2024-05-22T20:49:17-05:00 2023-09-30 320530003 QUIGLEY & MIRON 3550 WILSHIRE BLVD 1660 LOS ANGELES CA 90010 990 2022-10-01 271350279 The 5 Gyres Institute 5GYR 3233951843 PO Box 5699 Santa Monica CA 90409 Anna Cummins Executive Director 3233951843 2024-05-22 Anna Cummins 999009999 0 ARMEN GRIGORIAN P01582463 2136393550 2 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z Anna Cummins PO Box 5699 Santa Monica CA 90409 1124257 0 X www.5gyres.org X 2009 CA 5 Gyres mission is to empower action against the global health crisis of plastic pollution through science, education, and adventure. 13 8 9 8 0 0 1051825 1100158 390 0 918 19071 0 0 1053133 1119229 0 0 0 0 703933 838850 39494 57344 351535 466435 387130 1209862 1283324 -156729 -164095 1178484 952564 191818 158975 986666 793589 X The 5 Gyres Institute (5 Gyres) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, with a global network of supporters united in the pursuit of a planet free of plastic pollution. 5 Gyres' mission is to empower action against the global health crisis of plastic pollution through science, education, and advocacy. Since its inception in 2009, 5 Gyres has been a science-based pioneer in plastic pollution research and exploration. The organization originally set out to answer a set of key scientific questions, including the global scope, distribution, and impacts of plastic pollution. In 2014 5 Gyres published the first global estimate of marine plastic pollution, and recently updated these findings with the most comprehensive publication to date on ocean plastics. (PLOS ONE, 2023) 5 Gyres' goal is to reduce the harm from plastic pollution by 20% by 2030. 0 0 447514 ScienceScience has always been the cornerstone of 5 Gyres' work, informing our solutions, strategies, and focus. 5 Gyres strives to ask questions and choose study topics that are not only relevant and relatable, but ultimately provide the public, policymakers, and brands with the information they need to make better buying, sourcing, designing, and end-of-life decisions for their products. We take our role as the "honest broker" of scientific research seriously!Plastic Smog AlertAlmost a decade after the first Global Estimate of Marine Plastic Pollution, we published an updated paper: more than 170 trillion plastic particles, weighing approximately 2 million tonnes, are afloat in the world's oceans. This research made waves around the world, with more than 100 articles published in various languages, reaching millions of people and sparking conversation ahead of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations.Better Alternatives 3.0As promising research continues to emerge around alternative materials to single-use plastic, our Better Alternatives 3.0 report offers greater transparency around their real-world behavior in the environment. We hosted a State of the Science webinar, where leading experts discussed the role novel materials can play in plastic pollution solutions and where we need to exercise caution.Sectors FrameworkThere are many unique sources of plastic pollution, such as microfibers from textiles, microplastics from agricultural practices, floating ocean plastics from fishing gear, and everyday single-use packaging. Solutions for each of these require specific designs, policy approaches, and innovation. We published a sector-based framework that will guide our research and solutions in the coming years.Microfibers: Tiny polluter, big environmental impactPlastic microfibers shed from our clothes when we wear, wash, and dry them, making their way into our air, waterways, ocean, food, and bodies. 5 Gyres continues to narrow the focus on this microscopic polluter through expeditions and symposiums with experts in the field, policy work backed by our science that proves filtration is a viable solution, and joining hands with cause partners in the sustainable fashion space to create a multi-pronged approach to tackle this problem.Setting Sale for SolutionsLeaders from the textiles sector joined us on a tall ship in September as we raised our sails and embarked on an expedition in San Francisco Bay to chart microfiber pollution solutions. An intimate crew of changemakers in the textile industry came on board with two important goals: conduct scientific research on microfibers, and foster open discussions about potential solutions.Leading LegislationOur research shows that filtration is an effective, near-term solution to reduce microfiber emissions from laundering clothing. We co-sponsored AB 1628 (McKinnor), which would have required new washing machines in California to contain a microfiber filtration system by 2029. While Governor Newsom vetoed this bill, we will continue to advocate for this solution - and more - in 2024.Building a Roadmap in 2024WOVEN is an upcoming series of convenings that will bring together leading researchers, industry innovators, and policymakers to develop comprehensive strategies for microfiber pollution. Following productive discussions on our microfiber sail, WOVEN will continue this momentum to build a roadmap for reducing microfiber emissions to the environment. 163889 TrashBlitz: Local Data Driving Real ChangeTrashBlitz supports community science volunteers around the world in collecting data on trash that has entered the environment. Our brand new mobile app makes it easier than ever for volunteers to take part and offers greater functionality, like geotagging specific locations. This localized data helps to paint a data-driven picture of a region's trash footprint and informs 5 Gyres' science-based recommendations that help reduce plastic pollution.Plastic-Free ParksIn the second year of our national parks-focused campaign, we had nationwide volunteers log more than 8,000 pieces of trash from 32 national parks and federal lands. This data helps to identify which materials, items, and brands of waste are most common in order to work toward solutions that protect our parks. This data was even used to support the New York Attorney General's lawsuit against PepsiCo!OfficeBlitzInsight Global joined us in piloting the very first OfficeBlitz, a spinoff of our TrashBlitz program that identifies data-informed solutions to reduce waste in corporate cultures. OfficeBlitz measures the plastic pollution footprint in corporate offices and gives companies the data they need to design specific solutions.TrashBlitz Community FundBig change starts at the community level, and TrashBlitz is a proven tool to increase environmental stewardship, build coalitions, and drive policy change. Through our Community Fund, we provided funding and support for two groups to implement a TrashBlitz in their region, bringing TrashBlitz to New Orleans and the Winyah Bay Watershed in South Carolina. 