2014-05-14T15:17:17-05:00 2013-06-30 GRANT THORNTON LLP 666 THIRD AVENUE NEW YORK NY 100174057 990 2012-07-01 133976062 NRDC Action Fund Inc % SARAH A GILLMAN CFO NRDC 2127272700 40 WEST 20TH STREET Suite NEW YORK NY 10011 Sarah Gillman 2127272700 2014-05-12 true Scott Thompsett 2125990100 2012 2015-11-30 17:44:51Z PETER LEHNER EXEC DIRECTOR 40 WEST 20TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011 1727566 false X www.nrdcactionfund.org X 1996 NY to promote educational and legislative activities that protect the environment, to engage in targeted media campaigns and other outreach that promote nrdc action fund's objectives on environmental issues. 27 24 0 0 0 0 2623363 1727296 0 0 0 0 0 270 2623363 1727566 0 0 0 0 590891 813366 0 0 36135 749151 2463740 1340042 3277106 1283321 -1549540 2955590 1475750 278746 348446 2676844 1127304 X The NRDC Action Fund's mission is to achieve the passage of legislation that reduces carbon pollution, and sustains vibrant communities for all Americans. Now is the time for leadership and action from our elected officials; our current goal is a comprehensive clear energy policy that will improve our economy and fuel our future. false false 2988512 0 0 1. Public Education & Accountability One of the Action Fund's top priorities is to tell the American public where their elected officials stand on environmental issues. Too often, politicians profess concern for people's health and communities, while voting with polluters. We utilized our various online media resources (Facebook / Twitter) to hold members accountable for their actions. Through hard-hitting, data-driven messaging and communications strategies, we make the connection between bad votes and dirty money. We also inform the public when politicians do take a courageous stand against big polluters. Accountability: The environmental community weathered the multiple attacks on clean air launched in the U.S. House and Senate. It became clear that the House would tee up a new series of votes to roll back EPA's clean air safeguards, and republicans in the Senate would stall the confirmation process of Gina McCarthy as U.S. EPA Administrator. We launched a series of accountability ads focused on house members who consistently vote against clean air. Sens. Snowe & Collins: The Action Fund launched a five-figure TV ad campaign in Maine to commend Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, the state's two senators, for voting against a proposal to repeal historic public health protections against mercury pollution from power plants. The ad campaign ran in Portland and Bangor. 2. State Ballot Initiatives The Action Fund served on a national renewable energy ballot initiative exploratory committee. The committee decided to focus on passing a ballot initiative in Michigan. The "Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs" coalition collected signatures in Michigan and qualified for the November 2012 ballot. Michigan's current renewable energy standard (RES), enacted in 2008, requires state utilities to generate 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2015. The proposal would have increased Michigan's renewable energy standard to 25 percent by 2025. We helped build the coalition for the ballot initiative to include outspoken supporters from Michigan's manufacturing, health, faith, and labor communities. The Action Fund also provided the NRDC California advocacy team with technical and political advice on several of the 11 statewide initiatives on the California ballot in November 2012, including Prop 30, Prop 31, Prop 37, and Prop 39. 3. Policy Advocacy The Action Fund supports the policy goals of Natural Resources Defense Council (with which it is affiliated) by activating our influential grasstops network, running advocacy campaigns, and supporting broader coalition efforts with other environmental partners. Fighting Anti-Environment Riders: In 2012, Action Fund staff joined the fight against environmental rollbacks that the U.S. House of Representatives tried to pass as stand-alone legislation or add as "riders" to other bills. Thanks to the efforts of the Action Fund and others, almost none of these rollbacks made it into law, keeping protections for our air, water, food, and communities in place. Clean Air Defense: The Action Fund was engaged in the successful coalition effort to reduce air pollution, the Clean Air Defense Campaign (CADC). With the support of environmental, health, business, and other groups organized by the CADC, the U.S. EPA issued strong safeguards to reduce mercury, soot, and