2013-07-15T09:39:00-05:00 2012-12-31 271728945 O'CONNOR DAVIES LLP 665 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK NY 10022 990 2012-01-01 132847587 THE PUBLIC AGENDA FOUNDATION INC PUBL 2126866610 6 EAST 39TH STREET 9TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10016 WILLIAM K FRIEDMAN 2126866610 2013-07-17 1 GARRETT M HIGGINS P00543209 2122862600 2013-07-01 2012 2016-02-24 21:20:13Z WILLIAM K FRIEDMAN 6 EAST 39TH STREET 9TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10016 6351782 0 X HTTP://WWW.PUBLICAGENDA.ORG X 1982 NY PUBLIC AGENDA HELPS DIVERSE LEADERS AND CITIZENS NAVIGATE COMPLEX, DIVISIVE ISSUES AND WORK TOGETHER ON SOLUTIONS. THROUGH NONPARTISAN RESEARCH, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS, WE PROVIDE THE INSIGHT, TOOLS AND SUPPORT PEOPLE NEED TO BUILD COMMON GROUND AND MAKE PROGRESS ON SUCH CRITICAL CHALLENGES AS IMPROVING EDUCATION, MAKING HEALTHCARE AFFORDABLE, INFORMING IMMIGRATION POLICY, AND HELPING COMMUNITIES COME TO TERMS WITH CLIMATE CHANGE. IN DOING SO, WE ARE PROVING THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO MAKE PROGRESS ON CRITICAL ISSUES REGARDLESS OF OUR DIFFERENCES.PUBLIC AGENDA WAS FOUNDED BY SOCIAL SCIENTIST AND AUTHOR DANIEL YANKELOVICH AND FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE CYRUS VANCE IN 1975. 10 10 29 12 0 0 2924068 3437326 44190 67450 42801 147129 53500 -4177 3064559 3647728 0 0 0 0 1621915 1693615 0 19713 129221 1741316 1853947 3363231 3567275 -298672 80453 3155402 3422327 105814 238109 3049588 3184218 X PUBLIC AGENDA'S MISSION IS TO IMPROVE DEMOCRATIC PROBLEM SOLVING. WE SEEK TO CONTRIBUTE TO A DEMOCRACY IN WHICH PROBLEM SOLVING TRIUMPHS OVER GRIDLOCK AND INERTIA, AND WHERE PUBLIC POLICY REFLECTS THE DELIBERATIONS AND VALUES OF THE CITIZENRY. 0 0 1660060 57450 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, AN ESSENTIAL AND OFTEN MISSING INGREDIENT IN AMERICAN PUBLIC LIFE, IS CONCERNED WITH INVOLVING CITIZENS MORE FULLY AND MORE THOUGHTFULLY IN PUBLIC PROBLEM-SOLVING. PUBLIC AGENDA'S APPROACH IS SHAPED BY AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE STAGES THE PUBLIC GOES THROUGH TO COME TO TERMS WITH DIFFICULT ISSUES, A PROCESS WHICH IS OFTEN OUT OF SYNCH WITH LEADERS AND EXPERTS. PUBLIC AGENDA OFFERS NONPARTISAN, CAPACITY-BUILDING, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SUPPORT TO LEADERS AND CHANGE AGENTS IN COMMUNITIES AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. WE CONDUCT RESEARCH, FRAME ISSUES FOR PRODUCTIVE DELIBERATION THROUGH OUR "CHOICEWORK DISCUSSION STARTERS," AND FACILITATE DIALOGUES TO ENHANCE ENGAGEMENT AND PROBLEM SOLVING BY DIVERSE STAKEHOLDERS, AND TRAIN PEOPLE WITH WHOM WE WORK TO FRAME ISSUES AND FACILITATE CONVERSATIONS SO THE WORK CAN PROGRESS AFTER A GIVEN PROJECT ENDS. OUR SIGNATURE COMMUNITY CONVERSATION MODEL HAS BEEN APPLIED IN HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES TO HELP CITIZENS, STAKEHOLDERS AND LEADERS BUILD COMMON GROUND ON TOUGH LOCAL ISSUES, SUCH AS CLOSING ACHIEVEMENT GAPS IN SCHOOLS OR DECIDING HOW TO DEAL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE. 1208451 RESEARCH:PUBLIC AGENDA CONDUCTS IN-DEPTH RESEARCH ON HOW CITIZENS THINK ABOUT PUBLIC PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. THE ORGANIZATION'S PARTICULAR EXPERTISE LIES IN CRAFTING RESEARCH STUDIES THAT EXPLORE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW WITH EMPATHY AND PROBE BENEATH SURFACE RESPONSES TO CAPTURE THE PUBLIC'S CONCERNS, ASSUMPTIONS AND VALUES. PUBLIC AGENDA EMPLOYS SUCH RESEARCH TECHNIQUES AS ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS, FOCUS GROUPS, AND SCIENTIFIC SURVEYS. OUR SIGNATURE LEARNING CURVE ANALYSIS FOCUS GROUP METHODOLOGY IS DESIGNED TO CAPTURE THE WAYS IN WHICH PEOPLE ENCOUNTER AND WORK THROUGH COMPLEX, DIVISIVE ISSUES, AND TO ILLUMINATE THE KINDS OF INFORMATION AND SUPPORT THAT HELPS PEOPLE TO DO SO. PUBLIC AGENDA'S RESEARCH SERVES TWO MAIN PURPOSES. THE FIRST IS TO INFORM PUBLIC POLICY BY BRINGING THE PUBLIC'S CONCERNS, VALUES AND IDEAS TO BEAR ON CURRENT POLICY DEBATES. THE SECOND IS TO INFORM EFFORTS TO BETTER ENGAGE STAKEHOLDERS AND/OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BETTER LEARN ABOUT ISSUES AND WORK TOGETHER ON SOLUTIONS. 