TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Exclusion$69,696ExclusionAmt

Gross Amount Sales Assets GrossAmountSalesAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Securities$23,624,758SecuritiesAmt
Other$5,064OtherAmt

Less Cost Oth Basis Sales Expnss LessCostOthBasisSalesExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Securities$21,925,474SecuritiesAmt
Other$3,930OtherAmt

Gain Or Loss GainOrLossGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Securities$1,699,284SecuritiesAmt
Other$1,134OtherAmt

Net Gain Or Loss Investments NetGainOrLossInvestmentsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$1,700,418TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Unrelated Business Revenue$1,134UnrelatedBusinessRevenueAmt
Exclusion$1,699,284ExclusionAmt

Other Revenue Misc OtherRevenueMiscGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
DescOTHER INCOMEDesc
Business900099BusinessCd
Total Revenue Column$1,511TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Exclusion$1,511ExclusionAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Revenue Total$1,511OtherRevenueTotalAmt

Total Revenue TotalRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$40,016,763TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$535,440RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
Unrelated Business Revenue$1,134UnrelatedBusinessRevenueAmt
Exclusion$2,997,682ExclusionAmt

Grants To Domestic Orgs GrantsToDomesticOrgsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$579,803TotalAmt
Program Services$579,803ProgramServicesAmt

Grants To Domestic Individuals GrantsToDomesticIndividualsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$25,682TotalAmt
Program Services$25,682ProgramServicesAmt

Foreign Grants ForeignGrantsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$60,130TotalAmt
Program Services$60,130ProgramServicesAmt

Comp Current Ofcr Directors CompCurrentOfcrDirectorsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$2,335,975TotalAmt
Program Services$1,512,216ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$387,176ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$436,583FundraisingAmt

Other Salaries And Wages OtherSalariesAndWagesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$12,613,502TotalAmt
Program Services$9,822,670ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$1,431,119ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$1,359,713FundraisingAmt

Pension Plan Contributions PensionPlanContributionsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$429,284TotalAmt
Program Services$336,064ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$46,371ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$46,849FundraisingAmt

Other Employee Benefits OtherEmployeeBenefitsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,536,694TotalAmt
Program Services$1,176,203ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$180,141ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$180,350FundraisingAmt

Payroll Taxes PayrollTaxesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,082,391TotalAmt
Program Services$822,060ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$130,845ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$129,486FundraisingAmt

Fees For Services Legal FeesForServicesLegalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$294,872TotalAmt
Program Services$282,769ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$6,104ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$5,999FundraisingAmt

Fees For Services Accounting FeesForServicesAccountingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$45,046TotalAmt
Program Services$34,168ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$5,486ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$5,392FundraisingAmt

Fees For Services Lobbying FeesForServicesLobbyingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$83,473TotalAmt
Program Services$83,473ProgramServicesAmt

Fees For Srvc Invst Mgmnt Fees FeesForSrvcInvstMgmntFeesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$94,935TotalAmt
Management And General$94,935ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Fees For Services Other FeesForServicesOtherGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$904,988TotalAmt
Program Services$854,351ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$10,777ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$39,860FundraisingAmt

Advertising AdvertisingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$860,293TotalAmt
Program Services$854,786ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$2,004ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$3,503FundraisingAmt

Office Expenses OfficeExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$665,384TotalAmt
Program Services$271,163ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$31,380ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$362,841FundraisingAmt

Information Technology InformationTechnologyGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,270,680TotalAmt
Program Services$963,811ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$154,769ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$152,100FundraisingAmt

Occupancy OccupancyGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,237,266TotalAmt
Program Services$938,466ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$150,699ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$148,101FundraisingAmt

Travel TravelGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,061,647TotalAmt
Program Services$851,062ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$23,937ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$186,648FundraisingAmt

Conferences Meetings ConferencesMeetingsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$2,689,316TotalAmt
Program Services$2,533,795ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$78,437ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$77,084FundraisingAmt

Depreciation Depletion DepreciationDepletionGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$777,751TotalAmt
Program Services$589,924ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$94,730ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$93,097FundraisingAmt

Insurance InsuranceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$107,390TotalAmt
Program Services$81,455ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$13,080ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$12,855FundraisingAmt

Other Expenses OtherExpensesGrp (2 entries)

DescDescTotalTotalAmtProgram ServicesProgramServicesAmtFundraisingFundraisingAmtManagement And GeneralManagementAndGeneralAmt
RESEARCH SERVICES$910,453$908,726$1,727
DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS$68,620$64,986$1,801$1,833

Total Functional Expenses TotalFunctionalExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$29,735,575TotalAmt
Program Services$23,647,763ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$2,843,823ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$3,243,989FundraisingAmt

Cash Non Interest Bearing CashNonInterestBearingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$126,700BOYAmt
EOY$93,433EOYAmt

Savings And Temp Cash Invst SavingsAndTempCashInvstGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$5,860,470BOYAmt
EOY$6,223,850EOYAmt

Pledges And Grants Receivable PledgesAndGrantsReceivableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$4,421,315BOYAmt
EOY$6,063,026EOYAmt

Accounts Receivable AccountsReceivableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$228BOYAmt
EOY$119,915EOYAmt

Inventories For Sale Or Use InventoriesForSaleOrUseGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$18,593EOYAmt

Prepaid Expenses Defrd Charges PrepaidExpensesDefrdChargesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$595,475BOYAmt
EOY$773,056EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Land Bldg Equip Cost Or Other Bss$6,917,225LandBldgEquipCostOrOtherBssAmt
Land Bldg Equip Accum Deprec$2,088,849LandBldgEquipAccumDeprecAmt

Land Bldg Equip Basis Net LandBldgEquipBasisNetGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$5,215,493BOYAmt
EOY$4,828,376EOYAmt

Investments Pub Traded Sec InvestmentsPubTradedSecGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$39,682,254BOYAmt
EOY$49,014,155EOYAmt

Investments Other Securities InvestmentsOtherSecuritiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$1,563,894BOYAmt
EOY$1,571,415EOYAmt

Other Assets Total OtherAssetsTotalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$5,799,326BOYAmt
EOY$5,391,891EOYAmt

Total Assets TotalAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$63,265,155BOYAmt
EOY$74,097,710EOYAmt

Accounts Payable Accr Expnss AccountsPayableAccrExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$1,681,352BOYAmt
EOY$1,658,847EOYAmt

Grants Payable GrantsPayableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EOY$96,279EOYAmt

Other Liabilities OtherLiabilitiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$8,355,561BOYAmt
EOY$7,882,327EOYAmt

Total Liabilities TotalLiabilitiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$10,036,913BOYAmt
EOY$9,637,453EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Organization Follows FASB117Yes (X)OrganizationFollowsFASB117Ind

No Donor Restriction Net Assets NoDonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$47,806,920BOYAmt
EOY$58,178,151EOYAmt

Donor Restriction Net Assets DonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$5,421,322BOYAmt
EOY$6,282,106EOYAmt

Total Net Assets Fund Balance TotalNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$53,228,242BOYAmt
EOY$64,460,257EOYAmt

Tot Liab Net Assets Fund Balance TotLiabNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$63,265,155BOYAmt
EOY$74,097,710EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Reconcilation Revenue Expnss$10,281,188ReconcilationRevenueExpnssAmt
Net Unrlzd Gains Losses Invst$950,827NetUnrlzdGainsLossesInvstAmt
Other Changes In Net Assets$0OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt
Method Of Accounting AccrualYes (X)MethodOfAccountingAccrualInd
Accountant Compile Or Review0AccountantCompileOrReviewInd
FS AuditedYes (1)FSAuditedInd

FS Audited Basis FSAuditedBasisGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Separate Basis Fincl StmtYes (X)SeparateBasisFinclStmtInd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Audit CommitteeYes (1)AuditCommitteeInd
Federal Grant Audit Required0FederalGrantAuditRequiredInd

Schedule A IRS990ScheduleA

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Public Organization170Yes (X)PublicOrganization170Ind

Gifts Grants Contri Rcvd170 GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$15,761,288CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$36,490,336CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$35,171,838CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$32,251,288CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$36,482,507CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$156,157,257TotalAmt

Total Calendar Year170 TotalCalendarYear170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$15,761,288CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$36,490,336CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$35,171,838CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$32,251,288CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$36,482,507CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$156,157,257TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Substantial Contributors Tot$2,822,359SubstantialContributorsTotAmt
Public Support Total170$153,334,898PublicSupportTotal170Amt

Gross Investment Income170 GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$238,868CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$494,109CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$818,937CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$1,108,667CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$1,296,887CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$3,957,468TotalAmt

Unrelated Business Net Incm170 UnrelatedBusinessNetIncm170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year$1,134CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$1,134TotalAmt

Other Income170 OtherIncome170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$7,274CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$5,595CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$521CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$1,292CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$1,511CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$16,193TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Support$160,132,052TotalSupportAmt
Gross Receipts Rltd Activities$1,042,769GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt
Public Support CY1700.95760PublicSupportCY170Pct
Public Support PY1700.96270PublicSupportPY170Pct
Thirty Thr Pct Suprt Tests CY170Yes (X)ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind

Form990 Schedule A Part VI Form990ScheduleAPartVIGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form And Line ReferenceSCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME:FormAndLineReferenceDesc
ExplanationOTHER INCOME - 2020 AMOUNT: $ 7,274. 2021 AMOUNT: $ 5,595. 2022 AMOUNT: $ 521. 2023 AMOUNT: $ 1,292. 2024 AMOUNT: $ 1,511.ExplanationTxt

Schedule B IRS990ScheduleB

Contributor Information ContributorInformationGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
ContributorRESTRICTEDContributorNum

Contributor Business Name ContributorBusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1RESTRICTEDBusinessNameLine1

Contributor US Address ContributorUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1RESTRICTEDAddressLine1
Address Line2RESTRICTEDAddressLine2
CityRESTRICTEDCity
StateRESTRICTEDState
ZIP CodeRESTRICTEDZIPCode
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total ContributionsRESTRICTEDTotalContributionsAmt

Schedule C IRS990ScheduleC

Total Grassroots Lobbying TotalGrassrootsLobbyingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Filing Organizations Total$7,099FilingOrganizationsTotalAmt

Total Direct Lobbying TotalDirectLobbyingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Filing Organizations Total$83,473FilingOrganizationsTotalAmt

Total Lobbying Expend TotalLobbyingExpendGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Filing Organizations Total$90,572FilingOrganizationsTotalAmt

Other Exempt Purpose Expend OtherExemptPurposeExpendGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Filing Organizations Total$23,562,377FilingOrganizationsTotalAmt

Total Exempt Purpose Expend TotalExemptPurposeExpendGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Filing Organizations Total$23,652,949FilingOrganizationsTotalAmt

Lobbying Nontaxable Amount LobbyingNontaxableAmountGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Filing Organizations Total$1,000,000FilingOrganizationsTotalAmt

Grassroots Nontaxable GrassrootsNontaxableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Filing Organizations Total$250,000FilingOrganizationsTotalAmt

