ADVOCATES FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT
Cite this
Plain text ADVOCATES FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2016–2024. https://furp.org/org/advocates-for-self-government-770099744. Retrieved 2026-11-01.
APA furp.org. (n.d.). ADVOCATES FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2016–2024]. Retrieved November 1, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/advocates-for-self-government-770099744
MLA “ADVOCATES FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT.” furp.org, tax years 2016–2024, https://furp.org/org/advocates-for-self-government-770099744. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-11-01; covers tax years 2016–2024. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.
2024 · Form 990 · revenue $1.0M · expenses $672K · assets $488K
- EIN
- 77-0099744
- Address
- 500 CAPITOL MALL STE 2050, SACRAMENTO, CA 95814-4754
- Website
- https://www.theadvocates.org
- NTEE code
- -
- Exempt type
- 501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
- Ruling date
- November 1986 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
- IRS status
- Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
- Tax-deductible donations
- Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
- Foundation status
- Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
To educate the general public about the political map and libertarian philosophy; to teach communications skills to libertarians, free market advocates and civil libertarians.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).
People paid by the organization
None of the 13 people listed on these returns reported compensation from the organization. They are listed below.
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
13 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todd Rufer | Director | 2021-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 3 |
| Emily Henkel | Treasurer | 2021-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 4 |
| Chris Rufer | Chairman | 2016-2024 | 4 | $0 reported | 4 |
| Michael Sertic | President | 2017-2024 | 40 | $0 reported | 3 |
| Karrie Rufer | Secretary | 2017-2024 | 2 | $0 reported | 2 |
| John Guido (former) | Treasurer through July 2021 | 2017-2021 | 2 | $0 reported | 3 |
| Mike Sertic (former) | President | 2021 | 40 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Mark Rutherford (former) | DIRECTOR | 2016 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Doug Kippel (former) | DIRECTOR | 2016 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Emily Salvette (former) | DIRECTOR | 2016 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| James Lark (former) | CHAIRMAN | 2016 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Diane Bast (former) | SECRETARY | 2016 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Brett Bittner (former) | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 2016 | 40 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2024 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Rufer | Chairman | 4 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| Michael Sertic | President | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| Emily Henkel | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| Karrie Rufer | Secretary | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Todd Rufer | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2023 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Rufer | Chairman | 4 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| Michael Sertic | President | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| Emily Henkel | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| Karrie Rufer | Secretary | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Todd Rufer | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2022 · 5 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Rufer | Chairman | 4 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| Emily Henkel | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| Karrie Rufer | Secretary | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Todd Rufer | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| Michael Sertic | President | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2021 · 6 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Rufer | Chairman | 5 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| Emily Henkel | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| John Guido | Treasurer through July 2021 | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| Karrie Rufer | Secretary | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Todd Rufer | Director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| Mike Sertic | President | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2020 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Rufer | Chairman | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| John Guido | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| Karrie Rufer | Secretary | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Michael Sertic | President | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2019 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Rufer | Chairman | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| John Guido | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| Karrie Rufer | Secretary | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Michael Sertic | President | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2018 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 3 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Rufer | Chairman | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| John Guido | Treasurer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| Karrie Rufer | Secretary | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| Michael Sertic | President | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2017 · 4 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 4 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS RUFER | CHAIRMAN | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| JOHN GUIDO | TREASURER | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
| KARRIE RUFER | SECRETARY | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 2 |
| MICHAEL SERTIC | PRESIDENT | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 3 |
2016 · 7 people listed · none paid · 0 employees · 0 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARK RUTHERFORD | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| DOUG KIPPEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| EMILY SALVETTE | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| JAMES LARK | CHAIRMAN | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| DIANE BAST | SECRETARY | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| CHRIS RUFER | TREASUERER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 4 |
| BRETT BITTNER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
Highest-paid independent contractors
2024 · 1 contractor · $130K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky High Visions LLC | Boulder, CO | Website Development | $130,332 |
2022 · 1 contractor · $117K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky High Visions LLC | Boulder, CO | Website development | $117,145 |
2021 · 1 contractor · $109K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working Theory LLC | Austin, TX | Strategic Consultant | $108,996 |
2019 · 1 contractor · $113K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorium Design | Rocklin, CA | Programming & IT Design | $112,589 |
2016 · 1 contractor · $276K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE ENGLEHART GROUP | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | PROGRAM SERVICES | $276,407 |
Who the money went to
Grants this organization reported paying: Schedule I Part II of the Form 990, or the grants-paid list on the 990-PF. Open a year for every recipient. Recipients link to their own page when the grant names an EIN we have (990-PF grants list no EIN, so those link only on an exact, unique name and state). Grants to individuals are counted; their names are not shown.
