c e l e b r at i n g

25

years

19 8 3-2 00 8

Bringing the Federal Budget Home

an n ual

200 8

r e port

NPP founders: Greg Speeter, Brenda Loew, Ricky Fogel, Alwin Schmidt (1983)

The First NPP Report (1983)

Mission
National Priorities Project (NPP) provides individuals, community groups and national organizations with concrete tools to shape federal budget and policy priorities that promote social and economic justice. We pursue our mission by:

Providing data on the local impact of federal spending Educating the public, the media and elected officials Collaborating with national organizations Building alliances among social justice and peace and security groups

Message from the Executive Director

Lets get started!

n January 20, 2009, I attended a local screening of the presidential inaugural coverage in an auditorium packed with 800 people. As this momentous event drew to a close, Northampton, Massachussetts Mayor Clare Higgins addressed the gathering. Change has come, and we have a lot of work to do, she said. Please. Go get started. Like Higgins, mayors in towns and cities across our nation have a lot of work ahead of them to fix what is broken in this country. They and their constituents are turning to NPP to help them advocate for more sustained funding for their communities, and we are ready with the timely and essential tools they need. For 25 years, National Priorities Project has shone a steadfast light on federal spending and policy priorities. Through our analyses of complex federal spending data and accessible reports, NPP

functions as a dynamic bridge between the think tanks and policymakers of Washington, D.C., and thousands of communities across the United States. Our work is unique, and individuals, grassroots organizations, and political officials at every level across the United States from state representatives to MoveOn.org to the Obama presidential campaignuse our information every day. NPP is needed now more than ever. Now the invitation has comethrough this revolution in values NPP helped inciteto change our nation's priorities by broadening our definition of national security. Finally, security means healthcare, decent jobs, affordable education, a clean environment and a willingness to reflect on the way our nation engages the world. NPP will continue to pull back the curtain on the U.S. budgeting process and hold our elected

how did the u . s . government spend your

2007

income tax ?

officials accountablenot just for a short-term stimulus, but for an enduring re-set of our national priorities both at home and abroad. One person alone cannot create positive social change, and it will not happen overnight. Change occurs because of countless small steps toward a common goal. Here in the United States, it will take time, and the participation of millions of people. NPP will be hereputting incisive tools into the hands of those of you who are fulfilling the promise of this new day. As we seize this precious moment, I invite you to join me in celebrating NPPs 2008 accomplishments and our 25th year of bringing the federal budget home. Wishing you all the best,

NPPs data fuels countless progressive organizations in their fight to reform our nations spending priorities. Theres no other group in the country that makes the federal budgets impact understandable on a local level This data has never been more important. - Ben Cohen, Co-founder, Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream

Jo Comerford, Executive Director

hint : interactive tax chart

...

www . nationalpriorities . org

the federal budget

year in review

n 2008, for the third consecutive year, Congress failed to act on the majority of its appropriations bills, instead voting for a continuing resolution to fund most federal programs at the current year's levels. In reality, level-funding translated into funding decreases as a result of inflation. While hundreds of programs in the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, and Agriculture, were level-funded, the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security received 4% increases after adjusting for inflation. The increase was requested by the Department of Defense in order to build U.S. military strength by adding 12,000 personnel in FY2009 . The FY2009 federal budget deliberations were eclipsed by the national economic crisis and government's response. In early October, President Bush proposed a controversial $700 billion bailout of the banking industry to remedy the financial crisis which had begun to manifest in late 2007 with widespread failure in the sub-prime mortgage market. After heated debate, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 created the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), giving the U.S. Treasury Department the option to buy or insure troubled assets, mostly related to failed mortgages. While Congress debated the pros and cons of bailing out Wall Street, President Bush quietly signed the Defense Appropriations Act, funding the Pentagon with an amount almost as large as the bailout. When combined with the Supplemental Appropriations bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the FY2009 military budget totaled nearly $674 billion.

By the end of 2008, the nation awaited the inauguration of President Obama and contemplated a $790 billion economic stimulus package to rescue Main Street. In the short term, Congress is considering yet another supplemental war spending bill and the FY2010 military budget is expected to closely resemble those of recent years. In the longer term the Obama administration has brought hope for greater governmental transparency and a new era in U.S. budget priorities. Ultimately, the economic crisis may prove to be a catalyst for a shift in government spending toward public priorities such as job creation, infrastructure, education, renewable energy, and other programs that address human needs.