Tot Lbbyng Grassroot Mns Non Tx TotLbbyngGrassrootMnsNonTxGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Filing Organizations Total$0FilingOrganizationsTotalAmt

Tot Lbby Expend Mns Lbbyng Non Tx TotLbbyExpendMnsLbbyngNonTxGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Filing Organizations Total$0FilingOrganizationsTotalAmt

Avg Lobbying Nontaxable Amount AvgLobbyingNontaxableAmountGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Year Minus3$1,000,000CurrentYearMinus3Amt
Current Year Minus2$1,000,000CurrentYearMinus2Amt
Current Year Minus1$1,000,000CurrentYearMinus1Amt
Current Year$1,000,000CurrentYearAmt
Total$4,000,000TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Lobbying Ceiling$6,000,000LobbyingCeilingAmt

Avg Total Lobbying Expend AvgTotalLobbyingExpendGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Year Minus3$103,033CurrentYearMinus3Amt
Current Year Minus2$122,083CurrentYearMinus2Amt
Current Year Minus1$64,542CurrentYearMinus1Amt
Current Year$90,572CurrentYearAmt
Total$380,230TotalAmt

Avg Grassroots Nontaxable AvgGrassrootsNontaxableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Year Minus3$250,000CurrentYearMinus3Amt
Current Year Minus2$250,000CurrentYearMinus2Amt
Current Year Minus1$250,000CurrentYearMinus1Amt
Current Year$250,000CurrentYearAmt
Total$1,000,000TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Grassroots Ceiling$1,500,000GrassrootsCeilingAmt

Avg Grassroots Lobbying Expend AvgGrassrootsLobbyingExpendGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Year Minus2$4,789CurrentYearMinus2Amt
Current Year Minus1$3,838CurrentYearMinus1Amt
Current Year$7,099CurrentYearAmt
Total$15,726TotalAmt

Schedule D IRS990ScheduleD

CY Endwmt Fund CYEndwmtFundGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Beginning Year Balance$24,386BeginningYearBalanceAmt
End Year Balance$24,386EndYearBalanceAmt

CY Minus1 Yr Endwmt Fund CYMinus1YrEndwmtFundGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Beginning Year Balance$24,386BeginningYearBalanceAmt
End Year Balance$24,386EndYearBalanceAmt

CY Minus2 Yr Endwmt Fund CYMinus2YrEndwmtFundGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Beginning Year Balance$24,386BeginningYearBalanceAmt
End Year Balance$24,386EndYearBalanceAmt

CY Minus3 Yr Endwmt Fund CYMinus3YrEndwmtFundGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Beginning Year Balance$24,386BeginningYearBalanceAmt
End Year Balance$24,386EndYearBalanceAmt

CY Minus4 Yr Endwmt Fund CYMinus4YrEndwmtFundGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Beginning Year Balance$24,386BeginningYearBalanceAmt
End Year Balance$24,386EndYearBalanceAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Board Designated Balance EOY0.00000BoardDesignatedBalanceEOYPct
Prmnnt Endowment Balance EOY1.00000PrmnntEndowmentBalanceEOYPct
Term Endowment Balance EOY0.00000TermEndowmentBalanceEOYPct
Endowments Held Unrelated Org0EndowmentsHeldUnrelatedOrgInd
Endowments Held Related Org0EndowmentsHeldRelatedOrgInd

Leasehold Improvements LeaseholdImprovementsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$4,769,620OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$980,596DepreciationAmt
Book Value$3,789,024BookValueAmt

Equipment EquipmentGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$1,432,474OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$637,026DepreciationAmt
Book Value$795,448BookValueAmt

Other Land Buildings OtherLandBuildingsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$715,131OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$471,227DepreciationAmt
Book Value$243,904BookValueAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Book Value Land Buildings$4,828,376TotalBookValueLandBuildingsAmt

Other Assets Org OtherAssetsOrgGrp (2 entries)

DescDescBook ValueBookValueAmt
SECURITY DEPOSIT$129,473
OPERATING LEASES RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS$5,262,418
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Book Value Other Assets$5,391,891TotalBookValueOtherAssetsAmt

Other Liabilities Org OtherLiabilitiesOrgGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
DescLEASE LIABILITIES - OPERATINGDesc
Amt$7,882,327Amt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Liability$7,882,327TotalLiabilityAmt
Footnote TextYes (X)FootnoteTextInd
Total Rev Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$40,872,655TotalRevEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Net Unrealized Gains Invst$950,827NetUnrealizedGainsInvstAmt
Revenue Not Reported$950,827RevenueNotReportedAmt
Revenue Subtotal$39,921,828RevenueSubtotalAmt
Investment Expenses Not Incld$94,935InvestmentExpensesNotIncldAmt
Revenue Not Reported Fincl Stmt$94,935RevenueNotReportedFinclStmtAmt
Total Revenue Per Form990$40,016,763TotalRevenuePerForm990Amt
Tot Expns Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$29,640,640TotExpnsEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Expenses Not Reported$0ExpensesNotReportedAmt
Expenses Subtotal$29,640,640ExpensesSubtotalAmt
Investment Expenses Not Incld2$94,935InvestmentExpensesNotIncld2Amt
Expenses Not Rpt Fincl Stmt$94,935ExpensesNotRptFinclStmtAmt
Total Expenses Per Form990$29,735,575TotalExpensesPerForm990Amt

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (2 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
PART V, LINE 4:THE FOUNDATION'S ENDOWMENT CONSISTS OF ONE INDIVIDUAL FUND ESTABLISHED PRIMARILY TO FUND OPERATIONS.
PART X, LINE 2:THE FOUNDATION IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES. ACCORDINGLY, THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. THE FOUNDATION IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS, NOR IS IT AWARE OF ANY OF ITS ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO TAX ON UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME TAXES. THE FOUNDATION FOLLOWS THE GUIDANCE IN THE INCOME TAX STANDARD REGARDING THE RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT OF UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. THE GUIDANCE CLARIFIES THE ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES RECOGNIZED IN AN ENTITY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE GUIDANCE FURTHER PRESCRIBES RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT OF TAX PROVISIONS TAKEN OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN ON A TAX RETURN THAT ARE NOT CERTAIN TO BE REALIZED. THE APPLICATION OF THIS STANDARD HAD NO IMPACT ON THE FOUNDATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE FOUNDATION'S INCOME TAX RETURNS ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND EXAMINATION BY FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

Schedule F IRS990ScheduleF

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Grant Records MaintainedYes (1)GrantRecordsMaintainedInd

Account Activities Outside US AccountActivitiesOutsideUSGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
RegionEUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND)RegionTxt
Offices0OfficesCnt
Employee0EmployeeCnt
Type Of Activities ConductedGRANTS TO RECIPIENTS LOCATED IN THE REGIONTypeOfActivitiesConductedTxt
Region Total Expenditures$60,130RegionTotalExpendituresAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Subtotal Offices0SubtotalOfficesCnt
Subtotal Employees0SubtotalEmployeesCnt
Continuation Total Office0ContinuationTotalOfficeCnt
Continuation Total Employee0ContinuationTotalEmployeeCnt
Total Office0TotalOfficeCnt
Total Employee0TotalEmployeeCnt
Subtotal Spent$60,130SubtotalSpentAmt
Continuation Spent$0ContinuationSpentAmt
Total Spent$60,130TotalSpentAmt

Grants To Org Outside US GrantsToOrgOutsideUSGrp (3 entries)

RegionRegionTxtPurpose Of GrantPurposeOfGrantTxtCash GrantCashGrantAmtManner Of Cash DisbursementMannerOfCashDisbursementTxtNon Cash AssistanceNonCashAssistanceAmt
EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND)SPONSORSHIP OF SPIKED'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY.$6,500WIRE TRANSFER$0
EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND)SPONSORSHIP OF BATTLE OF IDEAS FESTIVAL OCTOBER 19-20, 2024 IN LONDON, ENGLAND.$25,430WIRE TRANSFER$0
EUROPE (INCLUDING ICELAND & GREENLAND)FREE INQUIRY GRANT FOR DOCTORAL STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD FOR PROJECT "MEDIA SELF-CENSORSHIP IN HONG KONG AFTER THE SHUTDOWN OF APPLE DAILY".$28,200WIRE TRANSFER$0
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total501c3 Org1Total501c3OrgCnt
Total Other Org2TotalOtherOrgCnt
Transfer To Foreign Corp0TransferToForeignCorpInd
Interest In Foreign Trust0InterestInForeignTrustInd
Foreign Corp Ownership0ForeignCorpOwnershipInd
Passive Foreign Investmest Co0PassiveForeignInvestmestCoInd
Foreign Partnership0ForeignPartnershipInd
Boycott Countries0BoycottCountriesInd

Schedule I IRS990ScheduleI

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Grant Records MaintainedYes (1)GrantRecordsMaintainedInd

Recipient Table RecipientTable (16 entries)

