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Non-profit

National Organization for Women Foundation (NOW)

Website:

now.org/now-foundation/
Location:

WASHINGTON, DC
Tax ID:

52-1477004
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2017):

Revenue: $1,187,312
Expenses: $680,025
Assets: $2,003,488
Formation:

1986
President:

Toni Van Pelt
Type:

Far-left women’s rights

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

Also see National Organization for Women (nonprofit)

National Organization for Women Foundation (NOW Foundation) is a left-of-center feminist advocacy group founded associated with the National Organization for Women (NOW) as the group’s public-charity arm. NOW was founded as part of the second-wave feminist movement, which pushed for a greater role for women in market labor and widespread availability of abortion and contraceptives. 1

The organization is ostensibly centered around advocating for women’s equality, although its scope has grown to include supporting a broad social-liberal agenda including unrestricted access to abortion, expansion of various social welfare programs, LGBT interests, and constraining religious exercise through activism in various court cases. 2 3 4 5

Overview

NOW Foundation was organized 20 years after the formation of the National Organization for Women lobbying organization to conduct public-charity-permitted advocacy for policies addressed by NOW, usually in the form of amicus briefs related to litigation. 6

The organization advocates for unrestricted abortion, LGBT causes, social welfare expansion, and other issues that are ostensibly related to women’s rights. The organization also contends that women are paid less than men for the same work, and that such a gap is caused by sex discrimination. 7

Letter to Facebook

The foundation signed an October 2019 letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, which criticized the company’s decision to conduct an audit to determine if the platform had bias against conservative content. The letter also demanded that Facebook prevent employing and consulting with individuals considered to have associated with so-called “hate groups”;8 similar left-progressive organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center have included mainstream social-conservative organizations on their lists of such groups. 9

Litigation and Amicus Activities

Immigration

On September 18, 2017, the foundation signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court against President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 13769, which barred the entry of nationals of certain foreign countries to the United States, ostensibly to prevent acts of terrorism against the U.S. The brief claimed the order makes it more difficult for American law enforcement to prosecute perpetrators of violence against women and children. 10

LGBT Activism

NOW Foundation signed an amicus brief to allow people who identify as transgender to be deemed fit for service in the military recruitment process. 11

The foundation signed on to an amicus brief opposing California Proposition 8, which would have prohibited same-sex marriages in the state had it not been overturned by courts. 12

The foundation signed an amicus brief against supporting the state of Colorado’s efforts to target Jack Philips, a Christian baker targeted by the state for refusing to supply a custom work for a same-sex marriage ceremony. The amicus brief contends that the arguments used by the defendant have historically been used to justify discrimination against women. 13

Religious Exercise

On March 2020, NOW Foundation signed an amicus brief condemning two Catholic schools that did not sign contract renewals for two employees. In one case, an employee did not implement new curriculum guidelines, while the other was cited for work performance. Despite acknowledging the schools’ explanations, the brief claims both employees were fired because of sex and disability discrimination. As well, the brief claims previous court cases that would allow for at-will termination of religious ministers exempt from EEOC law and asks the court to “abandon” said precedent. 14 15

Abortion

On April 19, 2020, the foundation signed an amicus brief in support of exempting abortion centers in Alabama from state mandated closures in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 16

On December 2, 2019, the foundation signed an amicus brief to exempt abortionists from legal requirements to obtain admitting privileges to improve patient safety. 17

In November 2013, the foundation signed an amicus brief supporting a limitation on rights of people who protest near abortion clinics. 18

In late 2000, the foundation filed a lawsuit against the City of St. Petersburg, Bayfront Medical Center, and BayCare Health System for not performing abortions, sterilization, artificial insemination, and providing emergency contraception. The lawsuit claims the hospital violates separation of church and state. 19

Tribal Jurisdiction

On September 26, 2018, NOW Foundation signed an amicus brief arguing for shifting jurisdiction of criminal cases involving both Native American and non-Native Americans away from federal courts and into the hands of tribal courts for Native Americans. This change of jurisdiction has been criticized for allowing American citizens to be tried without due process and considerations for other constitutional rights based on past cases in tribal courts. 20 21

Other Issues

The foundation has expressed support for provisions from Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 that shift the burden of handling of sexual assault and harassment allegations among students away from law enforcement in favor of deliberation and sentencing by school bodies. 22

The foundation supports the expansion of social security benefits, especially for provisions targeted for women. 23

NOW Foundation signed an amicus brief in support of Obamacare; particularly for providing mandated coverage regardless of risk to insurers. 24