Defense Spending in FY2009: TARP Bailout: Cost of Iraq and Afganistan Wars Since 2001: 2009 Stimulus Package:

$680.9 billion $700 billion $939.5 billion $787 billion

$600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 0 - $100,000 - $200,000 - $300,000 - $400,000 in billions 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008

National Defense

Aid to Cities*

Deficit

Growth of the US Military Budget

* Aid to Cities includes: energy conservation, natural resources and the

environment, education, training, employment and social services, community and regional development, housing assistance, and food and nutrition.

Department of Defense Appropriations Act , FY2009 Signed September 30, 2008 Department of Energy Nuclear Weapons Activities Continuing Resolution War Supplemental Approved June 30, 2008 Additional War Supplemental (issued Feb 2009)

$512.7 billion

$23 billion

$68.5 billion $75.5 billion

Total Defense in FY2009

$680.9 billion

U.S. Military Spending FY2009

Sources: Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act (PL 110-329) www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill= h110-1424&tab= summary War Supplementals FY2008 Supplemental and FY2009 Bridge Fund (H.R. 2642/P.L. 110-252) on June 30, 2008. See also Amy Belasco, "The Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Global War on Terror Operations Since 9/11, CRS Report for Congress," updated October 15, 2008. Budget of the United States Government FY2010 www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget

federal budget
home

bringing the

n 2008, the presidential election, global economic crisis, looming climate change, and continued U.S. war overseas focused renewed attention on federal spending and budget priorities. It was a pivotal year for the nation, and for National Priorities Project as NPP prepared to celebrate its 25th anniversary. While providing data, educating the public, collaborating, and building alliances in a highly charged political and economic landscape, NPP managed a smooth transition to new staff leadership to meet the challenges of the next 25 years.

Providing data
Media, elected officials, and concerned individuals around the country rely on NPPs reports on federal budget and policy issues. In addition to releasing the most up-to-date editions of several popular reports, NPP produced a groundbreaking document, The Military Cost of Securing Energy. Moving in a compelling new direction, NPP demonstrated that the United States spends up to 30 percent of its annual military budget to defend access to oil and natural gas reserves around the world. To enhance the public's understanding of these issues, NPP issued corollary fact sheets on energy consumption and renewable alternatives, including

what have taxpayers in your city or town paid for the iraq war to date ?

Excerpt from

The Military Cost of Securing Energy

Despite fluctuations in gas prices, what Americans pay at the pump does not reflect the true costs of filling up their cars and trucks. Each year, the U.S. military commits resources to securing access to and safeguarding the transport of oil and other

Priorities for Energy, Hidden Costs of Petroleum, The Hidden Cost of Oil and The Hidden Cost of Gasoline. The latter revealed that regardless of the price of a gallon of gasoline at the pump, Americans pay an additional $0.57 per gallon through their federal taxes when the military cost of securing access to imported fuel is factored in. The intent of these publications is to stimulate discussion about the link between national security and energy policy, and about ways to create a greener national economy. As Wall Street trembled in September and President Bush and Treasury Secretary Paulson proposed a $700 billion bailout more than the total cost of the Iraq war to date NPP quickly responded by releasing The Magnitude and Meaning of the Proposed Bailout, an analysis of the bailout proposal from the perspective of taxpayers on Main Street.

energy supplies. These costs do not show up in the market valuation of gasoline, heating fuel, or other end uses, but are paid for instead by American tax dollars. If the market price reflected the true cost, the quantity demanded by consumers would decrease, leading to more conservation, and making renewable, non-polluting energy alternatives more viable. The full report may be read at www.nationalpriorities.org//Energy_ Security/Energy_Priorities.

hint : the cost of war

...

