2025-11-12T18:27:45-06:00 2024-12-31 331374517 PKF O'CONNOR DAVIES ADVISORY LLC 500 MAMARONECK AVENUE SUITE 301 HARRISON NY 105281633 990 2024-01-01 844533641 VITAL STRATEGIES ACTION FUND INC VITA 2125005720 100 BROADWAY 4TH FL NEW YORK NY 10005 WALLACE D'SOUZA CFAO 6463437051 2025-11-12 1 1 EVA MRUK P00543254 9143818900 2025-11-12 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z WALLACE D'SOUZA 100 BROADWAY 4TH FL NEW YORK NY 10005 8525430 0 X WWW.VITALACTIONFUND.ORG X 2020 DE WE ARE A GLOBAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION WORKING TO ADVANCE HEALTH FOCUSED PUBLIC POLICY. 6 6 0 7 0 0 4605000 8525430 0 0 0 0 0 0 4605000 8525430 2060993 3947823 0 0 0 0 0 0 27523 610035 973061 2671028 4920884 1933972 3604546 2172639 5750457 242053 219434 1930586 5531023 X THE ACTION FUND IS ORGANIZED TO PROMOTE LEGISLATION, REGULATION AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEMS AND ADDRESS THE WORLD'S LEADING CAUSES OF ILLNESS, INJURY AND DEATH. 0 0 3956922 3525000 0 FOOD POLICY PROGRAM:VITAL STRATEGIES ACTION FUND SUPPORTS PARTNERS WORK IN LOW AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES TO ADVOCATE FOR LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS TO ACHIEVE HEALTHY FOOD POLICY GOALS THAT ADDRESS THE GLOBAL HARM TO HEALTH CAUSED BY ULTRA-PROCESSED PRODUCTS (UPPS) AND PROMOTE HEALTHIER FOOD ENVIRONMENTS. IN FY 2024, THE FOOD POLICY PROGRAM PROVIDED SUBGRANTS FOR LEGISLATIVE LOBBYING ACTIVITIES IN BRAZIL, SOUTH AFRICA, COLOMBIA, BARBADOS, AND PANAMA. IN BRAZIL, THE FOOD POLICY PROGRAM CONTRACTED WITH ACT, HEALTH PROMOTION (ACT) TO CONDUCT MASS MEDIA COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS IN SUPPORT OF A TAX REFORM ON ULTRA-PROCESSED PRODUCTS (UPPS) AND SUGARY AND SWEETENED BEVERAGES. AFTER TWO YEARS OF DISCUSSION IN CONGRESS, BRAZIL'S TAX REFORM REGULATION BILL WAS APPROVED ON DEC. 17, 2024. THE SELECTIVE TAX INCLUDES SOFT DRINKS AS WELL AS TOBACCO AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. THE NEW LEGISLATION ALSO INTRODUCED A BASIC FOOD BASKET OF HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS THAT ARE EXEMPT FROM THE NEW TAXES. IN BRAZIL, THE FOOD POLICY PROGRAM ALSO CONTRACTED WITH THE BRAZILIAN INSTITUTE FOR CONSUMER RIGHTS (IDEC) TO PREPARE A NEW CAMPAIGN PHASE FOR REGIONAL HEALTHY SCHOOL FOOD LEGISLATION. THE CAMPAIGN IS SCHEDULED FOR 2025.IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE FOOD POLICY PROGRAM CONTRACTED WITH COMMUNITY MEDIA TRUST TO CONDUCT MASS MEDIA COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS WITH THE GOAL OF INCREASING TAXES ON SUGARY BEVERAGES, INCLUDING FRUIT JUICES. IN 2024, CMT PUBLISHED THE EPISODE "IS THE SUGAR INDUSTRY LYING TO US?" OF ITS "CHEW ON THIS" PODCAST WHICH WAS USED STRATEGICALLY TO SET THE AGENDA FOR THE TAX AHEAD OF THE MID-TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT. FROM OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2024, CMT ALSO IMPLEMENTED THE "ARE YOU DRINKING YOURSELF SICK?" CAMPAIGN WHICH REACHED NEARLY 10 MILLION PEOPLE. IN COLOMBIA, THE FOOD POLICY PROGRAM CONTRACTED WITH CORPORACIN COLOMBIANA DE PADRES Y MADRES (RED PAPAZ) TO CONDUCT MASS MEDIA COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS TO REGULATE THE MARKETING OF UPPS, PARTICULARLY TO CHILDREN. IN 2024 RED PAPAZ IMPLEMENTED THE "DON'T EAT MORE LIES ANYMORE" CAMPAIGN WHICH REACHED 32.8 MILLION PEOPLE COMBINED THROUGH ITS TWO PHASES AND GATHERED 11,700 SIGNATURES. AT THE END OF 2024 RED PAPAZ ALSO LAUNCHED "DON'T EAT MORE LIES: PART 2" WHICH