smog-forming pollution from power plants. The CADC also held off congressional efforts to strip the EPA of authority to set standards for carbon pollution and other greenhouse gases. The Action Fund also activated our influential grasstops network to support presidential action against climate change and garnered support for U.S. EPA to issue rules to reduce carbon pollution. Polling: The Action Fund engaged in numerous polling projects that showed support for clean energy policies and candidates who back them. Battleground polling in conjunction with the 2012 election showed voters in 11 states supported clean energy and U.S EPA efforts to further protect clean air standards. Latino polling in four states showed that Latinos decisively favored candidates for president and the U.S Senate who supported clean air and clean energy policies. 4. Supporting Clean Energy: Good policy, Good politics Elected officials and candidates need to hear from their constituents and voters that investing in clean energy and protecting the environment is good policy and good politics. The Action Fund conducted extensive polling in key states to demonstrate that the public supports clean energy incentives and public health protections. When candidates incorporate these issues into their platforms, they can energize voters. After the 2012 federal election cycle, we released a "Running Clean" report to highlight the successes of some of the candidates who incorporated clean energy into their campaigns. The report provides case studies for candidates and political operatives on effectively using clean energy messages and themes. We launched a webpage in conjunction with the report that features a series of video interviews with U.S. senators speaking about their experiences with clean energy messaging. We continually update the website with the latest polling on our priority issues. 5. Building Power & Influence The Action Fund is expanding our network of influence by building power in key states with influential grasstops advocates who champion our issues at home and in Washington, D.C. The Action Fund grew our grasstops network in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco, in support of strong clean air regulations and against the Keystone XL pipeline. We are growing our network by personal engagement with people who have influence with our decision-makers. We educate them, alert them to issues of concern, and help them make their voices more effective. We also arrange meetings with top decision makers for grasstops to attend. Who Votes Dirty: In September 2012 the Action Fund launched a new website, www.whovotesdirty.com, which highlighted members of congress, their votes for or against clean air and climate standards, and their campaign contributions from polluters. Additional work began in 2013 to rebuild this website with better functionality and for more long-term infrastructure needs. 6. 2012 Electoral Work The Action Fund joined a coalition of environmental organizations to support the candidacy of Martin Heinrich for U.S. Senator in New Mexico. We participated with in-state polling, online and television advertising, and additional messaging on our online social media platforms. 2988512 false true true false false false false false false true false false false false true false true false false true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false true 0 0 0 false false false false true true false X 27 24 true false false false true true true true true false false true true true true true true false AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY ME MD MA MN MS MO NH NJ NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI X X SARAH A GILLMAN CFO 2127274516 40 WEST 20TH STREET NEW YORK NY 10011 Wendy Abrams 1.0 X 0 0 0 John H Adams 1.0 1.0 X 174958 62805 Christopher Arndt 1.0 X Richard E Ayres 1.0 1.0 X Anne Bartley 1.0 X Patricia Bauman 1.0 X Frances Beinecke 1.0 40.0 X X 383324 52408 Lucy Blake 1.0 X Dayna Bochco 1.0 X Sherwood Boehlert 1.0 X Hamilton Candee 1.0 X Ari Emanuel 1.0 X Bob Epstein 1.0 X Michael Finnegan 1.0 X William Haney 1.0 X Barbarina Heyerdahl 1.0 X Cindy Horn 1.0 X Honorable Hamilton Kean 1.0 X Patricia Sullivan 1.0 16.0 X 82576 0 Vernice Miller-Travis 1.0 X Mary Moran 1.0 1.0 X Edward James Olmos 1.0 X John Podesta 1.0 X Daniel R Tishman 1.0 1.0 X Douglas N Varley 1.0 X Eric Wepsic 1.0 1.0 X Ira Ziering 1.0 X Sarah Cogan 1.0 1.0 X Sarah A Gillman 1.0 40.0 X 222013 19842 Judith A Keefer 1.0 40.0 X 227042 46681 Peter Lehner 1.0 40.0 X 274609 47164 Jennifer Reynoso 1.0 X Heather Taylor-Miesle 