www . nationalpriorities . org

Educating
The Power of the Internet.. NPPs website receives more than two million unique visits annually. NPPs Cost of War Counter" tallies federal funds spent to date on the war in Iraq. The counter, which may be viewed on NPPs website, is also accessible on more than 20,000 other websites and receives upwards of 2.5 million visits per day. Introduced to NPPs data and analyses on the Internet, individuals and organizations constantly request additional information or help customizing NPPs resources to meet their needs. Bringing the data to life is our goal. NPP research staff are using new Web 2.0 features to create more sophisticated visual representations of the information for NPP's online database. By sharpening the tools available online, NPP expands its ability to provide incisive data to individuals, organizations, the media and elected officials. The Energy Priorities Quiz uses simple questions with surprising answers to teach people about U.S dependency on imported fuel: www. nationalpriorities.org/energy_security/priorities_ quiz. The quiz format will continue to highlight other little known and startling facts about federal budget spending. How much have YOU paid for the Iraq war? NPP has a new version of it's familiar Cost Of War Counter, that calculates what individuals have paid for the war based on their taxable income. *www.nationalpriorities.org/ costofwar/individual Research for The Military Cost of Securing Energy brought to light new data on fossil fuel consumption and the use of alternative energy. NPP staff have integrated this material into the online database to broaden its reach and deepen its value to activists and others. www. nationalpriorities.org/nppdatabase_tool
*The Individual Cost of War Calculator was donated to NPP by Jim Cousins and Don Raleigh of Minnesota, who co-founded and built the original My War Tax website, www.mywartax.org

National Priorities Project puts in real terms what the cost of the Iraq War means here at home, what it means to our schools, to hospital construction, to the infrastructure across this country. NPP delivers to grassroots activists across the country like no other organization." Tim Carpenter, National Director, Progressive Democrats of America

10

Making Headlines

n 2008, NPP saw continued growth in national, state, and local media coverage of its data and analyses. Total media mentions for the year increased to 1,621, which means that on average NPP was in the news more than four times each day. National media coverage focused on the cost of the Iraq war, military recruitment, and the presidential election campaign.

Media Highlights
Associated Press Black Entertainment Television Boston Globe CNBC.com CNN Howard Stern Huffington Post Mother Jones National Public Radio Newshour with Jim Lehrer The Nation Time Magazine USA Today Washington Post

Using NPPs Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?, CNBC.com created an 11page slide show on federal spending which was featured on its website: www.cnbc.com/id/24033281 NPP significantly expanded its media contacts in 2008. This effort included the creation of a database of 800 energy and environmental reporters from across the U.S. As a result, op-ed articles featuring NPP appeared in numerous newspapers, and several high-profile online publications such as the Huffington Post, Common Dreams, Foreign Policy in Focus, and TomDispatch.com.

2008 Media Mentions

Radio Television Newspaper Magazines Syndicates Internet Blogs Total 410 12 418 6 10 128 637 1,621

11

Collaborating
NPP launched a new Networking and Training program in December, directed by founder Greg Speeter, with former development officer Juan Carlos Aguilar as associate director. The initial goals of the program are to: Increase the accessibility of NPPs current resources and materials to facilitate grassroots organizing Engage more economically and racially diverse constituencies Forge strategic alliances and campaigns with concrete social change goals Build the capacity of allied organizations so they can fully access NPPs data and use it to achieve concrete social change Networking and Training will maximize NPP's educational potential and put its numbers to work. By expanding the ability of allies to utilize NPPs online database and publications, Networking and Training will leverage NPPs substantial capabilities, both locally and nationally. In 2008, NPP collaborated with numerous national organizations including: The Obama Presidential Campaign requested spending trade-offs and analyses from NPP for communities throughout the United States. US Action used NPP's cost of war numbers and trade-offs in their Iraq war and Wall Street bailout campaigns. MoveOn promoted political action utilizing NPPs cost of the Iraq war and trade-offs numbers for every Congressional district in the country. The Nation collaborated with NPP on the centerfold graphic for its March 13, 2008, cover story on the cost of the Iraq war.
COCKBURN & POLLITT ON THE SPITZER SAGA

THE COSTS OF WAR

MARCH 31, 2008 www.thenation.com

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America requested fact sheets for 30 cities on poverty, human needs, and the cost of war for their annual meeting of Lutheran bishops. The Backbone Campaign highlighted NPP's cost of the Iraq war numbers and trade-offs at each destination of its multi-city bus tour.

