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Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement

This is the logo of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. (link)
Website:

www.iowacci.org/
Location:

DES MOINES, IA
Tax ID:

42-1110721
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $2,392,305
Expenses: $1,546,477
Assets: $2,574,721
Type:

State-Level Advocacy

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Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) is a state-level advocacy group that advocates left-of-center policy positions on environmental and criminal-justice issues.

Background

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement was founded in 1975 by clergy members in the rectory of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waterloo, Iowa. Iowa CCI was originally organized around addressing neighborhood issues and finding solutions to promote affordable housing in Iowa. 1

In the 1970s worked to pressure Iowa state officials to use federal grant dollars for neighborhood revitalization. 2 However, Iowa CCI shifted away from housing issues and began to advance more left-of-center positions in the 1990s, including environmentalist positions. 3 While Iowa CCI supported tough criminal justice policies during the 1980s and 1990s, 4 today it advocates for shrinking the budget of police departments. 5

Advocacy

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement argues for shifting completely to weather-dependent sources of energy because “the climate crisis is already here,” putting Iowa’s water, crops, and families at risk. 6

Iowa CCI advocates for the passage of the THRIVE Act, a Green New Deal coalition bill that would grant weather-dependent energy businesses $1 trillion every year from 2023-2031 to create 15 million federally funded jobs. 7

Iowa CCI advocates establishing independent public oversight committees to monitor and restrain police conduct, reducing funding for police departments, and decriminalizing marijuana possession. 8

Leadership

Hugh Espey is the executive director Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. He began working for the group in 1979 as an organizer. 9 Espey is a self-styled “professional organizer.” 10

Finances

In 2020, Iowa CCI received $2,074,095 in contributions, 11 $2,392,305 in total revenue, 12 incurred $1,546,477 in expenses, 13 and held $2,574,721 in net assets. 14

References

  1. “About Us – History.” Iowa CCI. https://www.iowacci.org/history
  2. “About Us – History.” Iowa CCI. https://www.iowacci.org/history
  3. “About Us – History.” Iowa CCI. https://www.iowacci.org/history
  4. “About Us – History.” Iowa CCI. https://www.iowacci.org/history
  5. “Racial Justice.” Iowa CCI. https://www.iowacci.org/racial-equity
  6. “Climate Justice.” Iowa CCI. https://www.iowacci.org/climate-justice
  7. [1] “THRIVE Fact Sheet.” Green New Deal Network. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fd39d62ad43c8365ea78fac/t/605e66acd8c2d46e486c1bd5/1616799555674/THRIVE_Act_Fact_Sheet.pdf
  8. “Racial Justice.” Iowa CCI. https://www.iowacci.org/racial-equity
  9. “Staff -Hugh Espey.” Iowa CCI. https://www.iowacci.org/staff
  10. “Hugh Espey.” Activist Facts. https://www.activistfacts.com/person/3606-hugh-espey/
  11. Iowa CCI. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2020. Part I, line 8.
  12. Iowa CCI. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2020. Part I, line 12.
  13. Iowa CCI. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2020. Part I, line 18.
  14. Iowa CCI. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). 2020. Part I, line 22.

Supported Movements

  1. Green New Deal (GND)
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: March 1, 1979

    • 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 Dec Form 990 $2,392,305 $1,546,477 $2,574,721 $0 N $2,074,095 $0 $11,356 $80,514
    2019 Dec Form 990 $1,292,940 $1,121,373 $1,685,652 $0 N $985,263 $13,070 $9,833 $75,365 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $1,265,457 $1,144,488 $1,543,780 $67,207 N $1,041,932 $2,570 $7,345 $75,509 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $1,161,235 $1,101,924 $1,398,848 $32,970 N $1,131,527 $10,200 $5,817 $69,841 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $1,007,218 $980,987 $1,294,848 $0 N $974,681 $5,063 $4,484 $70,320
    2015 Dec Form 990 $1,046,918 $1,030,706 $1,354,046 $89,691 N $960,677 $70,746 $2,186 $66,412 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $1,067,871 $1,136,457 $1,336,998 $104,080 N $1,065,713 $0 $2,158 $59,555 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $892,288 $941,143 $1,299,734 $0 N $890,258 $0 $2,030 $58,900 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $983,774 $927,277 $1,348,589 $0 N $973,541 $4,487 $2,016 $60,400 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $945,407 $918,774 $1,292,092 $0 N $914,673 $9,535 $11,145 $0 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement

    2001 FOREST AVE
    DES MOINES, IA 50311-3229