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Non-profit

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

Website:

www.groundworkcenter.org/
Location:

Traverse City, MI
Tax ID:

38-2314954
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $2,637,111
Expenses: $2,318,438
Assets: $955,785
Executive Director:

Hans Voss

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Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is an environmentalist organization that seeks to close coal-burning electricity generation plants. 1 Originally formed in 1995 as the Michigan Land Use Institute before changing its name in 2005, the Groundwork Center has advocated against oil and gas drilling in Michigan 2 and stated in 2017 that residents should shut down Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline “once and for all.” 3

Background

The Michigan Land Use Institute was founded in 1995 in Traverse City, Michigan by Keith Schneider, 4 who was a staff reporter at the New York Times. 5 In 2005, the Michigan Land Use Institute changed its name to Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities. 6

In 1997, the Michigan Land Use Institute published a report stating the state should protect nine rivers from development by the oil and gas industry and called for “extend[ing] safeguards on oil, gas drilling.” 7

The Michigan Land Use Institute opposed oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes in 2001, citing a fear of oil spills. 8

In 2005, the Michigan Land Use Institute produced a report that state and local governments were subsidizing “runaway sprawl in Michigan” by allowing practices that “erase greenfields and erode the vitality of cities.” 9 The reported urged then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) to “build viable public transportation systems” and turn the state into a “greener, cleaner, dynamic state of opportunity.” 10

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reported in 2013 that the Michigan Land Use Institute “consistently lobbies against coal-burning electricity generation plants.” 11

Traverse City officials stated that the Michigan Land Use Institute had overstepped its bounds in 2013 by trying to influence who would be the next executive director of the city-owned utility Traverse City Light and Power. 12 City officials suspected the Institute was behind an email campaign to get their favored candidate hired. 13 City Commissioner Barbara Budros said the “constant lobbying” behind the scenes was “disconcerting” and said she did not need the Institute “telling us who the next executive director is going to be.” 14

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities has 18 employees 15 and 16 board members as of 2019. 16

Line 5

Line 5 is a pipeline that diverges into two parallel pipelines as it travels under the Straits of Mackinac. 17 It provides 65 percent of the propane demand in the Upper Peninsula and 55 percent of Michigan’s needs statewide, according to Enbridge. 18 Line 5 transports up to 540,000 barrels per day of light crude oil, light synthetic crude and natural gas liquids that are refined into propane. 19

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities has worked to shut down Line 5, which it has called an “environmental hazard.” 20 The Groundwork Center stated it would rather have Michigan’s propane needs met by truck and rail. 21

In 2017, Hans Voss, the executive director of the Groundwork Center, urged citizens to get lawmakers to “shut down the pipeline once and for all.” 22

Ann Arbor to Traverse City Passenger Rail

Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities has advocated for a passenger rail line between Ann Arbor and Traverse City. 23 A railway between Ann Arbor and Traverse City has been proposed since 2011. 24 The Groundwork Center claims there is broad support for the project and that it would create economic development in communities along the route. 25

The rail project was supposed to being limited runs in 2021 but that was shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 26 The project received funding for a study from the U.S. Department of Transportation on August 11, 2022. 27

Inflation Reduction Act

Ashley Soltysiak, the climate and environment program director at Goundwork Center, stated in a September 2022 blog post that the $396 billion Inflation Reduction Act was “big, but not big enough.” 28 Soltysiak stated her frustration “is great” that the bill will “help Big Oil” and thereby slow progress at reining in climate change.” 29

Finances

The Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities’ total revenue was $2.6 million with $2.3 million in expenses in 2020. 30 Total revenues were $907,525 in 2012. 31

Leadership

Hans Voss is executive director of the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and had a reported salary of $150,000 in 2019. 32 Voss started with the Michigan Land Use Institute in 1995. 33

Julie Metty Bennett is a board member of Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities. Bennett is the owner and a senior vice president at Public Sector Consultants. 34 The clients of Public Sector Consultants include the left-of-center Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, 35 the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the left-of-center Skillman Foundation and numerous governmental and public-education entities. 36 Bennett also sits on the board of the left-of-center Michigan League of Conservation Voters. 37

Maureen Smyth became a board member of the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities in 2018 and served as the board chair for three years. 38 Smyth was the senior vice president of programs and communications for the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. 39

