2023-11-15T18:23:56-06:00 2022-12-31 932001788 BRYMAR CPA LLP 17 ASPEN WAY WATSONVILLE CA 95076 990 2022-01-01 953527131 ROMERO INSTITUTE ROME 8314596135 210 HIGH ST 2ND FLOOR SANTA CRUZ CA 95060 SARA NELSON VICE PRESIDENT 8314596135 2023-11-15 1 SARA NELSON 999009999 0 MICHAEL BRYANT P01568974 8312881720 2023-11-15 0 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z SARA NELSON 210 HIGH ST 2ND FLOOR SANTA CRUZ CA 95060 3646948 0 X WWW.ROMEROINSTITUTE.ORG X 1980 CA ADDRESS SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ENVIORNMENTAL PROBLEMS. APPLICATION OF RESEARCH, INVESTIGATION, LAW, AND EDUCATION TO DEVELOP PROJECTS THAT EDUCATE AND ACTIVATE THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY TO SOLVE HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIORNMENTAL PROBLEMS. 10 6 28 25 0 0 3941882 2030333 6276 11200 261316 -167930 2232 2920 4211706 1876523 78600 56500 0 0 1711524 2049293 0 0 254676 944508 1083108 2734632 3188901 1477074 -1312378 3321846 1722675 209649 181309 3112197 1541366 X EXPOSE SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL WARMING, ECONOMIC INEQUALITY, HUMAN AND INDIGENOUS RIGHTS. INTERFAITH LAW AND POLICY CENTER USING IMPACT LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION, GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE GOALS. 0 0 1235758 4125 THE LAKOTA PEOPLE'S LAW PROJECT CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS AND SOVEREIGNTY OF THE LAKOTA SIOUX PEOPLE. OUR FIVE RESPECTED LAKOTA LEADERS SET PRIORITIES AND WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH OUR CALIFORNIA TEAM. OUR DOMINANT PROJECT IN 2022 WAS A MAJOR CAMPAIGN TO TURN OUT THE NATIVE VOTE IN RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA, WHERE WE PRODUCED AN "OCETI VOTE" EVENT THAT HELPED REGISTER COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR THE NATIONAL ELECTION. THAT EVENT BROUGHT A BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, LIVE MUSIC, AND HANDGAMES (A TRADITIONAL LAKOTA PRACTICE) TO RAPID CITY. ON VOTING RIGHTS, WE ALSO SUCCESSFULLY SERVED AS PLAINTIFF IN A LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST SOUTH DAKOTA BY LEGAL ALLIES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT ("MOTOR VOTER" LAW). THE SETTLEMENT REACHED IN THIS SUIT WILL ENSURE THAT NATIVE FOLKS IN SOUTH DAKOTA CAN REGISTER TO VOTE WHEN VISITING AGENCIES LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, AS MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW. ANOTHER MAJOR COMMITMENT WAS OUR WORK ON BEHALF OF THE STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE, FOR WHOM WE PROVIDED TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN RELATION TO ITS ONGOING EFFORT TO RESIST THE DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE. WE MANAGED THE TRIBE'S COMMUNICATION FLOW, INCLUDING THEIR E-BLASTS, VIDEO PRODUCTION, FUNDRAISING, WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT, AND PRESS RELEASES. AT STANDING ROCK WE ALSO OPERATED OUR KINSHIP CARE HOME, WHERE 3-5 CHILDREN WERE HOUSED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND WE MADE STRIDES IN DEVELOPING OUR "NODAPL" ARCHIVE WHICH, WHEN EVENTUALLY LAUNCHED IN COLLABORATION WITH SITTING BULL COLLEGE AND LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO, WILL PROVIDE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FREE MEDIA ABOUT PIPELINE FIGHTS INCLUDING DAKOTA ACCESS TO EDUCATORS, JOURNALISTS, LAWYERS, AND OTHERS ACROSS THE WORLD. ADDITIONALLY, IN AN HISTORIC BATTLE, OUR ATTORNEYS AND COMMUNICATIONS STAFF PUSHED HARD TO SUPPORT THE INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT (ICWA) AT THE SUPREME COURT, WHERE ICWA WAS UNDER ATTACK FROM ACTIVIST LAWYERS IN TEXAS. OUR ATTORNEYS PREPARED AN AMICUS BRIEF SUBMITTED TO THE COURT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CHAIR OF OUR BOARD OF ADVISORS, FORMER U.S. SENATOR JAMES ABOUREZK, THE MAIN AUTHOR OF ICWA. IN AN HISTORIC DECISION, THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING PRESERVED THE PROTECTION OF INDIAN PARENTS AND CHILDREN PROVIDED IN THE ICWA LAW. LASTLY, WE WORKED AT CHEYENNE RIVER NATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA TO INCUBATE A CHILD WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR THE TRIBE. 