The Interactivity Foundation
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| The Interactivity Foundation | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Parkersburg, W.Va. |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Top official: | Jack Byrd Jr. |
| Website: | Official website |
The Interactivity Foundation (IF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to influence public policy discussions through scheduling and facilitating community conversations about issues and public policy options.
Mission
As of August 2017, the website for the IF listed the following mission statement for the organization:[1]
| “ | The mission of the Interactivity Foundation (IF) is to enhance the process and expand the scope of our public discussions, thereby improving the health of our democracy and its development of public policy. That is, IF works to improve both the quality and quantity of the public discussions that shape the development of our public policy options. To do this, we’ve developed a small-group discussion process designed to help people collaborate in the exploration and development of a) the diverse concerns and values that relate to an area of societal concern, (b) multiple contrasting policy possibilities to address those concerns, and (c) the possible implementations and consequences of those policy possibilities.[2] | ” |
Work
The Interactivity Foundation aims to shape public policy through public discussions of policy issues. The group organizes public, small group discussions on issues to discuss and explore options for public policy.
IF Discussions
The IF's work consists of organizing and leading community discussions about public policy issues, with an emphasis on local education and school districts. The group organizes these discussions into three categories:
- Project discussions: These relate to longer-term discussions by IF fellows and researchers about complex public policy issues. At the conclusion of these discussions, the researchers produce discussion guides with the aim of beginning public debate and to design policy possibilities for the community to debate.[3]
- Public discussions: After a discussion guide has been created, they are used to guide public discussion of the policy possibilities proposed during the initial project discussion phase. According to the organization's website, these discussions "use an active facilitator to conduct small group (5-8 participants) discussions that explore contrasting possibilities for public policy."[3]
- Classroom discussions: Through training sessions and faculty development, the IF also works to bring more discussion-oriented practices to classrooms.[4]
Des Moines Schools Community Discussion Project
In July 2017, the IF, USATalk, and Ballotpedia collaborated on the Des Moines Schools Community Discussion Project to identify issues important to voters in Des Moines, Iowa, and to help voters understand the stances of school board candidates on those issues.[5]
Leadership
As of August 2017, the website for the IF listed Jack Byrd Jr. as the organization's president.[6]
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Interactivity Foundation's revenues and expenses as submitted to the IRS for the 2013 to 2015 fiscal years:
| Annual revenue and expenses for Interactivity Foundation, 2013–2015 | ||
| Tax Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2015[7] | $3,474,301 | $2,043,087 |
| 2014[8] | $3,344,329 | $2,153,438 |
| 2013[9] | $3,652,412 | $2,172,032 |
Tax status
The IF 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.[10] 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.[11] This exemption requires that any political activity by the charitable organization be nonpartisan in nature.[12]
Recent news
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The Interactivity Foundation, "IF Mission," accessed August 7, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Interactivity Foundation, "More Info on Public Discussions," accessed August 7, 2017
- ↑ The Interactivity Foundation, "Classroom Discussions," accessed August 7, 2017
- ↑ The Interactivity Foundation, "Des Moines Schools Community Discussion Project," August 3, 2017
- ↑ The Interactivity Foundation, "IF People," accessed August 7, 2017
- ↑ Guidestar, "Interactivity Foundation IRS Form 990 (2015)," accessed August 7, 2017
- ↑ Guidestar, "Interactivity Foundation IRS Form 990 (2014)," accessed August 7, 2017
- ↑ Guidestar, "Interactivity Foundation IRS Form 990 (2013)," accessed August 7, 2017
- ↑ 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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