irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0THE NYSUT LEGAL DEPARTMENT CONSISTS OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL, THREE MANAGING ATTORNEYS, APPROXIMATELY 30 STAFF ATTORNEYS AND THEIR SUPPORT. IT FUNCTIONS AS THE GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE GENERAL COUNSEL OFFERS REPRESENTATION TO AFFILIATES AND INDIVIDUAL UNION MEMBERS IN CERTAIN MATTERS. AS GENERAL COUNSEL, IT REPRESENTS THE ORGANIZATION IN ALL JUDICIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING THE ORGANIZATION. IT ALSO GIVES ADVICE AND COUNSEL TO THE ORGANIZATION IN ALL MATTERS OF GOVERNANCE, AFFILIATE RELATIONS, STATUTORY AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, AND CONTRACT NEGOTIATION AND ENFORCEMENT, AMONG OTHER THINGS. IT ALSO OFFERS REPRESENTATION TO AFFILIATES AND INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS IN A WIDE VARIETY OF MATTERS INCLUDING DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS WHERE TENURED UNION MEMBERS FACE DISMISSAL FROM THEIR EMPLOYMENT, LICENSING HEARINGS WHERE CERTIFICATED UNION MEMBERS FACE THE REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL LICENSES, ARBITRATION ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS WHERE THE AFFILIATE'S CORRESPONDING EMPLOYER REFUSES TO ABIDE BY AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT OR AWARD, AS WELL AS IN NUMEROUS TYPES OF JUDICIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS IN EMPLOYMENT RELATED MATTERS AND IN MATTERS OF EDUCATIONAL OR CIVIL SERVICE REGULATION OR FUNDING. THE GENERAL COUNSEL WILL REPRESENT LOCAL UNIONS WHERE THE LOCAL UNION IS ALLEGED TO HAVE BREACHED ITS DUTY OF FAIR REPRESENTATION OR HAS ALLEGEDLY ENGAGED IN OTHER FORMS OF UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION. UPON APPROPRIATE REQUEST, THE GENERAL COUNSEL WILL PROVIDE LEGAL OPINIONS TO THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS AFFILIATES ON ALL MATTERS OF LEGAL INQUIRY. SIMILARLY, IT PROVIDES TRAINING ON A VARIETY OF LEGAL ISSUES.
- #2 $0NYSUT PROGRAM SERVICES PROVIDES A VOICE TO NYSUT'S MANY CONSTITUENCIES - BOCES, HEALTH CARE, RETIREES, SCHOOL RELATED PROFESSIONALS - PROVIDING RESOURCES AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO MEET THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS. THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STAFF IN THE NYSUT REGIONAL OFFICES IN HEALTH, SAFETY AND TRAINING. PROGRAM SERVICES ALSO SUPPORT NYSUT'S SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM, AVAILABLE TO ALL IN-SERVICE AND RETIRED MEMBERS.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
NYSUT Legal Department
Provides legal representation to member unions and individual members in disciplinary, licensing, arbitration, and employment-related proceedings; offers counsel on governance, compliance, and contract enforcement.
Program Services
Serves diverse constituencies including BOCES, healthcare workers, retirees, and school-related professionals by providing resources, technical assistance, and support for health, safety, and training needs.
Social Services Program
Offers social services and support to active and retired members, addressing personal and professional needs through counseling, referrals, and advocacy.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Teachers Union Representation 2 activities
- Building local union capacity on education policy and technologySupports local unions in implementing revised Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) systems and provides model contract language for collective bargaining on artificial intelligence in education.
- Maintaining labor organization affiliationsMaintains formal affiliations with national and international labor organizations including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Education Association (NEA), AFL-CIO, and Education International to strengthen advocacy and coordination.
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Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
- Conducting member-driven advocacy campaignsEngages in over 250,000 member actions annually and advocates for state-level policy changes, such as securing a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in schools and pushing for $22.5 million in funding for civic learning and media literacy in underserved districts.
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Member Hardship Assistance Programs 1 activity
- Delivering financial and social services supportProvides financial assistance through the Disaster Relief and Scholarship Fund and connects members with local agencies to address personal and family challenges, including through a social services program for active and retired members.
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Teacher & Classroom Innovation Grants 1 activity
- Funding civic readiness initiatives in K-12 educationAdministers the Classroom to Community Civic Readiness grant program, a $50,000 initiative that funds K-12 civics learning through field trips, projects, and special events in schools.
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Facility-Based Service Delivery 1 activity
- Operating organizational offices for member supportOperates a headquarters office in Latham, NY and multiple regional offices across the state to deliver localized leadership, resources, and support services to union members and local affiliates.
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Legal Representation for Members 1 activity
- Providing legal representation and trainingOffers legal counsel to union affiliates and individual members in employment-related matters including disciplinary actions, licensing, arbitration, and civil service issues, and provides training on legal topics relevant to educators and healthcare workers.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Providing member engagement and benefits programsOrganizes social events such as sports games and comedy shows, hosts signature connection events between educators and leaders, and offers exclusive discounts on tickets to sports, theater, concerts, and entertainment across New York State.
