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Non-profit

Kansas Values Institute

Website:

kansasvaluesinstitute.org/
Location:

Lawrence, KS
Tax ID:

45-2621342
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(4)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $2,602,290
Expenses: $1,955,815
Assets: $918,994
Type:

State-Level Policy Advocacy
Formation:

2011
Executive Director:

Evan Gates

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Kansas Values Institute is a left-of-center political advocacy organization in Kansas that has been “long aligned with Democrats.” 1 The organization actively opposed the gubernatorial candidacies of Republicans Derek Schmidt in 2022, 2 Kris Kobach in 2018, 3 4 and Sam Brownback in 2014. 5 Kansas Values Institute also opposes changes to the nomination process of justices on the Kansas Supreme Court. 6

History and Leadership

Kansas Values Institute was founded in 2011. 7 Evan Gates is the executive director of the Kansas Values Institute. 8 She has been called a “Democratic operative” by the Sunflower State Journal. 9 Gates is also the executive director of Kansans for Fair Courts. 10

In 2019, then-Kansas Values Institute executive director Ryan Wright left the organization to join the staff of Kansas Governor Laura Kelly (D). 11 As Kansas Values Institute executive director in 2017, Wright spoke at an event hosted by the left-of-center Brennan Center for Justice regarding rule of law during the Trump administration. 12

Activity

As of February 2023, Kansas Values Institute claims to have taken over 37,000 actions to influence Kansas politics. 13 The organization focuses its advocacy and activist work on policies related to the business environment in Kansas, education, transportation systems, tax policies, and the state judicial system. 14  Kansas Values Initiative opposes plans to change the nomination process for the Kansas Supreme Court. 15 16 Kansans for Fair Courts is an initiative of the Kansas Values Institute 17 founded to oppose proposed changes to the nomination process. 18

Kansas Values Institute is aligned with the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association 19 and a partner of the left-of-center organization re:power. 20 Left-of-center advocacy group The Heartland Fund has identified Kansas Values Institute as an organization that is “doing good work.” 21

In the 2022 election cycle, Kansas Values Institute produced television, online, and mail messaging attacking unsuccessful Kansas Republican gubernatorial candidate Derek Schmidt 22 and his association with former Kansas Governor  Sam Brownback (R). 23 24

In the 2018 election cycle, Kansas Values Institute ran a series of advertisements, including one featuring the former chair of the Republican Party of Kansas, attacking then-Republican gubernatorial nominee Kris Kobach. 25 26

According to reports from the left-of-center Center for Public Integrity, the Kansas Values Institute spent $2.1 million to oppose the re-election of Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) in 2014. During that election cycle, Kansas Values Institute received $270,000 from the Kansas National Education Association (NEA); $100,000 from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); $75,000 from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT); and $50,000 from Laborers Political League Education Fund. 27

Kansas Values Institute also backed state-level judicial candidates and other non-federal candidates in the 2014 and 2016 election cycles. 28 29

Funding

Kansas Values Institute receives funding from individual donations and grants. Individual contributions to Kansas Values Institute are routed through the Democratic-aligned fundraising platform ActBlue Civics. 30

In 2020, Kansas Values Institute reported revenue of $2,602,290 and expenses of $1,955,815. 31 In 2019, the group reported revenue of $130,824 and expenses of $375,238. This was a large decrease from 2018, when the organization reported revenue of $6,589,621 and expenses of $6,072,726. 32

In 2022, Kansas Values Institute received $100,000 from left-of-center EMILY’s List  33 and $60,000 from the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association. 34

Kansas Values Institute received $300,000 from the left-of-center Sixteen Thirty Fund 35 and $100,000 from the New Venture Fund in 2020. 36 In 2019, Kansas Values Institute received $30,000 from the Proteus Fund. 37 That same year, Kansas Values Institute received additional funding from the Piper Fund for its Kansans for Fair Courts initiative. 38

In 2018, Kansas Values Institute received $815,000 from the gun restriction advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund; 39 $325,000 from Sixteen Thirty Fund; 40 $125,000 from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) labor union; 41 $55,000 from the Proteus Fund; 42 $50,000 the AFL-CIO labor union; 43 and $25,000 from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) labor union. 44 Kansas Values Institute received $100,000 from the National Education Association (NEA) Labor Union in 2017. 45

In 2016, Kansas Values Institute received $150,000 from the Proteus Fund; 46 $75,000 from Planned Parenthood Action Fund; 47 and $33,000 from the American Board of Trial Advocates. 48