GARNERED OVER 49,500 SIGNATURES IN 3 MONTHS AND REACHED OVER 4.8 MILLION PEOPLE. IN COLOMBIA, THE COALITION, LED BY RED PAPAZ, ALSO SUBMITTED THE MARKETING RESTRICTION BILL TO CONGRESS ON NOV. 6, 2024, AS WELL AS THE HEALTHY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS BILL ON NOV. 12, 2024, LED BY FIAN COLOMBIA. ALL COALITION ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVELY SUPPORTED BOTH FILINGS. FURTHERMORE, ON NOV. 6, 2024, A BELOW-THE-LINE ACTIVITY WAS CONDUCTED IN CONGRESS TO SUPPORT THE #LEYNIEZCOMIDACHATARRA BILL.IN BARBADOS, THE FOOD POLICY PROGRAM WORKED WITH THE HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION OF BARBADOS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MASS MEDIA COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN STRATEGY TO ADVOCATE FOR FRONT-OF-PACKAGE-WARNING LABEL LEGISLATION. IN PANAMA, THE FOOD POLICY PROGRAM CONTRACTED WITH FUNDACIN MOVIMIENTO DE ALIMENTACIN SALUDABLE TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNICATION STRATEGY TO ADVOCATE FOR THE NATIONAL FRONT-OF-PACKAGE LABELING LEGISLATION. 364790 308164 0 RESET ALCOHOL:RESET ALCOHOL IS A PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS, CIVIL SOCIETY AND GLOBAL LEADERS TO ADVANCE POLICIES FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION'S SAFER PACKAGE TO REDUCE THE HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC HARMS OF ALCOHOL. WORKING PRIMARILY IN BRAZIL, COLOMBIA, KENYA, MEXICO, PHILIPPINES, AND SRI LANKA, RESET ALCOHOL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROVIDING FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENTS, CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND TECHNICAL POLICY INSTITUTIONS. THE INITIATIVE IS LED BY VITAL STRATEGIES IN COLLABORATION WITH JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, GLOBAL ALCOHOL POLICY ALLIANCE (GAPA), MOVENDI INTERNATIONAL, THE NCD ALLIANCE, AND WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO). THE 3 BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE RESET ALCOHOL PROGRAM IN 2024. 1. BRAZIL'S NATIONAL CONGRESS APPROVED A NEW TAX REFORM THAT INCLUDES A SELECTIVE TAX ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.2. MASS MEDIA CAMPAIGNS WERE LAUNCHED IN MEXICO TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ALCOHOL'S HARMS AND BUILD SUPPORT FOR POLICY ACTION, REACHING OVER 33 MILLION PEOPLE.3. PUBLIC OPINION POLLING WAS CONDUCTED IN FIVE COUNTRIES TO GAUGE CONCERNS AROUND ALCOHOL-RELATED VIOLENCE AND HEALTH HARMS. THESE INSIGHTS REVEALED IMPORTANTLY THAT IN ALL COUNTRIES THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE ARE IN FAVOR OF ALCOHOL TAXES. THESE AND OTHER ALCOHOL POLLS ARE BEING USED IN COMMS AND ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS TO RAISE TAXES. 125000 114659 0 OVERDOSE PREVENTION PROGRAM: IN 2024 THE VITAL STRATEGIES ACTION FUND RECEIVED A GRANT DIRECTED TOWARDS DEFENSIVE LOBBYING IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY. SPECIFICALLY, THE THRUST OF THIS EFFORT WAS TO COUNTERACT SOME OF THE HARMFUL IMPACTS OF RECENTLY PASSED STATE LEGISLATION THAT AGGRESSIVELY TARGETS PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS AND MEETS THEM WITH SEVERE CRIMINAL MEASURES RATHER THAN SUPPORTIVE PUBLIC HEALTH ENVIRONMENTS. PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST RISK GROUPS FOR FATAL OVERDOSE THE NEW MEASURES THEREFORE WOULD BRING FURTHER HARM TO AN ALREADY AT-RISK GROUP, COUNTER TO EXTENSIVE EVIDENCE THAT INCARCERATION AND PUNITIVE MEASURES