169685 10000 COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES:PUBLIC AGENDA USES ITS COMMUNICATIONS TO FURTHER ITS MISSION OF IMPROVING DEMOCRATIC PROBLEM SOLVING IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. FIRST, TO DISSEMINATE OUR RESEARCH REPORTS AND ENGAGEMENT TOOLS AND MATERIALS, SO THEY HAVE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE IMPACTS. SECOND, TO MAKE OUR CITIZEN EDUCATION MATERIALS (SUCH AS THE NONPARTISAN CITIZENS SOLUTIONS GUIDES SERIES ON ELECTION-YEAR ISSUES IN 2012) WIDELY AVAILABLE TO EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, CIVIC GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO LEARN ABOUT ISSUES AND DECIDE WHERE THEY STAND ON THEM. MOREOVER, OUR WEBBY-NOMINATED WEBSITE, PUBLIC AGENDA ONLINE, AND OUR SOCIAL NETWORKING ACTIVITIES ALL ENHANCE OUR EFFORTS TO HELP DIVERSE LEADERS AND CITIZENS NAVIGATE COMPLEX AND DIVISIVE ISSUES AND DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS. 3038196 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 20 0 29 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 NY X X JUDITH L WEISSMAN SVP DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 2126866610 6 EAST 39TH STREET 9TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10016 DR MITCHEL WALLERSTEIN 5.00 X X 0 0 0 DR LLOYD MORRISETT 3.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER GATES 0.50 X 0 0 0 DANIEL YANKELOVICH 3.00 X 0 0 0 DEBORAH WADSWORTH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DR ALICE HUANG DIRECTOR 5.00 X 0 0 0 DR ANN KIRSCHNER 1.00 X 0 0 0 HON DAVID MATHEWS 0.50 X 0 0 0 NORTON GARFINKLE 1.00 X 0 0 0 PHILIP HOWARD 1.00 X 0 0 0 RUTH WOODEN 1.00 X 0 0 0 SHIRLEY M MALCOLM 0.50 X 0 0 0 WILLIAM K FRIEDMAN 60.00 X 196333 0 40639 ALISON KADLEC-HASSING 55.00 X 125182 0 36396 JUDITH L WEISSMAN 50.00 X 106299 0 35633 427814 0 112668 3 0 1 0 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN 101 EAST 27TH STREET AUSTIN TX 787121539 PROJECT PLANNER 166744 SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH SOLUTIONS 155 GAITHER DRIVE SUITE A MT LAUREL NJ 08054 SURVEYS 121979 FARKAS DUFFETT RESEARCH GROUP LLC 6 EAST 39TH ST 9TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10016 RESEARCH SERVICES 121185 CLARK RESEARCH LLC 4610 S TECHNOPOLIS SUITE 103 SIOUX FALLS SC 57106 SURVEYS 117604 4 3437326 48851 3437326 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 900099 57450 57450 COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTING 900099 10000 10000 67450 64680 64680 794 794 63900 69217 -5317 -5317 -5317 2717286 2634837 82449 82449 82449 REIMBURSED EXPENSE 900099 346 346 346 3647728 67450 0 142952 X 540482 481643 37891 20948 849247 703730 92305 53212 27417 27357 60 186054 152150 23479 10425 90415 76741 8678 4996 1300 1300 29000 45 28955 19713 19713 22355 22355 587176 587176 21471 12468 9003 87286 61431 22175 3680 86432 42670 36678 7084 169395 89582 79813 219325 212259 7066 22122 12388 9734 15659 8986 6513 160 TRANSCIPTS/RESEARCH/SUR 289693 289693 FOCUS GROUPS/VIDEO PROD 208089 203913 4176 REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE 47954 27974 19980 VIDEO PRODUCTION 46690 46690 3567275 3038196 399858 129221 414089 593448 44346 42250 567459 437637 28995 13400 188104 155564 28792 32540 2058338 2289575 13383 13477 3155402 3422327 105814 238109 105814 238109 X 1191656 1157411 1857932 2026807 3049588 3184218 3155402 3422327 80453 54177 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 3191206 2327952 2121632 2924068 3437326 14002184 3191206 2327952 2121632 2924068 3437326 14002184 7839399 6162785 181143 77304 112054 94607 129374 594482 3052 346 3398 14600064 389133 0.42210 0.49140 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: MISCELLANEOUS INCOME - 2008 AMOUNT: $ 1,052. 