EIN 81-4759386

Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University

IRS 501(c) type
501(c)(3)
Num. employees
0
Year formed
2016
Most recent tax filings
2022-06-01
Description
Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University defends the freedoms of speech and the press in the digital age through strategic litigation, research, and public education. It was established by Columbia University and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in 2016 to safeguard free expression in the shifting landscape of the digital age. The institute conducts Litigation, Research, and Public Education efforts to promote a system of free expression that is open and inclusive, broadening access to free speech for all.
Related structure
Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University is a subordinate organization under Columbia University.
Total revenues
$6,485,351
2022
Total expenses
$4,531,361
2022
Total assets
$13,023,228
2022
Num. employees
0
2022

Program areas at Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University

The Knight First Amendment Institute was established in 2016 by Columbia University and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to safeguard free expression in the shifting landscape of the digital age. Our Litigation, Research, and Public Education efforts are currently focused on these three areas: 1. Protecting public discourse in the digital age Conversations that once took place in parks, on sidewalks, and in public squares now take place largely online, through the services of private actors whose platforms increasingly determine what we learn about the world, about government, and about each other. Though these platforms connect us in extraordinary ways, the public knows little about the algorithms that power them and the private surveillance that supports them. And we are only beginning to understand how easily those platforms can be distorted through harassment, flooding, the use of bots, and other mechanisms of disinformation and suppression. Our goal is to illuminate the forces that are shaping new communications platforms and to safeguard the diversity and integrity of public discourse online. 2. Reviving the First Amendment as a constraint on government surveillance Disclosures in recent years about the clandestine powers of the National Security Agency have sparked an overdue debate about government surveillance. But this debate has focused mainly on privacy and the right to be protected from illegal searches and seizures and has not fully addressed the implications of government surveillance for the freedoms of speech, association, and the press. Our work in this area is intended to broaden this debate to enrich public understanding of the interplay between First and Fourth Amendment rights, and to ensure that courts take First Amendment interests into account when they assess the lawfulness of government surveillance policies. 3. Strengthening legal frameworks for government transparency Our work in this area seeks to ensure that the public has the information it needs to evaluate government policies, hold officials to account for their decisions, and participate fully in the process of self-government. Our aim is not simply to compel the disclosure of information that the public is entitled to know, but to force changes in the practices of government agencies and the courts that will empower citizens as decision makers. We believe that the First Amendment embraces a broad right of access to information in the hands of the government, and we will invest time, energy, and creativity in projects designed to expand and strengthen this right.

Who funds Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University

Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
GrantmakerDescriptionAmount
Columbia UniversityCapital Contribution$2,733,638
Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF)Education$600,000
John D and Catherine T MacArthur FoundationIn Support of General Operations.$250,000
...and 3 more grants received

Personnel at Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University

NameTitle
Larry SiemsChief of Staff
Mark HawkinsVice President , Finance Controller
Jameel JafferExecutive Director
Lorraine KennyCommunications Director
Alex AbdoLitigation Director
...and 4 more key personnel

Financials for Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University

RevenuesFYE 06/2022
Total grants, contributions, etc.$4,846,438
Program services$225,409
Investment income and dividends$463,747
Tax-exempt bond proceeds$0
Royalty revenue$0
Net rental income$0
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets$949,757
Net income from fundraising events$0
Net income from gaming activities$0
Net income from sales of inventory$0
Miscellaneous revenues$0
Total revenues$6,485,351

Form 990s for Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University

Fiscal year endingDate received by IRSFormPDF link
2022-062023-05-10990View PDF
2021-062022-05-13990View PDF
2020-062021-05-26990View PDF
2019-062021-01-27990View PDF
2018-062019-06-19990View PDF
...and 1 more Form 990
Data update history
May 9, 2023
Received grants
Identified 1 new grant, including a grant for $2,610,273 from Columbia University
March 9, 2022
Updated personnel
Identified 1 new personnel
September 22, 2021
Received grants
Identified 3 new grant, including a grant for $1,011,472 from Columbia University
September 12, 2021
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2020
September 11, 2021
Used new vendors
Identified 1 new vendor, including
Nonprofit Types
Social advocacy organizationsHuman rights organizationsCivil rights and social justice organizationsChapter / child organizationsCharities
Issues
Human rights
Characteristics
Endowed supportTax deductible donationsNo full-time employees
General information
Address
Columbia Univ 615 W 131 St MC 8741
New York, NY 10027
Metro area
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
County
New York County, NY
Website URL
knightcolumbia.org/ 
Phone
(212) 455-2647
IRS details
EIN
81-4759386
Fiscal year end
June
Taxreturn type
Form 990
Year formed
2016
Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
Yes
Categorization
NTEE code, primary
R60: Civil Liberties Advocacy
NAICS code, primary
813311: Human Rights Organizations
Parent/child status
Subordinate organization
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