Non-profit

BlueGreen Alliance

Website:

www.bluegreenalliance.org/

Location:

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Tax ID:

26-4086284

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(4)

Budget (2017):

Revenue: $1,449,321
Expenses: $1,188,705
Assets: $3,313,629

Type:

Environmentalist-Labor Union Coalition

Formation:

2005 1

References

  1. Bluegreen Alliance Foundation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (IRS Form 990), TY 2014
Executive Director:

Kim Glas

Executive Director's Compensation:

Reportable compensation: $120,146

Estimated amount of other compensation: $22,679 1

References

  1. Bluegreen Alliance Foundation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (IRS Form 990), TY 2014, Part VII; Bluegreen Alliance, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (IRS Form 990), TY 2014, Part VII; author’s calculations
Latest Tax Filing:

2019 Form 990

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

The BlueGreen Alliance (BGA) (and its associated 501(c)(3) arm the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation) is a project of America’s national labor unions and major environmentalist groups designed to show a united front for progressive environmentalist policies. The Alliance was founded in 2006 by the United Steelworkers labor union and the Sierra Club to allow unions and environmentalist groups to more easily push agenda items they hold in common.1 The BlueGreen Alliance absorbed another “green jobs” advocacy group, the Apollo Alliance, in 2011.2

Organizational Overview

The Alliance’s membership consists of nine labor unions and five environmentalist groups. Notable member organizations include the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), and the Amalgamated Transit Union.3 The Laborers International Union of North America was previously a member, but the union quit the BlueGreen Alliance to protest the group’s opposition to the Keystone XL natural gas pipeline.4

The BlueGreen Alliance receives funding from numerous sources, including federal government grants, contributions from environmentalist foundations, and financial support from member labor unions.5 The organization is led by executive director Kim Glas, a former Democratic Party congressional staffer and official in the Commerce Department during the Obama administration.6 The executive director of the Sierra Club and the international president of the United Steelworkers serve as co-chairs of the board of directors.7

Background

The BlueGreen Alliance (BGA) was founded in 2006 by the environmentalist Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers labor union. The partnership is notable for seeking to bridge a perceived gap between the job-creation needs of labor and the economic costs of environmentalist policies.8 David Foster, a United Steelworkers official, was appointed the founding executive director of the organization.

BGA was not the first effort to bring together labor and the environmental left: A “Blue/Green Working Group” was convened under former union official and then-president of environmentalist group Friends of the Earth at the urging of then-AFL-CIO president John Sweeney as early as the late 1990s.9 The Apollo Alliance, a major pressure effort aimed at obtaining federal subsidies for so-called “green-collar” jobs in environmentalist-backed industries, was founded in 2004.10

By 2009, the labor-and-environmentalist-supported Democrats had taken power, and the BlueGreen Alliance made aggressive lobbying efforts for the ambitious progressive agenda of President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California). According to filings with the U.S. Senate, in 2009-2010 BGA reported $3.89 million in lobbying expenditures on such matters as “climate change legislation” and the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as the union “card check” bill.11

However, the BlueGreen Alliance effort ultimately had more staying power. BGA merged with the Apollo Alliance in 2011, uniting the two organizations.12 BGA gained prominence in progressive and Democratic Party circles, and the group’s executive director, David Foster, was given a speaking role at the 2012 Democratic National Convention to attack Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s business record.13 Foster would leave BlueGreen in 2014 to take a job in the Department of Energy under the Obama administration.14

The Alliance takes fairly orthodox environmentalist and labor union stands on most issues. In 2015, the group endorsed the Paris Agreement to compel reductions in carbon emissions.15 The Alliance also endorsed substantial new regulations on California oil refineries.16