Equal Rights Amendment

The foundation’s parent organization claims to have led the movement for ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. In 2004, NOW Foundation organized various voter registration campaigns while its affiliated groups lobbied for the ratification of the ERA. It is the opinion of the foundation that the ERA would create rights for women that do not currently exist in the U.S. constitution, and claims the 38 required U.S. states ratified and approve of the ERA presently, although five of those states arguably rescinded their ratification and multiple states purported to ratify after the statutory deadline set by Congress. 25 26

References

  1. History.com Editors. “Feminism.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, February 28, 2019. https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/feminism-womens-history.
  2. “YASHICA ROBINSON, M.D., et al., Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. STEVEN MARSHALL, in his official capacity as Alabama Attorney General, et al., Defendants-Appellants.” 20-11401. UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT. April 21, 2020. Accessed May 15, 2020. https://prochoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2020-04-21-Motion-for-Leave-to-File-Amicus-Brief-and-Amicus-Brief.pdf
  3. DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ET AL., Petitioners, v. INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROJECT, ET AL., DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ET AL., Petitioners, V. STATE OF HAWAII, ET AL., Respondents. 16-1436 and 16-1540. Supreme Court of the United States. July 2, 2011. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/final_nwlc_dc_circuit_brief_for_ecf.pdf
  4. JANE DOE 2, et al., Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. DONALD J. TRUMP, in his official capacity as President of the United States, et al. Defendants-Appellants 18-5257. United States Court of Appeals FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT. 2018. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://notransmilitaryban.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/doe-v-trump-brief-of-now.pdf
  5. “Breaking the Social Security Glass Ceiling: A Proposal to Modernize Women’s Benefits.” National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare Foundation. May 2012. Accessed May 15, 2020. https://www.ncpssm.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/breaking_ss_glass_ceiling.pdf
  6. “About the NOW Foundation.” National Organization for Women. 2020. Accessed May 15, 2020. https://now.org/now-foundation/about-now-foundation/
  7.  “JENNIFER JOY FREYD, Plaintiff‐Appellant, v. UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, HAL SADOFSKY, AND MICHAEL SCHILL, Defendants‐Appellees”. 19-35428. UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT. September 30, 2019. Accessed May 15, 2020. https://www.washlaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/File-stamped-Amicus-Brief.pdf
  8. “The Leadership Conference to Mark Zuckerberg.” The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. October 21, 2019. Accessed May 16, 2020. http://civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/policy/letters/2019/Zuckerberg_ltr_10-21-19_final.pdf
  9. Schreckinger, Ben. “Has a Civil Rights Stalwart Lost Its Way?” Politico Magazine. July 2017. Accessed July 21, 2017. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/06/28/morris-dees-splc-trump-southern-poverty-law-center-215312
  10. DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ET AL., Petitioners, v. INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROJECT, ET AL., DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ET AL., Petitioners, V. STATE OF HAWAII, ET AL., Respondents. 16-1436 and 16-1540. Supreme Court of the United States. September 26, 2018. Accessed May 19, 2020. https://www.tahirih.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Tahirih-Justice-Center-SCOTUS-Brief.pdf
  11. JANE DOE 2, et al., Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. DONALD J. TRUMP, in his official capacity as President of the United States, et al. Defendants-Appellants 18-5257. United States Court of Appeals FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT. 2018. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://notransmilitaryban.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/doe-v-trump-brief-of-now.pdf
  12. DENNIS HOLLINGSWORTH, et al. , Petitioners, v. KRISTIN M. PERRY, et al. , Respondents. 12-144. Supreme Court of the United States. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://www.scribd.com/document/129641480/Perry-Amicus-Brief-of-National-Organization-for-Women-Foundation-et-al
  13. DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ET AL., Petitioners, v. INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROJECT, ET AL., DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ET AL., Petitioners, V. STATE OF HAWAII, ET AL., Respondents. 16-1436 and 16-1540. Supreme Court of the United States. 2017. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://www.lwv.org/sites/default/files/2017-11/cakeshop.amicus.LWV_.National%20Women%27s%20Law%20Center%20et%20al%5B5889%5D.pdf
