Help expand Ballotpedia's elections coverage - volunteer with us
Sixteen Thirty Fund
| The Sixteen Thirty Fund | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Top official: | Eric Kessler |
| Year founded: | 2009 |
| Website: | Official website |
| Connections | |
| Arabella Advisors, New Venture Fund[1] | |
The Sixteen Thirty Fund is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that was founded in 2009.[2] As of 2019, the Sixteen Thirty Fund's mission was to "invest in social welfare start-ups to solve problems and improve lives... from confronting climate change and safeguarding America’s lands and waters to expanding economic opportunity, advocating for criminal and racial justice, and strengthening our democracy."[3][4]
Background
The Sixteen Thirty Fund was granted 501(c)(4) nonprofit tax-exempt status in 2009.[4] On its website, the Sixteen Thirty Fund wrote, "The Sixteen Thirty Fund believes in the power of new ideas, creative partnerships, and emerging leaders to achieve meaningful and lasting solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time. We are proudly dedicated to supporting an entrepreneurial, creative, and ambitious start-up culture in the nonprofit advocacy world. The Sixteen Thirty Fund’s services and support help nonprofit leaders and advocates confront a wide range of challenges, from confronting climate change and safeguarding America’s lands and waters to expanding economic opportunity, advocating for criminal and racial justice, and strengthening our democracy. We are always in search of promising new ideas that can solve problems and improve lives."
Sixteen Thirty Fund executive director Amy Kurtz said, "The ballot initiative process offers an important counterbalance to the failings of partisan politics and we are proud of our support for some of the most impactful and important initiatives of the 2018 cycle."[5]
Sixteen Thirty Fund has provided resources to progressive groups including Demand Justice and America Votes.[5]
Services
According to its website, the Sixteen Thirty Fund provides "day-to-day administrative support to new public-interest projects, including providing fiscal sponsorship, helping develop and manage budgets, assisting with payroll and benefits, understanding and complying with national and state laws and regulations, and getting advice and support from a network of other experts in nonprofit management."[3]
Political activity
Ballotpedia is following The Sixteen Thirty Fund's political activity regarding ballot measures.
Ballot measure activity
Overview of ballot measure support and opposition
The following table details The Sixteen Thirty Fund's ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:
Does Colorado law allow payday lenders to charge over 200% interest on small loans?
October 30, 2018: A Colorado group campaigning to limit charges for what they call payday loans claims that "current law allows payday lenders to charge more than 200% interest for small loans targeted at customers who are often in dire straits."
Does current law allow payday lenders to charge more than 200% interest for small loans? Read Ballotpedia's fact check »
The scroll box below includes summaries of each ballot measure supported or opposed by Sixteen Thirty Fund.
Colorado Proposition 113, National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum (2020)Sixteen Thirty Fund contributed $50,000 in in-kind contributions to the support committee Yes on National Popular Vote, which is supporting the Colorado National Popular Vote Referendum. The referendum was designed to make Colorado part of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC) and giving all of Colorado's nine electoral votes to the presidential candidate who receives the most votes nationwide if the NPVIC becomes effective. Colorado Proposition 118, Paid Medical and Family Leave Initiative (2020)Sixteen Thirty Fund was one of the largest donors to Colorado Families First, supporters of the Colorado Paid Medical and Family Leave Initiative. The initiative was designed to create a paid medical and family leave program in Colorado.[8] Nebraska Initiative 428, Payday Lender Interest Rate Cap Initiative (2020)The Nebraska Payday Lender Interest Rate Cap Initiative, targeting the 2020 ballot, was designed to limit the annual interest charged by payday lenders to 36%. According to campaign finance reports that covered through October 26, 2019, Sixteen Thirty Fund had given $840,961.00 in cash and in-kind contributions to Nebraskans for Responsible Lending, the committee sponsoring the initiative.[22] Missouri Amendment 2, Medicaid Expansion Initiative (August 2020)The Missouri Medicaid Expansion Initiative was designed to require the state government to provide Medicaid for persons under the age of 65 whose incomes are equal to or below 138% of the official poverty line. The amendment was approved on August 4, 2020, with 53.3% of the vote.[11] Arkansas Issue 5 (2018)Arkansas Issue 5, on the ballot in 2018, was designed to increase the state's minimum wage to $11 per hour by 2021. It was approved. The Sixteen Thirty Fund supported the initiative and was the top donor to the support campaign, Arkansans For a Fair Wage, donating $1.35 million. Other top donors included The Fairness Project ($100,00) and the National Employment Law Project ($50,200).