98817 POLICY: Advocating for Real SolutionsWe believe that with better policies in place, the next generation will have a fighting chance to see climate change balanced through innovative product and packaging solutions, dedicated corporate accountability, and better consumer behavior. The 5 Gyres advocacy team engages in policy work through coalition-building on local, regional, national, and global scales. Through these networks, we advocate for better regulation of plastic usage and disposal worldwide by providing scientific data to further policy change.Testifying Before Congress5 Gyres' co-founder, Dr. Marcus Eriksen, testified before Congress about the efficacy of biomaterials and where they can play a role in the shift away from fossil fuel-based plastics, stating, "The innovation and entrepreneurship in this space gives me hope for the future."Global Plastics TreatyTo guide negotiations for an effective Global Plastics Treaty, we contributed peer-reviewed science, including our updated Global Estimate of Marine Plastic Pollution. Additionally, 5 Gyres participated in meetings with U.S. environmental NGO stakeholders to discuss strategies and supported the establishment of a potential science-policy panel.Reducing Waste in National Parks5 Gyres supported and secured 63+ co-sponsors for the Reducing Waste in National Parks Act, which would reduce and eliminate the sale and distribution of single-use plastics in national parks. This bill would address some of the most common items found across national parks during our Plastic-Free Parks campaign, including plastic bottles, bags, and utensils. 59747 AmbassadorsIn FY 2023, 5 Gyres continued to develop The Gyre, our Ambassador-focused newsletter that includes news, action items, and events for Ambassadors to get involved and take action on plastic pollution. It also serves as a way for Ambassadors to share their own work and achievements, and foster relationship-building within the community. The Gyre saw high engagement, averaging a 43% open rate and 49 clicks per newsletter throughout the year. Some accomplishments of 5 Gyres Ambassadors in FY 2023 included launching a #WashSmarter campaign in Canada to encourage microfiber filtration, hosting a zero-waste outrigger event that included a TrashBlitz cleanup, and stand-up paddling the length of the Baja Peninsula (1,000 miles) to raise awareness about plastic pollution.EducationFunds in the education department were spent towards education and movement building around reuse and refill as an alternative to single-use disposable foodware. The Education and Outreach Coordinator dedicated the majority of his time to working on bi-lingual restaurant surveying and local grassroots organizing in Los Angeles. 59747 769967 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 16 0 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 13 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 CA X Stephanie Zill 2134227373 PO Box 36128 Los Angeles CA 90036 Kathleen Egan Board Chair 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Ashley Van Stone Board Secretary 1.00 X 0 0 0 Anna Cummins Executive Director 40.00 X X 99089 0 0 Teresa Ish Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jonathan Taylor Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Pam Marcus Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Lacey Reddix Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 John Lochner Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Aaron McKinnon Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Lisa Erdle Director of Science & Innovation 40.00 X X 49688 0 4019 Sara Mais Director of Development 40.00 X X 68123 0 0 Alison Waliszewski Director of Programs & Policy 40.00 X X 65833 0 28 Andra Janieks Marketing Director 40.00 X X 74708 0 6028 357441 0 10075 0 0 0 0 0 1100158 1100158 18566 18566 5533 5028 505 505 505 1119229 0 0 19071 X 446361 278300 10283 157778 306429 210069 69192 27168 26510 17507 4770 4233 59550 38656 6438 14456 26570 26570 20983 20983 57344 57344 167134 115110 3640 48384 10247 10247 4286 4286 31429 19672 11757 6410 6410 9180 9180 7553 7553 Expeditions 34040 34040 Payroll Processing Fees 26491 17196 2864 6431 Software and apps 23030 23030 Taxes and licenses 16847 8152 8695 2930 1102 874 954 1283324 769967 161822 351535 1035868 37205 307356 125750 26470 50 50 2281 576128 14535 5355 1178484 952564 41818 8975 150000 150000 191818 158975 X 701075 649837 285591 143752 986666 793589 1178484 952564 -164095 -28982 0 X 0 1 X 0 0 X 1053067 1190407 1104977 1051825 1100158 5500434 1053067 1190407 1104977 1051825 1100158 5500434 700036 4800398 105 12 18566 18683 5519117 960 0.86980 0.93850 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 14504 0 1 6479 20983 0 Part II-B, Line 1: Policy is an ever-changing and slow-moving process, but we are thrilled to be on the front lines of using science to inform real change by participating in coalition building networks and advocating for upstream solutions in our local, national, and global communities. This year's work led to impressive progress made at the Local, State, and Federal levels. 0 X 1090247 -28982 -28982 1119229 0 1119229 1283324 0 1283324 0 1283324 Part X, Line 2: Accounting standards require an organization to evaluate its tax positions and provide for a liability for any positions that would not be considered 'more likely than not' to be upheld under a tax authority examination. Management has evaluated its tax positions and has concluded that a provision for a tax liability is not necessary at September 30, 2023 and 2022. Generally, the Organization's information returns remain open for examination for a period of three (federal) or four (state of California) years from the date of filing. X 1 Rachel Labbe-Bellas 1847 DeBiencourt Montreal Quebec CA Professional Fundraising 0 41667 6594 35073 Katherine Kerr 163 Florence Drive Jupiter FL 33458 Fundraising Strategy 0 0 5750 -5750 Jennifer L Sissler 1519 Church Hill Place Reston VA 20194 Fundraising Strategy 0 0 45000 -45000 41667 57344 -15677 Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 2 Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen are married. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b The Board of Directors reviews the Form 990 prior to filing the return. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 Documents and forms are available upon written request to the organization. Form 990, Part IX, line 11g Program contractors: Program service expenses 98,572. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 98,572. Research fees: Program service expenses 150. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 150. Other Professional Fees: Program service expenses 16,388. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 48,384. Total expenses 64,772. Merchant fee: Program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 3,640. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 3,640.