  14. “Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru.” Ballotpedia. 2020. Accessed May 15, 2020. https://ballotpedia.org/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe_School_v._Morrissey-Berru#Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe_School_v._Morrissey-Berru
  15. “OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL, Petitioner, v. AGNES MORRISSEY-BERRU, Respondents. & ST. JAMES SCHOOL, Petitioner, v. DARRYL BIEL, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF KRISTEN BIEL, Respondent”. 19-267 & 19-348. Supreme Court of the United States. Accessed May 15, 2020. http://civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/policy/letters/2020/19-267_19-348_bsac_Nat%27l_Women%27s_Law_Ctr._et_al.pdf
  16. “YASHICA ROBINSON, M.D., et al., Plaintiffs-Appellees, v. STEVEN MARSHALL, in his official capacity as Alabama Attorney General, et al., Defendants-Appellants.” 20-11401. UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT. April 21, 2020. Accessed May 15, 2020. https://prochoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2020-04-21-Motion-for-Leave-to-File-Amicus-Brief-and-Amicus-Brief.pdf
  17. JUNE MEDICAL SERVICES L.L.C., ET AL., Petitioners, v. DR. REBEKAH GEE, SEC., LA DEPT. OF HEALTH, Respondent. 2019. Accessed May 15 ,2020. https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/18/18-1323/124100/20191202151820878_191110%20%20Amicus%20for%20e-filing.pdf
  18. “Statement on McCulley v. Coakley Case.” NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. November 22, 2013. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://prochoicemass.org/2013/11/22/statement-mccullen-v-coakley-case/
  19. “Civil Rights Groups File Lawsuit Over Public Hospital Run By Religious Directives Of Catholic Bishops.” Americans United for Separation of Church and State. August 15, 2000. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://www.au.org/media/press-releases/civil-rights-groups-file-lawsuit-over-public-hospital-run-by-religious
  20. MIKE CARPENTER, INTERIM WARDEN, OKLAHOMA STATE PENITENTIARY, Petitioner, v. PATRICK DWAYNE MURPHY, Respondent. 17-1107. Supreme Court of the United States. September 18, 2017. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/17/17-1107/65000/20180926203859408_17-1107BriefacNationalIndigenousWomensResourceCenter%20A.PDF
  21. Woodruff, Betsy. “Violence Against VAWA.” National Review. February 14, 2013. Accessed May 19, 2020. https://www.nationalreview.com/2013/02/violence-against-vawa-betsy-woodruff/
  22. DREW ADAMS, a minor, by and through his next friend and mother, Erica Adams Kasper, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. SCHOOL BOARD OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA, Defendant-Appellant, TIM FORSON, et al., Defendants. 18-13592-EE. United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. 2020. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://www.aauw.org/app/uploads/2020/02/Adams-v.-St.-Johns-County-School-Board.pdf
  23. “Breaking the Social Security Glass Ceiling: A Proposal to Modernize Women’s Benefits.” National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare Foundation. May 2012. Accessed May 15, 2020. https://www.ncpssm.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/breaking_ss_glass_ceiling.pdf
  24.  DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ET AL., Petitioners, v. INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROJECT, ET AL., DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ET AL., Petitioners, V. STATE OF HAWAII, ET AL., Respondents. 16-1436 and 16-1540. Supreme Court of the United States. July 2, 2011. Accessed May 16, 2020. https://nwlc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/final_nwlc_dc_circuit_brief_for_ecf.pdf
  25. “NOW Took the Lead for ERA Ratification.” National Organization for Women. 2018. Accessed May 15, 2020. https://now.org/historical-summary-of-now-era-actions/
  26. Engel, Steven A. “Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.” U.S. Department of Justice. January 6, 2020. Accessed May 15, 2020. https://www.justice.gov/olc/file/1232501/download
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: December 1, 1986

    • 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
    2017 Dec Form 990 $1,187,312 $680,025 $2,003,488 $282,774 N $1,180,104 $6,000 $15 $114,060 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $856,293 $560,086 $1,218,485 $5,058 N $842,358 $13,500 $6 $146,919
    2015 Dec Form 990 $666,009 $665,976 $923,556 $6,336 N $652,995 $0 $4 $193,608 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $1,089,523 $1,149,747 $1,030,827 $113,640 N $1,086,937 $0 $5 $383,811 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $769,107 $814,595 $986,569 $9,158 N $767,632 $0 $5 $228,795 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $696,023 $549,085 $1,025,010 $2,112 N $690,406 $0 $4 $150,789 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $459,863 $738,704 $933,630 $57,669 N $459,859 $0 $4 $403,107 PDF
    2010 Dec Form 990 $230,331 $621,923 $1,270,216 $115,414 N $244,726 $100 $1 $179,816 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    National Organization for Women Foundation (NOW)

    1100 H STREET NW NO ST 300
    WASHINGTON, DC 20005-0000