Non-profit

Priorities USA Action

Website:

prioritiesusaaction.org

Location:

WASHINGTON, DC

Tax ID:

47-4596232

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(4)

Budget (2016):

Revenue: $16,963,750
Expenses: $16,720,204
Assets: $314,052

Founders:

Bill Burton

Sean Sweeney

Senior Strategist:

Guy Cecil

Executive Director:

Patrick McHugh

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

For the related superPAC, see Priorities USA (PAC) (Political Party/527)

Priorities USA is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization affiliated with the liberal super PAC Priorities USA Action. Senior Obama administration staffers Bill Burton and Sean Sweeney created the organization in 2011 to advocate for liberal issues in conjunction with its sister-super PAC’s efforts to help elect Democrats and re-elect President Barack Obama.1

Priorities USA, is a non-profit organization that relies on unlimited anonymous contributions to advocate for liberal policies.2 In total, Priorities USA has raised over $25 million in four years of operation from anonymous six and seven figure donors.3 4 5

Democrats and liberals (including President Obama6) have disparaged this type of legal entity when used by conservatives.7 As such, the organization has been criticized as a win at all costs, hypocritical ethical surrender by the Democratic Party.8 The group’s hypocrisy was demonstrated by the fact that Paul Begala, a notable television commentator who had previously railed against unlimited money in politics, had at the same time taken nearly $600,000 from Priorities USA and its sister-Super PAC 9

Priorities USA uses its funds to support liberal organizations and push for a decidedly liberal political agenda. The organization has given millions to other left wing groups such as Planned Parenthood, Occupy Sandy, American Bridge 21st Century, and President Obama’s second inaugural committee. 10 The group has advocated for higher taxes, to protect Obamacare, environmentalist energy policies, and liberal immigration policies.11 In 2017, Priorities USA re-launched in an effort to become a permanent center of opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies.12 It has since run six- and seven-figure ad campaigns in general opposition to President Donald Trump13 and against Republican efforts to cut taxes,14 repeal Obamacare,15 and restrict immigration.16

Organizational Overview

Priorities USA is a non-profit organization affiliated with the liberal super PAC Priorities USA Action. The two organizations were created together to oppose conservative policies and defeat Republican political candidates. 17

The first Priorities USA non-profit formed in 201118 by President Barack Obama’s former-deputy press secretary Bill Burton and Obama’s former-senior advisor Sean Sweeney.19This first Priorities USA entity was active through 2013.20

According to IRS data, a second Priorities USA entity was created under a separate employer identification number in 2016 and was granted non-profit tax-exempt status in 2017. It is located in the same building as its sister super PAC, Priorities USA Action.21 22

Dark Money

Priorities USA is a 501(c)(4) organization that can raise unlimited funds from undisclosed donors, the type of arrangement that President Obama23 and other Democrats had disparaged when practiced by conservatives.24

Mother Jones labeled Priorities USA “one of the most secretive dark-money groups of the 2012 campaign season,” and called attention to the fact non-profits were prohibited from spending the majority of its money on pure politics but alleged that Priorities USA was a “purely political” nonprofit supporting Democrats.25

Priorities USA’s founders acknowledged that the organization was fundamentally at odds with the Democratic Party’s purported campaign finance policies, but argued that winning elections was more important than living by the Democratic platform.26

The formation of Priorities USA was controversial even among Democrats, Former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) said Priorities USA founders were “playing with the devil,” and the liberal blog Huffington Post labeled it a type of hypocritical “ethical surrender.”27

CNN commentator and Daily Beast author Paul Begala once wrote that the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which allowed 501(c)(4) advocacy groups like Priorities USA to solicit unlimited contributions, had “auctioned off democracy.”28 However, Begala was Priorities USA’s top independent contractor and paid more than $184,000 in 2011 for “communications consulting.” Begala was also paid over $400,000 from Priorities USA Action that same year.29