Funding

Financial Overview

BlueGreen Alliance: Financial Overview
YearTotal RevenuesTotal ExpendituresGrants PaidNet Assets
2019 $2,412,068 $1,187,049 $34,700 $4,978,823
2018 $1,651,719 $995,177 - $3,753,804
2017 $1,449,321 $1,188,705 $20,400 $3,097,262
2016 $1,541,553 $1,245,938 - $2,836,646
2015 $1,571,925 $1,311,535 - $2,541,031
2014 $1,285,511 $1,282,216 - $2,280,621
2013 $1,506,800 $1,315,782 $50,344 $2,277,326
2012 $1,976,422 $2,497,857 $1,400,000 $2,086,308
2011 $1,645,538 $1,367,960 $50,000 $2,607,743
2010 $3,917,994 $3,222,455 $200,000 $2,330,165
2009 $3,258,606 $1,623,980 - $1,634,626
Total: $22,217,457 $17,238,654 $1,755,444

The BlueGreen Alliance (BGA) receives funding from across the progressive movement. The group consists of two organizations separated for tax purposes: the 501(c)(4) BlueGreen Alliance and the 501(c)(3) BlueGreen Alliance Foundation. The organization has been funded by its labor union membership, progressive donor groups and foundations, and the federal government.

The following includes known grants to the BlueGreen Alliance: 17

GrantorAmountYearGrant Description
Casey & Family Foundation $50,000 2017General Support
Sierra Club $10,000 2017ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT
Clean Air Coalition of Western New York $9,700 2017
Bernard F And Alva B Gimbel Foundation $50,000 2016General operating support
National Wildlife Federation $10,000 2014Conservation assistance
Schmidt Family Foundation $130,000 2014To support the advancement of clean energy policies
National Wildlife Federation $5,000 2013Conservation assistance
Scherman Foundation $50,000 2013Support for environmental projects
Schmidt Family Foundation $110,000 2013To support California climate policy defense and implementation
Schmidt Family Foundation $170,000 2012To provide general operating support education on climate change
Scherman Foundation $40,000 2011Environment-To public charities for unrestricted charitable purposes unless otherwise noted
Tides Foundation $30,000 2011Chemicals policy public health and green chemistry project
Association of American Railroads $25,000 2011
Sierra Club $497,500 2010Environment support
Association of American Railroads $50,000 2010
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2017General Overhead
Change To Win $5,000 2011Contributions, Gifts And Grants
Change To Win $5,265 2010Representational Activities
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2009General Overhead
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2020General Overhead
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2019General Overhead
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2018General Overhead
Auto Workers Afl-Cio $50,000 2017Contributions, Gifts And Grants
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2016General Overhead
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2015General Overhead
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2014General Overhead
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $12,000 2014Contributions, Gifts And Grants
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2013General Overhead
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2012General Overhead
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2011General Overhead
Utility Workers Afl-Cio $25,000 2010General Overhead
Food And Commercial Wkrs $100,000 2011Representational Activities
Plumbers Afl-Cio $10,000 2013Contributions, Gifts And Grants
Total: $1,719,465

Labor Union Support

As part of their membership in the BlueGreen Alliance, numerous labor unions provide funding to the organization and its foundation. In labor unions’ 2015 fiscal years, unions provided over $600,000 to the Bluegreen Alliance and the Foundation.18 Unions contributing over $100,000 included the Plumbers and Pipefitters; Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers; and the United Steelworkers.19

Progressive Donor Support

The 501(c)(3) arm of the BlueGreen Alliance, the Bluegreen Alliance Foundation, receives substantial funding from progressive foundations. The group was also identified as part of a 2014 “Progressive Infrastructure Map” by liberal donor organization Democracy Alliance.20

The foundations that contribute to BlueGreen Alliance and BlueGreen Alliance Foundation are largely environmentalist in outlook. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Energy Foundation, the Park Foundation, and the Marisla Foundation have all contributed to the Foundation in recent years.21

Other notable foundation funders of BlueGreen Alliance Foundation include the JPB Foundation, which is run by the widow of an alleged leading beneficiary of the Bernie Madoff fraud schemes.22 The Rockefeller Foundation contributed over $450,000 to BlueGreen Alliance Foundation in 2012.23