Address Line1USAddress/AddressLine1TxtCityUSAddress/CityNmState AbbreviationUSAddress/StateAbbreviationCdZIPUSAddress/ZIPCdRecipient EINRecipientEINIRC SectionIRCSectionDescCash GrantCashGrantAmtNon Cash AssistanceNonCashAssistanceAmtPurpose Of GrantPurposeOfGrantTxt
BALAKER MEDIA FOUNDATION
3075 VIA DEL CIELOFALLBROOKCA92028823097825501(C)(3)$12,425$0PROJECT TO CREATE A FREE EXPRESSION COUNTERBALANCE IN THE FILM INDUSTRY.
ELENA VELEZ INDUSTRY INC
706 ROOSTER COURTCOLGATEWI53017861908623$15,000$0PARTNERSHIP WITH ELENA VELEZ TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF FREE EXPRESSION AT HER FASHION SHOW IN NYC.
INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
3434 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD 1ST FLOORARLINGTONVA22201941623852501(C)(3)$18,500$0CO-HOSTED HIGHER EDUCATION SUMMIT IN NASHVILLE, TN WITH THE INSTITUTE FOR HUMANE STUDIES FOR FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATORS.
NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER
525 ARCH STREET INDEPENDENCE MALLPHILADELPHIAPA19106232434447501(C)(3)$25,000$0PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER TO HOST A FIRST AMENDMENT SUMMIT ON CONSTITUTION DAY.
2WAY INTERACTIVE INC
94 9TH STREETBROOKLYNNY11215992993902$17,500$0FIRE SPONSORED THE MOYNIHAN REPORT, A CURRENT EVENTS NEWS SHOW HOSTED BY MICHAEL MOYNIHAN ON THE 2WAY PLATFORM. THE SPONSORSHIP FEATURED FIRE STAFF IN SEGMENTS, HOST-LED ADVOCACY, AND DIRECT FUNDRAISING APPEALS THAT INVITED VIEWERS TO SUPPORT FIRE'S FREE SPEECH MISSION.
MOVIEGOER INC
991 BLONCO CIRCLEBILLINGSMT59105333086492$15,000$0INCREASE FIRE'S NETWORK OF ALLIES AND BUILD GENUINE, SELF-SUSTAINING RELATIONSHIPS TO ADVANCE FIRE'S MISSION.
THE FUTURE OF FREE SPEECH
2817 WEST END AVENUE 126-629NASHVILLETN37203921415119501(C)(3)$35,144$0THIS WILL BE AN INTERNATIONAL REPLICATION OF THE CFSR SURVEY LOOKING AT BRAZILIAN CAMPUSES RUN BY JACOB MCHANGAMA'S FUTURE OF FREE SPEECH AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
2800 SOUTH UNIVERSITY DRIVEFORT WORTHTX76109750827465501(C)(3)$13,846$0CHIP STEWART WILL RUN AN EXPERIMENT EXPOSING PEOPLE TO LABELED AND UNLABELED AI-GENERATED CONTENT AND AUTHENTIC CONTENT TO SEE WHETHER AND HOW LABELING IMPACTS PEOPLE'S PERCEPTIONS OF THAT CONTENT, TO HELP UNDERSTAND IMPLICATIONS OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION MANDATING LABELING ON AI-GENERATION CONTENT.
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
3910 KESWICK ROAD N4327-BBALTIMOREMD21211520595110501(C)(3)$10,000$0JACOB BRUGGERMAN WILL CREATE AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE DEBATES OF THE CLIPPER CHIP, AN EARLY ENCRYPTION DEVICE THAT CAUSED MASSIVE DEBATES ABOUT PRIVACY AS A CIVIL LIBERTY, AND PRESAGED THE MANY DEBATES OVER PRIVACY AND TECH OF THE COMING DECADES.
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
37TH O STREETS NW BOX 571173WASHINGTONDC20057530196603501(C)(3)$35,000$0JOHN HASNAS WILL RECRUIT PAPER WRITERS AND SPEAKERS TO HOST A SYMPOSIUM ON THE ETHICS OF FREE SPEECH ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES AT GEORGETOWN, WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
2650 KENNY ROAD ROOM 120COLUMBUSOH43210316025986GOV INSTRUMENTALITY$12,050$0EDWARD HOHE WILL USE A SURVEY INSTRUMENT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW STUDENTS WHO SELF-CENSOR CONCEPTUALIZE THAT SELF-CENSORSHIP, BY OFFERING HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS AND SEEING WHAT VARIABLES CAUSE THEM TO INDICATE THAT THEY WOULDN'T SELF-CENSOR.
THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
3451 WALNUT STREET 5TH FLOORPHILADELPHIAPA19104231352685501(C)(3)$11,000$0RUNNING A SURVEY ON ACADEMICS TO SEE WHETHER AND HOW SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND MAY RELATE TO VIEWS ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND FREE SPEECH, TO TEST THE HYPOTHESIS THAT THOSE FROM DIVERSE, BLUE COLLAR, OR LOW SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS MAY SHOW GREATER TOLERANCE FOR DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AND HETERODOX VIEWS THAN ACADEMICS THAT COME FROM HOMOGENEOUS, ELITE, OR HIGH SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS.
PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
1033 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE 2ND FLOORCAMBRIDGEMA02138042103580501(C)(3)$50,000$0THIS IS AN INTERVENTION STUDY THAT WILL TEST THE HKS PRACTICE OF TRAINING STUDENTS IN CIVIL DISAGREEMENT BY HAVING THEM INTERACT WITH AI CHATBOTS TO DEBATE HOT-BUTTON SOCIAL ISSUES AS PART OF ORIENTATION. ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS RELATING TO CIVIL DISAGREEMENT WILL BE MEASURED BEFORE AND AFTER EXPOSURE TO THE INTERVENTION.
THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
3451 WALNUT STREET 5TH FLOORPHILADELPHIAPA19104231352685501(C)(3)$22,000$0SURVEYS WILL BE UTILIZED TO FIND DIFFERENCES IN SUPPORT AMONG THE AMERICAN PUBLIC FOR THE LEGALITY OF DISAGREEABLE SPEECH AND PROTEST FOR CITIZENS AND NONCITIZENS AND STUDENTS AND NON-STUDENTS.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
4202 EAST FOWLER AVENUE SVC1039TAMPAFL33620593102112GOV INSTRUMENTALITY$24,279$0MARK PEZZO WILL DO 5 PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTS TO SEE HOW DIFFERENT FACTORS INFLUENCE DESIRE TO CENSOR IN THE EDUCATIONAL CONTEXT, INCLUDING PERCEIVED OFFENSIVENESS, FALSITY, AND HARM, AS WELL AS PRAGMATIC CONCERNS (LOSS OF INCOME, HARM TO REPUTATION).
COSMOS INSTITUTE INC
500 WEST 2ND STREET SUITE 1900AUSTINTX78701933752918501(C)(3)$250,000$0FIRE AND COSMOS INSTITUTE ARE COLLABORATING ON A FAST GRANTS PROJECT TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRUTH-SEEKING AI.
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total501c3 Org13Total501c3OrgCnt
Total Other Org3TotalOtherOrgCnt

Grants Other Asst To Indiv In US GrantsOtherAsstToIndivInUSGrp (3 entries)

Grant TypeGrantTypeTxtRecipientRecipientCntCash GrantCashGrantAmtNon Cash AssistanceNonCashAssistanceAmtValuation Method UsedValuationMethodUsedDescNon Cash AssistanceNonCashAssistanceDesc
CAMPUS SCHOLAR PROGRAM5$7,500$422FMVEXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS
TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS23$9,760FMVAIRLINE & TRAIN TICKETS FOR STUDENTS TO ATTEND FIRE'S FREE SPEECH FORUM IN WASHINGTON, DC.
FREE INQUIRY GRANT1$8,000FMV

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (2 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
PART I, LINE 2:GRANT FUNDS ARE GIVEN TO FULFILL THE ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION AND ONLY FOR 501(C)(3) PURPOSES. REGULAR CHECK-IN MEETINGS ARE HELD WITH THOSE THAT RECEIVE GRANT FUNDS TO MONITOR USE OF GRANT FUNDS. GRANTEES OF THE FREE INQUIRY GRANT (FIG) PROGRAM MUST: 1. PROVIDE FIRE WITH A WRITTEN REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT AND USE OF THE GRANT EVERY FOUR MONTHS BEGINNING ON THE DATE GRANT FUNDS ARE FIRST DISBURSED TO GRANTEE; AND 2. MAINTAIN BOOKS AND RECORDS REGARDING THE USE OF THE GRANT, INCLUDING COMPLETE RECORDS OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES, AND MAKE THEM AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY FIRE FOR A PERIOD OF FOUR (4) YEARS FOLLOWING USE OF THE GRANT. STUDENTS APPLY FOR THE CAMPUS SCHOLARS PROGRAM DURING A BIANNUAL APPLICATION WINDOW. FIRE THEN EVALUATES APPLICATIONS, CONDUCTS INTERVIEWS, AND SELECTS A LIMITED NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS. FIRE PROVIDES FUNDS TO ASSIST WITH A FIRE MISSION-CENTRIC PROJECT AND REGULARLY MEETS WITH THE CAMPUS SCHOLAR TO CHECK ON THEIR PROGRESS. STUDENTS ARE AWARDED A STIPEND UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THEIR PROJECT.
PART III, COLUMN (B):STUDENTS SUBMITTED TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS INCLUDING JUSTIFICATION OF NEED FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH TRAVEL COSTS TO ATTEND THE FREE SPEECH FORUM. OF THE 200 PARTICIPANTS, 23 RECEIVED TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS.

Schedule J IRS990ScheduleJ

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Compensation CommitteeYes (X)CompensationCommitteeInd
Independent ConsultantYes (X)IndependentConsultantInd
Form990 Of Other OrganizationsYes (X)Form990OfOtherOrganizationsInd
Compensation SurveyYes (X)CompensationSurveyInd
Board Or Committee ApprovalYes (X)BoardOrCommitteeApprovalInd
Severance PaymentYes (1)SeverancePaymentInd
Supplemental Nonqual Rtr Plan0SupplementalNonqualRtrPlanInd
Equity Based Comp Arrngm0EquityBasedCompArrngmInd
Comp Based On Revenue Of Flng Org0CompBasedOnRevenueOfFlngOrgInd
Comp Bsd On Rev Related Orgs0CompBsdOnRevRelatedOrgsInd
Comp Bsd Net Earns Flng Org0CompBsdNetEarnsFlngOrgInd
Comp Bsd Net Earns Rltd Orgs0CompBsdNetEarnsRltdOrgsInd
Any Non Fixed PaymentsYes (1)AnyNonFixedPaymentsInd
Initial Contract Exception0InitialContractExceptionInd

Rltd Org Officer Trst Key Empl RltdOrgOfficerTrstKeyEmplGrp (10 entries)

TitleTitleTxtBase Compensation Filing OrgBaseCompensationFilingOrgAmtCompensation Based On Rltd OrgsCompensationBasedOnRltdOrgsAmtBonus Filing OrganizationBonusFilingOrganizationAmountBonus Related OrganizationsBonusRelatedOrganizationsAmtOther Compensation Filing OrgOtherCompensationFilingOrgAmtOther Compensation Rltd OrgsOtherCompensationRltdOrgsAmtDeferred Compensation Flng OrgDeferredCompensationFlngOrgAmtDeferred Comp Rltd OrgsDeferredCompRltdOrgsAmtNontaxable Benefits Filing OrgNontaxableBenefitsFilingOrgAmtNontaxable Benefits Rltd OrgsNontaxableBenefitsRltdOrgsAmtTotal Compensation Filing OrgTotalCompensationFilingOrgAmtTotal Compensation Rltd OrgsTotalCompensationRltdOrgsAmtComp Report Prior990 Filing OrgCompReportPrior990FilingOrgAmtComp Report Prior990 Rltd OrgsCompReportPrior990RltdOrgsAmt
GREGORY LUKIANOFF
PRESIDENT AND CEO$584,657$0$0$0$37,000$0$22,512$0$22,887$0$667,056$0$0$0
ALISHA GLENNON
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER$398,607$0$3,000$0$0$0$23,000$0$22,887$0$447,494$0$0$0
BOB CORN REVERE
CHIEF COUNSEL$395,432$0$2,500$0$2,500$0$22,632$0$17,497$0$440,561$0$0$0
WILLIAM CREELEY
LEGAL DIRECTOR$353,557$0$3,000$0$11,000$0$20,300$0$22,887$0$410,744$0$0$0
RONALD LONDON
GENERAL COUNSEL$288,429$0$10,000$0$1,000$0$17,306$0$22,887$0$339,622$0$0$0
NICHOLAS PERRINO
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT$275,251$0$3,000$0$1,000$0$16,515$0$22,887$0$318,653$0$0$0
DARPANA SHETH
VP OF LITIGATION THROUGH NOV 2024$142,747$0$0$0$106,250$0$15,300$0$22,887$0$287,184$0$0$0
MATT HARWOOD
VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNIC$186,603$0$2,500$0$0$0$11,196$0$22,887$0$223,186$0$0$0
BRIDGET GLACKIN
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER$170,916$0$15,000$0$0$0$10,255$0$22,809$0$218,980$0$0$0
SULEYMAN GOKYIGIT
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER$180,772$0$7,500$0$0$0$0$0$7,868$0$196,140$0$0$0

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (2 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
PART I, LINE 4ANAME: DARPANA SHETH, DESCRIPTION: SEVERANCE/CHANGE OF CONTROL, CURRENT YEAR AMOUNT: $106,250. PLAN DESCRIPTION: SEVERANCE PAYMENTS
PART I, LINE 7DISCRETIONARY BONUSES MAY BE APPROVED BY AN EMPLOYEE'S MANAGER OR, FOR THE PRESIDENT & CEO, BY THE BOARD. OTHER EARNINGS FOR INDIVIDUALS ARE DUE TO HONORARIUMS THAT WERE PAID FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS IN WHICH TEAM MEMBERS PARTICIPATED.