Super PAC Expenditure

In 2012 Priorities USA gave $215,234 worth of contributions to its sister super PAC organization, Priorities USA Action. The transfer was criticized for allowing the super PAC to skirt disclosure requirements.30

Campaign finance lawyer Kenneth Gross said that the undisclosed money was “far more troubling” than the disclosed super-PAC contributions and spending.31

Funding

In 2011, Priorities USA raised all of its $2.3 million in revenue from five unnamed sources, with over 80% of that revenue coming from one $1.9 million donation.32

The following year, Priorities USA raised nearly $8.4 million, but their publicly available IRS disclosure did not provide any donor disclosure information.33

The new Priorities USA entity has not been required to file its 2016 annual report with the IRS yet, however the IRS’ master business data file indicates that the organization raised nearly $17 million since 2016.34 According to Politico, George Soros had donated $7 million to Priorities USA in 2016. 35

Operations

Early Years

From 2011 to 2013 Priorities USA distributed $5 million in grants to liberal organizations including, $2.3 million to Planned Parenthood, $255,000 to various Occupy Sandy organizations, $75,000 to American Bridge 21st Century, $65,000 to the League of Conservation Voters, $55,000 to People For the American Way, and $10,000 to Barack Obama’s second inaugural committee. 36

During that same time, the organization also spent $3 million on direct advocacy, which funded liberal issue advertisements, a now unrelated website www.prioritiesusa.org, direct mail, polling, and various other communications efforts.37

Priorities USA’s issue advocacy agenda called for higher taxes,38 opposed Republican budget cuts,39 protected Obamacare from repeal efforts, promoted environmentalist energy policies, and supported liberal immigration policies.40

However, Mother Jones argued that it was hard to determine what exactly the organization spent its money on given that Priorities USA’s known expenditures should not have cost as much as the organization reportedly spent.41 In total Priorities USA disclosed that it $3 million advocacy budget paid for two ads and two direct mail pieces.

2017 Re-Launch

In 2017, Priorities USA sought to remake itself as a permanent center of opposition to the impending Trump administration, with the long-term aim of helping the Democratic Party claw back voters it lost in the November election. The group’s efforts were supported by a number of liberal allies including Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the American Federation of Teachers, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Latino Victory Project.42

Priorities USA currently describes itself as a liberal advocacy and mobilization organization committed to fighting against Republican President Donald Trump and his conservative allies in favor of Democratic priorities.43

Since its re-launch in early 2017, the organization has disseminated numerous digital and traditional advertisements against various policies put forth by President Donald Trump.

Priorities USA’s first media buy after its re-launch was a digital advertising series run in partnership with the left-leaning group Indivisible attacking President Trump and calling upon Republicans to stand up to the President.44

The group partnered with the Democratic Party aligned House Majority PAC, 45 to run a digital public relations campaign attacking Republican efforts to repeal Obamacare.46 The effort included the creation of a website attacking the plan47 and digital ads attacking at least ten vulnerable legislators for their votes in support of the repeal plan.48

Priorities USA ran a $2 million campaign including both digital and television ads attacking Trump and 20 Republican members of Congress for supporting a plan to cut corporate tax rates.4950

In January 2018, Priorities USA ran a million-dollar television and digital ad campaign attacking Republicans for failing to pass a federal spending plan that included legal status for illegal immigrants given temporary status by legally suspect Obama administration executive actions.51

Additionally Priorities USA ran a number of state-based ads attacking conservative legislative policies. In New Hampshire the group partnered with the liberal League of Women Voters group to condemn state legislators that supported a bill intended to combat fraudulent voting.52 Similarly, Priorities USA tweeted that “voter fraud isn’t real.”53

Priorities USA partnered with the left-of-center group Color of Change to issue multiple research reports as to how Democrats should message their attacks against President Trump and other Republicans in order to foster the anti-Republican animosities held by African-American voters.54