DRASTICALLY INCREASE THE RISK OF OVERDOSE.THIS GRANT ALLOWED FOR A SUBGRANT TO REBUILD THE DREAM, WHO ORGANIZED A COALITION WITHIN THE STATE TO BEGIN WORKING AGAINST THE MOST HARMFUL ASPECTS OF THE NEW LEGISLATION. THIS COALITION INCLUDED GROUPS FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH FIELD, AS WELL AS CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS, AND OTHER ADVOCATES FOR SUPPORTIVE RESPONSES TO MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS FOR EXAMPLE ACLU KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY CENTER FOR ECONOMIC POLICY, KENTUCKY FREE, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADVOCACY, AND HOMELESS AND HOUSELESS COALITION OF KENTUCKY.THIS COALITION FIRST WORKED TO AMEND THE LEGISLATION TO LESSEN THE SEVERITY OF SOME CRIMINAL PENALTIES. THEY WERE ALSO SUCCESSFUL IN ADVOCATING FOR THE GOVERNOR TO VETO THE LEGISLATION AN IMPORTANT POSITIONAL STATEMENT DESPITE THE EVENTUAL OVERTURN OF THAT VETO. FINALLY, AFTER PASSAGE OF THE BILL, THIS WORK WAS EXTENDED TO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE STATE'S ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS (AOC) AND AN AGREEMENT WITH THAT AGENCY TO PROVIDE KEY DATA TO THE ADVOCACY COALITION WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE 'BEFORE AND AFTER' PICTURE IN THE WAKE OF NEWLY CREATED OR INCREASED PENALTIES, TO CHARACTERIZE THE LAWS' IMPACTS ON PEOPLE AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. 1. FORMING A MULTI-SECTORAL COALITION THAT INCLUDES PUBLIC HEALTH GROUPS, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES, ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTIONS, LEGAL PROTECTION ENTITIES, AND OTHER KEY POLICY EXPERTS.2. SECURING A VETO FROM THE GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKY AGAINST EXTREMELY HARMFUL LEGISLATION THAT CONTRADICTS PUBLIC HEALTH EVIDENCE.3. SECURING AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE'S COURTS SYSTEMS FOR RECEIPT OF KEY SENTENCING AND SUPERVISION DATA TO CREATE A CAPACITY TO MONITOR THE HEALTH AND HUMAN IMPACT OF THE NEW POLICIES. 4446712 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 X 6 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 X X WALLACE D'SOUZA 6463437051 100 BROADWAY 4TH FL NEW YORK NY 10005 X MARY-ANN ETIEBET MD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (AS OF SEP 2024) 6.00 X X 0 0 0 JOSE LUIS CASTRO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU JUN 2024) 1.00 X X 0 0 0 DAVID A CAPUTO CHAIR 1.50 X X 0 0 0 TONYA GAYLE SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 TING TING CHENG TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 PETER BALDINI TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRIS CASTAGNA TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOANNA THOMAS TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 WALLACE D'SOUZA CFAO 6.00 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8525430 8525430 8525430 0 0 0 114659 114659 3833164 3833164 20500 7000 13500 6752 6752 169979 169979 94 94 72290 19694 52596 14762 14762 332 332 ALLOCATED OVERHEAD 684610 276638 380449 27523 MISCELLANEOUS 3742 3732 10 4920884 4446712 446649 27523 2172639 4853742 0 896715 2172639 5750457 3207 0 238846 219434 242053 219434 X 110987 745987 1819599 4785036 1930586 5531023 2172639 5750457 X 3604546 -4109 X 0 1 X 0 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 DUE TO VITAL STRATEGIES, INC. 219434 219434 X 8525430 0 8525430 0 8525430 4924993 4109 4109 4920884 0 4920884 PART X, LINE 2: THE ACTION FUND RECOGNIZES THE EFFECT OF INCOME TAX POSITIONS ONLY IF THOSE POSITIONS ARE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT TO BE SUSTAINED. MANAGEMENT HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ACTION FUND HAD NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THAT WOULD REQUIRE FINANCIAL STATEMENT RECOGNITION OR DISCLOSURE. THE ACTION FUND IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO EXAMINATIONS BY THE APPLICABLE TAXING JURISDICTIONS FOR PERIODS PRIOR TO 2021. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: LOSSES ON FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION 4,109. 1 SOUTH AMERICA 0 0 GRANTMAKING 3401841 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 0 0 GRANTMAKING 278362 EUROPE 0 0 GRANTMAKING 82436 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 0 0 GRANTMAKING 40525 NORTH AMERICA 0 0 GRANTMAKING 30000 SOUTH AMERICA 0 2 PROGRAM SERVICES FOOD POLICY PROGRAM 15246 SOUTH ASIA 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES RESET ALCOHOL PROGRAM 3005 CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 0 1 PROGRAM SERVICES FOOD POLICY PROGRAM 29959 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 0 2 PROGRAM SERVICES FOOD POLICY PROGRAM 24794 0 4 0 2 0 6 3881374 24794 3906168 SOUTH AMERICA FOOD POLICY PROGRAM 2400000 WIRE 0 SOUTH AMERICA RESET ALCOHOL PROGRAM 70602 WIRE 0 SOUTH AMERICA RESET ALCOHOL PROGRAM 26260 WIRE 0 SOUTH AMERICA FOOD POLICY PROGRAM 700000 WIRE 0 SOUTH AMERICA FOOD POLICY PROGRAM 200000 WIRE 0 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA FOOD POLICY PROGRAM 200000 WIRE 0 EUROPE RESET ALCOHOL PROGRAM 82436 WIRE 0 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA RESET ALCOHOL PROGRAM 35700 WIRE 0 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC RESET ALCOHOL PROGRAM 31545 WIRE 0 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA RESET ALCOHOL PROGRAM 26053 WIRE 0 NORTH AMERICA FOOD POLICY PROGRAM 25000 WIRE 0 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA RESET ALCOHOL PROGRAM 16609 WIRE 0 EAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC RESET ALCOHOL PROGRAM 8440 WIRE 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 2: VITAL STRATEGIES ACTION FUND MAINTAINS A GRANT FUNDING MONITORING SYSTEM TO EFFECTIVELY MONITOR, AND REPORT RESULTS OF GRANT FUNDING ISSUED TO RECIPIENTS. THE DIRECT MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROGRAM OFFICERS AND GRANTS MANAGER FOR THE RESPECTIVE CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT. ALL GRANTS MANAGERS REVIEW COMPLETION OF SCOPE OF WORK DELIVERABLES VIA EMAIL FOLLOW-UP AND SCHEDULED CHECK-IN PHONE CALLS AT KEY PROJECT INTERVALS PRIOR TO SIGNING OFF ON SUBMITTED INVOICES. FOR GRANTEES, FINANCE REQUIRES AND REVIEWS QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORTS TO VALIDATE AND RECONCILE REPORTED EXPENSES. THESE REPORTS ARE FIRST REVIEWED BY GRANTS MANAGERS PRIOR TO BEING REVIEWED BY THE FINANCE TEAM. SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE MECHANISMS IN PLACE, SUCH AS FINANCIAL REPORTS AND TECHNICAL REPORTS. PART I, LINE 3: THE ORGANIZATION USES THE ACCRUAL METHOD OF ACCOUNTING TO RECORD THE EXPENDITURES IN THE REGIONS. 