RECESSION & OCCUPATION SOLDIERS & WORKERS WINNERS & LOSERS

12

how much will taxpayers in your state pay for proposed nuclear weapons in

fy2009?

NPPs Online Database

ver the past few years, NPP has created a powerful interactive database of federal spending data that can be accessed by state and county. Visitors to NPPs website can discover how much the U.S. government has spent on programs in eight issue areas: housing, health, education, hunger, military, labor, income and poverty, and energy. This information goes back to 1983, the earliest year for which reliable data are available. In addition, the database houses needs indicators. In the health issue area, for example, data on spending for community health centers by state are available, along with the numbers of uninsured people and children in the same location. NPP's database contains nearly eight million datapoints, representing information from hundreds of government programs, 25 years of national censuses and federal budgets.

NPPs database includes numbers on the costs to taxpayers of the military, the Iraq war, and tax cuts. In addition, users can navigate the popular TradeOffs section of the database to learn how much a particular weapons program has cost their state, city, or congressional district in federal taxes. One can then examine what that money could have provided in social services such as health insurance, teachers or housing. The database also houses information regarding military recruitment and demographics at the zip code, county, and state levels. The NPP database is a unique, one-stop shop for both funding and needs data. For example, information on energy consumption can be viewed alongside military spending and public health data. For this reason, activists, journalists, and policy makers who advocate for a change in our nation's spending priorities use this resource regularly. Whether their interest is in human needs and social services, or peace and security, they can gather the facts they need from one rsourceNPP's vast database.

Building Alliances
NPP staff participated in the Task Force for a Unified Security Budget (USB). The USB proposes that Congress evaluate the efficacy of offensive, defensive and preventive security strategies and adjust federal spending to get the best security and return on taxpayers' investment. NPP also provided significant support to the American Friends Service Committees Cost of War project, which grew out of its national Eyes Wide Open campaign. NPP staff spoke at numerous workshops and conferences, including:

Ecumenical Advocacy Days: Washington D.C., a national gathering of 1,000 advocates Clean Water Action/Working America Leadership Retreat New Haven (CT) Peace Commission: hearing on the impact of war and military spending on the city of New Haven

hint : trade offs

...

www . nationalpriorities . org

13

14

Interest on Military Debt

Current Military and War

Veteran's Benefits
Military

42.2

3.5

10 28.7

22.1

Healthcare

10.2

Interest on Non-Military Debt

8.7

Anti-Poverty Programs

4.4

Education Training & Social Services

3.9

Government & Law Enforcement

3.3

Housing & Community Development

2.6

Environment, Energy, & Science

Past and current military spending consumes more than 40 cents of every federal income dollar.

1.5

Where do your tax dollars go?

Agriculture, Commerce, and Transportation International Affairs

FOu N DE R'S LETTE R

A 25-year
s a community organizer in western Massachusetts in 1983, it became apparent to me that the Reagan budget policies were cutting programs that solved problems. So several activists, led by Ricky Fogel, Alwin Schmidt, Brenda Lowe and me, tried a new approach: showing the congressional district-level impact of the cuts. After months of research, we came up with a startling result: our congressional district had lost $54 million in social spending in just two years! We presented this information to then-Congressman Silvio Contethe ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee who was shocked by the figures. He changed his voting record, becoming a strong advocate for addressing human needs in his district, and for cutting exotic weapons systems and military incursions. This experiment in grassroots democracy taught us that Congress often didnt understand the local impact of its decisions, and that researching federal spending could bring community groups together. Inspired, we realized we had created a one-of-a-kind process, and decided to bring it to the national stage. We began to gather local data on critical

experiment in grassroots democracy

issues, and made it available to national allies. Collaborations with these groups resulted in passage of housing, environmental and childrens services legislation. We toured the country with Peace Action, setting up or strengthening state and local grassroots coalitions of labor, peace and community groups that fought for the Peace Dividend. We also helped organize effective hearings in primary campaigns throughout the 1992 elections. Our federal budget campaigns grew. Using our data and analysis, activists fought against the Contract with America, the B-2 bomber, tax breaks for wealthy individuals, and for living wage jobs, and more money for our schools and communities. Our ability to illustrate the national and local impact of federal spending, especially the military budget, has created headlines, and weve played a major role in shaping public opinion about the Iraq war. This year, my work has a new focus on networking and training to ensure the most effective use of NPPs data. The economic crisis demands citizen action, and the Obama election has created unprecedented energy and interest. The timing couldnt be better.