2020 Election Cycle

On March 24, 2020, Priorities USA Action announced it would begin spending $6 million on a series of ads criticizing President Donald Trump over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. 55 The ads will be shown within four key 2020 battleground states: Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. 56 This is part of an effort to spend up to $150 million on anti-Trump campaigns within the midwest in order to appeal to the President’s voting base within the region. 57 FEC records show that Democracy PAC, one of George Soros’ left-leaning PACs, contributed $3 million towards Priorities USA Action on Feb. 21, about 77 percent of the $3.9 million it raised during the month of February. 58

On April 1, 2020, Priorities USA spent $1 million on a new ad comparing Trump’s response to the Covid-19 Pandemic to previous comments made by former vice president Joe Biden on how he would deal with the pandemic if elected president in November 2020. Katie Drapcho, Priorities USA Action’s director of research and polling, commented “This is the most important issue in the country today.” She added, “I think it’s a defining moment for Trump’s presidency and the country. And our view is that it’s absolutely critical that voters hear the facts about Trump’s inaction and misleading statements.” 59

People

Priorities USA’s current chief strategist is Guy Cecil.60 Cecil previously served as a top aide to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 Presidential campaign.61 He also leads the group’s affiliated Priorities USA Action super PAC. 62

Patrick McHugh, serves as the organization’s executive director, and Anne Caprara serves as a senior adviser.63

As of early 2018, Priorities USA has not disclosed its current Board of Directors.

The group’s initial Board of Directors in 2011 included a number of major Democratic financiers64such as Taco Bell heir and former Democracy Alliance chairman Rob McKay,65 Emily’s List founder Ellen Malcolm, and Hillary Clinton’s 2008 Finance Director66 Jonathan Mantz.67