Federal Funding

During the Obama administration, BlueGreen Alliance received substantial funding from the federal government through a program associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the fiscal stimulus. The Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration awarded the BlueGreen Alliance a $5,000,000 grant to conduct green jobs programs in Minnesota.24 Tax forms filed by the BlueGreen organizations show substantial revenues from government grants were reported by the 501(c)(3) BlueGreen Alliance Foundation.25

Leadership

Kim Glas has served as executive director of the BlueGreen Alliance and president of the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation since 2014. Prior to her taking the leadership of BlueGreen, Glas served in the Commerce Department during the Obama administration and as an aide to former U.S. Representative Mike Michaud (D-Maine).26

The board of directors of the BlueGreen Alliance are mostly officers of the member unions and environmentalist groups of the alliance. Other notable board members include former Apollo Alliance Chair, California State Treasurer, and California Democratic Party Chairman Phil Angelides and Institute for America’s Future Co-Founder and President Robert Borosage.27

References

  1. “Blue Green Alliance (BGA).” Discover the Networks. Accessed January 18, 2017. http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=7570
  2. “Blue Green Alliance (BGA).” Discover the Networks. Accessed January 18, 2017. http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/groupProfile.asp?grpid=7570
  3. “Members.” BlueGreen Alliance. Accessed January 18, 2017. https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/about/members/
  4. Malanga, Steven. “The Democrats’ Green/Blue Divide.” City Journal. May 25, 2016. Accessed January 18, 2017. http://www.city-journal.org/html/democrats-greenblue-divide-14450.html
  5. See among others: U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Energy Training Partnership Grants.” 2009. Accessed January 18, 2017. https://www.doleta.gov/pdf/ETP_SGA_Award_Summaries_FINAL_02032010.pdf ; “Grants.” Garfield Foundation. 2016. Accessed January 18, 2017. http://www.garfieldfoundation.org/grants/ ; Utility Workers AFL-CIO National Headquarters, Department of Labor Annual Report (Form LM-2), 2015.
  6. “Kim Glas.” BlueGreen Alliance. Accessed January 19, 2017. https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/about/team-staff/kim-glas/
  7. “Board of Directors.” BlueGreen Alliance. Accessed January 24, 2017. https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/about/board-of-directors/
  8. Malanga, Steven. “The Democrats’ Green/Blue Divide.” City Journal. May 25, 2016. Accessed January 18, 2017. http://www.city-journal.org/html/democrats-greenblue-divide-14450.html
  9. Moberg, David. “Enough Blue-Green Bickering.” Alternet. May 6, 2002. Accessed January 19, 2017. http://www.alternet.org/story/13061/enough_blue-green_bickering
  10. Tanzman, Will. “The Man Who United Labor and the Environment.” Alternet. January 2, 2008. Accessed January 19, 2017. http://www.alternet.org/story/72101/the_man_who_united_labor_and_the_environment
  11. Author’s calculations from a query of the Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act Database: [INSERT LINK to PDF IN FINAL VERSION]. See Also Blue Green Alliance, Lobbying Report, Q2 2009, https://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=getFilingDetails&filingID=DC7D59B3-63DA-4319-8864-A15A2891021F&filingTypeID=60
  12. Cortez, Dave. “BlueGreen Alliance and Apollo Alliance Join Forces.” Texas Green Report. May 26, 2011. Accessed January 23, 2017. https://texasgreenreport.wordpress.com/2011/05/26/bluegreen-alliance-and-apollo-alliance-join-forces/
  13. Greenfield, Daniel. “EXCLUSIVE: David Foster, Fake Bain Employee, Real Union Boss and Millionaire.” Frontpage Mag. September 7, 2012. Accessed January 23, 2017. http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/143121/exclusive-david-foster-fake-bain-employee-real-daniel-greenfield
  14. BlueGreen Alliance. “BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster to Join Department of Energy as Senior Advisor to Sec. Moniz.” BlueGreen Alliance. June 17, 2014. Accessed January 23, 2017. https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/the-latest/bluegreen-alliance-executive-director-david-foster-to-join-department-of-energy-as-senior-advisor-to-sec-moniz/
  15. Hill, Joshua S. “World Organisations React To Paris COP21 Climate Accord.” CleanTechnica. December 14, 2015. Accessed January 23, 2017. https://cleantechnica.com/2015/12/14/world-organisations-react-paris-cop21-climate-accord/
  16. Thebault, Reis. “New regulations in the pipeline for California refineries.” Richmond Confidential. September 19, 2016. Accessed January 23, 2017. http://richmondconfidential.org/2016/09/19/new-regulations-in-the-pipeline-for-california-refineries/
  17. Information provided by FoundationSearch. MetaSoft. Search conducted July 7, 2021. www.FoundationSearch.org
  18. Author’s calculations from data retrieved from the United States Department of Labor Office of Labor Management Standards
  19. Author’s analysis of forms filed with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Labor Management Standards
  20. “Democracy Alliance (DA).” Discover the Networks. Accessed January 23, 2017. http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/printgroupProfile.asp?grpid=7151
  21. Data compiled by FoundationSearch.com subscription service, a project of Metasoft Systems, Inc., from forms filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Queries conducted January 24, 2017.
  22. JPB Foundation, IRS Form 990, 2014. See also Vardi, Nathan. “Barbara Picower Is Back In Business As One Of The Nation’s Top Philanthropists.” Forbes. September 09, 2014. Accessed January 24, 2017. http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2014/09/09/barbara-picower-is-back-in-business-as-one-of-the-nations-top-philanthropists/#6c84208725f4
  23. Rockefeller Foundation, IRS Form 990, 2012.
  24. United States. Department of Labor. Employment and Training Administration. Energy Training Partnership Grants. 2009. https://www.doleta.gov/pdf/ETP_SGA_Award_Summaries_FINAL_02032010.pdf
  25. BlueGreen Alliance Foundation, IRS Form 990, 2010, Part VIII line e
  26. “Kim Glas.” BlueGreen Alliance. Accessed January 24, 2017. https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/about/team-staff/kim-glas/
  27. “Board of Directors.” BlueGreen Alliance. Accessed January 24, 2017. https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/about/board-of-directors/