Greg Speeter, Founder National Priorities Project 15

m i l e s t o n e s
The first 25 years

n a t i o n a l

1981
President Ronald Reagan takes office

1984
Reagan budget cuts devastate communities across the country

1983
Speeter & colleagues produce In Defense of the First District, documenting $54 million funding loss over two years to the first Massachusetts Congressional District

1986
NPP goes national supporting grassroots organizations across the U.S.

1989
President George H.W. Bush takes office Soviet Union dissolves, ending the Cold War

1989-90
Trainings in 30 U.S. cities in support of the Peace Dividend

1989-92
Collaborations with national organizations and the Citizens Budget Campaign (CBC), Common Agenda Coalition, and Campaign for New Priorities

1991
First Gulf War

1993
President William Jefferson Clinton takes office Pentagon Bottom-Up Review of the post-Cold War U.S. Military strategy

1991-92
Collaboration with CBC on Reinvest in America reports for 16 states, helping hundreds of groups push candidates on economic issues

1993
Collaboration with Institute for Defense and Disarmament Studies on the only progressive analysis of the Pentagons budget review

1994
Republicans gain control of Congress and severely cut social spending

1995
Launch of Creating a Common Agenda in Washington D.C. on C-SPAN, providing alternative to Gingrichs Contract with America

16

p r i o r i t i e s

p r o j e c t
1996
Federal welfare reform: work requirements, food stamp cuts, and 5 year limits on Temporary Assistance

1997
NPP materials on the B2 bombers state and local impact help stop its funding Launch of NPP website, www.nationalpriorities.org NPP's report, "Working Hard, Earning Less," is first to provide living wage information for all 50 states

1997
World Wide Web becomes a critical communication medium

1998
New jobs created in 1990s boom 74% of new jobs pay below a living wage

1998
NPP materials help prevent cuts in social programs and increases in F22 Jet Fighter funding

2000
NPP helps prevent total estate tax repeal through state impact fact sheets

2001
President George W. Bush takes office President Bush proposes total repeal of the estate tax, at 20-year cost of $1 trillion 9/11 is followed by US & UK invasion of Afghanistan on October 21

2002
NPP launches the first interactive online database with federal budget information (see page 13) Launch of online Cost of War Counter" keeps military spending in the public eye

2002-2003
NPP convenes human needs groups to address impact of military spending on social issues

2003
U.S. invades Iraq, March 20

2006
NPPs Cost of War data shapes debate in mid-term Congressional election campaigns

2008
Barack Obama elected President of the United States 17

2008
Release of The Military Cost of Securing Energy (see page 8)

looking ahead
The promises and hopes generated by election campaigns sometimes help to raise hopes and set democratic forces in motion that break the grip of politics as usual These are moments when ordinary people enter into the political life of a country and authentic bottom-up reform becomes possible. Frances Fox Piven, The Nation, December 1, 2008

ith the inauguration of President Barack Obama, 2009 offers an historic opportunity to begin reshaping national budget priorities. NPP has a key role to play in realizing this opportunity. If we are to break the grip of politics as usual, NPP must intensify its efforts to demonstrate that new priorities are both needed and possible. To facilitate bottom-up reform, NPP has prepared new tools for organizers, as well as some for the new administration: NPPs first Budget Priorities 101 webinar offered at the request of the Womens Action for New Directions (WAND) women legislators lobby, followed by other webinars throughout 2009 Our Nations Checkbook will use NPPs research to engage the American public and elected officials in conversations and actions focused on broadening our definition of national

security, and securing a significant reduction in the military budget over time, along with a sustained increase in social spending An analysis of the economic and human costs of expanded U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan, produced in partnership with American Friends Service Committee A comprehensive guide to reducing the U.S. military budget. NPPs 2009 research will continue to focus on a greener, less militarized economy. Publications in 2009 will include the release of 2008 Army recruitment data, and analyses of President Obamas first budget and economic stimulus plan. The Obama campaigns success made clear the extraordinary power of todays communication technologies. With the goal of reaching broader

