Non-profit

Drum Major Institute

Website:

www.drummajorinst.org/

Location:

NEW YORK, NY

Tax ID:

13-4080421

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2021):

Revenue: $325,500
Expenses: $306,074
Assets: $143,782

Formation:

1961

Type:

Racial Justice Advocacy Group

President:

Arndrea Waters King

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The Drum Major Institute (DMI) is a nonprofit that advocates left-of-center policies. DMI was founded by supporters of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is run by King Jr.’s oldest son, Martin Luther King III, and King III’s wife, Arndrea Waters King.

DMI has received funding from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a “social welfare” nonprofit managed by Arabella Advisors.

As of November 2023, DMI listed no personnel on its website besides board members and its president Arndrea Waters King. 1

History

In 1961, the Drum Major Foundation was founded by Harry Wachtel, an advisor to civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King, Jr. The organization’s name was inspired by a speech from King in which he asked to be remembered as “a drum major for justice,” or someone who consistently strove for justice. 2

In 1999, the Foundation was reformed as the Drum Major Institute. 3

In 2001, long-time Democratic Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer (D) became the president of DMI after losing his election for New York City mayor. Ferrer oversaw a significant expansion in DMI’s funding by bringing in donors from his previous elections. However, Ferrer faced criticism for allegedly using DMI as a platform to rally support for 2005 mayoral campaign, in which he was again defeated. The New York Republican Party claimed that DMI released a report criticizing school safety to attack Ferrer’s opponent, then-Republican-aligned Mayor Michael Bloomberg. One of the campaign’s biggest funders was Wachtel. 4

In a 2007 interview with then-DMI executive director Andrea Batista Schlesinger, DMI was described as “challenging what it means to be a ‘think tank.’” DMI focused on reaching a larger audience with “grassroots organizers” rather than academic contributors. 5 6

Activities

As of November 2023, the Drum Major Institute’s website states that the organization is focused on improving race relations, promoting social justice, and promoting equity. 7 These priorities are based on Martin Luther King Jr.’s conception of the three evils in the world: poverty, racism, and violence. 8

DMI condemned the October 7 terrorist attack launched by Hamas against Israel. 9

In August 2023, DMI co-hosted a march in Washington D.C. to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s march. 10

In February 2018, DMI condemned a television advertisement from Ram Pickup that used audio from a Martin Luther King Jr. speech: “One of the specific evils Dr. King condemned was the exploitation of the drum major instinct by advertisers, particularly car advertisers.” 11

In the 2000s, DMI was more heavily involved in policy advocacy. In 2004, the organization released “A Middle Class Scorecard” to evaluate the impact of federal legislation on the middle class. The Scorecard gave significantly higher scores on average to Democratic legislators than Republican legislators. In 2008, DMI and The Nation created “Mayor TV,” a program to promote awareness of urban issues throughout the United States. In 2008, DMI supported more liberal immigration policies. In 2009, DMI advocated for a government-funded single-payer health care system. 12 13 14 15

DMI has hosted events attended by former President Bill Clinton, former U.S. Senator John Edwards (D-SC), former Vermont Governor Howard Dean (D), and former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (D-NY). 16

Grantmaking

In 2022, the Drum Major Institute contributed $100,000 to March On and Future Coalition, a 501(c)(4) dedicated to voter outreach for left-wing groups. 17 18

Funding

From 2017 to 2021, the Drum Major Institute raised $1.4 million in contributions. 19

In 2021, the Sixteen Thirty Fund gave $250,000 to DMI. 20

Also in 2021, clothing brand Kith pledged 50 percent of its sales on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to DMI. 21

Leadership

Arndrea Waters King is the president of the Drum Major Institute. Her husband, Martin Luther King III, is the oldest son of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the board chair of DMI. 22

Andrea Batista Schlesinger was the executive director of DMI from 2002 to 2009. After leaving the organization, Schlesinger was a senior adviser for Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s 2009 election campaign, a special advisor to the mayor after his election, and later deputy director of U.S. programs at the Open Society Foundations. 23

DMI’s board includes former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young (D), former New York City Councilperson Eric Gioia (D) and his wife Lisa Gioia, former Obama administration Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, and William Wachtel, son of DMI founder Harry Wachtel. 24

DMI’s board previously included 2024 independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 25