33.0 2.0 X 110676 11032 0 1475198 239932 0 false true false NEW PARTNERS CONSULTING INC 1250 I STREET NW SUITE 200 WASHINGTON DC 20005 CONSULTING 569000 MACK CROUNSE GROUP LLC 2001 N BEAUREGARD STREET SUITE 42 ALEXANDRIA VA 22311 MAIL CONSULTANT 211524 FAIRBANK MASLIN MAULIN METZ ASSOC 2425 COLORADO AVENUE SUITE 180 SANTA MONICA CA 904043004 RESEARCH 142325 TULAA CONSULTING LLC 612 WEST 10TH STREET HOUSTON TX 77008 CONSULTING 118651 4 1727296 1727296 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BOOK INCOME- ON EARTH 900099 270 270 270 1727566 270 0 0 0 0 36067 19768 16299 0 601567 500625 84722 16220 0 175732 143420 27842 4470 0 0 45371 45371 0 524980 524980 0 0 622533 588516 34017 911008 903508 7500 28447 14480 5093 8874 7438 4533 2905 0 0 112733 74658 38075 0 18895 13617 5278 0 0 0 0 FILING FEES 8155 7615 540 CREDIT CARD COSTS 3620 453 669 2498 MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES 180560 146968 29519 4073 3277106 2988512 252459 36135 2955590 1421100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 39930 14720 0 14720 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2955590 1475750 278746 348446 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 278746 348446 X 0 0 2676844 1127304 0 0 2676844 1127304 2955590 1475750 -1549540 X X false true X true false RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 854560 854560 854560 false Schedule C, Part I-A, Line 1 The Amount reported on schedule C, part I-A, line 2 reflects staff time, as well as consulting and other discretionary expenses, the NRDC Action Fund spent on work related to limited political activities on environmental issues. These political expenditures were directed toward the 2012 elections. Specifically, the Action Fund ran television and online advertising in the New Mexico Senate race and paid mailings in the OH-16 Congressional race. In addition, the Action Fund produced blogs and highlighted candidates for "running clean" on energy and environmental issues. $147,867 of the total political expenditures was spent on staff salaries (including benefits and overhead), while the remaining $706,693 was spent on discretionary expenses, including consultants and other vendors ($524,980) and advertising. The total amount of political expenditures represents 25 percent of the organization's overall expenditures for the year. 14720 0 14720 14720 0 0 X Form 990, Schedule D, Part XI and XII NRDC ACTION FUND does not receive standalone financial statements; for audit purposes its operations are consolidated with an affiliated organization, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. Form 990, Schedule D, Part X, Line 2 The FASB Accounting Codification (ASC) established criterion that an individual tax position must meet for some or all of the benefits of that position to be recognized in an entity's financial statements. This standard requires that a tax position be recognized or derecognized based on a "more likely than not" threshold. NRDC has processes currently in place to ensure the maintenance of its tax-exempt status; to identify and report unrelated income; determine its filing and tax obligations in jurisdictions for which it has nexus; and to review other matters that may be considered a tax position. The tax years ending 2010, 2011 and 2012 remain open to audit for both federal and state purposes. This standard had no impact on NRDC's 2013 and 2012 consolidated financial statements. NRDC does not believe its 2013 and 2012 consolidated financial statements include any uncertain tax position. North America Program Services Environmental Lobbying 14875 14875 14875 false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false John H Adams 174958 62805 237763 Frances Beinecke 383324 35000 17408 435732 Sarah A Gillman 222013 2678 17164 241855 Judith A Keefer 227042 32291 14390 273723 Peter Lehner 274609 30000 17164 321773 Compensation Information Schedule J Part II, John H Adams Column B(I): Base Compensation After thirty-five years of committed service as NRDC's Founder and President, John Adams retired on April 1, 2006. John is a part-time consultant for NRDC and received $174,958 for these services in calendar year 2012. Column D: Nontaxable Benefits: As part of his retirement agreement, NRDC provides John Adams with medical and dental benefits and a long term care plan. The value of these benefits are: Medical $ 19,820 LTC $ 42,985 Form 990, Part VII & Schedule J, Part I The individuals reported on NRDC Action Fund's Form 990, Frances Beinecke, Sarah Gillman, Judith Keefer, Peter Lehner and Heather