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Non-profit

Lillian’s List Action Fund

Website:

lillianslist.org/
Location:

Raleigh, NC
Tax ID:

45-3278117
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(4)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $485,330
Expenses: $391,253
Assets: $324,096
Formation:

1997
Type:

Women’s Advocacy Organization
Executive Director:

Sarah Preston

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Lillian’s List Action Fund (Lillian’s List) is an activist organization modeled after the pro-abortion group EMILY’s List that identifies, recruits, and supports left-progressive and pro-abortion candidates running for office in North Carolina. 1 2 3 4

Lillian’s List’s network includes 8000 individuals across North Carolina. 5 Since 2011, the group has trained 665 potential candidates, supported 123 candidates, helped elect 72 candidates, and trained 450 individuals it has identified as future leaders. 6 7 Lillian’s List is a partner of pro-abortion NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina 8 9 and supports the critical theory-influenced concepts of reproductive equity and gender equity. 10 11

In June 2022, Lillian’s List called the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson that overturned Roe v. Wade a “disturbing and sickening setback for gender equity throughout the nation” 12 and hosted a “drag queen bingo” event to recruit candidates to run for office in North Carolina. 13 14 15

History and Leadership

Lillian’s List Action Fund (Lillian’s List) was originally founded as a political action committee (PAC) in 1997. 16 17 Lillian’s List hired its first executive director in 2006 18 and received 501(c)(4) nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 2012. 19

Sarah Preston is the executive director of Lillian’s List. Previously, she worked as the policy director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of North Carolina. 20 In 2022, Preston urged North Carolina voters to support pro-abortion North Carolina politicians and replace pro-life legislators with “people who understand that abortion is health care and reproductive freedom is fundamental.” 21

Activities and Funding

Lillian’s List Action Fund is an activist organization that supports left-progressive and pro-abortion women running for office in North Carolina. 22 23 Modeled after the left-progressive EMILY’s List, Lillian’s List recruits left-progressive and pro-abortion women candidates for office in North Carolina. Lillian’s List also provides financial, strategic, and political support for women in the North Carolina General Assembly and the Council of State. 24 25

In June 2022, Lillian’s List called the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson that overturned Roe v. Wade a “disturbing and sickening setback for gender equity throughout the nation,” claiming the organization was built for such a moment. 26 That same month, Lillian’s List hosted a “drag queen bingo” event to recruit left-progressive and pro-choice women to run for office in North Carolina.

Lillian’s List is a partner of pro-abortion NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina 27 28  and supports the critical race theory-influenced concepts of reproductive equity and gender equity. 29 30 The group has referred to the North Carolina General Assembly as the “last line of defense for abortions in the southeast” 31 and supported the election of Kamala Harris as vice president. 32

Candidate Training

Lillian’s List provides training, leadership development, and financial support to left-progressive and pro-abortion women who it identifies as “champions of reproductive freedom and equity” 33 and interested in running for local-level offices in North Carolina. 34 The Lillian’s List’s network includes 8,000 individuals across North Carolina as well as a 300-member group of scouts that have identified at least 800 potential future left-progressive female leaders in the state. 35

Lillian’s List training includes multi-day “path to victory training” sessions that include training on abortion messaging, campaign field work, and social media. 36 37 Lillian’s List’s “featured candidates” also receive 360 degree support, which includes: advice in recruitment process, communications, staffing assistance, early assistance from Lillian’s List PAC, 38 and financial support throughout the campaign. 39

Lillian’s List’s also identifies “targeted featured candidates,” for whom its members can donate and have their donation equally distributed to all candidates on the left-of-center ActBlue pass-through platform. 40

Since 2011, Lillian’s List has trained 665 potential candidates, supported 123 candidates, helped elect 72 candidates, and trained 450 individuals it has identified as future leaders. 41 Lillian’s List has previously  supported U.S. Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC) and Deborah Ross (D-NC) as well as former U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC). 42

Funding

Lillian’s List Action Fund is a completely member-funded organization. 43 In 2019, Lillian’s List Action Fund

