2024-11-15T13:29:29-06:00 2023-12-31 362170602 WARADY & DAVIS LLP 1717 DEERFIELD RD SUITE 300S DEERFIELD IL 60015 990 2023-01-01 202787890 FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW & POLICY FIDE 3176696127 PO BOX 3310 CARMEL IN 46082 PATRICK T GILLEN PRESIDENT 3176696127 2024-11-15 1 1 CHRISTOPHER STRAUB P01278490 8472679600 2024-11-15 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z X PATRICK T GILLEN PO BOX 3310 CARMEL IN 46082 4415559 0 X WWW.CATHOLICVOTE.ORG X 2005 MI NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAMS TO DEFEND LIFE, FAITH, AND FAMILY. 8 6 21 6 0 0 3386182 4312748 0 0 -5212 1263 222 0 3381192 4314011 1313147 1434138 0 0 948936 979460 0 0 522004 1192224 1765494 3454307 4179092 -73115 134919 2399789 2465434 1043749 974475 1356040 1490959 X THE FIDELIS CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED TO EDUCATE AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS, SPECIFICALLY ON ISSUES RELATED TO LIFE, FAITH AND FAMILY. THE CENTER SEEKS TO FAITHFULLY PROMOTE CATHOLIC SOCIAL DOCTRINE IN AMERICAN CIVIC LIFE THROUGH EDUCATION, LITIGATION AND RELATED ACTIVITIES. 0 0 3442707 1434138 THE FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW AND POLICY OPERATES AS AN ALLIED AFFILIATE OF FIDELIS, AND DIRECTS SEVERAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, ONLINE VIDEOS, EMAIL NEWSLETTERS, SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS AND VIDEOS, AND OTHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE, INFORM AND SHAPE THE PUBLIC LIFE OF THE NATION.DURING THE YEAR, THE FIDELIS CENTER OPERATED AN ADDITIONAL D/B/A "EDIFY," A DIGITAL LEARNING INITIATIVE THAT PRODUCED BI-MONTHLY ANIMATED VIDEO PRODUCTIONS, EBOOKS AND PODCASTS FEATURING PROMINENT NATIONAL EXPERTS ON ISSUES OF PUBLIC IMPORT. THE EDIFY PLATFORM AIMS TO TO HELP AMERICAN CATHOLICS AND ALL CONCERNED CITIZENS BETTER UNDERSTAND DIFFICULT QUESTIONS THROUGH THE LENS OF AUTHENTIC CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING, SCIENCE, PHILOSOPHY, ART, AND LAW. COLLECTIVELY THE VIDEOS AND PODCASTS WERE WATCHED BY MILLIONS OF LISTENERS AND ONLINE VIEWERS.OUR PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO COORDINATE, FUND, OR ENGAGE IN STRATEGIC LITIGATION TO PROMOTE THE SANCTITY OF LIFE, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND THE FAMILY. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES CRITICAL FUNDING IN SEVERAL IMPORTANT LEGAL CASES WHERE LEGAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO CLIENTS WITHOUT CHARGE. THE CENTER ALSO PRODUCED AMICUS BRIEFS FOR SEVERAL KEY CASES BEFORE CIRCUIT COURTS AND THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF CONCERNED CATHOLIC CITIZENS. 3442707 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 45 0 21 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 8 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 IL AL AK AR CA CT FL GA HI KS KY MD MA MI MS MN NH NJ NM OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WV WI X BRIAN BURCH 3176696127 PO BOX 3310 CARMEL IN 46082 BRIAN BURCH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 25.00 25.00 X 0 229000 6870 PATRICK T GILLEN PRESIDENT & CHIEF COUNSE 5.00 5.00 X X 28000 0 0 ANN LONGON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 THOMAS DILLON ESQ BOARD MEMBER 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARK HOLTERMAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 PATRICK RAINEY BOARD MEMBER 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAURA COLEMAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVE FEAVEL BOARD MEMBER 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN SHERMAN CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 25.00 25.00 X 109656 109656 10318 JOSHUA MERCER VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMMIN 25.00 25.00 X 92500 92500 4910 KARA MONE PROJECT COORDINATOR 20.00 20.00 X 55022 54822 2096 JASON STERN GIFT OFFICER 20.00 20.00 X 57500 57500 2516 JONATHAN KEARNEY DATA SYSTEMS MANAGER 20.00 20.00 X 60375 60375 10200 403053 603853 36910 8 0 1 0 BLUE COAST MEDIA LLC 530 LONG HIGHWAY LITTLE COMPTON RI 02837 VIDEO PRODUCTION 140543 1 4312748 158075 4312748 102811 101548 1263 1263 1263 4314011 0 0 1263 X 1434138 1434138 114500 57250 28625 28625 743810 429020 38368 276422 12526 7096 983 4447 41091 23278 3226 14587 67533 38260 5271 24002 38879 10879 28000 20630 20630 851108 828558 11300 11250 11716 11716 136455 121910 14545 95543 40577 54966 67506 36306 31200 8621 8621 VOTER/DONOR EDUCATION 325336 305758 1249 18329 ONLINE PROG DEVELOPMENT 74503 74503 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 