References

  1. Bahl, Andrew. “Kansas had an expensive election cycle. Here is who spent what—and why it matters.” Topeka Capital-Journal.” November 21, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2023. https://archive.ph/yaZej.
  2. “Kansas Values.” Kansas Values Institute. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://kansasvaluesinstitute.org/kansas-values/.
  3. “Tweet.” Kansas Values Institute Twitter. Posted October 25, 2018. Accessed February 3, 2023. https://twitter.com/KSValues/status/1055593972658290688?cxt=HHwWgIC69YLInKYdAAAA.
  4. “Tweet.” Kansas Values Institute Twitter. Posted October 20, 2018. Accessed February 3, 2023. https://twitter.com/KSValues/status/1053690998348496896?cxt=HHwWgIC2uauYu58dAAAA.
  5. Cooper, Brad. “Labor money pours into Kansas to defeat Sam Brownback.” Kansas City Star. October 30, 2014. Accessed via Web Archive February 1, 2023. https://archive.ph/7fBbj.
  6. “Kansas Values.” Kansas Values Institute. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://kansasvaluesinstitute.org/kansas-values/.
  7. “Kansas Values Institute.” CauseIQ. Accessed February 5, 2022. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/kansas-values-institute,452621342/.
  8. “Evan Gates.” LinkedIn. Accessed February 1, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/egates/.
  9.  Cooper, Brad. “Republican, Democratic strategists offer lookback on governor’s race.” Sunflower State Journal. December 6, 2022. Accessed February 1, 2023. https://sunflowerstatejournal.com/republican-democratic-strategists-offer-look-back-on-governors-race/.
  10. “Facebook Photo.” Kansans for Fair Courts Facebook Page. Posted June 4, 2020. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/KSFairCourts/photos/pb.100068842555152.-2207520000./3359846744048510/?type=3.
  11. Cooper, Brad. “Kansas Values Institute director joins governor’s staff.” Sunflower State Journal. May 21, 2019. Accessed February 1, 2023. https://sunflowerstatejournal.com/kansas-values-institute-director-joins-governors-staff/.
  12. “Courts Under Pressure: Protecting Rule of Law in the Age of Trump.” Brennan Center for Justice. November 10, 2023. Accessed February 1, 2023. https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/11.10.17%20Courts%20Under%20Pressure%20Program.pdf
  13. “Home.” Kansas Values Institute. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://kansasvaluesinstitute.org/.
  14. “Kansas Values.” Kansas Values Institute. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://kansasvaluesinstitute.org/kansas-values/.
  15. “Facebook Post.” Kansans for Fair Courts Facebook Page. Posted March 30, 2022. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/KSFairCourts/posts/pfbid02xTDvKmx2Mg5LYmM79QdhU1k6eXnKtZAW8ePStK1YPWrrTRJ4pzDYKrwS9L4ZU1AYl?__cft__[0]=AZUWAdoyemq6SvJKg9lF7gsHYvxy7y8g8PZx0QidCs0wgyOB9WK5j6nEnMN9Mg0-ijftcBLMyDTjEga3BG-AVwiJZ9WZF9vuQZ2toDY4eD751DneN_7pBKa5EIdtlZmIIMXr-4inOKDgjJNJC7Q4UefhAz2ZK38wiVVgCZvPZDoqbA2pUNkB9xl8iribGrNDWi0QOpLq2L5ZK5s40sE65sQQ&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R.
  16. “Kansas Values.” Kansas Values Institute. Accessed February 1,2023. https://kansasvaluesinstitute.org/kansas-values/.
  17. “Fair Courts.” Kansas Values Institute. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://kansasvaluesinstitute.org/fair-courts/.
  18. “Facebook Photo.” Kansans for Fair Courts Facebook Page. Posted June 4, 2020. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://www.facebook.com/KSFairCourts/photos/pb.100068842555152.-2207520000./3359846744048510/?type=3.
  19. Bernard, Katie. “Kelly and Schmidt remained in dead heat in race for Kansas governor, new poll says.” The Kansas City Star. November 2, 2022. Accessed via Web Archive February 5, 2023. https://archive.ph/e8QjV.
  20. “Our Story Re:Imagined. 2019 Annual Report.” Re:power. Pg. 20. 2019. Accessed February 1, 2023. https://repower.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/repower-AR2019_Final.pdf.
  21. Goldfarb, Ben. “All the People, All the Places.” Heartland Fund. Appendix A, pg. 26. Updated 2020. Accessed February 1, 2023. https://www.heartlandfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/All-the-People_2020-Update.pdf.
  22. Carpenter, Tim. “Kelly v. Schmidt postmortem: Incumbency, cash and Brownback’s legacy pivotal in close race.” Lawrence Times. December 7, 2022. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://lawrencekstimes.com/2022/12/07/kelly-v-schmidt-postmortem/.
  23. “Kansas Values Institute PAC TV Ad #17. Kansas Values Institute. December 2022. Accessed February 3, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=qWuXJOjl5OY.
  24. “Kansas Values Institute PAC TV Ad #11.” Kansas Politics YouTube Channel. Uploaded November 2022. Accessed February 3, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT9FZlMkwZs.
  25. “Tweet.” Kansas Values Institute Twitter. Posted October 25, 2018. Accessed February 3, 2023. https://twitter.com/KSValues/status/1055593972658290688?cxt=HHwWgIC69YLInKYdAAAA.
  26. “Tweet.” Kansas Values Institute Twitter. Posted October 20, 2018. Accessed February 3, 2023. https://twitter.com/KSValues/status/1053690998348496896?cxt=HHwWgIC2uauYu58dAAAA.
