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Non-profit

Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA)

Website:

midwestadvocates.org/
Location:

Madison, WI
Tax ID:

39-2006475
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2021):

Revenue: $707,573
Expenses: $700,926
Assets: $776,118
Budget (2022):

Revenue: $1,088,867
Expenses: $726,436
Assets: $1,103,336

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Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA) is a Wisconsin-focused left-of-center litigation organization that opposes the development of non-weather-dependent sources of energy and industrial mineral mining. 1 In addition, MEA engages in litigation and advocacy to reduce the amount of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) in drinking water.

Financials

In 2022, Midwest Environmental Advocates received $1,060,616 in contributions, 2 $26,206 in program service revenue, 3 and $1,088,867 in total revenue. 4 The same year, MEA incurred $726,436 in expenses 5 and held $1,103,336 in assets. 6

Advocacy

Pipelines

Midwest Environmental Advocates engages in litigation and activism incubation to oppose energy pipelines in Wisconsin. 7

In 2022, MEA filed comments with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources challenging the redirection/reconstruction of the Line 5 Enbridge oil pipeline on permitting grounds. 8  The re-direction of the pipeline is an attempt to comply with a federal court order after the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians successfully convinced the court to prevent Enbridge from operating its existing lines on Native American land. 9

In addition to litigation, with support from Wisconsin’s Green Fire, a left-of-center conservation organization, produces various forms of publications to mobilize opposition to energy pipelines in the state of Wisconsin. 10

Mining

MEA refers to mining as “a historic threat to clean air and water.” 11 The organization opposes both metallic mining for iron, zinc and copper, and non-metallic mining such as fracking for natural resources. 12 MEA has argued for increased regulation in mining and has opposed the development of mines by challenging the legality of mining permits under Wisconsin environmental laws. 13

In 2017, MEA brought a claim against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for granting Meteor Timber, a natural resources company, a permit to construct a sand processing facility within 16 acres of unoccupied wetlands located in Monroe County, Wisconsin. 14  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources then reevaluated and denied the permit. In 2022, the Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to review the department’s decision to not grant Meteor Timber a wetland construction permit. 15

PFAS Litigation

Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) refers to thousands of chemicals used in the production of various products including fire retardant foam, non-stick cookware, and water repellant clothing. 16

In 2022, MEA, in conjunction with the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, petitioned the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to regulate the level of PFAS in groundwater. 17 The attorney who filed the petition on behalf of League of Women Voters was not an employee of that organization, but a legal fellow affiliated with the left-of-center Equal Justice Works. 18

Leadership

Tony Wilkin Gibart is the executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates. 19 Prior to joining MEA, Gibart was the associate director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, 20 an organization that advocates for housing and resources for abuse survivors and gun-control laws targeted at individuals who have committed domestic abuse. 21

References

  1. “Annual Report – 2015.” Midwest Environmental Advocates. https://midwestadvocates.org/assets/resources/MEA_2015AnnualReport_0116-FINAL.pdf
  2. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Midwest Environment Advocates. Part I, Line 8. 2022.
  3. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Midwest Environment Advocates. Part I, Line 9. 2022.
  4. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Midwest Environment Advocates. Part I, Line 12. 2022.
  5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Midwest Environment Advocates. Part I, Line 18. 2022.
  6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Midwest Environment Advocates. Part I, Line 22. 2022.
  7. “Pipelines.” Midwest Environment Advocates. https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/issues/detail/pipelines
  8. “Environmental Review of Enbridge Line 5.” Midwest Environment Advocates. https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/actions/environmental-review-of-enbridge-line-5
  9. Mindock, Clark. “Judge orders Enbridge to shut down portions of Wisconsin pipeline within three years.” Reuters. June 20, 2023. Accessed January 22, 2023. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-orders-enbridge-shut-down-portions-wisconsin-pipeline-within-3-years-2023-06-17/
  10. “Pipelines.” Midwest Environment Advocates. https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/issues/detail/pipelines
  11. “Mining.”  Midwest Environment Advocates. https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/issues/detail/mining
  12. “Mining.”  Midwest Environment Advocates. https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/issues/detail/mining
  13. “Mining.”  Midwest Environment Advocates. https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/issues/detail/mining
  14.  “Meteor Timber wetlands fill and frac sand facility.” Midwest Environmental Advocates. https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/actions/meteor-timber-wetlands-fill-and-frac-sand-facility
  15.  “Meteor Timber wetlands fill and frac sand facility.” Midwest Environmental Advocates. https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/actions/meteor-timber-wetlands-fill-and-frac-sand-facility
  16.  “PFAS.” Midwest Environmental Advocates.  https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/issues/detail/pfas
  17. “PFAS.” Midwest Environmental Advocates.  https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/issues/detail/pfas
  18. “Re: PFAS Groundwater Enforcement Standard Petition.” Petition Directed to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources by Midwest Environmental Advocates and League of Women Voters. July 1, 2022. Accessed January 21, 2024. https://midwestadvocates.org/assets/resources/Groundwater-Petition.pdf
  19. “Tony Wilkin Gibart.” Midwest Environment Advocates. https://midwestadvocates.org/about/staff/tony-wilkin-gibart
  20. Luthern, Ashley. “Milwaukee police urged to adopt model policy on officer-involved domestic abuse” March 17, 2017. Accessed January 21, 2024. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2017/03/17/milwaukee-police-urged-adopt-model-policy-officer-involved-domestic-abuse/99260000/
  21. “DV & Firearms.” End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. DV & Firearms – End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin (endabusewi.org)
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: August - July
  • Tax Exemption Received: April 1, 2001

    • 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 Aug Form 990 $707,573 $700,926 $776,118 $33,702 N $691,827 $14,389 $424 $90,590 PDF
    2020 Aug Form 990 $904,177 $732,497 $757,560 $26,048 N $876,031 $24,583 $3,563 $109,833 PDF
    2019 Aug Form 990 $814,856 $745,050 $576,406 $17,575 N $756,417 $57,215 $1,224 $98,535 PDF
    2018 Aug Form 990 $921,105 $764,725 $508,946 $20,559 N $867,651 $52,701 $753 $92,865 PDF
    2017 Aug Form 990 $759,409 $716,738 $353,917 $23,487 N $591,576 $23,443 $6,798 $98,363
    2016 Aug Form 990 $545,485 $728,956 $326,491 $40,643 N $493,327 $40,000 $2,600 $99,022 PDF
    2015 Aug Form 990 $696,584 $632,206 $514,881 $45,562 N $667,000 $15,200 $5,224 $99,213 PDF
    2014 Aug Form 990 $487,977 $680,924 $460,560 $55,132 N $433,190 $36,816 $6,965 $96,670 PDF
    2013 Aug Form 990 $640,314 $687,097 $626,643 $29,999 N $559,540 $73,019 $1,320 $95,765 PDF
    2012 Aug Form 990 $535,254 $654,732 $676,253 $33,582 N $472,370 $50,378 $4,404 $84,023 PDF
    2011 Aug Form 990 $545,502 $690,050 $795,781 $34,060 N $482,346 $49,200 $5,970 $80,940 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA)

    634 W MAIN ST STE 201
    Madison, WI 53703-2697