987783 48250 LET'S GREEN CALIFORNIA DEVELOPED PLANS AND POLICIES FOR CALIFORNIA ACHIEVING CLOSE TO ZERO CARBON EMISSIONS IN 10 YEARS. WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO END THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND ALL CITIZENS MUST BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE, SO WE PARTNERED WITH THE DOLORES HUERTA FOUNDATION, AND WITH VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND WORKING FAMILIES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA TO BUILD BOTTOM-UP SOLUTIONS TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, PUTTING EQUITY, JOBS AND WORKERS, AND FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES FIRST. AS THE FIFTH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD AND A HISTORIC ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER, CALIFORNIA IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO CREATE A MODEL OF EQUITABLE CLIMATE ACTION THAT CAN BE REPLICATED WORLDWIDE. THE TEAM CONDUCTED EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND AUTHORED A POLICY FRAMEWORK TO ELECTRIFY CALIFORNIA, CREATE GOOD-PAYING GREEN JOBS, AND GET THE GOLDEN STATE BACK ON TRACK TO ACHIEVING ITS 2030 CLIMATE GOALS. OUR FRAMEWORK BECAME THE BASIS OF SENATE BILL 1230 THAT WAS INTRODUCED BY SENATOR LIMON AND PASSED IN 2022. THIS LEGISLATION MAKES IT EASIER FOR MILLIONS OF LOW AND MODERATE- INCOME CALIFORNIANS TO PURCHASE EVS. WE SECURED 100+ ORGANIZATIONAL ENDORSEMENTS, EIGHT SENATE CO-AUTHORS, AND GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S SIGNATURE. WE CONTINUED OUR WORK TO BUILD THE CCA AND WORKFORCE AND EJ STANDARDS ALLIANCE OF 32 LABOR, CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS THAT IS WORKING TO STRENGTHEN LABOR STANDARDS AT REGIONAL CLEAN ENERGY AGENCIES, AND HAS EARNED WINS IN SAN MATEO, SAN FRANCISCO, AND THE CENTRAL COAST. IN ADDITION, OUR WORK IN THE MONTEREY CATHOLIC DIOCESE HAS CONTINUED TO ORGANIZE SUCCESSFUL ELECTRIFY CALIFORNIA EVENTS IN PARISHES, AGAIN REACHING 1000S OF LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME CITIZENS ABOUT THE HEALTH AND CLIMATE VALUES OF ELECTRIFYING KITCHENS AND CARS, AND THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES AVAILABLE TO MAKE IT AFFORDABLE. OUR WORK TO MAKE GREEN SOLUTIONS MORE AVAILABLE TO 80% OF CALIFORNIANS WHO ARE LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME CITIZENS WILL CONTINUE INTO 2023, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT SOLVING THE CLIMATE CRISIS WILL REQUIRE ALL CITIZENS PARTICIPATING. 296099 4125 THE RICO PROJECT BEGAN THE LEGAL RESEARCH TO PRODUCE A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE SIX MAJOR OIL AND GAS CORPORATIONS IN CALIFORNIA. BOTH THE FEDERAL CONGRESS AND THE CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE HAVE CRIMINALIZED THE JOINING TOGETHER OF A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS IN A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT TWO OR MORE OF ANY OF A LIST OF 32 SPECIFIC CRIMES. THESE SPECIFIC CRIMES INCLUDE: MURDER; MURDER-FOR-HIRE; KIDNAPPING; BRIBERY; WITNESS INTIMIDATION; WITNESS TAMPERING; EMBEZZLEMENT; WIRE FRAUD; ARSON; EXTORTION; ROBBERY; THEFT; OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE; MONEY LAUNDERING; TERRORISM AND SEVERAL OTHER SERIOUS FELONY CRIMES. THE RESEARCH REVEALS THAT EACH OF THESE CORPORATIONS' OFFICERS AND MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS, DURING THIS PAST 47 YEAR PERIOD, HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMITTING, DIRECTING, AND/OR EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION OF TWO OR MORE OF THESE SPECIFIC STATE AND FEDERAL PREDICATE CRIMINAL ACTS OF THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL RACKETEERING ACT OF 1970. THE ROMERO LEGAL TEAM HAS BEEN PREPARING A FEDERAL AND A STATE COMPLAINT UNDER THE FEDERAL CRIMINAL RACKETEERING ACT, INTENDING TO PRESENT IT TO THE LEGAL BODIES WHO CAN ASSEMBLE A GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE THE CRIMES. ON NOVEMBER 10, 2022, IN A PARALLEL DEVELOPMENT, CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE BIG OIL AND GAS COMPANIES CHARGING THEM WITH MANY OF THE CRIMES OUTLINED IN OUR RESEARCH. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ANY PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO WILL APPLY THE RULE OF LAW TO THIS INDUSTRY.THE SPECIAL MEDIA PROJECT IS A RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT THAT IS PREPARING TO PRODUCE A PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ARCHIVE, A PODCAST SERIES, A DOCUMENTARY SERIES, AND A CABLE SERIES ABOUT THE LEGAL, INVESTIGATIVE, AND ORGANIZING ACTIVITIES OF THE CHRISTIC INSTITUTE AND THE ROMERO INSTITUTE. THE RESEARCH COVERS 50 YEARS OF PUBLIC INTEREST WORK AND REVEALS IMPORTANT HISTORICAL INFORMATION THAT IS RELEVANT TODAY REGARDING SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE IN CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION, HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS, DRUG SMUGGLING, AND ILLEGAL WAR MAKING. THE ROMERO INSTITUTE ARCHIVAL PROJECT SEEKS TO CORRECT THE HISTORICAL RECORD AND LAY OUT THE FACTS IN SEVERAL MEDIA FORMATS. THE GOAL IS TO SHARE TRUE FACTS THAT BEG FOR NEW LAWS AND POLICIES NEEDED TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE, GREEN, AND THRIVING FUTURE FOR THE U.S. AND THE WORLD. 67714 THE NEW PARADIGM INSTITUTE PROJECT WAS LAUNCHED IN 2022 WHEN LUI ELIZANDRO, A PENTAGON WHISTLEBLOWER WHO HAD BEEN THE DIRECTOR OF THE MULTI-DECADE PENTAGON COVERT PROGRAM THAT WAS INVESTIGATING UFOS AND UAPS (UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL PHENOMENA) ASKED OUR GENERAL COUNSEL, DAN SHEEHAN, TO REPRESENT HIM IN CHALLENGING LEGAL ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO THE PUBLIC. HE WAS THE FIRST HIGH LEVEL INSIDER TO RELEASE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MANY MILITARY VIDEOS TRACKING THESE VEHICLES IN THE AIR, AND HE STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT OURS, NOT THE RUSSIANS, AND NOT THE CHINESE". HE WAS THE FIRST TO PUBLICLY STATE THAT "IT APPEARS THAT THE VEHICLES ARE OF HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, NON-HUMAN ORIGIN". HIS STATEMENTS WERE COVERED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES, 60 MINUTES, AND LATER REVIEWED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE U.S. SENATE WHICH ARE NOW DEMANDING TRANSPARENCY OF 80 YEARS OF COVERT DOCUMENTS AND VIDEOS. 67714 2587354 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 31 0 1 28 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 10 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 CA X X SARA NELSON 8314596135 210 HIGH ST 2ND FLOOR SANTA CRUZ CA 95060 PAUL LEE CHAIR OF THE BOARD 3.00 X X 0 0 0 MARKELL BROOKS BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 GWENDOLYN GRACE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHASE IRON EYES CODIRECTOR OF LPLP 40.00 X 78996 0 0 DANIEL SHEEHAN PRESIDENT 50.00 X X 137102 0 1026 SARA NELSON VICE PRESIDENT 50.00 X X 137102 0 1026 DANIEL PAUL NELSON SECRETARY/TREASURER 50.00 X X 81808 0 5839 ERIC THIERMANN AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIR 2.00 X 0 0 0 PEARL MEANS BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 FAYE CROSBY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 BENJAMIN EICHERT PROGRAM DIRECTOR LGCA 40.00 X 102935 0 5300 HEIDI HARMON SENIOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS 40.00 X 102935 0 5974 640878 0 19165 4 0 0 0 0 2030333 2030333 EVENTS 11200 11200 11200 24126 24126 3000 0 3000 3000 3000 1576937 1768993 -192056 -192056 -192056 1352 1432 -80 -80 1876523 -153810 0 0 56500 56500 442899 400547 26959 15393 1385008 1097331 108160 179517 66286 59542 5082 1662 155100 117564 15951 21585 113110 13308 99802 19051 19051 12548 10833 1715 106758 77937 5156 23665 87090 77809 4357 4924 90998 87018 1005 2975 87109 86165 506 438 15094 6128 8219 747 SERVICE CONTRACTORS 395239 391024 645 3570 CREDIT CARD FEES 40977 7958 33019 EVENTS 40937 40937 PUBLIC EDUCATION 21100 21100 53097 35653 17244 200 3188901 2587354 346871 254676 610351 435291 146711 59056 5740 4307 31128 14778 466484 