2025-05-08T07:40:10-05:00 2024-12-31 470900880 CALIBRE CPA GROUP PLLC 7501 WISCONSIN AVENUE SUITE 1200 WEST BETHESDA MD 20814 990 2024-01-01 043771598 FREE PRESS ACTION FUND FREE 2022651490 1025 CONNECTICUT AVE NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 KIMBERLY LONGEY CFO/COO 2022651490 2025-05-08 1 0 ELIZABETH SALEEBY P01324914 2023319880 2025-05-08 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z CRAIG AARON 1025 CONNECTICUT AVE NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 470620 0 X WWW.FREEPRESS.NET X 2003 DC FREE PRESS ACTION FUND IS A NATIONAL, NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION WORKING TO REFORM THE MEDIA. FREE PRESS ACTION FUND EDUCATES ITS MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON HOW A DIVERSE AND PUBLIC SERVICE-ORIENTED MEDIA SYSTEM CAN STRENGTHEN AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. 6 5 42 170008 0 0 1352976 449566 0 0 15602 21054 0 0 1368578 470620 0 0 0 0 611742 518118 0 0 156806 355004 248452 966746 766570 401832 -295950 1558486 1154697 320759 212920 1237727 941777 X FREE PRESS ACTION FUND FIGHTS FOR YOUR RIGHTS TO CONNECT AND COMMUNICATE. WE FIGHT TO SAVE THE FREE AND OPEN INTERNET, CURB RUNAWAY MEDIA CONSOLIDATION, PROTECT PRESS FREEDOM, AND PROMOTE DIGITAL CIVIL RIGHTS. WE BELIEVE THAT CHANGE HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE HAVE A REAL VOICE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS. TO THAT END, WE MOBILIZE OUR GROWING BASE OF ACTIVISTS TO SIGN PETITIONS, MEET WITH THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND ATTEND RALLIES AND TOWN-HALL MEETINGS, TO LOBBY IN SUPPORT OF POLICIES THAT SERVE THEIR INTERESTS AND AGAINST THOSE THAT DON'T. WE ARE ACTIVE IN ALL EFFORTS TO EXPOSE THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC POLICY ON THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US, INCLUDING PEOPLE OF COLOR AND LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES. 0 0 249255 FUTURE OF THE INTERNET: CONTINUED WORK ON AVAILABILITY, ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY OF BROADBAND INTERNET NATIONWIDE. LAUDED BI-PARTISAN LEGISLATION TO APPROPRIATE FISCAL-YEAR 2024 FUNDING FOR THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM (ACP), A BROADBAND-ACCESS SUBSIDY CREATED AS PART OF THE 2021 BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE, WITH MORE THAN 22 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS ENROLLED. HELPED MOBILIZE A COALITION OF 271 CIVIL-SOCIETY GROUPS AND LOCAL, STATE AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS TO EXPRESS THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE BILL. CONTINUED TO EXPOSE THE CONSEQUENCES TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LACKING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE BROADBAND SERVICES, WHEN ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, SCHOOLING, WORK AND SO MUCH MORE DEPENDS ON A RELIABLE CONNECTION. SUPPORTED THE REINTRODUCTION OF THE UTILITY JUSTICE HUMAN RIGHTS RESOLUTION, WHICH DECLARES THAT ACCESS TO BROADBAND, WATER, POWER, HEATING AND COOLING ARE HUMAN RIGHTS. 177477 DEMOCRACY AND DIGITAL CIVIL RIGHTS: CONTINUED HIGHLIGHTING THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES IN THE PERPETUATION OF HOAXES, DISINFORMATION, AND HATE SPEECH AND THE IMPACT TO SOCIETY AND ESPECIALLY TO MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, WOMEN, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR. URGED CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO RESTRICT DATA BROKERS' SALE OF OUR PERSONAL DATA, INCLUDING TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS. LOBBIED FOR PASSAGE OF THE FOURTH AMENDMENT IS NOT FOR SALE ACT, WHICH WOULD PREVENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES FROM OBTAINING SUBSCRIBER OR CUSTOMER RECORDS IN EXCHANGE FOR ANYTHING OF VALUE, TO ADDRESS COMMUNICATIONS AND RECORDS IN THE POSSESSION OF INTERMEDIARY INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS. ORGANIZED A CAPITOL HILL BRIEFING TO HIGHLIGHT THE CRISIS OF ELECTION DISINFORMATION IN NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGES AND TO ISSUE AN URGENT CALL FOR SOCIAL-MEDIA PLATFORMS TO BEEF UP CONTENT MODERATION ACROSS ALL LANGUAGES. LEAD OPPOSITION TO THE STOP TERROR-FINANCING AND TAX PENALTIES ON AMERICAN HOSTAGES ACT, A BILL WHOSE MISLEADING NAME CLOAKED ITS TRUE INTENTION: UNDERMINING FREE SPEECH AND CRUSHING DISSENT. OPPOSED CONTROVERSIAL SURVEILLANCE POWERS UNDER SECTION 702 OF THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT. CONTINUED TO ASSERT THAT INSTEAD OF BANNING TIKTOK, LAWMAKERS SHOULD PASS A COMPREHENSIVE FEDERAL PRIVACY LAW THAT LIMITS HOW ALL OF THESE COMPANIES COLLECT, STORE, ANALYZE AND SELL OUR PERSONAL DATA. JOINED AN AMICUS BRIEF ARGUING THAT THE TIKTOK BAN VIOLATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT BY RESTRICTING AMERICANS' RIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION AND MEDIA FROM ABROAD. 123556 FUTURE OF JOURNALISM: CONTINUED TO WORK IN AND WITH COMMUNITIES SO PEOPLE HAVE A STRONG VOICE IN HOW LOCAL NEWS CAN BE REVIVED, STRENGTHENED AND TRANSFORMED. PROMOTED POLICIES THAT WILL BOOST MEDIA OWNERSHIP AMONG WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL MEDIA OWNERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO ACTUALLY SERVING THEIR COMMUNITIES. DEFENDED A FREE PRESS AND URGED PROTECTIONS FOR JOURNALISTS. OPPOSED PASSAGE OF THE CALIFORNIA JOURNALISM PRESERVATION ACT WHICH WOULD HAVE REWARDED THE MEDIA CONGLOMERATES AND HEDGE FUNDS THAT HAVE DESTROYED LOCAL NEWS AND MADE IT HARDER FOR SMALL COMMUNITY-CENTERED NEWSROOMS TO SURVIVE. EXPANDED JOURNALISM POLICY WORK TO THE GREAT LAKES REGION, WITH AN INITIAL FOCUS ON ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN. ADVOCATED FOR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT EXISTING NEWS OUTLETS, SUSTAIN REPORTING JOBS AND INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF MEDIA ACROSS MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. TESTIFIED BEFORE A HOUSE COMMITTEE ABOUT THE NEED TO SAFEGUARD PUBLIC MEDIA AND REJECT REPEATED EFFORTS TO DEFUND IT. DEFUNDING THREATS DON'T JUST HARM NPR EXECUTIVES, THEY ENDANGER THE WORK OF MORE THAN 1,000 LOCAL RADIO STATIONS PROVIDING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO COMMUNITIES LARGE AND SMALL. FREE PRESS ACTION FUND CONDUCTS EDUCATION, ORGANIZING AND MOBILIZING EFFORTS TO SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS TO ADVOCATE FOR BETTER MEDIA, OPEN TECHNOLOGY AND A HEALTHIER DEMOCRACY. AREAS OF FOCUS INCLUDE NETWORK NEUTRALITY, AFFORDABLE CONNECTIONS, ONLINE PRIVACY, CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENT SURVEILLANCE, JOURNALISM, LOCAL NEWS AND CIVIC INFORMATION, PUBLIC MEDIA, MEDIA CONSOLIDATION AND MEDIA DIVERSITY, AND GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. IN 2024 FREE PRESS ACTION CONTINUED TO BUILD A STRONG CITIZEN MOVEMENT FOR BETTER MEDIA IN THE U.S BY PROVIDING EDUCATION, RESOURCES AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR MEMBERS. OUR MEMBERS ACTED MORE THAN 98,000 TIMES TO SIGN PETITIONS AND MAKE PHONE CALLS TO THEIR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTED LEADERS. FREE PRESS ACTION FILED PUBLIC COMMENTS, PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS AND PUBLISHED RECOMMENDED POLICIES RELATED TO INTERNET, JOURNALISM, PUBLIC MEDIA AND DISINFORMATION. WE GARNERED MORE THAN 600 PRESS HITS IN OUTLETS INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, THE GUARDIAN, LA OPININ, MOTHER JONES, THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE NEW YORKER, NBC NEWS, NPR AND THE WASHINGTON POST. WE SECURED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM 1,508 UNIQUE DONORS. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES ARE DETAILED IN THE THREE CORE PROGRAM AREAS ABOVE: 550288 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 42 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 X 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AL AK AR CA CT FL GA IL KS KY ME MD MA MN MS NC NH NJ NY OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA VT WA WV WI HI X X KIMBERLY LONGEY 2022651490 1025 CONNECTICUT AVE NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 CRAG AARON CO-CEO 4.00 36.00 X X 15984 183810 30193 VANESSA CARDENAS DIRECTOR 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 OLGA DAVIDSON DIRECTOR, SECRETARY (THROUGH 12/24) 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRANDI COLLINS DEXTER DIRECTOR, TREASURER 1.00 1.00 X X 0 0 0 VICTOR PICKARD DIRECTOR, CHAIR 1.00 1.00 X X 0 0 0 HENRY FERNANDEZ DIRECTOR (EFF. 12/24) 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOAN DONOVAN DIRECTOR (THROUGH 12/24) 1.00 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARTHA FUENTES-BAUTISTA DIRECTOR, SECRETARY (EFF 12/24) 1.00 1.00 X X 0 0 0 KIMBERLY LONGEY CFO/COO, ASST TREASURER/SECRET 6.00 34.00 X 14284 189778 11478 JESSICA GONZALEZ CO-CEO 4.00 36.00 X 15803 181736 11327 MATHEW WOOD VICE PRESIDENT 6.00 34.00 X 26078 147775 29078 MISTY PEREZ TRUEDSON CHIEF OF STAFF 0.00 40.00 X 0 173508 28896 CANDACE CLEMENT MANAGING DIRECTOR 2.00 38.00 X 21296 120676 27476 DEREK TURNER SENIOR ADVISOR, ECONOMIC AND POLICY ANALYSIS 0.00 40.00 X 0 141662 8299 NORA BENAVIDEZ SENIOR COUNSEL AND DIRECTOR 0.00 40.00 X 0 139587 8443 93445 1278532 155190 0 0 1 0 0 83737 365829 449566 21054 21054 470620 0 0 21054 X 50197 21943 15166 13088 371677 280999 13954 76724 16077 12251 527 3299 54769 39143 3779 11847 25398 18776 1352 5270 802 579 223 11330 11330 127820 98435 7175 22210 10652 9272 283 1097 12713 1210 1195 10308 61907 51137 2676 8094 17162 13784 -674 4052 62 45 5 12 25 19 5 1 2624 287 2252 85 PROF DEV & TRAINING 1701 1223 120 358 SUBSCRIPTIONS 1654 1185 108 361 766570 550288 59476 156806 154808 17173 523912 609025 650000 325000 1563 1610 228203 201889 1558486 1154697 258907 180775 61852 32145 320759 212920 X 1227727 941777 10000 0 1237727 941777 1558486 1154697 -295950 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1 0 0 0 ADVANCE TO RELATED ORGANIZATION 175000 ROU ASSET 26889 201889 LEASE LIABILITY 32145 32145 X 470620 0 470620 0 470620 766570 0 766570 0 766570 PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION ACCOUNTS FOR INCOME TAXES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS CODIFICATION (ASC) TOPIC INCOME TAXES. THESE PROVISIONS PROVIDE CONSISTENT GUIDANCE FOR THE ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES RECOGNIZED IN AN ENTITY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PRESCRIBE A THRESHOLD OF "MORE LIKELY THAN NOT" FOR RECOGNITION AND DERECOGNITION OF TAX POSITIONS TAKEN OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN IN A TAX RETURN. THE ORGANIZATION PERFORMED AN EVALUATION OF UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE NO MATTERS THAT WOULD REQUIRE RECOGNITION IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OR THAT MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 CRAG AARON CO-CEO 15984 183810 0 0 0 0 835 9598 1580 18180 18399 211588 0 0 KIMBERLY LONGEY CFO/COO, ASST TREASURER/SECRET 14284 189778 0 0 0 0 715 9502 88 1173 15087 200453 0 0 JESSICA GONZALEZ CO-CEO 15803 181736 0 0 0 0 805 9261 101 1160 16709 192157 0 0 MATHEW WOOD VICE PRESIDENT 26078 147775 0 0 0 0 1398 7919 2964 16797 30440 172491 0 0 MISTY PEREZ TRUEDSON CHIEF OF STAFF 0 173508 0 0 0 0 0 9135 0 19761 0 202404 0 0 CANDACE CLEMENT MANAGING DIRECTOR 21296 120676 0 0 0 0 1157 6558 2964 16797 25417 144031 0 0 PART I, LINE 3 EACH POSITION AT FREE PRESS (A RELATED ORGANIZATION) HAS A PAY RANGE. RANGES ARE DETERMINED AFTER REVIEW OF COMPARABILITY DATA, INCLUDING COMPENSATION INFORMATION RECEIVED DIRECTLY FROM PEER ORGANIZATIONS, COMPENSATION DATA FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAY SCALE, AND RESEARCH ON NON-PROFIT COMPENSATION CONDUCTED BY GUIDESTAR, REGIONAL EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS, AND JOB POSTINGS. MANAGEMENT INCLUDES COMPENSATION DATA FOR ALL STAFF, INCLUDING THE CO-CEOS AND KEY EMPLOYEES, IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET THAT IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN ADVANCE OF EACH FISCAL YEAR. A DETAILED MEMO OUTLINING THE ORGANIZATION'S VALUES AROUND COMPENSATION, THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST PAID EMPLOYEE AND HOW COMPENSATION CHANGES WITHIN ANY FISCAL YEAR IS PROVIDED ALONG WITH THE BUDGET. THE BOARD APPROVES THE BUDGET IN ADVANCE OF EACH FISCAL YEAR. COMPENSATION CHANGES DURING ANY FISCAL YEAR ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF MANAGEMENT, AND MUST REMAIN WITHIN THE BOARD APPROVED BUDGET. MID-YEAR CHANGES TO THE CEO'S COMPENSATION, IF ANY, MUST BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 8B NO COMMITTEE HAS AUTHORITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B GENERALLY, AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE FORM 990 IS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (CHAIR, TREASURER, AND ASSISTANT TREASURER) WHICH REVIEWS IT AND THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DURING A MEETING WITH THE CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT RETAINED TO PREPARE THESE DOCUMENTS. ONCE THE AUDIT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS SATISFIED WITH THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION PRESENTED, A COPY OF THE FORM 990 IS SENT TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO FILING. EACH YEAR THE ENTIRE GOVERNING BODY IS OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT TO REVIEW THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND TO DISCUSS THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF THE ORGANIZATION. THIS IS AN OPTIONAL MEETING DESIGNED TO ALLOW THE GOVERNING BODY DIRECT ACCESS TO THE CPA. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, AND KEY EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ANNUALLY INTERESTS THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICTS. SIGNED DOCUMENTS ARE COLLECTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE GOVERNING BODY. IF A REAL OR PERCEIVED CONFLICT IS REPORTED THE PROCEDURES IN THE POLICY ARE FOLLOWED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 EACH POSITION AT FREE PRESS ACTION FUND HAS A PAY RANGE. RANGES ARE DETERMINED AFTER REVIEW OF COMPARABILITY DATA, INCLUDING COMPENSATION INFORMATION RECEIVED DIRECTLY FROM PEER ORGANIZATIONS, COMPENSATION DATA FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAY SCALE, AND RESEARCH ON NON-PROFIT COMPENSATION CONDUCTED BY GUIDESTAR, REGIONAL EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS, AND JOB POSTINGS. MANAGEMENT INCLUDES COMPENSATION DATA FOR ALL STAFF, INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND KEY EMPLOYEES, IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET THAT IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN ADVANCE OF EACH FISCAL YEAR. A DETAILED MEMO OUTLINING THE ORGANIZATION'S VALUES AROUND COMPENSATION, THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST PAID EMPLOYEE AND HOW COMPENSATION CHANGES WITHIN ANY FISCAL YEAR IS PROVIDED ALONG WITH THE BUDGET. THE BOARD APPROVES THE BUDGET IN ADVANCE OF EACH FISCAL YEAR. COMPENSATION CHANGES DURING ANY FISCAL YEAR ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF MANAGEMENT, AND MUST REMAIN WITHIN THE BOARD APPROVED BUDGET. MID-YEAR CHANGES TO THE CEO'S COMPENSATION, IF ANY MUST BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 FREE PRESS ACTION FUND WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS UPON REQUEST AND WITHIN 10 BUSINESS DAYS OF ANY REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 98,435. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 7,175. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 22,210. TOTAL EXPENSES 127,820. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C THE ORGANIZATION'S CHAIR, TREASURER AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT. THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. FREE PRESS 1025 CONNECTICUT AVE NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 412106721 RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ON MEDIA REFORM DC 501(C)(3) 509(A)(1) N/A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 FREE PRESS P 795941 ACTUAL REIMBURSEMENTS PAID FREE PRESS N 206810 ACTUAL COSTS, TIME SHEETS FREE PRESS O 527117 ACTUAL COSTS, TIME SHEETS