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Non-profit

Texas Freedom Network Education Fund

Website:

tfn.org
Location:

AUSTIN, TX
Tax ID:

74-2788317
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2016):

Revenue: $1,231,402
Expenses: $1,467,603
Assets: $652,152
Type:

Anti-“Religious Right” Advocacy
Formation:

1996
President and Executive Director:

Val Benavidez 10

References

  1. “Val Benavidez.” Texas Freedom Network, 2021. Accessed December 7, 2021. https://tfn.org/tfn-media-kit/.

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The Texas Freedom Network (TFN) Education Fund is a left-of-center think tank and nonprofit organization that opposes religious conservatives on issues such as sex education, legal abortion, and Bible study in public schools. 1 TFN has an affiliated 501(c)(4) lobbying arm, the Texas Freedom Network. 1

Funding

The Texas Freedom Network Education Fund raises money to support the Texas Freedom Network and is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. While the TFN Education Fund does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm donations from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation ($621,693 in 2020), 2 the Proteus Fund ($75,000 in 2015), 3 and the New Venture Fund ($30,000 in 2019). 4

Board of Directors

The Texas Freedom Network Education Fund board has substantial overlap with the board of directors of the Texas Freedom Network. Among others, it includes Cary Clack, an editorial writer for the San Antonio Express-News; 5 state legislative staffers Stephanie Chiarello and Odus Evbagharu; 6 7 and Jenn Longoria, director of programs at Jolt Action, a member of the advisory board of Battleground Texas, and a guest presenter at the New Leaders Council. 8 9

Diane Ireson chairs the boards of both TFN and the Education Fund. 9

References

  1. “Mission.” Texas Freedom Network, 2021. Accessed December 7, 2021. https://tfn.org/mission/.
  2. Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2020, Part XV, Line 3a.
  3. Proteus Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2015, Schedule I, Part II.
  4. New Venture Fund, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Schedule I, Part II.
  5. “Cary Clack.” LinkedIn. Accessed December 7, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cary-clack-52a6a748/.
  6. “Stephanie Chiarello.” LinkedIn. Accessed December 7, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-chiarello/.
  7. “About.” Odus Evbagharu. Accessed December 7, 2021. https://www.odusevbagharu.com/about-odus-evbagharu.html.
  8. “Jenn Longoria.” LinkedIn. Accessed December 7, 2021. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-longoria-tx/.
  9. “Board of Directors.” Texas Freedom Network, 2021. Accessed December 7, 2021. https://tfn.org/board/.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: August 1, 1996

    • 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 $1,231,402 $1,467,603 $652,152 $89,052 N $1,209,364 $0 $1,615 $0
    2015 Dec Form 990 $990,378 $1,491,448 $880,296 $80,995 N $978,623 $0 $2,166 $0 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $1,703,128 $991,779 $1,362,061 $61,690 N $1,672,950 $0 $1,433 $0
    2013 Dec Form 990 $697,924 $637,633 $636,713 $17,988 N $672,999 $0 $21 $0 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $634,737 $616,378 $587,950 $29,516 N $626,435 $0 $20 $0 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $595,443 $588,907 $556,087 $16,012 N $590,848 $0 $116 $0 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Texas Freedom Network Education Fund

    PO BOX 1624
    AUSTIN, TX 78767-1624