Schedule M IRS990ScheduleM

Securities Miscellaneous SecuritiesMiscellaneousGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Non Cash CheckboxYes (X)NonCashCheckboxInd
Contribution39ContributionCnt
Noncash Contributions Rpt F990$1,396,087NoncashContributionsRptF990Amt
Method Of Determining RevenuesFAIR MARKET VALUEMethodOfDeterminingRevenuesTxt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form8283 Received0Form8283ReceivedCnt
Any Property That Must Be Held0AnyPropertyThatMustBeHeldInd
Review Process Unusual NC GiftsYes (1)ReviewProcessUnusualNCGiftsInd
Third Parties Used0ThirdPartiesUsedInd

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form And Line ReferencePART I, COLUMN (B):FormAndLineReferenceDesc
ExplanationTHE FIGURE IN THIS COLUMN REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF DONORS IN THE GIVEN CATEGORY.ExplanationTxt

Schedule O IRS990ScheduleO

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (11 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 3YES. FIRST, WE ENDED OUR FACULTY OUTREACH PROGRAM AS A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT, MOVING THOSE EFFORTS UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO STREAMLINE OUR WORK AND ENSURE EFFICIENCY. THROUGH THOSE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, FIRE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACULTY TO CONNECT WITH PEERS WHILE ACCESSING AND CONTRIBUTING TO FIRE'S RESEARCH. WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO DEFEND FACULTY WHOSE EXPRESSIVE RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED. ADDITIONALLY, WE ENDED OUR ENGAGEMENT AND MOBILIZATION PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR LAUNCHING TAKE-ACTION CAMPAIGNS, LIKE PETITIONS, EMAIL-WRITING INITIATIVES, AND OPEN LETTERS, THAT RALLIED CONCERNED CITIZENS AND OTHER ADVOCATES TO SPEAK OUT ON BEHALF OF FREE EXPRESSION. CAMPAIGNS LIKE THESE ARE IMPORTANT, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO LAUNCH THEM, BUT THEY USUALLY SUPPORT CASES THAT FIRE'S CAMPUS RIGHTS ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC ADVOCACY TEAMS ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON. THEREFORE, TO STREAMLINE THESE EFFORTS, WE MOVED OUR ENGAGEMENT AND MOBILIZATION STAFFERS TO THOSE DEPARTMENTS.
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4CIN ADDITION TO DIRECT LITIGATION, FIRE PARTICIPATES AS AMICUS CURIAE IN STRATEGICALLY CHOSEN CASES TO SUPPORT CRITICAL LEGAL ARGUMENTS AND ADVANCE IMPORTANT PRECEDENT. FINALLY, THE LITIGATION PROJECT WORKS TO POSITION FIRE AS A THOUGHT LEADER IN FIRST AMENDMENT JURISPRUDENCE BY PUBLISHING OPINION PIECES AND LEGAL SCHOLARSHIP, TEACHING CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COURSES, AND RECRUITING LIKE-MINDED ATTORNEYS FOR OUR LEGAL NETWORK AND FACULTY LEGAL DEFENSE FUND. BETWEEN JULY 1, 2024 AND JUNE 30, 2025, FIRE WAS IN ACTIVE LITIGATION IN 32 CASES, FURTHERING ITS MISSION. 1. DIEI V. BOYD, ET AL., CASE NO. 23-5771 (6TH CIR.): FIRE REPRESENTS FORMER GRADUATE PHARMACY STUDENT KIMBERLY DIEI IN THIS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AND ITS ADMINISTRATORS. DIEI WAS INVESTIGATED TWICE BY HER PROGRAM'S "PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT COMMITTEE" BECAUSE OF ALLEGATIONS THAT HER PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY WAS TOO "CRUDE," "VULGAR, AND "SEXUAL." AFTER THE DISTRICT COURT DISMISSED THE CASE ON THE PLEADINGS, DIEI APPEALED TO THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT, WHICH RULED IN DIEI'S FAVOR IN SEPTEMBER 2024. IN JANUARY 2025, THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AGREED TO PAY MS. DIEI $250,000 IN DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY SEEKING TO (A) PROTECT A STUDENT'S OFF-CAMPUS, EXTRAMURAL, AND ONLINE SPEECH AND (B) ESTABLISH CONSTITUTIONAL CONSTRAINTS ON A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY'S DISCRETION TO PUNISH EXPRESSION IT SUBJECTIVELY DEEMS "UNPROFESSIONAL." 2. FIRE V. TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY, CASE NO. 11-23-00232 (COURT OF APPEALS, 15TH CT. APP., TEX.): IN FEBRUARY 2022, FIRE SUED TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY FOR FAILING TO DISCLOSE PUBLIC RECORDS UNDER THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT. FIRE SOUGHT INFORMATION ABOUT A FORMER PROFESSOR WHO THREATENED TO SUE THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER, TEXAN NEWS SERVICE, FOR DEFAMATION AFTER IT ACCURATELY REPORTED ON ALLEGATIONS OF HIS INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT TOWARD FEMALE STUDENTS. TARLETON PRESSURED THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER TO TAKE DOWN THE ARTICLES OR RISK LOSING FUNDING, THEN TOOK OVER THE PAPER, WHICH PREVIOUSLY HAD BEEN EDITORIALLY INDEPENDENT. THE TRIAL COURT ORDERED TARLETON TO PRODUCE THE RECORDS AND AWARDED FIRE ITS COSTS AND FEES. AFTER TARLETON MOVED TO RECONSIDER, THE COURT UPHELD ITS ORDER TO DISCLOSE THE RECORDS BUT REVERSED ITS GRANT OF COSTS AND FEES. IN MAY 2025, THE TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS REVERSED OUR WIN, HOLDING THE UNIVERSITY'S DECISION TO WITHHOLD "STUDENT RECORDS" UNDER FERPA IS NOT JUDICIALLY REVIEWABLE, EVEN AFTER FIRE ARGUED, WITH EVIDENTIARY SUPPORT, THAT SOME OF THE WITHHELD RECORDS DO NOT PERTAIN TO STUDENTS AT ALL. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY HOLDING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR VIOLATIONS OF PRESS FREEDOM AND BY VIGOROUSLY PURSUING THE DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS MADE PUBLIC UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW. 3. REGES V. CAUCE, CASE NO. 0:24-CV-03518 (9TH CIR.): FIRE REPRESENTS COMPUTER SCIENCE PROFESSOR STUART REGES, WHO FACES POTENTIAL TERMINATION FOR INCLUDING ON HIS SYLLABUS A SATIRICAL CRITIQUE OF THE "INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT" THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ENCOURAGES FACULTY TO INCLUDE ON THEIR SYLLABI. UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS PUNISHED REGES FOR HIS PROTECTED SPEECH BY CENSORING THE ONLINE VERSION OF HIS SYLLABUS, CREATING A COMPETING SECTION OF HIS CLASS, AND INVESTIGATING HIM FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS UNDER A VAGUE POLICY THAT PROHIBITS "UNACCEPTABLE AND "INAPPROPRIATE" SPEECH. AFTER THE DISTRICT COURT DISMISSED REGES'S CLAIMS IN MAY 2024, FIRE APPEALED TO THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT, WHICH HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS IN MAY 2025. WE ARE NOW AWAITING THE NINTH CIRCUIT'S DECISION. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY STANDING UP FOR FACULTY RIGHTS TO EXPRESS DISSENTING OPINIONS ON CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS AND TO MANAGE THE CONTENTS OF THEIR SYLLABI WITHOUT RETALIATION. 4. FLORES V. BENNETT, CASE NO. 22-01003 (E.D. CA.): FIRE REPRESENTED THE YOUNG AMERICANS FOR FREEDOM STUDENT GROUP AT CLOVIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THIS LAWSUIT, WHICH CHALLENGED THE COLLEGE'S POLICY BANNING FLYERS WITH "INAPPROPRIATE OR OFFENS[IVE] LANGUAGE OR THEMES." CITING THIS POLICY, ADMINISTRATORS REMOVED THE GROUP'S ANTI-COMMUNISM FLYERS FROM THE INDOOR SCHOOL BULLETIN BOARDS AND REJECTED THE GROUP'S FLYERS WITH PRO-LIFE AND OTHER THEMES. IN AUGUST 2023, THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT UPHELD THE DISTRICT COURT'S INJUNCTION AGAINST THE COLLEGE'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL FLYER POLICY. IN JULY 2024, THE DISTRICT COURT ENTERED AN ORDER ON A JOINT MOTION FOR ENTRY OF A STIPULATED PERMANENT INJUNCTION, PART OF WHICH REQUIRED CCC TO PAY PLAINTIFFS $330,000 IN DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING STUDENTS' RIGHTS TO FREELY EXPRESS THEIR POLITICAL VIEWPOINTS AT PUBLIC COLLEGES. 5. NOVOA V. DIAZ, CASE NO. 22-13994 (11TH CIR.): IN THIS FIRST AMENDMENT CHALLENGE TO FLORIDA'S STOP WOKE ACT, FIRE REPRESENTS UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA PROFESSOR DR. ADRIANA NOVOA AND STUDENT GROUP USF FIRST AMENDMENT FORUM. THE ACT VIOLATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF FACULTY AND STUDENTS BY PROHIBITING "INSTRUCTION" ON EIGHT CONCEPTS RELATED TO "RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR SEX." AFTER THE DISTRICT COURT HALTED ENFORCEMENT OF KEY PARTS OF THE "POSITIVELY DYSTOPIAN" ACT, THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT DENIED FLORIDA'S REQUEST TO STAY THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION. ON APPEAL, 11 "FRIEND OF THE COURT" BRIEFS WERE FILED IN SUPPORT OF FIRE'S CLIENTS. THE CASE AWAITS A MERITS RULING BY THE FEDERAL APPEALS COURT, WHICH HEARD ORAL ARGUMENT IN JUNE 2024. THIS LITIGATION FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY STOPPING THE GOVERNMENT FROM IMPOSING IDEOLOGICAL HANDCUFFS ON FACULTY'S RIGHTS TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND STUDENTS' RIGHTS TO RECEIVE INFORMATION. 