References

  1. “About Us.” Drum Major Institute. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://drummajorinst.org/about-us/.
  2. McIntire, Mike. “Institute Once Led by Ferrer Forms Base od His Support.” New York Times. October 20, 2005. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/20/nyregion/metrocampaigns/institute-once-led-by-ferrer-forms-base-of-his.html.
  3. McIntire, Mike. “Institute Once Led by Ferrer Forms Base od His Support.” New York Times. October 20, 2005. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/20/nyregion/metrocampaigns/institute-once-led-by-ferrer-forms-base-of-his.html.
  4. McIntire, Mike. “Institute Once Led by Ferrer Forms Base od His Support.” New York Times. October 20, 2005. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/20/nyregion/metrocampaigns/institute-once-led-by-ferrer-forms-base-of-his.html.
  5. “Andrea Batista Schlesinger.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-batista-schlesinger-a17bb95b.
  6. “Meet Andrea Batista Schlesinger, The Drum Major Institute.” DMI Blog. February 20, 2007. Accessed November 20, 2023. http://www.dmiblog.com/archives/2007/02/meet_andrea_batista_schlesinge.html.
  7.  “Homepage.” Drum Major Institute. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://drummajorinst.org/.
  8. “I HAVE A DREAM: Interview with Martin Luther King III, Arndrea King and 12-Year Old Yolanda Renee King on Family, Love Activism and Their Dreams.” Drum Major Institute. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://drummajorinst.org/media/i-have-a-dream-interview-with-martin-luther-king-iii-arndrea-king-and-12-year-old-yolanda-renee-king-on-family-love-activism-and-their-dreams/.
  9. “National Action Network, Drum Major Institute, National Urban League, and NAACP Condemn Violent Attack on Israel.” NAACP. October 8, 2023. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://naacp.org/articles/civil-rights-organizations-condemn-attack-israel.
  10. Olson, Emily. “Thousands march to mark the 60th anniversary of MLK’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.” NPR. August 26, 2023. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.npr.org/2023/08/26/1196190910/march-on-washington-mlk-dream-speech-anniversary.
  11. Naughton, Nora. “MLK estate approved controversial Ram Super Bowl ad.” The Detroit News. February 5, 2018. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/chrysler/2018/02/05/ram-super-bowl-ad-martin-luther-king/110137258/.
  12. Heuval, Katrina Vanden. “A Middle Class Scorecard.” The Nation. May 22, 2004. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/middle-class-scorecard/.
  13. “America’s Cities.” PBS. March 28, 2008. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03282008/profile3.html.
  14. “Drum Major Institute for Public Policy.” Discover the Networks. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.discoverthenetworks.org/organizations/drum-major-institute-for-public-policy-dmi/.
  15. “Meet Andrea Batista Schlesinger, The Drum Major Institute.” DMI Blog. February 20, 2007. Accessed November 20, 2023. http://www.dmiblog.com/archives/2007/02/meet_andrea_batista_schlesinge.html.
  16. McIntire, Mike. “Institute Once Led by Ferrer Forms Base od His Support.” New York Times. October 20, 2005. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/20/nyregion/metrocampaigns/institute-once-led-by-ferrer-forms-base-of-his.html.
  17. “Drum Major Institute Inc Form 990.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/134080421/202243189349310984/full.
  18. “MARCH ON and Future Coalition.” Gain Power. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://careercenter.gainpower.org/profile/march-on-and-future-coalition/1613832/.
  19. “Drum Major Institute Inc Form 990.” ProPublica. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/134080421/202243189349310984/full.
  20. “Drum Major Institute.” Cause IQ. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/drum-major-institute,134080421/.
  21. “kith.” Instagram. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.instagram.com/p/CKJvPGdh0I9/?img_index=1.
  22. “Martin Luther King, III.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-luther-king-iii-3a9b931a.
  23. “Andrea Batista Schlesinger.” LinkedIn. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-batista-schlesinger-a17bb95b.
  24. “About Us.” Drum Major Institute. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://drummajorinst.org/about-us/.
  25. McIntire, Mike. “Institute Once Led by Ferrer Forms Base od His Support.” New York Times. October 20, 2005. Accessed November 20, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/20/nyregion/metrocampaigns/institute-once-led-by-ferrer-forms-base-of-his.html.

Directors, Employees & Supporters

  1. Gloria Totten
    Advisory Committee
  2. Andrea Batista Schlesinger
    Former Executive Director
  3. Cristina Jimenez
    Former Immigration Policy Analyst
  4. Andrew Friedman
    Former Senior Fellow
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: December 1, 1999

  • 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
    2021 Dec Form 990 $325,500 $306,074 $143,782 $14,589 N $325,500 $0 $0 $0
    2020 Dec Form 990 $316,973 $240,946 $166,492 $56,725 N $316,973 $0 $0 $0
    2019 Dec Form 990 $109,187 $123,095 $34,443 $654 N $59,187 $50,000 $0 $0 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $434,336 $289,290 $53,294 $4,799 N $405,724 $28,612 $0 $0 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $201,040 $304,669 $121,360 $217,911 N $191,040 $10,000 $0 $87,500 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $662,173 $458,251 $232,895 $225,817 N $662,173 $0 $0 $200,417 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $643,897 $639,564 $14,539 $211,383 N $633,897 $10,000 $0 $237,500 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $45,968 $23,054 $13,988 $186,545 N $45,968 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $166,025 $88,957 $5,784 $201,255 N $166,025 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $205,044 $219,215 $14,149 $286,688 N $205,044 $0 $0 $8,389
    2011 Dec Form 990 $382,074 $783,883 $55,666 $314,034 N $340,074 $0 $0 $87,480
    2010 Dec Form 990 $1,259,146 $1,272,184 $507,110 $363,667 N $1,162,032 $0 $236 $119,209

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Drum Major Institute

    885 2ND AVE FL 47
    NEW YORK, NY 10017-2200