Nonprofit · EIN 56-1656943
JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC
Tax-exempt · RALEIGH, NC 27609
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $5,424,918 | $5,409,677 | $15,241 | $4,814,680 | $2,329,465 | $2,485,215 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $5,051,424 | $5,571,462 | -$520,038 | $5,015,179 | $2,519,209 | $2,495,970 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $5,892,883 | $5,815,432 | $77,451 | $5,713,188 | $2,690,740 | $3,022,448 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $5,293,016
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $100,071
- Other revenue
- $31,831
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $208,565
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,483,317
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,265,028
- Professional fundraising fees
- $46,197
- Legal fees
- $29,908
- Accounting fees
- $140,653
- Occupancy
- $392,964
- Travel
- $139,428
- Depreciation
- $10,709
- Program services (functional)
- $4,566,982
- Management and general (functional)
- $167,917
- Fundraising (functional)
- $674,778
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $5,015,179
- Total assets, end of year
- $4,814,680
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $2,329,465
- Net assets, end of year
- $2,485,215
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $111,575
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,248,839
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $236,376
- Gross receipts
- $5,424,918
- Employees
- 46
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DONALD BRYSON | CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $208,565 | $18,010 |
| MICHAEL HARDEN | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $173,080 | $10,945 |
| BRIAN BALFOUR | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $116,232 | $16,198 |
| JON SANDERS | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $110,497 | $15,400 |
| DONNA KING | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $107,443 | $1,879 |
| JULIE EMMONS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| BILL GRAHAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID HOGG | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN HOOD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| TED HICKS II | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS MELE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| RODNEY PITTS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL SLOBODIAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL STAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID M STOVER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
1 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDWIN M THOMAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL HARDEN | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $204,008 | $9,780 |
| DONALD BRYSON | CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $188,861 | $15,922 |
| BRIAN BALFOUR | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $111,963 | $14,303 |
| JOHN SANDERS | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $108,238 | $14,386 |
| DONNA KING | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $101,584 | $450 |
| JIM ANTHONY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE EMMONS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| BILL GRAHAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN HOOD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| TED HICKS II | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS MELE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| RODNEY PITTS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL SLOBODIAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL STAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID M STOVER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| EDWIN M THOMAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 15 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMY COOKE | CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $195,000 | $15,577 |
| MICHAEL HARDEN | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $162,287 | $11,218 |
| DONALD BRYSON | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $151,532 | $14,784 |
| BRIAN BALFOUR | EMPLOYEE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $105,522 | $12,978 |
| JIM ANTHONY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| JULIE EMMONS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| BILL GRAHAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN HOOD | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| TED HICKS II | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS MELE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| RODNEY PITTS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL SLOBODIAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL STAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID M STOVER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
| EDWIN M THOMAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | – | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 4800 SIX FORKS RD STE 220, RALEIGH, NC 27609-5245
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- DONALD BRYSON
- Signed the 990
- DONALD BRYSON, CEO
- Phone
- (919) 828-3876
- Website
- WWW.JOHNLOCKE.ORG
- Return prepared by
- HOLLINGSWORTH AVENT AVERRE & PURVIS PA
Mission
THE PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO CONDUCT RESEARCH, DISSEMINATE INFORMATION, AND ADVANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SOCIETY BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY, THE VOLUNTARY EXCHANGES OF A FREE MARKET ECONOMY, AND LIMITED GOVERNMENT. THE FOUNDATION SHALL GIVE PRIORITY TO NORTH CAROLINA STATE PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES AND NATIONAL ISSUES AFFECTING NORTH CAROLINA.
Program accomplishments
- RESEARCH - THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS AND ANALYZES RESEARCH IN SEVERAL AREAS, INCLUDING FISCAL POLICY, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, LEGAL POLICY, AGRICULTURE, ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, REGULATION, ELECTION SECURITY, AND TRANSPORTATION. RESEARCH EFFORTS ALSO INCLUDE THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY, THE NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY PROJECT, THE CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION, AND THE CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE EDUCATION.Expenses $1,336,913
- COMMUNICATIONS - THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION AND OBJECTIVES IS SUPPORTED THROUGH MEDIUMS SUCH AS THE LOCKE WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AND EMAIL. THE COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE ALSO INCLUDES A STATE-OF-THE-ART STUDIO DESIGNED FOR CREATING SOUND AND VIDEO CONTENT.Expenses $820,736
- CAROLINA JOURNAL - CAROLINA JOURNAL OFFERS DAILY COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS OF NORTH CAROLINA POLITICS AND POLICY AND IS A LEADER IN INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IN THE STATE. THE OUTFIT MAINTAINS A NEWS MEDIA STRUCTURE THAT INCLUDES PRINT, DIGITAL, AND RADIO AND REACHES MARKETS STATE-WIDE.Expenses $1,098,934
- FIRST IN FREEDOM - THIS IS A ROBUST PROGRAM AREA THAT ENCOMPASSES THE FOUNDATION'S OUTREACH EFFORTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE EA MORRIS FELLOWSHIP AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, BOTH INTENDED TO TRAIN A NEW GENERATION OF LEADERS USING FREE-MARKET IDEAS; GRASSROOTS OUTREACH: AN EFFORT TO IDENTIFY, RECRUIT AND ENGAGE GRASSROOTS LEADERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE; GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS: EDUCATES ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ABOUT LIMITED GOVERNMENT POLICIES AT THE STATE LEVEL; AS WELL AS EVENTS SUCH AS THE CAROLINA LIBERTY CONFERENCE.Expenses $1,310,399
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 56-1656943
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1990
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $4,814,680
- Income (IRS master file)
- $5,424,918
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $5,424,918 | $5,409,677 | $4,814,680 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $5,051,424 | $5,571,462 | $5,015,179 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $5,892,883 | $5,815,432 | $5,713,188 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $1,794,897 | $5,153,263 | $3,444,638 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 56-1656943).
Questions about JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC
- What is the EIN of JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC is 56-1656943.
- Is JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1990.
- Are donations to JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names DONALD BRYSON.
- Who are the officers and directors of JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 16 people; 5 received compensation from the organization, the highest $208,565 (DONALD BRYSON, CEO).
- How much revenue does JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $5,424,918, expenses of $5,409,677 and total assets of $4,814,680 at year end.
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