18

Profile

Juan Carlos Aguilar

Associate Director of Networking and Training, Juan Carlos Aguilar is leading the effort to build relationships with constituencies that have not previously worked closely with NPP. Aguilar spends much of his time talking to activists in grassroots networks that are part of the economic and environmental justice movement. His goal is to learn about their priorities and understand the ways in which NPP can support their goals. Aguilar believes this effort has the potential to strengthen a grassroots-led movement for new priorities. He observes that people of color are often those most affected by distorted federal budget priorities, and hopes that the foundation he is building will bolster the momentum of powerful national campaigns for social change. In Aguilars view, the first step toward true partnership with multi-racial constituencies is to understand multiple political and social change analyses. He emphasizes the importance of patience and the fundamental task of building reciprocal relationships. Aguilar is leading NPP in the process of becoming an anti-racist organization, which includes examining how racism affects interpersonal communication, decision-making, and organizational strategies. As someone who is passionate about NPPs mission, Aguilar is the perfect ambassador for these efforts. His previous work at the Peace Development Fund and Solidago Foundation gave him many opportunities to dialogue and collaborate with a diverse group of leaders from major social change organizations across the United States and Mexico. Aguilar, who joined the NPP staff in 2007, believes that Networking and Training will be the bridge that connects NPP with new and diverse constituencies while strengthening ties with current partners.

constituencies and expanded media outlets, NPPs strategy now includes blogging, social marketing and viral communications using the Internet for widespread dissemination of video clips, interactive quizzes, policy discussion and other information.

An upcoming redesign of the interactive website will make NPPs online tools more user-friendly, while maximizing NPPs potential to support organizations working for social change.

19

NPP

strengthening

2008 was a year for new leadership at

NPP. Founding Executive Director Greg Speeter assumed a new role as director of Networking and Training, and NPP welcomed Jo Comerford in July as the second Executive Director in its 25-year history. Jo brings almost two decades of experience in community organizing, strategic program planning, organizational development, and fundraising to NPP. Before joining NPP, she served as program director at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and was program coordinator of the American Friends Service Committee in western Massachusetts. Jo holds an MSW in community organizing from Hunter College School of Social Work and is an adjunct faculty member at the Smith College School of Social Work. NPPs board of directors carried forward its vision of strong national representation by electing two new national members and one new regional member. Board and staff worked together closely through the executive transition, and NPP continues to be strengthened by the board's extraordinary commitment. A long-range strategic

planning process led jointly by board and staff is currently underway. The Fall Party in October brought together 500 NPP supporters to celebrate the beginning of NPPs 25th anniversary and invest financially in the next 25 years. Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor of The Nation, inspired the crowd with her perspective on The Election and Beyond: Challenges and Opportunities. The 2008 Frances Crowe Award was presented to Sut Jhally, founder and executive director of Media Education Foundation. Jhally then presented MEFs anniversary gift to NPP, a 12-minute film tribute to NPP which may be viewed at www.nationalpriorities.org. The Fall Party also launched the Greg Speeter Society, a major gifts initiative which honors Gregs lifetime of work for social and economic justice through sound national priorities. The NPP development committee is now building on its successful fundraising model by organizing events in 2009 in Boston, New York City, Washington (D.C.), San Francisco, Boulder, and Portland (ME).

20

how many active - duty army recruits are there in your county ?

Major Collaborators
American Friends Service Committee American Human Development Project The Backbone Campaign Barack Obama 2008 Presidential Campaign Bread for the World Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities Campaign for America's Future Center for American Progress Coalition on Human Needs Connect US Emergency Campaign for America's Priorities Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Foreign Policy in Focus Friends Committee for National Legislation Hillary Clinton 2008 Presidential Campaign Institute for Policy Studies Massnonprofit.org Media Education Foundation MoveOn The Nation New Hampshire Citizens Alliance One Wisconsin Now Peace Action Political Economy Research Institute Priorities NH Progressive Democrats of America ProgressNow Colorado US Action Women's Action for New Directions