reported revenue of $410,122 and expenses of $392,703. 44

References

  1. “About.” Lillian’s List LinkedIn. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/company/lillianslist/.
  2. “Run for Office.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/run-for-office/.
  3. “About.” Lillian’s List LinkedIn. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/company/lillianslist/.
  4. “About.” Lillian’s List LinkedIn. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/company/lillianslist/.
  5. “About.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/about/.
  6. “About.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/about/.
  7. “2022 Targeted Featured Candidates.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/meet-the-candidates/.
  8. “2020 NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina PAC Endorsements.” Pro-Choice North Carolina. February 12, 2020. Accessed June 26, 2022. https://prochoicenc.org/2020-naral-pro-choice-north-carolina-pac-endorsements/.
  9. “Tweet.” Twitter. Posted June 24, 2022. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://twitter.com/sprestonlegis/status/1540411760196345857?cxt=HHwWgoCz5bOV0uAqAAAA.
  10. “About.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/.
  11. “Gender Equity.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/learn-the-issues/gender-equity/.
  12. Preston, Sarah. “Defending Abortion Access Post-Roe.” Lillian’s List Blog. June 24, 2022. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/defending-abortion-access-post-roe/.
  13. “Drag Queen Bingo.” Lillian’s List Everyaction. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://secure.everyaction.com/3RA_vRl-QE-mX4hjFGS9_g2.
  14. “Drag Queen Bingo!” Lillian’s List Facebook. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.facebook.com/events/2008467526027265/.
  15. “Tweet.” Twitter. Posted June 9, 2022. Accessed June 26, 2022. https://twitter.com/LilliansList/status/1534937026323267584?cxt=HHwWgIC-6fnFmM0qAAAA
  16. “20 Year of Lillian’s List.” Lillian’s List Facebook. Posted May 11, 2017. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://www.facebook.com/lillianslist/videos/20-years-of-lillians-list/10154631499093437.
  17. “About.” Lillian’s List LinkedIn. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/company/lillianslist/.
  18. “Lillian’s List of NC Raleigh, NC Executive Director Job Posting.” Lillian’s List of NC. Accessed June 26, 2022. https://www.afpcharlotte.org/files/jobs/1605160716-position-announcement.pdf.
  19. “Determination Letter.” Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service. August 31, 2012. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/dl/FinalLetter_45-3278117_LILLIANSLISTACTIONFUND_06112012_03.tif.
  20. “Sarah Preston.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/person/sarah-preston/.
  21. After almost 50 years as a nurse, I’ve seen why access to abortion is crucial.” Charlotte News and Observer. May 6, 2022. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article260972007.html
  22. “About.” Lillian’s List LinkedIn. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/company/lillianslist/.
  23. “Run for Office.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/run-for-office/.
  24. “About.” Lillian’s List LinkedIn. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/company/lillianslist/.
  25. “About.” Lillian’s List LinkedIn. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/company/lillianslist/
  26. Preston, Sarah. “Defending Abortion Access Post-Roe.” Lillian’s List Blog. June 24, 2022. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/defending-abortion-access-post-roe/.
  27. “2020 NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina PAC Endorsements.” Pro-Choice North Carolina. February 12, 2020. Accessed June 26, 2022. https://prochoicenc.org/2020-naral-pro-choice-north-carolina-pac-endorsements/.
  28. “Tweet.” Twitter. Posted June 24, 2022. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://twitter.com/sprestonlegis/status/1540411760196345857?cxt=HHwWgoCz5bOV0uAqAAAA.
  29. “About.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/.
  30. “Gender Equity.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/learn-the-issues/gender-equity/.
  31. “Tweet.” Twitter. Posted June 25, 2022. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://twitter.com/LilliansList/status/1540760118811320320?cxt=HHwWgICz3cXK8OEqAAAA.
  32. “Tweet.” Twitter. Posted November 7, 2020. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://twitter.com/LilliansList/status/1325136449184780289?cxt=HHwWgsCmyYyl6uMkAAAA.
  33. “Lillian’s List Action Fund.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Part I. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/453278117_201912_990O_2021060718276847.pdf.
  34. “Sarah Preston.” North Carolina Department of Administration. 2020. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://ncadmin.nc.gov/advocacy/women/status-women-north-carolina/2020-status-women-north-carolina-political-participation-report-leaders/sarah-preston
  35. “About.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/about/.
  36. “About.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/about/.
  37. “Path to Victory Training.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/run-for-office/path-to-victory-training/.
  38. “Lillian’s List of NC Raleigh, NC Executive Director Job Posting.” Lillian’s List of NC. Accessed June 26, 2022. https://www.afpcharlotte.org/files/jobs/1605160716-position-announcement.pdf.
  39. “Featured Candidates 360 Degrees.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/run-for-office/featured-candidates-360/.
  40. “Support Lillian’s List Targeted Featured Candidates!” ActBlue. Accessed June 26, 2022. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ll2022.
  41.  “About.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/about/.
  42. “2022 Targeted Featured Candidates.” Lillian’s List. Accessed June 25, 2022. https://lillianslist.org/meet-the-candidates/.
  43. “About.” Lillian’s List LinkedIn. Accessed June 23, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/company/lillianslist/.
  44. [1] “Lillian’s List Action Fund.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/453278117_201912_990O_2021060718276847.pdf.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: August 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
    2020 Dec Form 990 $485,330 $391,253 $324,096 $2,157 N $426,449 $0 $0 $90,038
    2019 Dec Form 990 $410,122 $392,703 $229,955 $2,093 N $282,329 $0 $0 $86,994 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $341,953 $323,308 $212,118 $1,675 N $308,645 $0 $0 $72,543 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $443,710 $422,188 $193,832 $2,034 N $443,710 $0 $0 $94,853 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $328,643 $335,785 $170,784 $508 N $328,643 $0 $0 $46,667
    2015 Dec Form 990 $469,060 $340,262 $189,930 $12,512 N $469,060 $0 $0 $76,291 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $101,933 $94,511 $48,620 $0 N $101,933 $0 $0 $26,793 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $122,562 $88,434 $41,198 $0 N $122,562 $0 $0 $9,360 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990EZ $61,550 $62,480 $-930 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

    Lillian’s List Action Fund

    3117 Poplarwood Court, Suite 130
    Raleigh, NC