Dan Worth is the clean energy program director at the Center, where he started in 2015. 40 He called himself an “East Coast liberal” in 2017. 41

References

  1. Michael Estes. “Scuffle Over How Utility Will Select Next Leader.” Traverse City Record-Eagle. Feb. 24, 2013. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/scuffle-over-how-utility-will-select-next-leader/article_8170327e-d189-56c6-8236-2dd412d87a75.html
  2. Associated Press. “Group Hopes To Protect Rivers.” Lansing State Journal. Dec. 1, 1997. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022.
  3. Jacob Wheeler. “Environmental Groups Sound Alarm On Cuts To Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.” Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. July 6, 2017. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/environmental-groups-sound-alarm-on-cuts-to-great-lakes-restoration-initiative/
  4.  Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. “MLUI Is Now The Groundwork Center.” May 13, 2015. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/mlui-is-now-the-groundwork-center/
  5. [1] Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. “Keith Schneider Shares The Origin Story.” July 5, 2020. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/keith-schneider-shares-the-origin-story/
  6. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. “MLUI Is Now The Groundwork Center.” May 13, 2015. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/mlui-is-now-the-groundwork-center/
  7. Associated Press. “Group Hopes To Protect Rivers.” Lansing State Journal. Dec. 1, 1997. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022.
  8. Associated Press. “Michigan Commission Backs Oil, Gas Exploration Under Great Lakes.” Edmonton Journal. Sept. 15, 2001. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022.
  9. [1] George Weeks. “State Aids Destructive ‘Runaway Sprawl.’” Detroit Free Press. Jan. 30, 2005. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022.
  10. George Weeks. “State Aids Destructive ‘Runaway Sprawl.’” Detroit Free Press. Jan. 30, 2005. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022.
  11. Michael Estes. “Scuffle Over How Utility Will Select Next Leader.” Feb. 24, 2013. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/scuffle-over-how-utility-will-select-next-leader/article_8170327e-d189-56c6-8236-2dd412d87a75.html
  12. Michael Estes. “Scuffle Over How Utility Will Select Next Leader.” Feb. 24, 2013. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/scuffle-over-how-utility-will-select-next-leader/article_8170327e-d189-56c6-8236-2dd412d87a75.html
  13. Michael Estes. “Scuffle Over How Utility Will Select Next Leader.” Feb. 24, 2013. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/scuffle-over-how-utility-will-select-next-leader/article_8170327e-d189-56c6-8236-2dd412d87a75.html
  14. Michael Estes. “Scuffle Over How Utility Will Select Next Leader.” Feb. 24, 2013. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.record-eagle.com/news/local_news/scuffle-over-how-utility-will-select-next-leader/article_8170327e-d189-56c6-8236-2dd412d87a75.html
  15. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities, Return of an Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990), 2012. Part I. Summary. Accessed Sept. 22, 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/382314954/2013_09_EO%2F38-2314954_990_201209
  16. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Meet Our Board. Accessed Sept. 22, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/board/
  17. Enbridge. About Line 5. Accessed Sept. 18, 2022. https://www.enbridge.com/projects-and-infrastructure/public-awareness/line-5-michigan/about-line-5
  18. Enbridge. About Line 5. Accessed Sept. 18, 2022. https://www.enbridge.com/projects-and-infrastructure/public-awareness/line-5-michigan/about-line-5
  19. Enbridge. About Line 5. Accessed Sept. 18, 2022. https://www.enbridge.com/projects-and-infrastructure/public-awareness/line-5-michigan/about-line-5
  20. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Climate And Environment. Line 5 Activism. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/line-5-activism/
  21. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Climate And Environment. Line 5 Activism. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/line-5-activism/
  22. Jacob Wheeler. “Environmental Groups Sound Alarm On Cuts To Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.” July 6, 2017. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/environmental-groups-sound-alarm-on-cuts-to-great-lakes-restoration-initiative/
  23. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Ann Arbor To Traverse City Passenger Rail Project. Accessed Sept. 20, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/a2tc-rail-project/
  24. Marc Daalder. “Study: Train Would Earn Millions.” Detroit Free Press. Oct. 9, 2018. Accessed Sept. 25, 2022.
  25. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Ann Arbor To Traverse City Passenger Rail Project. Accessed Sept. 20, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/a2tc-rail-project/
  26. [1] Slone Terranella. “Outbreak Idles Traverse City-Ann Arbor Rail Plans.” Detroit Free Press. Nov. 28, 2020. Accessed Sept. 20, 2022.
  27. Navya Gupta. “Proposed Train Service From Ann Arbor To Traverse City Gets New Funding For Study.” Detroit Free Press. Aug. 17, 2022. Accessed Sept. 20, 2022. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/17/ann-arbor-traverse-city-train-service/10346372002/
  28. Ashley Soltysiak. “The IRA Is Big, But Not Big Enough. Let’s Fix That!” Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Sept. 14, 2022. Accessed Sept. 18, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/the-ira-is-big-but-not-big-enough-lets-fix-that/
  29. [1] Ashley Soltysiak. “The IRA Is Big, But Not Big Enough. Let’s Fix That!” Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Sept. 14, 2022. Accessed Sept. 18, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/the-ira-is-big-but-not-big-enough-lets-fix-that/
  30. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities, Return of an Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990), 2020. Accessed Sept. 22, 2022. Accessed Sept. 29, 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/382314954/04_2021_prefixes_37-38%2F382314954_202009_990_2021041417945923
  31. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities, Return of an Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990), 2012. Accessed Sept. 22, 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/382314954/2013_09_EO%2F38-2314954_990_201209
  32. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Staff. Hans Voss. Accessed Sept. 25, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/staff-hans-voss/
  33. Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. “Meet Hans Voss.” Accessed Sept. 22, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/staff-hans-voss/
  34. Michigan League Of Conservation Voters. Board Members. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://michiganlcvedfund.org/people/julie-metty-bennett
  35. Goundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Programs. Accessed Sept. 20, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/board/#
  36. Public Sector Consultants. Clients. Accessed Sept. 20, 2022. https://publicsectorconsultants.com/clients/
  37. Michigan League Of Conservation Voters. Board Members. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://michiganlcvedfund.org/people/julie-metty-bennett
  38. Jeff Smith. “Checking In With Outgoing Board Chair Maureen Smyth.” Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Oct. 25, 2018. Accessed Sept. 25, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/checking-in-with-outgoing-board-chair-maureen-smyth/
  39. Jeff Smith. “Checking In With Outgoing Board Chair Maureen Smyth.” Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities. Oct. 25, 2018. Accessed Sept. 25, 2022. https://www.groundworkcenter.org/checking-in-with-outgoing-board-chair-maureen-smyth/
  40. [1] “Dan Worth.” LinkedIn. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-worth-a432426/
  41. [1] Howard Lovy. “Q&A: Michigan Nonprofit Seeks Local Solutions On Clean Energy.” Energy News. Nov. 9, 2017. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. https://energynews.us/2017/11/09/qa-michigan-nonprofit-seeks-local-solutions-on-clean-energy/
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: September - August
  • Tax Exemption Received: August 1, 1982

