Speech First Inc is located in Washington, DC. The organization was established in 2018. According to its NTEE Classification (R63) the organization is classified as: Censorship, Freedom of Speech & Press, under the broad grouping of Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy and related organizations. As of 12/2021, Speech First Inc employed 5 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Speech First Inc is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2021, Speech First Inc generated $2.3m in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 5 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 55.5% each year .
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2021
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
SPEECH FIRST'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WHO SEEK TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH, EXPRESSION OR ASSOCIATION. BY JOINING TOGETHER, THE SPEECH FIRST COMMUNITY IS AN ASSURANCE TO STUDENTS THAT THEY WILL NOT FIGHT THESE BATTLES ALONE, THEY WILL FIND SUPPORT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY; ON CAMPUS, IN THE COURTS AND IN THE MEDIA.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
SPEECH FIRST DEFENDS STUDENTS' FREE SPEECH RIGHTS ON CAMPUS THROUGH LITIGATION, ADVOCACY, AND EDUCATION. IN FY21, SPEECH FIRST FILED AN ADDITIONAL MOTION TO INTERVENE IN FEDERAL TITLE IX LAWSUITS AS WELL AS SUBMITTED PUBLIC COMMENTS TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ON ITS NEWLY PROPOSED TITLE IX RULES. SPEECH FIRST ALSO FILED 2 AMICUS BRIEFS FOR SCOTUS CASES, AND FILED FEDERAL LAWSUITS AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA AND VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY ALLEGING THAT VARIOUS POLICIES VIOLATED STUDENTS' FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS THROUGH OVERBROAD, VAGUE POLICIES DESIGNED TO CHILL STUDENT SPEECH AND EXPRESSION. CHERISE TRUMP WAS HIRED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. IN 2021, CHERISE TRUMP MADE A NUMBER OF MEDIA APPEARANCES AND PUBLISHED MULTIPLE OP-EDS ADDRESSING THE FREE SPEECH CRISIS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES. ON A REGULAR BASIS, TRUMP SPEAKS AND MEETS WITH STUDENT GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL ACTIVISTS AND VISITS CAMPUSES AROUND THE COUNTRY. SPEECH FIRST INITIATED ITS FIRST IN-DEPTH RESEARCH PROJECTS ON BIAS REPORTING SYSTEMS AND FRESHMAN ORIENTATIONS.
SPEECH FIRST DEFENDS STUDENTS' FREE SPEECH RIGHTS ON CAMPUS THROUGH LITIGATION, ADVOCACY, AND EDUCATION. IN FY21, SPEECH FIRST FILED AN ADDITIONAL MOTION TO INTERVENE IN FEDERAL TITLE IX LAWSUITS AS WELL AS SUBMITTED PUBLIC COMMENTS TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ON ITS NEWLY PROPOSED TITLE IX RULES. SPEECH FIRST ALSO FILED 2 AMICUS BRIEFS FOR SCOTUS CASES, AND FILED FEDERAL LAWSUITS AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA AND VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY ALLEGING THAT VARIOUS POLICIES VIOLATED STUDENTS' FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS THROUGH OVERBROAD, VAGUE POLICIES DESIGNED TO CHILL STUDENT SPEECH AND EXPRESSION. CHERISE TRUMP WAS HIRED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. IN 2021, CHERISE TRUMP MADE A NUMBER OF MEDIA APPEARANCES AND PUBLISHED MULTIPLE OP-EDS ADDRESSING THE FREE SPEECH CRISIS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES. ON A REGULAR BASIS, TRUMP SPEAKS AND MEETS WITH STUDENT GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL ACTIVISTS AND VISITS CAMPUSES AROUND THE COUNTRY. SPEECH FIRST INITIATED ITS FIRST IN-DEPTH RESEARCH PROJECTS ON BIAS REPORTING SYSTEMS AND FRESHMAN ORIENTATIONS.
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Nicole Neily President (f | Trustee | 20 | $86,117 |
Cherise Trump Executive Di | Officer | 40 | $84,609 |
Mary Ellen Beatty Director Of | Officer | 20 | $55,000 |
Montse Alvarado Director | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Matthew Foldi Director | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Josh Holdenried Director | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
---|---|---|
Consovoy Mccarthy Park Pllc Legal Services | 12/30/21 | $1,100,000 |
Crc Public Relations Media | 12/30/21 | $255,525 |
Active Engagement Llc Fundraising | 12/30/21 | $298,905 |
Active Engagement Llc Fundraising | 12/30/21 | $298,905 |
American Philanthropic Llc Fundraising | 12/30/21 | $164,279 |
Crc Public Relations Media | 12/30/21 | $255,525 |
Statement of Revenue | |
---|---|
Federated campaigns | $0 |
Membership dues | $0 |
Fundraising events | $0 |
Related organizations | $0 |
Government grants | $0 |
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $2,272,281 |
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $2,272,281 |
Total Program Service Revenue | $0 |
Investment income | $0 |
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Net Rental Income | $0 |
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $0 |
Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
Total Revenue | $2,272,281 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $225,726 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $39,068 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $5,680 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $0 |
Other employee benefits | $7,138 |
Payroll taxes | $19,467 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $1,148,741 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $20,717 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $463,184 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Other | $12,906 |
Advertising and promotion | $326,170 |
Office expenses | $12,675 |
Information technology | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $0 |
Travel | $12,658 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $16,544 |
Interest | $0 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $0 |
Insurance | $3,602 |
All other expenses | $0 |
Total functional expenses | $2,281,390 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $346,122 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $0 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $0 |
Accounts receivable, net | $0 |
Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $4,295 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $0 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $0 |
Investments—other securities | $0 |
Investments—program-related | $0 |
Intangible assets | $0 |
Other assets | $161 |
Total assets | $350,578 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $5,011 |
Grants payable | $0 |
Deferred revenue | $0 |
Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Other liabilities | $0 |
Total liabilities | $5,011 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $345,567 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $0 |
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $350,578 |
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 8 grants that Speech First Inc has recieved totaling $1,026,012.
Awarding Organization | Amount |
---|---|
Bader Family Foundation Garden City, NY PURPOSE: GENERAL CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION | $298,000 |
Organization Name not Listed PURPOSE: General Support | | $250,000 |
The Stanton Foundation New York, NY PURPOSE: TO ACHIEVE CHARITABLE PURPOSE | $150,000 |
Searle Freedom Trust Madison, WI PURPOSE: LITIGATION | $125,000 |
Sarah Scaife Foundation Inc Pittsburgh, PA PURPOSE: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation Bethesda, MD PURPOSE: STRATEGIC CAMPUS FREE SPEECH LITIGATION PROJECT | $100,000 |
Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
---|---|---|
Reporters Committee For Freedom Of The Press Washington, DC | $19,114,486 | $9,631,208 |
Speech First Inc Washington, DC | $350,578 | $2,272,281 |
National Student Legal Defense Network Washington, DC | $1,060,410 | $1,946,982 |
Rutherford Institute Charlottesville, VA | $531,980 | $984,354 |
America Inc Reston, VA | $2,142,837 | $788,242 |
Reporters Without Borders Incorporated Washington, DC | $939,713 | $785,912 |
Center For Digital Democracy Washington, DC | $886,439 | $529,672 |
Broadband For America Washington, DC | $0 | $283,820 |
The Jefferson Council Richmond, VA | $456,162 | $557,044 |
Lede Progress Washington, DC | $17,917 | $0 |