6. VILLARREAL V. CITY OF LAREDO, CASE NO. 23-1155 (SCOTUS): FIRE REPRESENTS CITIZEN JOURNALIST PRISCILLA VILLARREAL IN THIS LAWSUIT CHALLENGING HER ARREST FOR ASKING A POLICE OFFICER FOR INFORMATION AS PART OF HER NEWS REPORTING. OFFICIALS RELIED ON A CRIMINAL STATUTEONE THEY HAD NEVER ENFORCED IN THE LAW'S 23-YEAR HISTORYPROHIBITING PEOPLE FROM USING INFORMATION THAT "HAS NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC" TO "OBTAIN A BENEFIT." AFTER THE DISTRICT COURT GRANTED LAREDO OFFICIALS QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, A PANEL OF THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT REVERSED. REHEARING THE CASE EN BANC, THE FULL FIFTH CIRCUIT RULED 9-7 THAT THE OFFICERS WERE ENTITLED TO QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, WITH FOUR JUDGES AUTHORING VIGOROUS DISSENTS. FIRE PETITIONED FOR CERTIORARI WITH THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES AND GARNERED 13 "FRIEND-OF-THE-COURT" BRIEFS IN SUPPORT, REPRESENTING OVER 40 INDIVIDUALS, CIVIL-LIBERTIES GROUPS, AND MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS. IN OCTOBER 2024, SCOTUS GRANTED FIRE'S PETITION FOR CERTIORARI IN VILLARREAL V. ALANIZ AND SUMMARILY VACATED THE FIFTH CIRCUIT'S RULING DISMISSING PRISCILLA'S CASE. HOWEVER, IN APRIL 2025, THE FIFTH CIRCUIT MOSTLY REINSTATED ITS PREVIOUS RULING; NOW, FIRE IS ONCE AGAIN ASKING THE SUPREME COURT TO INTERVENE. THIS LITIGATION FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY CONTRIBUTING TO A WELL-INFORMED PUBLIC, FREE FROM FEAR THAT OFFICIALS WILL ABUSE THE LAWS TO TRY TO SILENCE THEIR CRITICS.
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C7. VOLOKH V. JAMES, CASE NO. 23-356 (2ND CIR.): FIRE REPRESENTS EUGENE VOLOKH AND ONLINE PLATFORMS RUMBLE AND LOCALS IN A FEDERAL CHALLENGE TO A NEW YORK LAW TARGETING SO-CALLED "HATE SPEECH" BY REQUIRING ONLINE PLATFORMS TO RESPOND TO OR ADDRESS SPEECH THAT SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, FINDS "HUMILIATING OR "VILIFYING" TOWARD A GROUP BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, OR OTHER PROTECTED CLASS. AFTER THE DISTRICT COURT GRANTED A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT HEARD ORAL ARGUMENT IN FEBRUARY 2024. AS OF JULY 2025, THE CASE IS AWAITING A DECISION ON APPEAL AFTER THE PARTIES SUBMITTED SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEFING. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING ONLINE SPEECH FROM GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE AND HOLDING THE LINE AGAINST GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF "HATE SPEECH," WHICH IS PROTECTED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT. 8. O.J. V. CHAPPAQUA CENTER SCHOOL DIST., CASE NO. 7:2024-CV-02830 (S.D.N.Y.): FIRE REPRESENTED A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO WAS SUSPENDED IN 2022 AFTER HE RECORDED SATIRICAL AND SOPHOMORIC FREESTYLE RAP LYRICS AT A FRIENDS' HOUSE. UNKNOWN TO HIM, HIS FRIEND COMBINED HIS LYRICS WHICH INCLUDED HOMOPHOBIC SLURS WITH THOSE OF ANOTHER TEEN AND POSTED THE RECORDING ON SOUNDCLOUD. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, WHO LEARNED OF THE RECORDING THROUGH ANONYMOUS COMPLAINTS, DEEMED THE LYRICS TO BE "HATE SPEECH" EVEN THOUGH THE PLAINTIFF IS A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY. IN JUNE 2025, THE SCHOOL AGREED TO PERMANENTLY EXPUNGE O.J.'S RECORD, ADOPT A NEW FIRST AMENDMENT POLICY, AND PAY $70,000. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES ONLINE, ON THEIR OWN TIME, OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, ESPECIALLY WHERE THEIR ARTISTIC EXPRESSION IS UNRELATED TO AND DOES NOT DISRUPT SCHOOL. 9. D.A. V. TRI COUNTY AREA SCHOOLS, CASE NO. 1:23-423 (6TH CIR.): FIRE REPRESENTS TWO MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MICHIGAN IN A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL'S VIEWPOINT-DISCRIMINATORY BAN ON "LET'S GO BRANDON" APPAREL AND ITS DRESS CODE THAT BANS CLOTHING "CALL[ING] UNDUE ATTENTION" TO THE STUDENT. SCHOOL OFFICIALS ORDERED THE STUDENTS TO REMOVE SWEATSHIRTS WITH THE PHRASE "LET'S GO BRANDON," A WELL-KNOWN, NON-PROFANE, ANTI-PRESIDENT BIDEN SLOGAN, WHILE ALLOWING OTHER STUDENTS TO WEAR APPAREL WITH DIFFERENT POLITICAL MESSAGES, INCLUDING GAY-PRIDE-THEMED HOODIES. IN AUGUST 2024, THE DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN UPHELD THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S CENSORSHIP OF "LET'S GO BRANDON" APPAREL, A DECISION FIRE APPEALED IN DECEMBER 2024. IN JUNE 2025, THE 6TH CIRCUIT HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS, AND FIRE NOW AWAITS THE COURT'S DECISION. THIS LITIGATION FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION TO PROTECT STUDENT SPEECH IN K-12, ESPECIALLY CORE POLITICAL SPEECH, AND PREVENT SCHOOLS FROM ENGAGING IN VIEWPOINT DISCRIMINATION. 10. I.P. V. TULLAHOMA CITY SCHOOLS, CASE NO. 4:23-CV-26 (E.D. TENN.): FIRE REPRESENTS A STUDENT CHALLENGING HIS SUSPENSION FOR IMAGES HE POSTED ON HIS PERSONAL INSTAGRAM MOCKING HIS HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL. ALTHOUGH THE POSTS DID NOT DISRUPT SCHOOL, PRINCIPAL JASON QUICK AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CRUTCHFIELD SLAPPED THE STUDENT WITH A THREE-DAY, OUT-OF-SCHOOL SUSPENSION, RELYING ON THE SCHOOL'S SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES, INCLUDING ONE PROHIBITING STUDENTS FROM POSTS THAT "EMBARRASS," "DISCREDIT, OR "HUMILIATE" ANOTHER STUDENT OR SCHOOL STAFF. AFTER FIRE MOVED FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION TO REMOVE THE SUSPENSION FROM THE STUDENT'S RECORD AND TO HALT ENFORCEMENT OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT VOLUNTARILY REMOVED THE CHALLENGED POLICIES FROM ITS STUDENT HANDBOOK. THE CASE IS SET FOR TRIAL IN JANUARY 2026 AS TO REMAINING ISSUES. THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF GRADE-SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN ONLINE PARODY AND EXPRESSION, EVEN WHEN CRITICIZING THEIR SCHOOL. 11. SPECTRUM WT V. WENDLER, CASE NO. 23-10994 (5TH CIR.): FIRE REPRESENTS SPECTRUM WT, AN LGBTQ+ STUDENT ORGANIZATION AT WEST TEXAS A&M, ALONG WITH ITS STUDENT LEADERS, BARRETT "BEAR" BRIGHT AND LAUREN "LAUR" STOVALL IN A CHALLENGE TO WEST TEXAS A&M'S PRESIDENT'S CANCELING OF THE GROUP'S DRAG SHOW. PRESIDENT WALTER WENDLER DENOUNCED DRAG AS "SLAPSTICK" INTENDED TO "DENIGRATE AND DEMEAN WOMEN AND DECLARED HE WOULD NOT CONDONE SUCH SPEECH, "EVEN WHEN THE LAW OF THE LAND APPEARS TO REQUIRE IT." AFTER THE DISTRICT COURT DENIED THE STUDENTS' MOTION FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND DISMISSED THE DAMAGES CLAIM AGAINST PRESIDENT WENDLER, THE STUDENTS APPEALED TO THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT, WHICH HEARD ORAL ARGUMENT IN APRIL 2024. AS OF JULY 2025, FIRE AWAITS THE FIFTH CIRCUIT'S DECISION. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY DEFENDING STUDENTS' RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES. 12. BOREN V. GADWA, NO. 50604-2023 (IDAHO): FIRE IS REPRESENTING GARY GADWA IN THIS APPEAL FROM THE DISMISSAL OF A DEFAMATION SUIT. GADWA VOCALLY OPPOSED A WEALTHY LANDOWNER'S APPLICATION FOR AN AIRSTRIP ON HIS 480-ACRE RANCH IN THE SAWTOOTH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA BECAUSE HE BELIEVED THE AIRSTRIP WAS UNNECESSARY AND WOULD MAR THE AREA'S SCENIC VALUE. ALTHOUGH THE COUNTY GRANTED THE PERMIT, BOREN NEVERTHELESS SUED GADWA AND OTHER IDAHOANS FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST HIM. AFTER THE IDAHO TRIAL COURT CORRECTLY DISMISSED BOREN'S LAWSUIT, RECOGNIZING THE THREAT THE DEFAMATION SUIT POSED TO FREE EXPRESSION, BOREN APPEALED TO THE IDAHO SUPREME COURT. THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY DEFENDING AGAINST ATTEMPTS TO INTIMIDATE CRITICS INTO SILENCE WITH STRATEGIC LAWSUITS AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. 13. KERSHNAR V. KOLISON, CASE NO. 1:23-CV-525 (W.D.N.Y.): FIRE REPRESENTS TENURED PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR DR. STEPHEN KERSHNAR IN THIS LAWSUIT AGAINST SUNY FREDONIA. IN FEBRUARY 2022, SUNY FREDONIA'S LEADERSHIP SUSPENDED KERSHNAR FROM TEACHING, BANNED HIM FROM CAMPUS, AND PROHIBITED HIM FROM CONTACTING THE "CAMPUS COMMUNITY" OVER WHAT THE UNIVERSITY CALLED "REPREHENSIBLE" VIEWS SHARED ON TWO PHILOSOPHY PODCASTS ABOUT THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND ETHICAL ARGUMENTS CONCERNING SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MINORS AND ADULTS. THIS LAWSUIT FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY STOPPING PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES FROM RETALIATING AGAINST PROFESSORS FOR AND IMPOSING PRIOR RESTRAINTS ON SPEECH PROTECTED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT. 14. PALSGAARD V. CHRISTIAN, CASE 1:23-CV-01228-SAB (E.D. CAL.): FIRE REPRESENTED SIX TENURED PROFESSORS IN THIS FIRST AMENDMENT CHALLENGE TO CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY (DEIA) REGULATIONS, WHICH REQUIRE ALL COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROFESSORS TO INCORPORATE THE STATE'S VIEWS ON DEIA INTO THEIR TEACHING. IN JANUARY 2025, THE DISTRICT COURT RULED IN FAVOR OF THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT ON GROUNDS THE LAW DID NOT REACH THE PROFESSORS' INTENDED EXPRESSION AND THERE WAS NO APPEAL TO THIS RULING THAT THE CHALLENGED PROVISIONS COULD NOT APPLY TO THE PROFESSORS' DETRIMENT. THIS CASE FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITY FACULTY, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO NOT BE COMPELLED TO SPEAK.