  27. Cooper, Brad. “Labor money pours into Kansas to defeat Sam Brownback.” Kansas City Star. October 30, 2014. Accessed via Web Archive February 1, 2023. https://archive.ph/7fBbj.
  28. Bahl, Andrews. “Kansans voted to keep their judges. But the state’s high court will once again be in spotlight.” Topeka Capital-Journal. December 19, 2022. Accessed February 5, 2023. https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/courts/2022/12/19/kansas-lawmakers-likely-to-again-consider-judicial-selection-changes/69720974007/.
  29. Swaim, Chance. “Kansas state parties didn’t disclose which candidates they’re backing and attacking.” Wichita Eagle. October 31, 2020. Accessed via Web Archive February 5, 2023. https://archive.ph/uVAPO.
  30. “Donate to the Kansas Values Institute.” ActBlue. Accessed February 1, 2023. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/rtw_1807_kvi_reengageseries?refcode=rtw_180713_reengagefundraising_em&recurring=auto&refcode2=button.
  31. “Kansas Values Institute.” ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer Page. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/452621342.
  32. “Kansas Values Institute.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/452621342/202003219349314360/full.
  33. “EMILY’s List Non-Federal.” Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures. (Form 8872). October 2022. Accessed February 2, 2023. https://forms.irs.gov/app/pod/basicSearch/downloadFile?formId=136107&formType=e8872.
  34. “Democratic Lieutenant Governors Assoc., Inc.” Political Organization Report of Contributions and Expenditures. (Form 8872). October 2022. Accessed February 4, 2023. https://forms.irs.gov/app/pod/basicSearch/downloadFile?formId=136312&formType=e8872
  35. “Sixteen Thirty Fund.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2020. Schedule I. https://www.sixteenthirtyfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Sixteen-Thirty-Fund-2020-Public-Disclosure-Copy.pdf.
  36. [1] “New Venture Fund.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2020. Schedule I.  https://newventurefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/NVF-2020-Public-Disclosure-Copy-1.pdf.
  37. “Proteus Fund Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule I. http://www.proteusfund.org/wp-content/uploads/Proteus-Fund-2019-Form-990.pdf.
  38. “Kansas Values Institute.” Proteus Fund, Piper Fund: Judicial Independence. 2019. Accessed February 1, 2023. https://www.proteusfund.org/grant/kansasvaluesinstitute-6/.
  39. “Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule I. https://www.everytown.org/documents/2021/12/eveytown-action-fund-990-2018.pdf/.
  40. “Sixteen Thirty Fund.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule I. https://static.politico.com/4b/32/19c3670b41dfa1f8c1b3e0972138/2018-1630-form990.pdf
  41. “American Federation of Teachers.” (DOL File Number 000-012), Form LM-2. Labor Organization Annual Report, 2018, Schedule 16.
  42.  “Proteus Fund Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43243004/201923199349310907/full
  43. “AFL-CIO National Headquarters.” (DOL File Number 000-159), Form LM-2. Labor Organization Annual Report, 2018, Schedule 16. https://olmsapps.dol.gov/query/orgReport.do?rptId=698769&rptForm=LM2Form.
  44. “American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/530237789/201923199349309857/IRS990ScheduleI.
  45. “National Education Association.” (DOL File Number 000-342), Form LM-2. Labor Organization Annual Report, 2017, Schedule 16. Accessed February 1, 2023. https://www.freedomfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/NEA_Politics_Causes_2017fromLM2.pdf.
  46. “Proteus Fund Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2016. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43243004/201733199349302913/full.
  47. [1] “Planned Parenthood Action Fund Inc.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2018. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133539048/202040559349301119/full.
  48. “American Board of Trial Advocates.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2016. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954216564/201723199349314667/full.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: September 1, 2011

    • 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 $2,602,290 $1,955,815 $918,994 $0 N $2,602,290 $0 $0 $0
    2019 Dec Form 990 $130,824 $375,238 $272,519 $0 N $130,824 $0 $0 $0
    2018 Dec Form 990 $6,589,621 $6,072,726 $516,933 $0 N $6,589,621 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $50,696 $72,214 $38 $0 N $50,696 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $1,262,631 $1,278,711 $21,556 $0 N $1,262,631 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $185,573 $181,028 $37,636 $0 N $185,573 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $4,197,580 $4,259,473 $33,091 $0 N $4,197,456 $0 $13 $0 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $140,599 $181,685 $94,984 $0 N $138,023 $0 $14 $0 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $813,536 $882,894 $136,070 $0 N $813,492 $0 $44 $0 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $261,887 $56,459 $205,428 $0 N $261,886 $0 $1 $0 PDF

    Kansas Values Institute


    Lawrence, KS