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Non-profit

North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership

Website:

iopl.org
Location:

Raleigh, NC
Tax ID:

56-1553715
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2022):

Revenue: $104,431
Expenses: $124,326
Assets: $39,238
Type:

Advocacy group
Formation:

1988
Executive Director:

Brad Young
Budget (2023):

Revenue: $133,851
Expenses: $126,086
Assets: $47,290 22

References

  1. The Institute of Political Leadership, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2023, Parts I and II.

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The North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership (IOPL) (formerly called the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership) is a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the practice of democracy through its leadership training programs. IOPL intends to produce ethical, better qualified, and more representative public leaders in both local and state governments of North Carolina. 1

Its instructors include former North Carolina Attorney General and Secretary of State Rufus Edmisten (D), John Hood of the right-of-center John William Pope Foundation, and Chris Fitzsimon of the left-of-center States Newsroom. 2

Activities

The North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership provides leadership training programs to elected and appointed public servants to improve the practice of democracy. Its comprehensive, interactive curriculum provides a foundation for aspiring leaders, spanning campaigning to governing. The programs are led by prominent North Carolinians, provide connections to a network of successful alumni, and are open to individuals from diverse backgrounds and all ideological frames on the basis of leadership potential and commitment. 1

IOPL’s core programs are its Fellows Program and the Women on Board Program. The Fellows Program is an adult education program that includes strategic and practical training, ranging from ethics and coalition building to public speaking, fundraising, and social media. 3 The Women on Board Program provides workshops for women seeking appointed leadership roles. To improve gender representation on state and local boards and commissions, the program includes skill-building and networking opportunities for women of all backgrounds. 4

The North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership has over 1,100 graduates of its program, representing more than 82 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. 1

Funding

The North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. Tax filings confirm donations from the John William Pope Foundation ($50,000 in 2022), 5 the Hillsdale Fund ($10,000 in 2023), 6 and the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation ($10,000 in 2023). 7

Leadership

Brad Young is the executive director of IOPL, where he formerly sat on the board of directors. Young formerly worked as director of external affairs at the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor and as press secretary for the North Carolina Department of the State Treasurer. Young is a former member of the North Carolina Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. 8

Board of Directors

John Hood sits on the board of IOPL, is the president of the John William Pope Foundation, and is a contributing editor to the Reason Foundation. Hood is a former president of the John Locke Foundation and a former visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. 9

Jonathan Barfield is a Democratic New Hanover County Commissioner and a former chair of the Affordable Housing Coalition of Southeastern North Carolina. 10

Tariq Scott Bokhari is a former Republican member of the Charlotte City Council and the founder and executive director of the Carolina FinTech Hub. 11 He was appointed Deputy Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration in the second Trump administration. 12

Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. is a former associate justice on the Supreme Court of North Carolina. 13

Holly Grange is the president of the Grange Company and a former Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. 14

Krishana Polite is the deputy chief of staff at the North Carolina Lieutenant Governor’s Office. 15

Robin Ramsey is a regional representative for the office of U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). 16

Dodie B. Renfer is the president of Electus Governmental Affairs. Renfer formerly worked as a senior government relations consultant at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, finance director for U.S. Representative George Holding (R-GA), and political director of the North Carolina Republican Party. 17

Zeb Smathers is the Mayor of Canton, North Carolina and an attorney at Smathers and Smathers Attorneys at Law. 18

Joe Stewart is the vice president for governmental affairs at Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina and the owner of JRS Strategy Group. Stewart formerly worked as executive director of the NC FreeEnterprise Foundation, political director of the North Carolina Chamber, and executive director of the Insurance Federation of North Carolina. 19

Brian Turner is a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives and a former policy director at the Audubon Society of North Carolina. 20

Don Vaughan is an attorney at Donald R. Vaughan and Associates and a former Democratic member of the North Carolina State Senate. 21

References

  1. “About.” NC Institute of Public Leadership. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://iopl.org/about/.
  2. “NC IOPL Faculty.” NC Institute of Public Leadership. Accessed May 9, 2025. https://iopl.org/about/nciopl-faculty/.
  3. “Fellows Program.” NC Institute of Public Leadership. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://iopl.org/fellows-program/.
  4. “Women on Board.” NC Institute of Public Leadership. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://iopl.org/women-on-board/.
  5. John William Pope Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2022, Part XV, Line 3.
  6. Hillsdale Fund, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2023, Part XV, Line 3.
  7. Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2023, Part XV, Line 3.
  8. “Brad Young.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-young-77b59b13/
  9. “John Hood.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmhood/.
  10. “Jonathan Barfield, Jr.” Ballotpedia. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://ballotpedia.org/Jonathan_Barfield,_Jr
  11. “Tariq Scott Bokhari.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tariq-scott-bokhari-13b5585/.
  12. Lee, Hank. “Tariq Scott Bokhari Sworn in as Member of Trump Administration.” WCNC.com. Accessed May 9, 2025. https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/tariq-bokhari-sworn-in-federal-transit-administration-trump-white-house/275-0a95d0b9-7500-4041-ae75-ea9667d43f05.
  13. “Robert H. Edmunds Jr.” Ballotpedia. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_H._Edmunds_Jr.
  14. “Holly Grange.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-grange-789b9464/.
  15. “Krishana Polite.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishana-polite-5b7820264/.
  16. “Robin Ramsey.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-ramsey-97aa4a160/.
  17. “Dodie Bowman Renfer.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dodie-bowman-renfer-32aa9514/.
  18. “Zeb Smathers.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/zeb-smathers-3370506/
  19. “Joe Stewart.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-stewart-66a77a10/.
  20. “Brian Turner.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-turner-7746418/.
  21. “Don Vaughan.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-vaughan-68947238/.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: August 1, 1988

    • 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
    2022 Dec Form 990 $104,431 $124,326 $39,238 $545 N $84,731 $19,700 $0 $0
    2021 Dec Form 990 $109,708 $108,309 $58,588 $0 N $86,508 $23,200 $0 $0
    2020 Dec Form 990 $137,078 $104,397 $57,397 $0 N $110,878 $26,200 $0 $0 PDF
    2019 Dec Form 990 $115,145 $121,015 $24,924 $1,916 N $110,645 $4,500 $0 $0 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990EZ $170,338 $166,528 $32,270 $3,392 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990EZ $180,101 $182,818 $34,443 $9,375 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990EZ $191,033 $183,333 $27,785 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990EZ $171,595 $167,423 $20,085 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990EZ $130,894 $111,258 $15,913 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990EZ $154,083 $213,552 $1,877 $5,600 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $166,088 $261,565 $53,467 $10,762 N $154,988 $11,100 $0 $74,950 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $214,460 $203,302 $142,881 $4,699 N $213,862 $598 $0 $62,500 PDF
    2011 Jun Form 990 $208,906 $146,495 $130,480 $3,456 N $203,795 $5,111 $0 $35,000 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership

    4722 OAK PARK RD
    Raleigh, NC 27612-5631