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C15. DUBASH V. CITY OF HOUSTON, ET AL., CASE 4:23-CV-03556 (5TH CIR.): FIRE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS'S LAW AND RELIGION CLINIC REPRESENT ANIMAL-RIGHTS ADVOCATES, DARAIUS DUBASH AND FARAZ HARSINI, WHO PEACEFULLY SHOW DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE OF INDUSTRIAL ANIMAL PRACTICES ON HAND-HELD SCREENS TO PASSERSBY IN DISCOVERY GREEN PARK. THREE TIMES, HOUSTON OFFICIALS AND THE GROUP THAT RUNS THE PUBLIC PARK KICKED DUBASH AND HARSINI OUT OF THE PARK, DESPITE ALLOWING OTHER GROUPS TO DEMONSTRATE IN DISCOVERY GREEN OVER RECENT YEARS. ON THE FOURTH TIME, HOUSTON POLICE HANDCUFFED AND ARRESTED DUBASH BECAUSE THEY AND PARK STAFF FOUND THE DOCUMENTARY FOOTAGE "OFFENSIVE." AFTER AN UNFAVORABLE RULING FROM THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, FIRE APPEALED TO THE FIFTH CIRCUIT. THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT OF CITIZENS TO PEACEFULLY PROTEST AND EXPRESS THEIR POLITICAL OPINIONS IN A PUBLIC PARK. 16. GIBBONS V. PHIPPS, CASE 2:23-CV-00138 (E.D. TENN.): FIRE REPRESENTS JOSHUA GIBBONS IN THIS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY OF KINGSPORT, ITS OFFICIALS, AND POLICE OFFICERS FOR ARRESTING HIM IN RETALIATION FOR CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED EXPRESSION. GIBBONS IS A FREQUENT CRITIC OF THE KINGSPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT, RECORDING POLICE OFFICERS AND EXPOSING THEIR MISCONDUCT ON HIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL. AFTER GIBBONS POSTED A VIDEO SHOWING A POLICE OFFICER SPEEDING IN HIS CRUISER, THE KINGSPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT, WITH THE BLESSING OF ITS SENIOR LEADERSHIP, SENT EIGHT, HEAVILY ARMED OFFICERS TO ARREST HIM IN A PRE-DAWN RAID IN OCTOBER 2022 FOR ALLEGED SPEEDING, UNLAWFUL USE OF A CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING, AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT. THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING AMERICANS' FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO CRITICIZE PUBLIC OFFICIALS ONLINE. 17. ZOULEK V. HASS, CASE 2:24-CV-00031 (D. UTAH): FIRE IS PARTNERING WITH DAVIS, WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF UTAH'S LATEST SOCIAL MEDIA AGE-VERIFICATION LAW, WHICH TAKES EFFECT OCTOBER 1, 2024. THE UTAH MINOR PROTECTION IN SOCIAL MEDIA ACT REQUIRES EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA USER TO VERIFY THEIR AGE OR ELSE BE RESTRICTED TO A VERSION OF SOCIAL MEDIA THAT ESSENTIALLY MAKES THEM AND THEIR SPEECH INVISIBLE TO ANY USER TO WHOM THEY ARE NOT ALREADY CONNECTED. PLAINTIFFS ARE TEENS WHO USE SOCIAL MEDIA, THEIR PARENTS, ADULTS WHO ESCAPED ABUSIVE HOMES AND USE SOCIAL NETWORKS TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, AND A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT USES SOCIAL MEDIA TO TEACH TEENS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ADVOCACY. IN SEPTEMBER 2024, THE DISTRICT OF UTAH GRANTED THE PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, AND THE CASE IS CURRENTLY STAYED, PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE APPEAL IN NETCHOICE V. BROWN, AFTER WHICH FIRE PLANS TO FILE AN AMENDED COMPLAINT. THIS LITIGATION FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY FIGHTING AGAINST LAWS THAT SEEK TO REGULATE AND CHILL THE ONLINE SPEECH OF BOTH ADULTS AND MINORS. 18. NETCHOICE V. BONTA, CASE NO. 5:22-CV-08861-BLF (9TH CIR.): FIRE IS PARTNERING WITH DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE, LLP TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE CALIFORNIA AGE-APPROPRIATE DESIGN CODE ACT. THE LAW REQUIRES EVERY ONLINE PLATFORM TO COMPLETE AND REGULARLY REVIEW A DATA PROTECTION IMPACT ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PLATFORM'S CONTENT, ALGORITHMS, AND USE OF MINORS' DATA MIGHT BE "DETRIMENTAL" TO MINORS. IF THE PLATFORM IDENTIFIES ANY RISK OF "MATERIAL DETRIMENT" TO MINORS, IT MUST CREATE A PLAN TO MITIGATE OR ELIMINATE THE RISK BEFORE CHILDREN CAN ACCESS THE PLATFORM. THE LAW ALSO IMPOSES NUMEROUS TRANSPARENCY AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON PLATFORMS. IN MARCH 2025, THE NINTH CIRCUIT GRANTED NETCHOICE'S REQUEST FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AGAINST THE CAADCA. THIS LITIGATION FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY FIGHTING AGAINST LAWS THAT SEEK TO REGULATE AND CHILL THE ONLINE SPEECH OF BOTH ADULTS AND MINORS. 19. GRAY V. CITY OF ALPHARETTA, GA, CASE 1:23-CV-00463-MLB (N.D. GA.): FIRE REPRESENTS JEFF GRAY IN THIS FEDERAL LAWSUIT CHALLENGING HIS ARREST FOR HOLDING A "GOD BLESS THE HOMELESS VETS" SIGN OUTSIDE ALPHARETTA CITY HALL TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE PLIGHT OF HOMELESS VETERANS. WITHIN MINUTES OF GRAY ARRIVING AT CITY HALL, LT. ARICK FURR, ORDERED GRAY TO LEAVE BECAUSE "PANHANDLING" WAS ILLEGAL AND HOLDING THE SIGN WAS ITSELF "PANHANDLING." WHEN GRAY REFUSED TO LEAVE AND RECORDED THE ENCOUNTER, LT. FURR DETAINED GRAY AND DEMANDED HIS IDENTIFICATION. GRAY REFUSED AND LT. FURR PLACED GRAY IN HANDCUFFS, SEARCHED HIM, AND TURNED OFF HIS CAMERA. IN JANUARY 2023, FIRE SUED ON GRAY'S BEHALF TO VINDICATE HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND END ALPHARETTA'S UNWRITTEN BAN ON "PANHANDLING." IN JULY 2024, THE CITY OF ALPHARETTA SETTLED THE CASE, AGREEING TO (1) PROHIBIT ITS POLICE OFFICERS FROM TELLING PEOPLE THAT PANHANDLING IS BANNED; (2) SUBJECT OFFICERS TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR VIOLATING FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, (3) PROVIDE TRAINING TO OFFICERS ON THE FIRST AMENDMENT; AND (4) PAY $55,000 IN DAMAGES AND ATTORNEYS FEES. THIS CASE FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC AREAS, THE RIGHT TO ENGAGE IN ANONYMOUS EXPRESSION, AND THE RIGHT TO RECORD POLICE OFFICERS. 20. ADAMS V. GULLEY, NO. CCH-24-587004 (S.F. SUPER. CT.): FIRE DEFENDED PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT AMY GULLEY AGAINST A CIVIL-HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDER AND STRATEGIC LAWSUIT AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BROUGHT BY A BRITISH EXPAT LIVING IN CALIFORNIA TO SUPPRESS GULLEY'S PUBLIC CRITICISM OF HER EFFORTS TO INTERVENE IN A FAMOUS TRIAL OF A BRITISH NURSE FOUND GUILTY OF COMMITTING INFANTICIDE. FIRE CHALLENGED THE CIVIL-HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDER AS A PRIOR RESTRAINT. IN SEPTEMBER 2024, THE COURT HELD A HEARING, ULTIMATELY GRANTING THE MOTION TO QUASH. AFTER 115 DAYS, THE PRIOR RESTRAINT WAS DISSOLVED. THIS CASE FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY DEFENDING AGAINST SLAPPS AND SEEKING TO CURB THE USE OF RESTRAINING ORDERS TO SILENCE CRITICISM. 21. HOGARTH V. BRINSON BELL, CASE 5:24-CV-481 (E.D.N.C.): WE REPRESENT SUSAN HOGARTH, A REGISTERED VOTER IN WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, IN THIS CHALLENGE TO THE STATE'S BAN ON "BALLOT SELFIES." THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS THREATENED TO CRIMINALLY PROSECUTE SUSAN AFTER SHE POSTED A "SELFIE" WITH HER COMPLETED BALLOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO PROMOTE HER CHOSEN CANDIDATES AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO VOTE. FOLLOWING ORAL ARGUMENTS ON OUR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION MOTION, THE WAKE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY AGREED TO A CONSENT ORDER, WHICH THE COURT ENTERED, PREVENTING ANY PROSECUTION OF HOGARTH FOR BALLOT SELFIES WHILE THE CASE IS PENDING. THE PARTIES HAVE FULLY BRIEFED CROSS MOTIONS FOR JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS, AND WE AWAIT A RULING ON THE MOTION. THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY DEFENDING POLITICAL EXPRESSION AT THE BALLOT BOX, ENSURING THAT VOTERS REMAIN FREE TO SHARE THEIR VOICES AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION WITHOUT FEAR OF CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT.