References

  1. Maguire, Robert. “Obama’s Shadow Money Allies File First Report.” Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. January 8, 2013. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2013/01/obamas-shadow-money-allie/
  2. Kroll, Andy. “The Mystery of the Pro-Obama Dark-Money Group.” Mother Jones. December 3, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/obama-dark-money-priorities-usa/
  3. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. Schedule B: Part I: Contributors. 2011. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/549780-priorities-usa-2011.html
  4. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1106885-2012-990-priorities-usa.html
  5. Exempt Organizations Business Master File Data. Priorities USA: EIN 474596232. Internal Revenue Service. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-business-master-file-extract-eo-bmf
  6. Calmes, Jack and Hulse, Carl. “Obama Assails Republicans on Campaign Finance.” New york Times. July 26, 2010. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/us/politics/27obama.html
  7. Kroll, Andy. “The Mystery of the Pro-Obama Dark-Money Group.” Mother Jones. December 3, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/obama-dark-money-priorities-usa/
  8. Sam, Stein. “Russ Feingold: Priorities USA ‘Playing With The Devil.’” Huffington Post. June 29, 2011. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/29/russ-feingold-priorities-usa_n_855671.html
  9. Maguire, Robert. “Obama’s Shadow Money Allies File First Report.” Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. January 8, 2013. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2013/01/obamas-shadow-money-allie/
  10. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. Schedule I: Grants to Other Assistance Organizations, Governments, and individuals in the United States. 2011. 2012. 2013. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://990finder.foundationcenter.org/990results.aspx?990_type=&fn=priorities+usa&st=&zp=&ei=&fy=&action=Find
  11. Priorities USA: Issues. Archived March 3, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20120701203402/http://www.prioritiesusa.org:80/issues
  12. Debenedetti, Gabriel. “Major Democratic super PAC hires Clinton, Sanders vets for relaunch.” Politico. January 18, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/priorities-usa-democrats-233744
  13. Sanders, Symone and Phelps, Emily. “Press Release: Priorities USA Partners With Indivisible To Launch Digital Ad Program To Inform Voters Of Town Hall Events During Recess.” Priorities USA Website. February 17, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.scribd.com/document/354001234/2017-02-17-Airport-Ads-Release
  14. Schwerin, Josh. “Press Release: Priorities USA Launches Campaign Against Trump’s Tax Plan With New Television Ad Airing in Key Battleground States.” Priorities USA Website. October 10, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/press/priorities-usa-launches-campaign-trumps-tax-plan-new-television-ad-airing-key-battleground-states/
  15. Cramer, Ruby. “Democratic Super PAC Launches Anti-“Trumpcare” Campaign In Key States.” Buzzfeed. March 9, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/news-clip/buzzfeed-democratic-super-pac-launches-anti-trumpcare-campaign-key-states/
  16. “Press Release: Priorities USA Will Launch Ad Campaign Urging Voters to Demand Trump and Republicans Work on Real Solutions, Not Shutting Down the Government.” Priorities USA Website. January 19, 2018. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/press/priorities-usa-will-launch-ad-campaign-urging-voters-demand-trump-republicans-work-real-solutions-not-shutting-government/
  17. Smith, Ben. “In memo, Priorities USA defends secret-money shift.” Politico. April 29, 2011. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2011/04/in-memo-priorities-usa-defends-secret-money-shift-035408
  18. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. Part I. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/452/452305224/452305224_201112_990O.pdf
  19. Kiely, Eugene. “Priorities USA/Priorities USA Action.” Factcheck.org. September 18, 2011. Updated August 6, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.factcheck.org/2011/09/priorities-usapriorities-usa-action/
  20. Maguire, Robert. “Obama’s Shadow Money Allies File First Report.” Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. January 8, 2013. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2013/01/obamas-shadow-money-allie/
  21. “Reports Image Index for Committee ID: C00495861: Priorities USA Action. Updated September 28, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00495861
  22. Exempt Organizations Business Master File Data. Priorities USA: EIN 474596232. Internal Revenue Service. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-business-master-file-extract-eo-bmf
  23. Calmes, Jack and Hulse, Carl. “Obama Assails Republicans on Campaign Finance.” New york Times. July 26, 2010. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/us/politics/27obama.html
  24. Kroll, Andy. “The Mystery of the Pro-Obama Dark-Money Group.” Mother Jones. December 3, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/obama-dark-money-priorities-usa/
  25. Kroll, Andy. “The Mystery of the Pro-Obama Dark-Money Group.” Mother Jones. December 3, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/obama-dark-money-priorities-usa/