2024 · 1 grant to organizations · $25K
2021 · 1 grant to organizations · $296K
Negative amounts are returned or refunded grants; they are listed last and left out of the totals of grants paid.
Who gave
Contributor names are not public for this form type.
Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.
Finances
Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $1,012,590 | $671,950 | $488,183 | $488,183 | $1,010,421 | $1,440 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $861,466 | $772,703 | $182,329 | $147,543 | $860,940 | $526 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $444,303 | $639,324 | $141,551 | $58,780 | $440,758 | $3,545 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $908,718 | $882,837 | $261,060 | $253,801 | $904,980 | $3,198 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $359,218 | $364,528 | $227,920 | $227,920 | $356,490 | $2,728 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $367,493 | $302,195 | $233,230 | $233,230 | $366,047 | $1,446 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $248,342 | $267,292 | $167,932 | $167,932 | $237,426 | $10,916 | $0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2017 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $265,749 | $126,341 | $186,882 | $186,882 | $256,251 | $9,498 | $0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2016 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $223,188 | $286,637 | $47,474 | $47,474 | $219,538 | $0 | $0 | 0 | 0 |
Connected to
Organizations that list some of the same people on their returns (officers, directors, key employees on this organization’s latest return), and related organizations it lists on Schedule R.
- MORNING STAR FOUNDATION Woodland, CA · 3 people in common (Chris Rufer, Karrie Rufer, Todd Rufer) · related organization (Schedule R)
- RESPECT AMERICA FOUNDATION Boise, ID · 3 people in common (Chris Rufer, Emily Henkel, Michael Sertic) · related organization (Schedule R)
- RESPECT AMERICA INC Boise, ID · 3 people in common (Chris Rufer, Emily Henkel, Michael Sertic) · related organization (Schedule R)
- THE FOUNDATION FOR HARMONY AND PROSPERITY Woodland, CA · 2 people in common (Emily Henkel, Todd Rufer) · related organization (Schedule R)
Funders of this organization
4 grantors reported grants to this organization, $1,099,501 in all, tax years 2016 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DONORS TRUST INC | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2020-2021, 2023-2024 | 4 | $977,900 | 2024 | $350,100 | show |
| LIBERTY EARS INC | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “ADVOCATES FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT” | 2022 | 1 | $104,000 | 2022 | $104,000 | show |
| UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2016 | 1 | $16,609 | 2016 | $16,609 | show |
| AMAZONSMILE FOUNDATION | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “ADVOCATES FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT” | 2020-2023 | 4 | $992 | 2023 | $179 | show |
Nearby + Similar BETA
Organizations like this one: what they do and who they are linked to
Same category: NTEE code and revenue
No similar organizations found.
Who funds organizations like this
Not reported: none of these organizations has foundation or DAF-sponsor grants in the filings we have.
The full list · all similar organizations
Where the money went
Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.
2024 · Form 990 · $671,950 spent · pay $0 · grants $25,000 · events $1,551
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees: other services | $368,883 | $233,902 | $80,989 | $53,992 | 54.9% | |
| Information technology | $155,397 | $155,397 | - | - | 23.1% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $65,695 | $65,695 | - | - | 9.8% | |
| Office expenses | $46,751 | $35,067 | $5,558 | $6,126 | 7.0% | |
| Grants to US organizations and governments | $25,000 | $25,000 | - | - | 3.7% | |
| Travel | $5,853 | $4,974 | $826 | $53 | 0.9% | |
| Fees: accounting | $2,820 | - | $2,820 | - | 0.4% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $1,551 | $1,551 | - | - | 0.2% | |
| Total | $671,950 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990 · $772,703 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $35,851
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees: other services | $536,305 | $386,736 | $73,347 | $76,222 | 69.4% | |
| Information technology | $94,032 | $94,032 | - | - | 12.2% | |
| Travel | $36,930 | $31,415 | $1,144 | $4,371 | 4.8% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $35,851 | $35,815 | $36 | - | 4.6% | |