[23] Colorado Amendment 74 (2018)Colorado Amendment 74, on the ballot in 2018, was designed to require that property owners be compensated for any reduction in property value caused by state laws or regulations. It was defeated. The Sixteen Thirty Fund opposed the amendment and was the top donor to the opposition campaign, providing $3.5 million. Other top donors included the League of Conservation Voters ($1.1 million) and Conservation Colorado ($1.03 million).[18] Colorado Proposition 111 (2018)Colorado Proposition 111, on the ballot in 2018, was designed to reduce the annual interest rate on payday loans to a yearly rate of 36 percent and eliminate all other finance charges and fees associated with payday lending. It was approved. The Sixteen Thirty Fund supported the measure and was the top donor to the support campaign, Coloradans to Stop Predatory Payday Loans, providing $2.08 million. The next top donor was the Center for Responsible Lending, which gave $32,640.[18] Florida Amendment 4 (2018)Florida Amendment 4, on the ballot in 2018, was designed to automatically restore the right to vote for people with prior felony convictions, except those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense, upon completion of their sentences, including prison, parole, and probation. It was approved. The Sixteen Thirty Fund supported the amendment and was the second-largest donor to the support campaign, providing $3.95 million. The top donor was the American Civil Liberties Union, which gave $5.59 million.[17] Maine Question 1Maine Question 1, on the ballot in 2018, would have enacted a payroll tax and non-wage income tax to fund a program called the Universal Home Care Program. The measure was defeated. The Sixteen Thirty Fund supported the amendment and donated $150,000 to the support campaign.[17] Massachusetts $15 Minimum Wage Initiative and Paid Family and Medical Leave Initiative (2018)Raise Up Massachusetts sponsored the $15 Minimum Wage Initiative and the Paid Family and Medical Leave Initiative, but did not submit signatures for the measures following a compromise deal. The Sixteen Thirty Fund contributed at least $110,000 to Raise Up Massachusetts supporting the initiatives.[18] Massachusetts Income Tax for Education and Transportation Initiative (2018)Raise Up Massachusetts sponsored the initiative, but the measure was blocked from the ballot by the Massachusetts Supreme Court. The measure would have created an additional 4% tax on the portion of incomes above $1 million for the purpose of providing funds for public education, roads and bridges, and public transportation. This tax would have been in addition to the 5.1% flat tax currently in effect, for a total tax rate of 9.1% on income above $1 million. The Sixteen Thirty Fund contributed at least $110,000 to Raise Up Massachusetts in 2018 supporting the initiative along with two other initiatives.[18] Michigan Proposal 2 (2018)This initiative, approved by voters in 2018, transferred the power to draw the state's congressional and legislative districts from the state legislature to an independent redistricting commission. The top contributor to the support campaign was the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which donated $6.02 million. Michigan Paid Sick Leave Initiative (2018)The Michigan Paid Sick Leave Initiative was an indirect initiated state statute in Michigan that the state legislature voted to approve on September 5, 2018. If the legislature had not approved the indirect initiative, the measure would have appeared on the ballot on November 6, 2018. The measure was designed to require employers to provide employees with paid sick time. The top contributor to the support campaign was the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which donated $1.33 million. Missouri Proposition B (2018)Missouri Proposition B, the $12 Minimum Wage Initiative, was approved by voters in 2018. It was designed to increase the state's minimum wage each year until reaching $12 in 2023 and then making increases or decreases based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The top contributor to the support committee (Raise Up Missouri) was the Sixteen Thirty Fund, which contributed $4.78 million Nevada Question 5 (2018)Nevada Question 5, approved by voters in 2018, provided for the automatic voter registration of eligible citizens when receiving certain services from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The Sixteen Thirty Fund provided $6.25 million to the support campaign. Oregon Measure 106 (2018)Oregon Measure 106 would have prohibited public funds from being spent on abortions in Oregon, except when determined to be medically necessary or required by federal law. It was defeated by voters in 2018. The Sixteen Thirty Fund contributed $685,000 to the campaign working defeat the measure. Maine Question 2 (2017)Maine Question 2, approved by voters in 2017, was designed to require the state to provide Medicaid through MaineCare for persons under the age of 65 and with incomes equal to or below 138 percent of the federal poverty line. The Sixteen Thirty Fund contributed $865,606.43 to the campaign supporting the measure. |
Advertising campaigns
Politico's Scott Brand detailed the activities of the Sixteen Thirty Fund in a July 2018 article:
| “ | Added together, the Sixteen Thirty Fund groups have been among the most prolific political advertisers of 2018. They have aired 6,885 broadcast TV ads since Jan. 1, according to Advertising Analytics, a TV tracking firm — more than the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and almost as many as Americans for Prosperity, two of the five biggest nonprofit political advertisers focused on the House and Senate in the first half of this year.