217097 319467 249387 2208449 959856 3321846 1722675 209649 181309 209649 181309 X 2664304 1353754 447893 187612 3112197 1541366 3321846 1722675 -1312378 -258453 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1890527 1650755 2996339 3941882 2030333 12509836 1890527 1650755 2996339 3941882 2030333 12509836 3541349 8968487 709 1012 16015 24126 41862 12551698 80315 0.71450 0.69740 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 144000 144000 0 PART II-B, LINE 1: THE LANG, HANSON, GIROUX, AND KIDANE LOBBYING FIRM IN SACRAMENTO WORKED WITH THE ORGANIZATION THROUGHOUT 2022 TO HELP THEM RESEARCH AND SHAPE A SENATE BLLL, SECURE A SPONSOR IN SENATOR MONIQUE LIMON, SECURE EIGHT CO-SPONSORS, COMMUNICATE WITH VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS, SECURE THE VOTES IN VARIOUS COMMITTEE HEARINGS NECESSARY FOR THE BILL TO PROCEED TO A FINAL VOTE IN THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY, AND SECURE THE SIGNATURE OF THE GOVERNOR. THE BILL WAS SENATE BILL 1230 AND IT BROUGHT 4 DIFFERENT COMPLICATED INCENTIVE PLATFORMS TOGETHER INTO ONE WEB PORTAL SO THAT LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME CITIZENS WOULD BE ABLE TO MORE EASILY DISCOVER WHAT FINANCIAL INCENTIVES WERE AVAILABLE TO THEM FOR THE PURCHASE OF AN EV CAR. IMPORTANTLY, IT MANDATED THAT THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT POINT OF PURCHASE. THIS BILL IS DESIGNED TO HELP APPROXIMATELY 80% OF CALIFORNIANS PURCHASE EVS AND PARTICIPATE IN THE GREEN SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. THE BILL PASSED BOTH THE ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE, AND ALL COMMITTEES, WITH STRONG SUPPORT, AND WAS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR IN SEPTEMBER, 2022. 30400 30400 121600 8504 113096 86267 76833 9434 228217 131760 96457 249387 X 1876523 0 1876523 0 1876523 3447354 258453 258453 3188901 0 3188901 PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION EVALUATES ITS UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AND WILL RECOGNIZE A LOSS CONTINGENCY WHEN IT IS PROBABLE THAT A LIABILITY HAS BEEN INCURRED AS OF THE DATE OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE AMOUNT OF THE LOSS CAN BE REASONABLY ESTIMATED. THE AMOUNT RECOGNIZED IS SUBJECT TO ESTIMATE AND MANAGEMENT JUDGMENT WITH RESPECT TO THE LIKELY OUTCOME OF EACH UNCERTAIN TAX POSITION. THE AMOUNT THAT IS ULTIMATELY SUSTAINED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITION OR FOR ALL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS IN THE AGGREGATE COULD DIFFER FROM THE AMOUNT RECOGNIZED. AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021 MANAGEMENT DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: UNREALIZED LOSS SCH D, PART XII, LINE 2D UNREALIZED LOSS 0 ECOLOGISTIC INC 633 RAMONA AVE SPACE 103 LOS OSOS CA 93402 272116150 501C3 40000 0 SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY RIGHT LIVELIHOOD CENTER SANTA CRUZ 1156 HIGH STREET SANTA CRUZ CA 95064 941539563 16500 0 SUPPORT FOR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 1 1 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 THERE ARE THREE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD THAT ARE RELATED. 1) SARA NELSON, VICE-PRESIDENT AND DANIEL SHEEHAN, PRESIDENT; FAMILY RELATIONSHIP 2) SARA NELSON, VICE-PRESIDENT AND DANIEL PAUL NELSOM, SECRETARY/TREASURER; FAMILY RELATIONSHIP 3) DANIEL SHEEHAN, PRESIDENT AND DANIEL PAUL NELSOM, SECRETARY/TREASURER; FAMILY RELATIONSHIP FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY MANAGEMENT AND THE EXECUTIVE TEAM AND IS MADE AVAILABLE TO THE BOARD PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS REVIEWED ANNUALLY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 15A - COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR TOP OFFICIAL: PROCESS IS DONE THROUGH THE REVIEW OF THE BUDGET APPROVAL. FORM 990, PART VI, LINE 15B - COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR OFFICERS: PROCESS IS DONE THROUGH THE REVIEW OF THE BUDGET APPROVAL. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ARE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST TO THE ORGANIZATION.