58140 17052 7792 33296 BAD DEBT LOSS 38348 38348 38709 18122 7423 13164 4179092 3442707 214381 522004 1286628 1752478 1079373 670869 51692 19605 23526 32087 262 10000 10000 2399789 2465434 52050 33448 991699 941027 1043749 974475 X 388353 820090 967687 670869 1356040 1490959 2399789 2465434 134919 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2316697 3162642 3070058 3386182 4312748 16248327 2316697 3162642 3070058 3386182 4312748 16248327 928195 15320132 5 1 6 -311 -311 2094 1300 222 3616 16251638 0.94270 0.85880 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 39139 13020 26119 12553 6585 5968 32087 DUE TO AFFILIATE 941027 941027 X 4314011 0 4314011 0 4314011 4179092 0 4179092 0 4179092 PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION HAS ADOPTED THE GUIDANCE IN THE FASB CODIFICATION TOPIC RELATED TO UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES WHICH PRESCRIBES A COMPREHENSIVE MODEL FOR RECOGNIZING, MEASURING, PRESENTING AND DISCLOSING IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAS TAKEN OR EXPECTS TO TAKE IN ITS TAX RETURNS. UNDER THE GUIDANCE, THE ORGANIZATION MAY RECOGNIZE THE TAX BENEFIT FROM AN UNCERTAIN TAX POSITION ONLY IF IT IS "MORE LIKELY THAN NOT" THAT IT IS SUSTAINABLE, BASED ON ITS TECHNICAL MERITS. THE TAX BENEFITS RECOGNIZED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FROM SUCH A POSITION SHOULD BE MEASURED BASED ON THE LARGEST BENEFIT THAT HAS A GREATER THAN 50% LIKELIHOOD OF BEING REALIZED UPON ULTIMATE SETTLEMENT WITH A TAXING AUTHORITY HAVING FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION. THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES THAT IT HAS APPROPRIATE SUPPORT FOR THE POSITIONS TAKEN ON ITS RETURNS. 1 HAROLD J CASSIDY AND ASSOCIATES 750 BROAD STREET SUITE 3 SHREWSBURY NJ 07702 223521882 1434138 0 LEGAL ADVOCACY 1 PART I, LINE 2: SPENT BY ATTORNEYS IN EACH CASE.FIDELIS CENTER'S PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMBINE TO OVERSEE THE LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAMS MANAGED BY THE FIDELIS CENTER. THE FIDELIS CENTER PRESIDENT IS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY WITH OVER 20 YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL LITIGATION EXPERIENCE IN RELATED CASEWORK. TOGETHER THEY REVIEW ALL NEW CASES AND LEGAL PROGRAMS TO BE FUNDED, DETERMINING WHETHER A PARTICULAR CASE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION, AND WHETHER THE SPECIFIC ISSUES RAISED IN EACH CASE CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY LITIGATED TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULT. THE CENTER FUNDED A SERIES OF LEGAL ADVOCACY EFFORTS DURING 2023. IN SOME CASES, LEGAL SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO CLIENTS WITHOUT CHARGE BY AN ATTORNEY FUNDED BY THE CENTER. IN THE REMAINDER OF CASES, THE CENTER FILED BRIEFS REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF ITS CONSTITUENCY IN CASES INVOLVING IMPORTANT ISSUES OF PUBLIC POLICY. FUNDING IS DISTRIBUTED IN THE FORM OF REGULAR GRANTS BASED ON REPORTS AND TELECONFERENCE UPDATES ON THE FUNDING NEEDS OF EACH PARTICULAR CASE. THE CENTER REQUESTS A SUMMARY OF WORK PERFORMED, INCLUDING INCURRED EXPENSES AND HOURS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BRIAN BURCH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 0 214000 0 15000 0 0 0 6870 0 0 0 235870 0 0 JOHN SHERMAN CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 79656 79656 30000 30000 0 0 5209 5109 0 0 114865 114765 0 0 JOSHUA MERCER VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMMIN 80000 80000 12500 12500 0 0 2455 2455 0 0 94955 94955 0 0 PART I, LINE 3 THE RELATED ORGANIZATION WHICH ALSO COMPENSATES FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW & POLICY'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ESTABLISHES HIS COMPENSATION. THE RELATED ORGANIZATION'S COMPENSATION COMMITTEE APPROVES THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM BOTH ENTITIES. PART I, LINE 8 FIDELIS, A RELATED ENTITY, ISSUED A W-2 FOR ITS PRESIDENT, BRIAN BURCH, FOR COMPENSATION EARNED BY FIDELIS AND FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW AND POLICY AS ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. BASED ON HOURS PER WEEK WORKED FOR EACH ENTITY, 50% OF THE TOTAL W-2 AMOUNT OF $229,000 WAS ALLOCATED TO FIDELIS CENTER FOR LAW AND POLICY OR $114,500. PATRICK GILLEN CONTRACTED LEGAL COUNSEL AND BOARD MEMBER 28000 COMPENSATION/LEGAL RETAINER 0 VERVEMAIL (BRIAN BURCH) BRIAN BURCH, PRESIDENT, IS 25% OWNER OF VERVEMAIL, AN ORGANIZATION VENDOR. 