Futurewise
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| Futurewise | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Seattle, Wash. |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Top official: | Bill Ross, President |
| Year founded: | 1990 |
| Website: | Official website |
Futurewise is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the state of Washington that focuses on creating what the group calls "livable communities." They primarily work to influence environmental and economic policies in the state.[1] Futurewise was founded in 1990 under the name "1000 Friends of Washington" and changed its name to Futurewise in 2005 .
Mission
The group's most recent tax filing lists the organization's mission statement as the following:[2]
| “ | Futurewise works throughout Washington State implementing smart growth strategies to create healthy livable communities, protect our working farmlands, forests, and waterways, and to ensure a better quality of life for present and future generations.[3] | ” |
Work
Futurewise focuses the majority of its efforts on what it calls "livable communities." In a 2016 publication called Framework for the Future, the organization described its vision: "We all want to live in a great community – one where people have access to jobs, housing and effective transportation; a place where people are healthy with clean air and water, safe streets and plenty of green spaces; a community where our unique places, cultural traditions, and critical natural resources are preserved and leveraged to ensure a better quality of life for everyone."[4]
Ballot initiative campaigns
Futurewise has also been involved in a number of ballot initiative campaigns in the state of Washington. In 2000, he group was significantly involved in the successful campaign to defeat Washington Initiative 745, a measure that would have used Washington's public transit funding to fund road construction. The group notes that the defeat of Initiative 745 was the first of a measure sponsored by Tim Eyman.[5]
Futurewise also played a role in the successful 2006 campaign to defeat Washington I-933, which would have required compensation when government regulation damages the use or value of private property, forbidden regulations that prohibit existing legal uses of private property, and provided exceptions or payments. The Seattle Times reported that the group "did a good job of putting the financial hazards and pitfalls of the measure before voters."[6]
In 2007, Futurewise actively opposed the Washington Taxpayer Protection Initiative, sponsored by Tim Eyman. The measure would have required the Washington State Legislature to acquire a supermajority vote or the approval of voters for any tax increases.[7] Futurewise and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 775 went to court in June 2007 to ask King County Superior Court to block the Eyman measure from the ballot.[8] The plaintiffs claimed that parts of what the initiative attempts to do can only be done by constitutional amendment, not by citizen initiative in Washington. King County Superior Court Judge Catherine Shaffer ruled against the complaint, stating that the proposal is within the initiative power of the people. Futurewise and SEIU 775 sponsored an appeal to the Washington Supreme Court in August 2007. On September 7, 2007, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of Initiative 960 staying on the ballot.[9]
Leadership
The following individuals are listed as the board of directors for Futurewise, according to the organization's website:[10]
- Bill Ross, President
- David Bricklin, Vice President
- Tom von Schrader, Treasurer
- Erin Tam, Secretary
- Bill Boston
- Michael Brown
- Bill Donnelly
- Jeff Eustis
- Holly Gadbaw
- Bill Gartz
- Ray Johnston
- Roberta Lewandowski
- Bruce Lorig
- Mary McCumber
- Henry McGee, Jr.
- Christian Sinderman
- Cathy Strombom
- Ryan Vancil
- Chuck Wolfe
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Futurewise's revenues and expenses for the 2011 to 2014 fiscal years:
| Annual revenue and expenses for Futurewise, 2012–2014 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tax Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2014[2] | $1,486,783 | $1,333,106 |
| 2013[11] | $1,318,401 | $1,079,870 |
| 2012[12] | $840,615 | $683,213 |
Tax status
Futurewise is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Its 501(c) designation refers to a section of the U.S. federal income tax code concerning charitable, religious, and educational organizations.[13] Section 501(c) of the U.S. tax code has 29 sections that list specific conditions particular organizations must meet in order to be considered tax-exempt under the section. Organizations that have been granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service are exempt from federal income tax.[14] This exemption requires that any political activity by the charitable organization be nonpartisan in nature.[15]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Futurewise. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Futurewise, "Priorities," accessed May 31, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 GuideStar, "Futurewise IRS Form 990 (2014)," accessed May 31, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Futurewise, "Framework for the Future," accessed May 31, 2016
- ↑ Futurewise, "Success Stories," accessed June 1, 2016
- ↑ The Seattle Times, "Initiatives defy geography," November 9, 2006
- ↑ 'Office of the Secretary of State, "2007 Voters Pamphlet," accessed September 4, 2013
- ↑ Eyman's I-960 should be invalidated, Seattle PI
- ↑ Seattle Post-Intelligencer, "Court says Eyman measure can go on ballot," Sept. 8, 2007
- ↑ Futurewise, "Board of Directors," accessed May 31, 2016
- ↑ Guidestar, "Futurewise IRS Form 990 (2013)," accessed May 31, 2016
- ↑ Guidestar, "Futurewise IRS Form 990 (2012)," accessed May 31, 2016
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Exempt Purposes - Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Life Cycle of a Public Charity/Private Foundation," accessed July 10, 2015
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Exemption Requirements - 501(c)(3) Organizations," accessed January 13, 2014
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