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C22. STUDENTS ENGAGED IN ADVANCING TEXAS V. PAXTON, CASE 1:24-CV-00945 (W.D. TEX.): WE REPRESENT VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA USERS IN A CHALLENGE TO TEXAS'S SCOPE ACT, WHICH UNCONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRES PLATFORMS TO ASK FOR AND REGISTER THEIR USERS' AGES AND FOR CERTAIN PLATFORMS TO VERIFY THEM. THE LAW ALSO MANDATES DIGITAL SERVICE PROVIDERS TO PREVENT MINORS FROM BEING EXPOSED TO "HARMFUL MATERIAL," BROADLY DEFINED TO INCLUDE CONTENT THAT "PROMOTES, GLORIFIES, OR FACILITATES" BEHAVIORS LIKE SUICIDE, DRUG ABUSE, BULLYING, HARASSMENT, OR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. THIS OVERLY BROAD AND VAGUE DEFINITION IS LIKELY TO CAUSE PLATFORMS TO CENSOR DISCUSSIONS ON THESE IMPORTANT TOPICS TO AVOID PENALTIES. IN FEBRUARY 2025, THE DISTRICT COURT GRANTED A PARTIAL PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION, ENJOINING THE STATE FROM ENFORCING THE LAW'S MONITORING-AND-FILTERING REQUIREMENTS. AS OF JULY 2025, FIRE IS PREPARING TO LITIGATE TEXAS' APPEAL TO THE FIFTH CIRCUIT. THIS LITIGATION FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING ONLINE DISCOURSE FROM SWEEPING CENSORSHIP, PREVENTING THE GOVERNMENT FROM SILENCING VITAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES UNDER THE GUISE OF "PROTECTING" MINORS. 23. MASTRIANO V. GREGORY, CASE 5:24-CV-00567-F (W.D. OKLA.): WE ARE DEFENDING MILITARY HISTORIAN JAMES P. GREGORY JR. AGAINST A DEFAMATION SUIT FILED BY PENNSYLVANIA POLITICIAN DOUGLAS MASTRIANO. THE SUIT STEMS FROM GREGORY'S CRITICISM OF MASTRIANO'S ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP. IN THIS TEXTBOOK STRATEGIC LAWSUIT AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (SLAPP), MASTRIANO ALSO BRINGS FEDERAL RICO AND ANTITRUST CLAIMS. WE'RE MOVING TO DISMISS THE LAWSUIT AND ARE SEEKING SANCTIONS AGAINST MASTRIANO FOR FILING A SLAPP. THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY STANDING UP AGAINST ABUSIVE LAWSUITS THAT SEEK TO SILENCE CRITICS, PROTECTING SCHOLARS, JOURNALISTS, AND CITIZENS FROM COSTLY INTIMIDATION TACTICS DESIGNED TO CHILL SPEECH. 24. MASSIE V. CITY OF SURPRISE, AZ, CASE 2:24-CV-02276 (D. ARIZ.): WE REPRESENT CITY OF SURPRISE, ARIZONA, RESIDENTS REBEKAH MASSIE AND QUINTUS SCHULZKE. DURING A CITY COUNCIL MEETING, MASSIE CRITICIZED A PROPOSED PAY RAISE FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY. THE MAYOR INTERRUPTED HER, CITING A CITY POLICY BANNING "COMPLAINTS" ABOUT CITY EMPLOYEES DURING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND WARNED HER ABOUT "ATTACKING THE CITY ATTORNEY PERSONALLY." AFTER MASSIE ASSERTED HER FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, MAYOR HALL ORDERED POLICE TO REMOVE HER. MASSIE WAS DETAINED AND ARRESTED IN FRONT OF HER TEN-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. FOLLOWING OUR LAWSUIT CHALLENGING MASSIE'S ARREST AND THE POLICY, THE CITY REPEALED THE POLICY. ON OCTOBER 23, 2024, MASSIE'S CRIMINAL CHARGES WERE DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE. WE AMENDED THE COMPLAINT TO ADD STATE LAW CLAIMS TO HOLD THE CITY, MAYOR, AND ARRESTING OFFICER FULLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR VIOLATING MASSIE'S FIRST AND FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS. AS OF JULY 2025, FIRE IS AWAITING THE COURT'S RULING ON THE CITY'S MOTION TO DISMISS. THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY HOLDING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR SILENCING CRITICS AT PUBLIC MEETINGS, REAFFIRMING THAT CITIZENS MUST REMAIN FREE TO CHALLENGE THEIR LEADERS WITHOUT FEAR OF ARREST OR RETALIATION. 25. RIENZIE V. HAALAND, CASE 0:24-CV-00266 (D. WYOM.): IN DECEMBER 2024, FIRE FILED A LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF ALEX RIENZIE, CONNOR BURKESMITH, AND THE NATIONAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION (WHICH REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY 5,000 VISUAL JOURNALISTS), SEEKING TO BLOCK THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FROM ENFORCING ITS PERMIT AND FEE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILMING ON FEDERAL LANDS, INCLUDING IN PLACES THE PUBLIC IS OTHERWISE LAWFULLY ENTITLED TO ENTER. THE DAY AFTER THE FILING, A LONG-GESTATING REPEAL OF THE LAW FINALLY PASSED, YIELDING EFFECTIVELY THE SAME RELIEF SOUGHT IN THE LAWSUIT. THIS CASE FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING THE ABILITY OF JOURNALISTS AND CREATORS TO RECORD AND SHARE INFORMATION OBTAINED IN PUBLIC SPACES, ENSURING THAT THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT RESTRICT LAWFUL NEWSGATHERING AND DOCUMENTATION THROUGH UNCONSTITUTIONAL PERMITTING SCHEMES. 26. JENSEN V. BROWN, CASE 23-2545 (9TH CIR.): FIRE REPRESENTED LARS JENSEN, A MATH PROFESSOR AT TRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN NEVADA, FOR THE LIMITED PURPOSE OF PRESENTING ORAL ARGUMENT IN HIS FEDERAL APPEAL. JENSEN SUED AFTER ADMINISTRATORS PUNISHED HIM FOR DISTRIBUTING HANDOUTS CRITICAL OF HIS COLLEGE'S ACADEMIC STANDARDS TO COLLEAGUES DURING A BREAK AT A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSION. DUE TO THE HANDOUTS, JENSEN RECEIVED UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS, AND ADMINISTRATORS SOUGHT TO TERMINATE HIS EMPLOYMENT. JENSEN KEPT HIS JOB BUT SUED, SEEKING AN ORDER THAT THE COLLEGE EXPUNGE THE NEGATIVE RECORDS FROM HIS EMPLOYMENT FILE AND CHANGE HIS PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS TO "EXCELLENT." IN NOVEMBER 2024, FIRE TOOK OVER FOR PRIOR COUNSEL AND ARGUED JENSEN'S CASE BEFORE THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT. IN MARCH 2025, THE NINTH CIRCUIT RULED IN JENSEN'S FAVOR, HOLDING HE PLEADED A VIABLE FIRST AMENDMENT CLAIM AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATORS COULD NOT SHOW, AT THE MOTION TO DISMISS STAGE, THAT THEIR INTERESTS OUTWEIGHED JENSEN'S. THE COURT ALSO HELD JENSEN'S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS WERE CLEARLY ESTABLISHED AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATORS WERE, THEREFORE, NOT ENTITLED TO QUALIFIED IMMUNITY AT THE MOTION TO DISMISS STAGE. THIS CASE FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY FIGHTING TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF FACULTY TO CRITICIZE INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES, REINFORCING THAT ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND DISSENTING SPEECH ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT. 27. FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION V. CHIU, CASE 3:24-CV-08343 (N.D. CA.): FIRE IS CHALLENGING CALIFORNIA'S STATUTE THAT PROHIBITS ANY PERSON OR ENTITY FROM PUBLISHING A SEALED ARREST REPORT OR SHARING ANY INFORMATION "RELATING TO" THE INCIDENT REPORT AND ALLOWS THE STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL, DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, AND CITY ATTORNEYS TO IMPOSE FINANCIAL PENALTIES ON ANY PERSON WHO SHARES THAT INFORMATION. IN THE FALL OF 2024, THE CITY ATTORNEY OF SAN FRANCISCO SENT THREE LETTERS DEMANDING THAT A JOURNALIST AND HIS WEBSITE HOST, SUBSTACK, REMOVE REPORTING ON AN ARREST REPORT DOCUMENTING THE ARREST OF A CONTROVERSIAL TECH CEO. THE STATUTE AND SAN FRANCISCO'S THREATS TO ENFORCE IT CHILLED THE SPEECH OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION (FAC) AND PROF. EUGENE VOLOKH. FAC AND VOLOKH FREQUENTLY COMMENT ON CENSORSHIP THREATS LIKE THOSE POSED BY SAN FRANCISCO AND THE EXECUTIVE, BUT THE STATUTE PROHIBITED THEM FROM DISCUSSING ANYTHING "RELATING TO" THE ARREST REPORT, INFORMATION THAT WAS ALREADY IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. SO, IN NOVEMBER 2024, FIRE SUED CALIFORNIA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE SAN FRANCISCO CITY ATTORNEY TO PREVENT THEM FROM ENFORCING THE STATUTE. IN DECEMBER 2024, CALIFORNIA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE SAN FRANCISCO CITY ATTORNEY AGREED TO A COURT ORDER PROHIBITING ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW WHILE THE LAWSUIT IS PENDING. THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY ENSURING JOURNALISTS AND COMMENTATORS CAN PUBLISH TRUTHFUL INFORMATION ABOUT MATTERS OF PUBLIC CONCERN, PROTECTING AGAINST GOVERNMENT ATTEMPTS TO SUPPRESS SPEECH ALREADY IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 28. TRUMP V. SELZER, CASE CVCV069420 (S.D. IOWA): AFTER IOWA POLLSTER J. ANN SELZER PUT OUT AN INACCURATE POLL DAYS BEFORE THE NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PREDICTING KAMALA HARRIS WOULD HANDILY WIN THE STATE, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FILED A PUNITIVE LAWSUIT AGAINST HER AND THE DES MOINES REGISTER, ARGUING THAT PUBLISHING A POLL PREDICTING HARRIS IN THE LEAD AMOUNTED TO "CONSUMER FRAUD." TRUMP SEEKS TRIPLE MONETARY DAMAGES AND AN INJUNCTION AGAINST FUTURE "DECEPTIVE" POLLS. FIRE CAME TO SELZER'S DEFENSE, PROVIDING HER FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, THUS HELPING MITIGATE THE HARM OF SLAPPS (STRATEGIC LAWSUITS AGAINST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION) BY TAKING SELZER'S NEED TO PAY ATTORNEYS' FEES OFF THE TABLE (THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF IOWA'S ANTI-SLAPP STATUTE POST-DATED THE LAWSUIT). THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY PROTECTING JOURNALISTS AND POLLSTERS FROM RETALIATORY LAWSUITS, AFFIRMING THAT POLITICAL FIGURES, NO MATTER HOW PROMINENT, CANNOT WEAPONIZE THE COURTS TO PUNISH UNFAVORABLE REPORTING.
FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C29. DONNELLY V. DES MOINES REGISTER, ET AL., CASE 4:25-CV-00150 (S.D. IOWA): THIS CASE FILED BY "CENTER FOR AMERICAN RIGHTS" IS A TAGALONG PUTATIVE CLASS ACTION AGAINST SELZER AND THE DES MOINES REGISTER. IN THIS SUIT, PLAINTIFF DENNIS DONNELLY CLAIMS HE AND EVERY SUBSCRIBER TO THE REGISTER IS ENTITLED TO A REFUND OF THEIR SUBSCRIPTION FEES, ARGUING THAT NEWSPAPERS CAN BE LIABLE IF POLLS DON'T MATCH LATER RESULTS, AND THAT READERS CAN HOLD JOURNALISTS AND POLLSTERS LIABLE FOR "PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE." AS WITH TRUMP'S SUIT, THIS IS A SLAPP IN WHICH FIRE IS PROVIDING SELZER LEGAL REPRESENTATION. THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY RESISTING ATTEMPTS TO HOLD JOURNALISTS UNJUSTLY LIABLE FOR THEIR COVERAGE OF ELECTIONS, ENSURING THAT NEWS OUTLETS AND POLLSTERS REMAIN FREE TO INFORM THE PUBLIC WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATORY LITIGATION. 30. LUTTRELL V. CITY OF GERMANTOWN, TN, CASE 2:25-CV-02153 (W.D. TENN.): FIRE REPRESENTED ALEXIS LUTTRELL, A GERMANTOWN, TENNESSEE, RESIDENT WHO INSTALLED LARGER-THAN-LIFE LAWN SKELETONS AT HER HOME FOR HALLOWEEN, THEN REDECORATED THEM FOR DIFFERENT ENSUING HOLIDAYS, EARNING A CITATION FROM GERMANTOWN FOR VIOLATING AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING DISPLAYS ON RESIDENTS'S PRIVATE PROPERTY MORE THAN 45 DAYS BEFORE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE "INTENDED" HOLIDAY. FIRE CHALLENGED THE ORDINANCE IN FEDERAL COURT AS A VIEWPOINT-DISCRIMINATORY, CONTENT-BASED, AND VAGUE REGULATION THAT VIOLATES LUTTRELL'S AND OTHER RESIDENTS' FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. IN THE WEEKS AFTER FIRE FILED THIS LAWSUIT, GERMANTOWN DISMISSED LUTTRELL'S CITATION, INTRODUCED THE POTENTIAL REPEAL OF THE ORDINANCE AT ITS TOWN BOARD MEETING, AND AGREED TO NOT ENFORCE THE ORDINANCE WHILE IT CONSIDERS REPEAL. THE CITY ALSO AGREED TO PAY $24,999, THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THE MAYOR CAN AUTHORIZE UNILATERALLY, TO FULLY SETTLE THE CASE. THIS CASE FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY DEFENDING CITIZENS' RIGHTS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES CREATIVELY ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY, PREVENTING THE GOVERNMENT FROM IMPOSING VAGUE AND CONTENT-BASED RESTRICTIONS ON PRIVATE EXPRESSION. 31. TEXAS A&M QUEER EMPOWERMENT COUNCIL V. MAHOMES, CASE 4:25-CV-00992 (S.D. TEX.): IN FEBRUARY 2025, THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADOPTED A VIEWPOINT-BASED RESOLUTION BANNING DRAG SHOWS ON ALL 11 A&M CAMPUSES. IN MARCH, FIRE FILED A LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF LGBTQ+ STUDENT GROUP QUEER EMPOWERMENT COUNCIL, SEEKING A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AGAINST THE RESOLUTION TO ENSURE THE GROUP'S MARCH 27 PRODUCTION OF ITS ANNUAL PAGEANT, DRAGGIELAND, COULD GO ON AS PLANNED. THE COURT HEARD ORAL ARGUMENT ON THE MOTION IN MARCH AND, THAT SAME MONTH, GRANTED A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION BLOCKING ENFORCEMENT OF THE DRAG BAN, EXPLAINING THAT THE FIRST AMENDMENT'S PROTECTION FOR SPEECH WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN LIGHT OF "EFFORTS FROM ALL SIDES OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM TO DISRUPT OR PREVENT STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND OTHERS FROM EXPRESSING OPINIONS AND SPEECH" THEY VIEW AS "OFFENSIVE OR WRONG." DRAGGIELAND WENT FORWARD AS PLANNED. THIS CASE FURTHERED FIRE'S MISSION BY ENSURING STUDENTS CAN HOST EXPRESSIVE EVENTS WITHOUT VIEWPOINT-BASED INTERFERENCE, AFFIRMING THAT EVEN CONTROVERSIAL PERFORMANCES ARE ENTITLED TO THE FULL PROTECTION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT. 32. COBLE V. BALLENTINE, CASE P25-502 (N.C. COURT OF APPEALS): FIRE IS REPRESENTING CLAYTON BALLENTINE IN APPEALING A CIVIL NO-CONTACT ORDER PROHIBITING HIM FROM SPEAKING OR PUBLISHING THE NAME OF, OR MAKING "INFERENTIAL REFERENCES" TO BEVERLY COBLE, WHO HAD INDICATED HER INTENTION TO RUN FOR MAYOR OF THEIR TOWN PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF THE ORDER. THIS CASE FURTHERS FIRE'S MISSION BY CHALLENGING PRIOR RESTRAINTS THAT PREVENT CITIZENS FROM DISCUSSING POLITICAL CANDIDATES, REINFORCING THAT THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT SILENCE SPEECH ABOUT THOSE SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE. FROM JULY 1, 2024 TO JUNE 30, 2025, FIRE PARTICIPATED AS AMICUS CURIAE IN THE FOLLOWING 40 CASES: 1. U.S. NEWS V. CHIU 2. KESTENBAUM V. HARVARD 3. LACKEY V. STINNIE 4. LEROY V. LIVINGSTON MANOR CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 5. UNIV. OF MD. STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE V. BD. OF REGENTS 6. NETCHOICE V. FITCH 7. ANDERSON V. TIKTOK 8. UVT STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE V. UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT 9. SPEECH FIRST V. WHITTEN 10. JOHNSON V. WATKINS 11. L.M. V. TOWN OF MIDDLEBOROUGH 12. BARRED BUSINESS V. KEMP 13. E.G. V. M.L - DEPUBLICATION REQUEST 14. CHARLIE KRATOVIL ADV. NEW BRUNSWICK POLICE CHIEF ANTHONY CAPUTO 15. TIKTOK V. GARLAND 16. SALAAM V. TRUMP 17. SULLIVAN V. TEXAS ETHICS COMM'N 18. NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF TEXAS V. CITY OF ARLINGTON, TEXAS 19. HARVEY V. NETFLIX 20. UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO YOUNG AMERICANS FOR FREEDOM V. UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO STUDENT ASSOCIATION INC. 21. GEORGIA ASS'N OF CLUB EXECUTIVES, INC. V. STATE OF GEORGIA 22. MCCALEB V. LONG 23. KHALIL V. TRUMP 24. HORWITZ V. U.S. DIST. CT. 25. PERKINS COIE V. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 26. LIBBY V. FECTEAU 27. SHERZAD V. PETTIGREW 28. WILMERHALE V. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 29. JENNER & BLOCK V. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 30. ATLAS DATA PRIVACY CORP. V DELVEPOINT ET AL. 31. SUSMAN GODFREY V. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 32. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS V. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 33. OZTURK V. HYDE 34. GRANT V. TRIAL COURT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS 35. NETCHOICE V. BROWN 36. WUOTI V. WINTERS 37. HARVARD V. U.S. DEP'T HEALTH & HUMAN SERVS. 38. U.S. V. LACEY 39. CROOKSHANKS V. ELIZABETH SCH. DIST. 40. GARCIA V. CHARACTER TECHNOLOGIES LAUNCHED IN 2021, FIRE'S FACULTY LEGAL DEFENSE FUND (FLDF) VINDICATES THE EXPRESSIVE AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM RIGHTS OF FACULTY AT PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. FLDF IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE "FIRST RESPONDER" LEGAL HELP AT NO COST TO FACULTY MEMBERS WHOSE NEED IS WITHIN THE PROGRAM'S MANDATE. WHETHER FACULTY FACE PUNISHMENT FROM THEIR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS FOR THEIR INSTRUCTION, SCHOLARSHIP, OR SPEECH ON ISSUES OF PUBLIC CONCERN AS PRIVATE CITIZENS, FIRE'S FLDF STAFF QUICKLY REVIEW CONCERNS AND, WHERE NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE, CONNECT FACULTY WITH EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS NEARBY FOR ASSISTANCE. WHERE THESE REFERRALS ARE MADE, FLDF PAYS THE LAWYERS' FEES FOR INITIAL LEGAL WORK LIKE ADVISING ON POSSIBLE COURSES OF ACTION OR HELPING RESOLVE DISPUTES WITH THE INSTITUTION OR ADMINISTRATORS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2021, THE FLDF HAS REFERRED 75 CASES TO FLDF ATTORNEYS AND SECURED 46 VICTORIES.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 8BTHERE ARE NO COMMITTEES WITH AUTHORITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11BTHE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING COMPILES ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE FORM 990 WHICH IS PREPARED BY AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM. MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND PRESIDENT/CEO, REVIEW THE FORM IN DETAIL. IN ADDITION, A COMPLETE COPY OF THE FORM 990 IS PROVIDED TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS FOR REVIEW PRIOR TO ITS FILING WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12CTHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL UNDERTAKE A REVIEW OF THE MATTER BY MAKING ALL NECESSARY INQUIRIES DEEMED WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. AN APPROPRIATE ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSE SHALL BE DETERMINED BY DISINTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE ORGANIZATION REVIEWS BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL VENDORS ANNUALLY. CONFLICTS INVOLVING EMPLOYEES ARE RESOLVED BY THE PRESIDENT. CONFLICTS INVOLVING THE PRESIDENT OR BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. PROCEEDINGS ARE DOCUMENTED IN A MEMO OR MINUTES AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. THERE IS A RECURRING AGENDA ITEM AT THE ANNUAL BOARD MEETING TO ASK FOR ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15ATHE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONDUCTS A COMPENSATION STUDY AND USES OTHER COMPARATIVE DATA AS WELL AS AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION OF THE PRESIDENT AND CEO. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORTS FINDINGS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE. THE DELIBERATION AND FINAL DECISION ARE DOCUMENTED TIMELY AS PART OF THE COMMITTEE AND BOARD MINUTES. THE PROCESS DESCRIBED HERE WAS LAST COMPLETED IN 2024.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE. THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE NOT MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.

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