  26. Smith, Ben. “In memo, Priorities USA defends secret-money shift.” Politico. April 29, 2011. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.politico.com/blogs/ben-smith/2011/04/in-memo-priorities-usa-defends-secret-money-shift-035408
  27. Sam, Stein. “Russ Feingold: Priorities USA ‘Playing With The Devil.’” Huffington Post. June 29, 2011. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/29/russ-feingold-priorities-usa_n_855671.html
  28. Begala, Paul. “Five Supreme Court Justices Put Our Health Care On The Line.” The Daily Beast. April 2, 2012. Archived November 12, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20121112102407/https://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/04/01/five-supreme-court-justices-put-our-health-care-on-the-line.html
  29. Maguire, Robert. “Obama’s Shadow Money Allies File First Report.” Center For Responsive Politics. Opensecrets.org. January 8, 2013. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2013/01/obamas-shadow-money-allie/
  30. Stone, Daniel and Beckel, Michael. “Super PACs and the Nonprofits That Fund Them.” The Daily Beast. March 12, 2012. March 14, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20120314004747/https://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/03/11/super-pacs-and-the-nonprofits-that-fund-them.html
  31. Stone, Daniel and Beckel, Michael. “Super PACs and the Nonprofits That Fund Them.” The Daily Beast. March 12, 2012. March 14, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20120314004747/https://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/03/11/super-pacs-and-the-nonprofits-that-fund-them.html
  32. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. Schedule B: Part I: Contributors. 2011. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/549780-priorities-usa-2011.html
  33. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/1106885-2012-990-priorities-usa.html
  34. Exempt Organizations Business Master File Data. Priorities USA: EIN 474596232. Internal Revenue Service. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-business-master-file-extract-eo-bmf
  35. Vogel, Kenneth P., Nick Gass, and Kyle Cheney. “George Soros Rises Again.” POLITICO, July 27, 2016. https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/george-soros-democratic-convention-226267.
  36. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. Schedule I: Grants to Other Assistance Organizations, Governments, and individuals in the United States. 2011. 2012. 2013. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://990finder.foundationcenter.org/990results.aspx?990_type=&fn=priorities+usa&st=&zp=&ei=&fy=&action=Find
  37. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. Part III: Section 4A. 2011. 2012. 2013. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://990finder.foundationcenter.org/990results.aspx?990_type=&fn=priorities+usa&st=&zp=&ei=&fy=&action=Find
  38. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. Part III: Section 4A. 2011. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://990finder.foundationcenter.org/990results.aspx?990_type=&fn=priorities+usa&st=&zp=&ei=&fy=&action=Find
  39. Priorities USA: Issues. Archived March 3, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20120701203402/http://www.prioritiesusa.org:80/issues
  40. Priorities USA: Issues. Archived March 3, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20120701203402/http://www.prioritiesusa.org:80/issues
  41. Kroll, Andy. “The Mystery of the Pro-Obama Dark-Money Group.” Mother Jones. December 3, 2012. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/obama-dark-money-priorities-usa/
  42. Debenedetti, Gabriel. “Major Democratic super PAC hires Clinton, Sanders vets for relaunch.” Politico. January 18, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/priorities-usa-democrats-233744
  43. Priorities USA Youtube: About. Youtube.com. Joined April 28, 2011. Updated August 9, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/user/prioritiesUSAaction/about
  44. Sanders, Symone and Phelps, Emily. “Press Release: Priorities USA Partners With Indivisible To Launch Digital Ad Program To Inform Voters Of Town Hall Events During Recess.” Priorities USA Website. February 17, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.scribd.com/document/354001234/2017-02-17-Airport-Ads-Release
  45. Fain, Jeb and Schwerin, Josh. “Press Release: House Majority PAC & Priorities USA Release New Digital Ads Slamming Republicans on ‘Age Tax.’” Priorities USA Website. August 10, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/press/house-majority-pac-priorities-usa-release-new-digital-ads-slamming-republicans-age-tax/
  46. Cramer, Ruby. “Democratic Super PAC Launches Anti-“Trumpcare” Campaign In Key States.” Buzzfeed. March 9, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/news-clip/buzzfeed-democratic-super-pac-launches-anti-trumpcare-campaign-key-states/
  47. Schwerin, Josh. “Press Release: Priorities USA Launches New Six-Figure Digital Ad Campaign to Hold Trump and Senate Republicans Accountable for Trumpcare.” Priorities USA Website. July 25, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/press/priorities-usa-launches-new-six-figure-digital-ad-campaign-hold-trump-senate-republicans-accountable-trumpcare/
  48. Fain, Jeb and Schwerin, Josh. “House Majority PAC & Priorities USA Release New Digital Ads Slamming Republicans on ‘Age Tax.’” Priorities USA Website. August 10, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/press/house-majority-pac-priorities-usa-release-new-digital-ads-slamming-republicans-age-tax/