57519 EMAIL MARKETING 0 X 2 111698 FAIR VALUE 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 4 THE BY-LAWS WERE AMENDED TO ESTABLISH AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHICH EXERCISES THE POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHEN THE BOARD IS NOT IN SESSION. A MAJORITY OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MUST APPROVE ANY ACTION OR RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT ONLY WITH APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THE AMENDMENTS ALSO ALLOW FOR THE NUBMER OF DIRECTORS TO BE INCREASED OR DECREASED FROM TIME TO TIME BY AMENDMENT TO THE BYLAWS. FUTURE AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO HAVE AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE BY A MAJORITY OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY OF THE ENTIRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B A DRAFT OF FORM 990 WAS ELECTRONICALLY DISSEMINATED TO ALL DIRECTORS. ANY QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE RETURN WERE DISCUSSED AND RESOLVED, AND THE BOARD APPROVED FORM 990 PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS DIRECTED THE PRESIDENT TO HOLD A WEEKLY STATUS TELEPHONE CONFERENCE TO UPDATE KEY STAFF AND ANY PARTICIPATING BOARD MEMBERS ON ALL RELEVANT ISSUES RELATED TO MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION. IN EACH OF THESE WEEKLY CALLS, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE. AS A PART OF THIS WEEKLY STATUS CALL, KEY STAFF, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS ARE EXPECTED TO DISCLOSE ANY AND ALL ISSUES THAT MAY INVOLVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BETWEEN STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS OR KEY EMPLOYEES. IF AND WHEN ANY ISSUE OF CONCERN IS RAISED, THE PRESIDENT IS REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE BOARD IN ITS ENTIRETY. THE BOARD MAY ELECT TO INITIATE AN OFFICIAL MEETING TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT. THE BOARD COMPENSATION AND AUDIT COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF ALL NON-COMPENSATED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND CONSTITUTES A MAJORITY OF THE BOARD. THIS COMMITTEE IS AUTHORIZED TO ACT UPON AND RESOLVE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF MANAGEMENT OR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE BOARD OF THE CENTER'S RELATED ORGANIZATION, FIDELIS, CREATED AN AUDIT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AND APPROVE COMPENSATION FOR THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE BOARD REVIEWED RELEVANT DATA CONCERNING COMPARABLE COMPENSATION FOR PRESIDENTS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS AND APPROVED COMPENSATION BASED ON THIS AND OTHER DATA. THERE ARE NO OTHER COMPENSATED OFFICERS OR KEY EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CONSULTING/CONTRACTUAL SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 90,714. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 90,714. PROFESSIONAL FEES - OTHER: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 94,781. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 11,250. TOTAL EXPENSES 106,031. PAYROLL SERVICE FEES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 11,300. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 11,300. WRITERS/BLOGGERS/ARTISTS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 289,621. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 289,621. FILM, VIDEO AND PODCAST PRODUCTION: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 291,842. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 291,842. TRANSLATION SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 61,600. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 0. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 61,600. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REVIEW PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. FORM 990, PART VII, SECTION A: BRIAN BURCH, THE CENTER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SPENDS 25.0 HOURS PER WEEK OF HIS TIME AT THE RELATED ORGANIZATION, FIDELIS, A 501(C)(4) ORGANIZATION. ALL OF BRIAN'S SALARY WAS PAID BY FIDELIS. A PORTION OF HIS SALARY HAS BEEN ALLOCATED ON THE STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES FOR THE TIME HE SPENT ON TASKS FOR THE CENTER. FIDELIS PO BOX 259837 MADISON WI 53725 202603413 GRASSROOTS EDUCATION MI 501(C)(4) N/A 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 FIDELIS O 260838 CASH VALUE FIDELIS E 941027 CASH VALUE FIDELIS P 83702 CASH VALUE FIDELIS S 55002 CASH VALUE