Directors, Employees & Supporters

  1. Robert Borosage
    Board Member
  2. William McDonough
    Former National Advisory Board (Apollo Alliance)
  3. Art Pulaski
    Former Member (Apollo Alliance)
  4. Charlotte Brody
    Vice President of Health Initiatives
  5. Loretta Johnson
    Board Member
  6. Joel Rogers
    Co-Founder (Apollo Alliance)
  7. Gerry Hudson
    Board Member
  8. Kim Glas
    Executive Director
  9. Joseph B. Uehlein
    Former Strategic Advisor
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: March 1, 2012

  • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2017 Dec Form 990 $1,449,321 $1,188,705 $3,313,629 $216,367 N $1,420,102 $25,000 $2,868 $142,461 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $1,541,553 $1,245,938 $3,029,480 $192,834 N $1,539,250 $0 $2,084 $182,830
    2015 Dec Form 990 $1,571,925 $1,311,515 $2,691,090 $150,059 N $1,569,042 $0 $897 $221,479 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $1,285,511 $1,282,216 $2,467,333 $186,712 N $1,232,583 $48,500 $1,333 $294,278 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $1,506,800 $1,315,782 $2,587,873 $310,547 N $1,503,042 $250 $446 $283,960 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $1,976,422 $2,497,857 $2,347,717 $261,409 N $1,924,853 $48,034 $2,099 $555,589 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $1,645,538 $1,367,960 $2,914,691 $306,948 N $1,643,110 $0 $1,607 $264,497 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    BlueGreen Alliance

    1300 GODWARD ST NE STE 2625
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55413-1898