1 REBUILD THE DREAM 1630 SAN PABLO AVENUE 4 OAKLAND CA 94612 900741275 501(C)(4) 114659 0 TO SUPPORT OVERDOSE PREVENTION 0 1 PART I, LINE 2: VITAL STRATEGIES ACTION FUND MAINTAINS A GRANT FUNDING MONITORING SYSTEM TO EFFECTIVELY MONITOR, AND REPORT RESULTS OF GRANT FUNDING ISSUED TO RECIPIENTS. THE DIRECT MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROGRAM OFFICERS AND GRANTS MANAGER FOR THE RESPECTIVE CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT. ALL GRANTS MANAGERS REVIEW COMPLETION OF SCOPE OF WORK DELIVERABLES VIA EMAIL FOLLOW-UP AND SCHEDULED CHECK-IN PHONE CALLS AT KEY PROJECT INTERVALS PRIOR TO SIGNING OFF ON SUBMITTED INVOICES. FOR GRANTEES, FINANCE REQUIRES AND REVIEWS QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORTS TO VALIDATE AND RECONCILE REPORTED EXPENSES. THESE REPORTS ARE FIRST REVIEWED BY GRANTS MANAGERS PRIOR TO BEING REVIEWED BY THE FINANCE TEAM. SPECIFICALLY, WE HAVE MECHANISMS IN PLACE, SUCH AS FINANCIAL REPORTS AND TECHNICAL REPORTS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 3 THE ORGANIZATION HAS A RESOURCE SHARING AGREEMENT WITH VITAL STRATEGIES, INC., WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE EXCHANGE OF GENERAL OPERATIONS, PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES AND PERSONNEL TO THE ORGANIZATION. THE ORGANIZATION INCURRED $684,609 OF EXPENSES DURING THE TAX YEAR FOR THESE SERVICES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B VITAL STRATEGIES ACTION FUND, INC. ENGAGED AN OUTSIDE ACCOUNTING FIRM TO PREPARE THE FORM 990. IT IS THEN PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THEIR REVIEW. ANY QUESTIONS FROM BOARD MEMBERS ARE DIRECTED TO MANAGEMENT. ONCE ALL QUESTIONS ARE SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED, THE FORM 990 IS FILED WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C VITAL STRATEGIES ACTION FUND, INC. HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY THAT APPLIES TO BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS. EACH BOARD MEMBER AND OFFICER MUST SIGN AND SUBMIT TO THE PRESIDENT AND CEO AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES A STATEMENT DISCLOSING THEIR AWARENESS OF THE POLICY AND DISCLOSING ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. THE STATEMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED UPON JOINING AND AT LEAST EVERY FIVE YEARS THEREAFTER. IN ADDITION, A CONFLICT OF INTEREST CHANGE FORM IS COMPLETED AND SIGNED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO DECLARE ANY CHANGE IN CONFLICT SITUATIONS. IF A POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL CONFLICT IS DISCLOSED AT ANY TIME, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE MATERIAL FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. IF IT IS ESTABLISHED THAT AN ACTUAL CONFLICT EXISTS, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO VOTE OR BE A PART OF ANY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ANY SUCH TRANSACTIONS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE CONFLICT UNTIL THE CONFLICT IS RESOLVED. AT THE REQUEST OF THE PRESIDENT AND CEO AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, THE INTERESTED PERSON MAY PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRANSACTION PRIOR TO THE DELIBERATIONS OF THE BOARD. ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST TRANSACTION IS DOCUMENTED IN THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETINGS, REFLECTING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST THAT WAS DISCLOSED, THE NAME OF THE INTERESTED PERSON, AND THE FINAL DETERMINATION AND DECISION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S FORM 990 AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AS WELL AS THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: LOSSES ON FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION -4,109.