Supporters
Foundations Foundation support comprises more than 65 percent of NPP's revenue. We appreciate the partnership of the following foundations in 2008: Ben and Jerry's Foundation Colombe Foundation Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts The Connect US Fund Educational Foundation of America Gone Giving Patricia Silver Fund/Peace Development Fund Rockefeller Brothers Fund Rockefeller Investment Company Select Equity Foundation Solidago Foundation Stewart R. Mott Charitable Trust Town Creek Foundation Wellspring Fund/Peace Development Fund

hint : npp database

...

www . nationalpriorities . org

21

Greg Speeter Society

NPP is deeply grateful to the donors who inaugurated the Greg Speeter Society at the start of NPPs 25th anniversary year. We invite supporters to honor Gregs leadership and NPPs extraordinary accomplishments by making a contribution of $2,500 or more. We proudly welcome these founding members of the Greg Speeter Society. Anonymous Donor Cynda Arsenault Lisa Baskin Michael Cohen & Patricia Collins Sarah Creighton & Phil Lawrence Ned DeLaCour & Nancy Lustgarten Laura Hirschfield Jack Hornor & Ron Skinn Lori Divine-Hudson Douglas Kreeger George & Ann Levinger The Speeter Family Robert Speeter Bill Strickland Katrina vanden Heuvel, The Nation Cate Woolner & Dan Croteau

Cost of War Counters

Reverend Ian Maher's Unitarian Universalist congregation in Queens, NY, was eager to make a public statement about the U.S. occupation of Iraq, and NPP donors were eager to help. The Unitarians wanted a Cost of War Counter that was boldly visible for the community. Raising money to help buy it and building housing to protect it from the elements, in 2007 they proudly placed the sign on the church's front lawn!

These signs around the country were made possible by the generosity of Frank Marrotta, Carolyn Hicks, Lori Divine-Hudson and the late Dennis Hudson.

22

what percentage of children in your county lived below the federal poverty level in

2007 ?

Top Petroleum Exporters to the U.S.

YEARS OF PETROLEuM RESERvES REMAININg

16.8

14.4

9.6

22.9

2,470

69.5

91.3

42.1

+ 100 1,080 718 580 476 400

1,590

1,434

BARRELS PER DAY IN THOuSANDS

1,356

21.8

hint : npp database

...

www . nationalpriorities . org

23

Reports Published in 2008

More War Funding Signed by President Federal Budget Year in Review: 2007 Military Recruiting 2007: Army Misses Benchmark by greater Margin The Presidents Budget Fiscal Year 2009: Impact on the States Presidents Budget FY2009 and Iraq war: State Impact Where Do Your Tax Dollars go? The Presidents War Request: Local Costs updated The Magnitude and Meaning of the Proposed Bailout The Military Cost of Securing Energy Priorities for Energy Hidden Costs of Petroleum The Hidden Cost of Oil The Hidden Cost of gasoline Militarizing Our Energy Policy: Oil, Presidential Doctrines, and War January January February March April May May September October October October October October October

Until the 1950s, the United States was largely self-sufficient in meeting its own energy needs. To support an ever-growing need for energy that we cannot meet, we now import 58.2 percent of our petroleum.
- Priorities for Energy: The National Picture

24

Giving Options
greg Speeter Society
The Greg Speeter Society honors NPPs founding director with a contribution of $2,500 or more.

Monthly giving Program

Monthly Sustainers contribute to NPP through the convenience of a credit card or bank withdrawal, and are some of our most loyal and consistent supporters.

Investors' Circle
We invite supporters to become members of our Investors Circle by making a five-year pledge of any amount. We deeply appreciate that more than 150 donors currently participate. More than $40,000 was contributed through this program in 2008 and an additional $189,006 has been pledged for 2009-2012. These pledges help NPP plan for the future and provide valuable flexibility in programming.

Living Legacy
A nation moving toward social and economic justice may be the greatest legacy we can leave to our children and grandchildren. Living Legacy members who share our long-term goal for a vibrant democracy have chosen to provide for National Priorities Project in their wills. These bequests, life-income gifts, and other charitable estate planning arrangements provide vital support for NPPs work today and in years to come. For further details about these giving options, please contact Sara Silvia, Development Officer, National Priorities Project, 243 King Street, Suite 239, Northampton, MA 01060, 413-584-9556, sara@nationalpriorities.org.