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Union Member Communications 1 activity
- Publishing member communicationsProduces and distributes electronic newsletters, including the Member and Leader Briefing, published weekly during the school year and biweekly in summer months, to inform and engage union members.
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Faculty & Academic Labor Union Representation 1 activity
- Representing education and healthcare professionals in New York StateRepresents nearly 700,000 active and retired professionals working in New York's schools, colleges, and healthcare facilities through collective advocacy and union representation.
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Labor Union Member Support Services 1 activity
- Supporting local union infrastructureProvides ongoing support to over 1,300 local unions across New York State, ranging in size from fewer than 10 to over 140,000 members, including assistance with collective bargaining and organizational development.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$186.37M
Contributions & grants$165.04M89%
Program service revenue$8.80M5%
Investment income$9.23M5%
Other revenue$3.30M
expenses
Total expenses$144.98M
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$84.88M
Grants paid out$269K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$351.58M
Cash$51.34M
Investments$253.44M
Liabilities$231.81M
Net assets$119.76M
Liquid reserves25.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +5.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 25
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELINDA PERSON | PRESIDENT | 35 | $471K |
| RONALD G GROSS | 2ND VICE PRESIDENT | 35 | $404K |
| JAIME CIFFONE | EXEC VP | 35 | $402K |
| JONATHAN D RUBIN | DEPUTY EXEC DIR / DIR OF FIELD | 35 | $357K |
| MICHAEL ROWAN | RSD | 35 | $355K |
| LENA ACKERMAN | ASST. GENERAL COUNSEL | 35 | $346K |
| JEFFREY J LOCKWOOD | CFO, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 35 | $345K |
| TYRONE HENDRIX | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $341K |
| TIMOTHY OBRIEN | RSD | 35 | $339K |
| ROBERT T REILLY | GENERAL COUNSEL | 35 | $339K |
| PETER APPLEBEE | DIRECTOR PROG & POLICY DEV | 35 | $328K |
| ALITHIA RODRIGUEZ-ROLON | DIR - LEGISLATION | 35 | $321K |
| JENNIFER A HOGAN | ASSOC GENERAL COUNSEL | 35 | $320K |
| ELIZABETH N RICHARDSON | POLITICAL DIRECTOR | 35 | $308K |
| JENNIFER A KASEMAN | DIR OF MEM GROWTH | 35 | $308K |
| CARRIE ANDREWS | DIR OF PROG SVCS | 35 | $306K |
| CHRISTOPHER COLABELLO | RSD | 35 | $304K |
| LAUREN RYBA | COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT | 35 | $302K |
| GREGORY MCCREA | ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT | 35 | $296K |
| JAMES MORRISON | DIRECTOR - COMMUNICATIONS | 35 | $277K |
| J PHILIPPE ABRAHAM | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 35 | $265K |
| WAYNE WHITE | DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL JUSTICE | 35 | $262K |
| EMILY SAMUELS | MGR, HUMAN RESOURCES | 35 | $262K |
| MONICA YUENGER | CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER | 35 | $261K |
| MICHAEL DEELY | FORMER DIRECTOR MEM GROWTH ORGAN | 35 | $253K |
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- AFL-CIO Coalition — Member of national labor federation
- AFT StateWeb Partner — Provides a free, easy-to-use web solution for NYSUT local unions.
- American Federation of Teachers Network — Formally affiliated national union partner
- American Federation of Teachers Partner — Collaborates with NYSUT on issues related to artificial intelligence in collective bargaining.
- BOCES Partner — Constituency group receiving tailored resources and services from NYSUT Program Services
- DemocracyReady NY Partner — Collaborates with NYSUT to advocate for increased state investment in civic learning and media literacy instruction.
- Education International Network — Global union federation of which NYSUT is a part
- First Book Partner — Partners with First Book to distribute new, high-quality books to students in need.
- Local Unions Network — Network of over 1,200 local unions affiliated with NYSUT.
- NAACP NYS Conference Partner — Engages in joint discussions on strengthening civic education and empowering students to think critically and participate in democracy.
- National Education Association Network — Formally affiliated national education association
- United University Professions (UUP) Partner — Shares headquarters space and collaborates with NYSUT in representing higher education professionals.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Federated Local Representation Modelmethodology: federated_local_representationBy structuring as a federation of local unions with regional service networks, the organization delivers responsive member support and advocacy tailored to local contexts because decentralized representation increases relevance, trust, and mobilization capacity.
- Grassroots Democratic Governancemethodology: grassroots_democracyBy enabling members to elect leaders and set policy through a Representative Assembly, the union ensures that advocacy reflects the collective will and priorities of its base, strengthening legitimacy and engagement because decisions emerge from bottom-up participation.
- Labor-First AI Integration Frameworkmethodology: labor-principles framework for AIBy applying core labor principles—due process, transparency, job protection—to the governance of AI in education, the union shapes technological change to serve workers’ rights and educational equity, because proactive policy framing prevents exploitation and maintains professional autonomy.
- Social Engagement for Organizational Resiliencemethodology: relationship-building-through-social-engagementBy organizing social gatherings outside of work, the union strengthens interpersonal bonds among members, which in turn increases collective resilience and advocacy effectiveness because trust built through informal relationships sustains mobilization during conflicts.