| Office expenses | $35,594 | $832 | $19,206 | $15,556 | 4.6% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $28,903 | $28,853 | - | $50 | 3.7% | |
| Fees: accounting | $5,088 | - | $5,088 | - | 0.7% | |
| Total | $772,703 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990 · $639,324 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $4,209
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees: other services | $463,357 | $335,598 | $66,627 | $61,132 | 72.5% | |
| Information technology | $86,787 | $86,787 | - | - | 13.6% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $37,764 | $37,764 | - | - | 5.9% | |
| Office expenses | $25,944 | $5,523 | $3,375 | $17,046 | 4.1% | |
| Travel | $18,758 | $16,658 | $2,100 | - | 2.9% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $4,209 | $4,209 | - | - | 0.7% | |
| Fees: accounting | $2,505 | - | $2,505 | - | 0.4% | |
| Total | $639,324 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990 · $882,837 spent · pay $0 · grants $296,000 · events $4,170
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees: other services | $441,481 | $305,527 | $113,640 | $22,314 | 50.0% | |
| Grants to US organizations and governments | $296,000 | $296,000 | - | - | 33.5% | |
| Information technology | $74,902 | $74,902 | - | - | 8.5% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $34,779 | $34,779 | - | - | 3.9% | |
| Office expenses | $22,894 | $4,076 | $5,495 | $13,323 | 2.6% | |
| Travel | $8,611 | $1,231 | $5,003 | $2,377 | 1.0% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $4,170 | $2,088 | $809 | $1,273 | 0.5% | |
| Total | $882,837 | 100% |
2020 · Form 990 · $364,528 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees: other services | $325,026 | $301,535 | $12,533 | $10,958 | 89.2% | |
| Office expenses | $20,242 | $4,624 | $7,370 | $8,248 | 5.6% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $11,660 | $11,660 | - | - | 3.2% | |
| Information technology | $7,144 | $5,083 | $2,061 | - | 2.0% | |
| Travel | $236 | $236 | - | - | 0.1% | |
| Other (as described) | Taxes and licenses | $220 | - | $220 | - | 0.1% |
| Total | $364,528 | 100% |
2019 · Form 990 · $302,195 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $6,816
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees: other services | $268,550 | $261,508 | $2,034 | $5,008 | 88.9% | |
| Office expenses | $9,877 | $1,644 | $2,280 | $5,953 | 3.3% | |
| Information technology | $8,522 | $6,461 | $2,061 | - | 2.8% | |
| Fees: accounting | $7,601 | - | $7,601 | - | 2.5% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $6,816 | - | - | $6,816 | 2.3% | |
| Travel | $809 | $809 | - | - | 0.3% | |
| Other (as described) | Taxes and licenses | $20 | - | $20 | - | 0.0% |
| Total | $302,195 | 100% |
2018 · Form 990 · $267,292 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $1,679
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees: other services | $185,214 | $175,705 | $9,509 | - | 69.3% | |
| Office expenses | $68,290 | $63,421 | $4,773 | $96 | 25.5% | |
| Information technology | $6,856 | $3,428 | $3,428 | - | 2.6% | |
| Travel | $5,153 | - | - | $5,153 | 1.9% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $1,679 | - | - | $1,679 | 0.6% | |
| Other (as described) | Taxes and licenses | $100 | - | $100 | - | 0.0% |
| Total | $267,292 | 100% |
2017 · Form 990 · $126,341 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $1,615
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees: other services | $100,087 | $85,074 | $5,004 | $10,009 | 79.2% | |
| Office expenses | $11,987 | $9,522 | $1,985 | $480 | 9.5% | |
| Information technology | $5,169 | $5,014 | $129 | $26 | 4.1% | |
| Fees: accounting | $3,677 | $3,126 | $184 | $367 | 2.9% | |
| Travel | $2,232 | $2,232 | - | - | 1.8% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $1,615 | $1,615 | - | - | 1.3% | |
| Other (as described) | POSTAGE AND PRINTING | $1,539 | - | - | $1,539 | 1.2% |
| Other (as described) | TAXES AND LICENSES | $35 | - | $35 | - | 0.0% |
| Total | $126,341 | 100% |
2016 · Form 990 · $286,637 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $6,862
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fees: management | $236,688 | $201,189 | $11,829 | $23,670 | 82.6% | |
| Other (as described) | POSTAGE AND PRINTING | $17,822 | - | - | $17,822 | 6.2% |
| Information technology | $16,426 | $15,933 | $411 | $82 | 5.7% | |
| Office expenses | $8,467 | $6,726 | $1,402 | $339 | 3.0% | |
| Conferences, conventions and meetings | $6,862 | $6,862 | - | - | 2.4% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $357 | $339 | $11 | $7 | 0.1% | |
| Travel | $15 | $15 | - | - | 0.0% | |
| Total | $286,637 | 100% |
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