2009 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2010 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2011 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2012 AMOUNT: $ 0. REIMBURSED EXPENSE - 2008 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2009 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2010 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2011 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2012 AMOUNT: $ 346. HONORARIUMS - 2008 AMOUNT: $ 2,000. 2009 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2010 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2011 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2012 AMOUNT: $ 0. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 56922 56922 0 77602 45062 32540 53580 53580 0 32540 X 3748767 54177 69217 123394 3625373 22355 22355 3647728 3614137 69217 69217 3544920 22355 22355 3567275 DESCRIPTION OF UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS UNDER FIN 48: PART X, LINE 2: THE FOUNDATION RECOGNIZES THE EFFECT OF INCOME TAX POSITIONS ONLY IF THOSE POSITIONS ARE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT TO BE SUSTAINED. MANAGEMENT HAS DETERMINED THAT THE FOUNDATION HAD NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT WOULD REQUIRE FINANCIAL STATEMENT RECOGNITION OR DISCLOSURE. THE FOUNDATION IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO EXAMINATIONS BY THE APPLICABLE TAXING JURISDICTIONS FOR PERIODS PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 2009. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: RENTAL EXPENSES REPORTED ON PAGE, 9, PART VIII, LINE 6B 69,217. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: RENTAL EXPENSES REPORTED ON PAGE, 9, PART VIII, LINE 6B 69,217. X X X 1 CONSTELLATION ADVANCEMENT LLC 17 VILLAGE ROAD PO BOX 188 NEW VERNON NJ 07976 DONOR CULTIVATION 0 0 19713 -19713 19713 -19713 NY EXPLANATION OF FUNDRAISING PAYMENTS SCHEDULE G, PART I, LINE 2B, COLUMN (V) EXPLANATION FOR PAYMENT TO CONSTELLATION ADVANCEMENT, LLC: CONSTELLATION ADVANCEMENT, LLC HAS BEEN ENGAGED TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC AGENDA FOUNDATION, INC. (THE "FOUNDATION") WITH THE FOLLOWING:- A) ADVISING THE FOUNDATION WITH THE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF THE FOUNDATION'S EFFORTS TO RAISE FUNDS IN AND TO SUPPLEMENT THE EFFORTS OF THE FOUNDATION IN THIS REGARD. B) IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL DONORS TO THE FOUNDATION AND WORKING IN A BOARD DEVELOPMENT EFFORT TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER LEADERS INVOLVED WITH THE FOUNDATION; C) ADVISING THE FOUNDATION ON STRATEGIES FOR CULTIVATING THESE POTENTIAL DONORS; D) ARRANGING MEETINGS BETWEEN POTENTIAL DONORS OR DONOR ADVISORS AND THE FOUNDATION, AND IN SOME CASES, ATTENDING THOSE MEETINGS WITH THE FOUNDATION; E) ADVISING THE FOUNDATION ON APPROPRIATE NEXT STEPS (IN SOME CASES LEADING TO DIRECT SOLICITATIONS BY THE FOUNDATION). F) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LANGUAGE IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, CONSTELLATION ADVANCEMENT, LLC SHALL NOT (I) SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS OR (II) HAVE ACCESS TO CONTRIBUTIONS OR OTHER RECEIPTS FROM A SOLICITATION OR AUTHORITY TO PAY EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH ANY SOLICITATION. THE