|
” |
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Sixteen Thirty Fund's revenues and expenses as submitted to the IRS for the 2015 to 2020 fiscal years:
| Annual revenue and expenses for Sixteen Thirty Fund, 2015–2020 | ||
| Tax Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2020[26] | $389,684,866 | $410,038,247 |
| 2019[27] | $138,371,684 | $98,641,867 |
| 2018[28] | $143,837,877 | $141,396,752 |
| 2017[29] | $79,559,836 | $46,893,083 |
| 2016[30] | $21,258,592 | $19,660,860 |
| 2015[31] | $5,617,209 | $8,660,897 |
Tax status
The Sixteen Thirty Fund is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Its 501(c) status refers to a section of the U.S. federal income tax code concerning social welfare organizations.[32] Organizations that have been granted 501(c)(4) status by the Internal Revenue Service are exempt from federal income tax.[33] Section 501(c) of the U.S. tax code has 29 sections listing specific conditions particular organizations must meet in order to be considered tax-exempt under the section. Unlike 501(c)(3) organizations, however, donations to 501(c)(4) organizations are not tax-deductible for the individual or corporation making the contribution. 501(c)(4) organizations may engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities. This includes donations to political committees that support or oppose ballot measures, bond issues, recalls, or referenda.
- See also: 501(c)(4) organizations on Ballotpedia
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Sixteen Thirty Fund'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Influencewatch.org, "Sixteen Thirty Fund," accessed June 27, 2018
- ↑ ProPublica, "SIXTEEN THIRTY FUND," accessed September 9, 2019
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sixteen Thirty Fund, "About us," accessed September 9, 2019
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 GuideStar, "SIXTEEN THIRTY FUND," accessed September 9, 2019
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Politico, "Documents reveal massive 'dark-money' group boosted Democrats in 2018," accessed November 20, 2019
- ↑ Vermont Secretary of State, "Campaign Finance Information Search," accessed February 15, 2022
- ↑ Austin.gov, "Campaign finance search," accessed October 25, 2021
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Colorado Sun, "Dark money group drops $500,000 to help put a paid family leave initiative on November ballot," accessed May 7, 2020
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Tracer: Committee Search," accessed January 16, 2020
- ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "Nebraska petition drive on payday lending gets nearly $500,000 boost from national group," accessed January 2, 2020
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "Big money begins flowing to campaign to expand Medicaid in Missouri," September 6, 2019
- ↑ https://www.minimumwage.com/2018/10/99-of-arkansans-for-a-fair-wage-funding-from-outside-arkansas/ Minimum Wage, "99% of “Arkansans for a Fair Wage” funding from outside Arkansas," accessed January 1, 2020]
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Colorado Secretary of State, "Tracer Committee Search," accessed October 30, 2018
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "Campaign Finance Database," accessed December 11, 2018
- ↑ Maine Commission on Government Ethics & Election Practice, "Ballot Question Committee (BQC) List," accessed January 9, 2018
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, "Homepage," accessed June 14, 2017
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Michigan Secretary of State, "2018 Ballot Proposals," accessed December 13, 2017 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "fin" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "fin" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Missouri Ethics Commission, "Candidate or Committee Name Search," accessed August 16, 2018 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "finance" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "finance" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "finance" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "finance" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Nevada Secretary of State, "Nevada Election Administration Committee Campaign Finance," accessed July 17, 2017
- ↑ Oregon Secretary of State, "Committee Search," accessed July 13, 2018
- ↑ Maine Commission of Governmental Ethics & Election Practices, “ Mainers for Health Care! Committee Reports," accessed January 16, 2018
- ↑ Omaha World-Herald, "Nebraska petition drive on payday lending gets nearly $500,000 boost from national group," accessed January 2, 2020
- ↑ https://www.minimumwage.com/2018/10/99-of-arkansans-for-a-fair-wage-funding-from-outside-arkansas/ Minimum Wage, "99% of “Arkansans for a Fair Wage” funding from outside Arkansas," accessed January 1, 2020]
- ↑ Politico, "Liberal secret-money network hammers House GOP," July 29, 2018
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Politico, "Sixteen Thirty Fund IRS 990 (2020)," accessed November 29, 2021
- ↑ Politico, "Sixteen Thirty Fund IRS 990 (2019)," accessed November 23, 2020
- ↑ Politico, "Sixteen Thirty Fund IRS 990 (2018)," accessed November 20, 2019
- ↑ Guidestar, "Sixteen Thirty Fund IRS 990 (2017)," accessed September 10, 2019
- ↑ Guidestar, "Sixteen Thirty Fund IRS 990 (2016)," accessed September 10, 2019
- ↑ Guidestar, "Sixteen Thirty Fund IRS 990 (2016)," accessed September 10, 2019
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "IRC 501(c)(4) Organizations," accessed July 10, 2014
| ||||||||||