    • 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
    2020 Sep Form 990 $2,637,111 $2,318,438 $955,785 $554,500 N $2,629,978 $9,082 $0 $150,000 PDF
    2019 Sep Form 990 $1,847,829 $1,772,024 $770,787 $688,175 N $1,740,207 $36,818 $0 $148,500 PDF
    2018 Sep Form 990 $1,993,802 $2,021,410 $434,705 $427,898 N $1,846,949 $195,622 $0 $141,000 PDF
    2017 Sep Form 990 $1,867,407 $1,826,907 $568,735 $534,320 N $1,771,294 $155,101 $0 $129,175 PDF
    2016 Sep Form 990 $1,467,146 $1,478,629 $300,238 $306,323 N $1,385,488 $100,010 $721 $116,788
    2015 Sep Form 990 $1,265,178 $1,231,276 $353,249 $347,851 N $1,236,215 $45,689 $161 $105,325 PDF
    2014 Sep Form 990 $1,385,287 $1,338,601 $223,170 $251,674 N $1,368,917 $6,637 $21 $100,000 PDF
    2013 Sep Form 990 $1,754,488 $1,698,342 $397,819 $473,009 N $1,711,006 $73,636 $279 $97,124 PDF
    2012 Sep Form 990 $907,525 $1,112,828 $401,751 $536,310 N $920,867 $9,475 $233 $66,370 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $1,470,323 $1,476,267 $440,710 $369,966 N $1,480,833 $7,375 $477 $85,502 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities


    Traverse City, MI