Leadership Circle
Supporters who contribute $1,000 or more are vital to our day-to-day work. Their leadership gifts inspire others to support social change by investing in NPP.

gifts of Real Estate

For many individuals and families, creative approaches to philanthropy involving real estate may make sense. These gifts can provide very substantial financial support to NPP while addressing the estate planning and tax planning needs of families.

25

These slides were designed for NPP by Sita Magnuson for use on cable access stations nationwide.

26

where can you view the

25th

anniversary film about npp narrated by rachel maddow ?

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Peter Greenwald, Chair and Treasurer Eve Brown-Waite Dennis Bidwell (elected in 2008) Jen Kern Bakari Kitwana (elected in 2008) Michael Klare Stephanie Luce Vijay Prashad Bill Strickland Sue Thrasher, Clerk Leah Wise (elected in 2008) Cate Woolner STAFF Juan Carlos Aguilar, Associate Director of Networking and Training Barb Chalfonte, Senior Research Analyst Jo Comerford, Executive Director Kristine Elinevsky, Administration & Finance Director Lauren Goldrich, Development Associate Jillian Hanson, Communications Director Daniel McLeod, Outreach Coordinator Mary Orisich, Research Analyst Diana Riddle, Development Coordinator Brendan Smith, IT Coordinator Sara Silvia, Development Officer

Suzanne Smith, Research Director Greg Speeter, Director of Networking and Training Beth Spong, Development Director *NPP gratefully acknowledges the service of board and staff who departed the organization in 2008: Anita Dancs, Hal Fales, Phil Korman, Alfred Nutile, Pamela Schwartz CONSULTANTS Anita Dancs Monica Green Alfred Nutile Russell Powell

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Dennis Bidwell Carolyn Cushing Laurie Herrick Jim Levey Stuart Mieher Beth Spong David Starr Eve Brown-Waite INTERNS Nana Bannor Carrie Bernstein Molly Daniell Heather Dodge Mollie Herman Erin McNally Danna Niedzwiecki Jaime Soper Jun Zhang

WAND of Arkansas

hint : watch the video

...

www . nationalpriorities . org

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Financial Summary

For the Year Ended December 31, 2008 With Comparative Totals for 2007

2008 * REVENUE AND SUPPORT Grants Donations Other Interest TOTAL REVENUE AND SUPPORT EXPENSES Program Administration Development TOTAL EXPENSES CHANGE IN NET ASSETS NET ASSETS, Beginning of the Year NET ASSETS, End of the Year CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Beginning of the Year End of the Year $396,851 $200,779 $4,680 $5,945 $608,255

2007 $468,256 ** $229,836 $1,400 $6,346 $705,838

$490,778 *** $60,777 $110,134 $661,689 ($53,434) $667,665 $614,231

$394,247 $64,010 $94,927 $553,184 $152,654 $515,011 $667,665

$411,420 $356,141

$334,605 $411,420

* Unaudited figures. Complete audited statements available upon request. ** Includes total pledged funds for three multi-year grants awarded in 2007. *** Includes $47,845 in expenses for prior year grant funds carried over. 28

NPP honors Arky (pictured) and her husband george Markham for their lifetime of activism and abiding support of our work.

Thanks to AFSC of western MA for the photo of Arky Markham, taken by Rachel Chandler-Worth; AFSC's Hawaii chapter for the photo on page 7; and WAND of Arkansas for the photo on page 27. NPP gratefully acknowledges MoveOn for permission to reprint the photos on page 7 and page 9. The Nation cover art from the March 31st issue is reprinted with permission of The Nation magazine. For subscription information, call 1-800-3338536. Portions of each weeks Nation magazine can be accessed at www.thenation.com. The National Priorities Project Annual Report is available at www.nationalpriorities.org. Design: Radwell Communication by Design www.radwell.com Printing donated by Japs-Olson Company www.japsolson.com

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an n ual rep o r t 2007

an n ual

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r e port

Bringing the Federal Budget Home

National Priorities Project 243 King Street, Suite 239 Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-9556 info@nationalpriorities.org www.nationalpriorities.org 30