  49. Schwerin, Josh. “Press Release: Priorities USA Launches Campaign Against Trump’s Tax Plan With New Television Ad Airing in Key Battleground States.” Priorities USA Website. October 10, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/press/priorities-usa-launches-campaign-trumps-tax-plan-new-television-ad-airing-key-battleground-states/
  50. “Press Release: $2 Million Campaign from Priorities USA Urges Voters to Call on Their Senators and Representatives to Reject the Trump-Republican Tax Bill.” November 21, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/press/tax-digital-ad-campaign/
  51. “Press Release: Priorities USA Will Launch Ad Campaign Urging Voters to Demand Trump and Republicans Work on Real Solutions, Not Shutting Down the Government.” Priorities USA Website. January 19, 2018. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/press/priorities-usa-will-launch-ad-campaign-urging-voters-demand-trump-republicans-work-real-solutions-not-shutting-government/
  52. Sanders, Symone. “Press Release: In New Hampshire, Priorities USA Launches Digital Ads Opposing Controversial Voter Suppression Bill.” Priorities USA Website. March 17, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/press/new-hampshire-priorities-usa-launches-digital-ads-opposing-controversial-voter-suppression-bill/
  53. Priorities USA. Twitter Post. January 4, 2018. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://twitter.com/prioritiesUSA/status/949005594815549443
  54. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://priorities.org/press/priorities-usa-color-change-release-messaging-guidelines-results-research-political-engagement-among-african-american-millennials/
  55. Schoffstall, Joe. “Soros Bankrolls Coronavirus Attack Ads against Trump.” The Washington Free Beacon. March 24, 2020. https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/soros-bankrolls-coronavirus-attack-ads-against-trump/
  56. “Schouten, Fredreka. “Democratic group launches $6 million campaign attacking Trump on coronavirus response.” March 23, 2020. https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/22/politics/priorities-usa-trump-coronavirus-attack-ads/index.html
  57. Schoffstall, Joe. “Soros Bankrolls Coronavirus Attack Ads against Trump.” The Washington Free Beacon. Accessed March 24, 2020. https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/soros-bankrolls-coronavirus-attack-ads-against-trump/
  58. “Schedule A – Itemized Receipts. All Listed Line Numbers. Committee: Priorities USA Action.” Federal Election Commission. March 24, 2020. https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00495861/1391471/sa/ALL
  59. Levy, Pema. “The 2020 Election is Now About the Coronavirus. Here’s How Progressive Groups Plan to Win it.” Mother Jones. April 3rd, 2020. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/04/coronavirus-democratic-messaging/
  60. Debenedetti, Gabriel. “Major Democratic super PAC hires Clinton, Sanders vets for relaunch.” Politico. January 18, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/priorities-usa-democrats-233744
  61. Accessed January 31, 2018. Levinthal, David. “Inside Hillary Clinton’s Big Money Cavalry.” NBC News, April 7, 2016. Accessed July 12, 2017. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/inside-hillary-clinton-s-big-money-cavalry-n552081.
  62. Debenedetti, Gabriel. “Major Democratic super PAC hires Clinton, Sanders vets for relaunch.” Politico. January 18, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/priorities-usa-democrats-233744
  63. Debenedetti, Gabriel. “Major Democratic super PAC hires Clinton, Sanders vets for relaunch.” Politico. January 18, 2017. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/priorities-usa-democrats-233744
  64. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. Part VII: Compensation of Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, Highest Compensated Employees, and Independent Contractors. Section 4A. 2011. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://990finder.foundationcenter.org/990results.aspx?990_type=&fn=priorities+usa&st=&zp=&ei=&fy=&action=Find
  65. Vogel, Kenneth. “The left’s secret club.” Politico. April 24, 2014. Accessed January 31, 2018. https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:a09I62o3UokJ:https://www.politico.com/story/2014/04/democrats-democracy-alliance-liberal-donors-105972+&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
  66. “BGR Group Team: Jonathan Mantz.” Undated. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://www.bgrdc.com/b/bio/3/Jonathan-Mantz
  67. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax: Priorities USA. Part VII: Compensation of Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, Highest Compensated Employees, and Independent Contractors. Section 4A. 2011. Accessed January 31, 2018. http://990finder.foundationcenter.org/990results.aspx?990_type=&fn=priorities+usa&st=&zp=&ei=&fy=&action=Find

Directors, Employees & Supporters

  1. Harold Ickes
    President (Priorities USA PAC)
  2. Patricia Stryker
    Board Member
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: July 1, 2017

  • 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
    2016 Dec Form 990 $16,963,750 $16,720,204 $314,052 $0 N $16,963,750 $0 $0 $170,000

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Priorities USA Action

    1150 18TH ST NW STE 750
    WASHINGTON, DC 20036-3880