FOUNDATION SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO CUSTODY AND CONTROL, MANAGEMENT, AND THE EXERCISE OF DOMINION OVER ANY FUNDS DONATED TO IT. G) THE FOUNDATION SHALL PERFORM THE SERVICES DESCRIBED ABOVE A REASONABLE MANNER REQUESTED BY AND AT THE DIRECTION OF THE FOUNDATION. THE FOUNDATION AGREES TO PAY CONSTELLATION ADVANCEMENT, LLC A FEE OF $3,500 PER MONTH. X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 WILLIAM K FRIEDMAN 196333 0 0 0 0 0 9845 0 30794 0 236972 0 0 0 ALISON KADLEC-HASSING 125182 0 0 0 0 0 6250 0 30146 0 161578 0 0 0 X 1 48851 FMV 0 0 0 0 METHOD FOR DETERMINING NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTORS: PART I, COLUMN (B): THE ORGANIZATION IS REPORTING THE NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTORS IN PART I COLUMN (B). FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 THE FOUNDATION HAS ITS FORM 990 PREPARED BY AN OUTSIDE ACCOUNTING FIRM AND HAS ESTABLISHED THE FOLLOWING REVIEW PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT THE INFORMATION REPORTED IS COMPLETE AND ACCURATE. AFTER REVIEW OF THE FORM 990 BY THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND PRESIDENT OF THE FOUNDATION, THE FORM, IN ITS ENTIRETY, IS SENT TO EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTRONICALLY. ONCE EACH BOARD MEMBER APPROVES THE RETURN, THE ACCOUNTING FIRM IS ADVISED THAT THE FORM 990 IS CLEARED FOR FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C PUBLIC AGENDA SENDS TO EACH BOARD MEMBER ANNUALLY A COPY OF ITS CONFLICET-OF-INTERESTS AND CODE-OF-ETHICS FORMS, WHICH EACH BOARD MEMBER MUST FILL OUT, SIGN, AND RETURN TO PUBLIC AGENDA. THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE REVIEWS THESE FORMS AND ANY CONFLICT-OF-INTERESTS NOTED ON THE FORM ARE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE BOARD AT ITS FALL MEETING AND ARE REVIEWED. NO DIRECTOR SHALL VOTE ON ANY MATTER, UNDER CONSIDERATION AT A BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEETING, IN WHICH SUCH DIRECTOR HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE MINUTES OF SUCH MEETING SHALL REFLECT THAT A DISCLOSURE WAS MADE AND THAT THE DIRECTOR HAVING A CONFLICT OF INTEREST ABSTAINED FROM VOTING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION, REVIEWS AND DECIDES ON THE COMPENSATIN OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FOUNDATION. THIS COMPENSATION REVIEW PROCESS WAS LAST UNDERTAKEN ON JUNE 11, 2013 AND A DECISION WAS MADE TO INCREASE THE PRESIDENTS SALARY, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2013 (FROM A SALARY THAT HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE JANUARY 1, 2011). ANOTHER REVIEW IS SCHEDULED FOR EARLY IN 2014. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 PUBLIC AGENDA MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. ALSO, THE FEDERAL FORM 990 WHICH INCLUDES FINANCIAL AND OTHER DISCLOSURES IS AVAILABLE ON GUIDESTAR. OTHER FEES FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING CONSULTING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 22,974. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 22,974. RESEARCH CONSULTANTS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 175,160. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 175,160. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT CONSULTANTS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 389,042. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 389,042. OVERSIGHT OF AUDIT AND SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: PUBLIC AGENDA FOUNDATION HAS A COMMITTEE THAT ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SELECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT. THIS PROCESS DID NOT CHANGE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.