Taylor-Miesle receive their compensation from the parent organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (NRDC). Accordingly, all compensation is being reported on NRDC Action Fund's Form 990 as related organization compensation. However, a portion of each officer's compensation is reimbursed by NRDC Action Fund to NRDC based on services rendered to NRDC Action Fund. In the interest of clarity, NRDC Action Fund is disclosing the following salary and benefits amounts as having been reimbursed by NRDC Action Fund to NRDC for these services: Salary Benefits President Beinecke $ 6,146 $1,777 Chief financial officer Gillman $ 4,486 $1,326 Chief operating officer keefer $ 32 $ 9 Executive director Lehner $12,434 $3,558 Director For. Affairs Taylor-Miesle $103,168 $29,653 NRDC Action Fund reimburses NRDC for the services of other NRDC employees. Those individuals do not meet the criteria of an officer, key employee or highly compensated employee of the Action Fund and accordingly are not disclosed in Part VII or Schedule J of the 990. 990. Governing Body and Management FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A Line 2 - Board of Trustees Members, Bob Epstein and Patricia Bauman, have a business relationship. LINE 6 - NRDC Action Fund's sole corporate member is its parent organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc ("NRDC"). Line 7a - The sole corporate member, NRDC, has the sole authority to appoint NRDC Action Fund's Board of Directors on an annual basis. This power is reserved to NRDC in NRDC Action Fund's organizational documents. Line 7b - If the Board of Directors should have a vacancy during the year, the sole corporate member has the right to approve the Board's election of a replacement to fill that vacancy. Policies Part VI - Governance 990 review process form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11 NRDC Action Fund's Form 990 is prepared by a nationally recognized accounting firm in conjunction with the organization's senior management and financial team. Upon completion, the Form 990 is distributed to senior management and THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE for review and approval. A copy of the final Form 990 is shared with the full board of directors prior to its electronic filing with the Internal Revenue Service. Conflict of interest policy monitoring & Enforcement Form 990, part VI, Section B, LINE 12 Each officer, director, and employee is required to annually disclose any conflicts of interest that arise by virtue of relationship to the organization, board service, or position with either NRDC Action Fund or NRDC. NRDC Action Fund monitors compliance with its conflict of interest policy through an annual questionnaire/disclosure statement that is distributed to these individuals. Potential conflicts are investigated immediately. Process to determine compensation Form 990, Part VI, Section B, LINE 15 NRDC Action Fund does not directly compensate any officers, directors and/or employees. All compensation is paid by the parent organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, and is reimbursed by NRDC Action Fund to NRDC. The processes used for determining compensation as paid by the parent entity are described on that organization's Form 990. availability of documents FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C LINE 19 - NRDC Action Fund makes its Form 990 available to the public by retaining a copy at its place of business. The Action Fund also makes the 990 available on the Action Fund website at www.nrdcactionfund.org (and on www.guidestar.org). The organization's financial statements, governing documents and conflict of interest policy are not ordinarily made available to the public, but, if requested, will be provided at management's discretion. Form 990, Part IV Line 5 - NRDC Action Fund is not subject to the Section 6033(e) notice and reporting requirements since it does not receive membership dues, assessments or similar amounts as defined in Rev. Proc. 98-19. form 990, part XII, line 2c THe NRDC Action Fund does not receive standalone financial statements; for audit purposes its operations are consolidated with an affiliated organization, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. form 990, part XII, line 3a The NRDC Action Fund did not receive any federal funding; nevertheless, its activities are included in the audited financial statements of its parent organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, which did undergo an A-133 audit. 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