Georgia Watch

“This organization has members.”

“The form 990 will be reviewed in detail by the executive committee of the board and approved for filing, after which it will be submitted to the entire board for ratification.”

“The board reviews the compensation package of the executive director and has ultimate authority for approval or denial over the package as well as the retention of the executive director.”

“The form 1023, form 990 and other governing documents are made available upon request at the organization's office.”

“Cy pres - other income: the organization was awarded a $56,684 grant from the greene v. Georgia cash america remainder fund from a class action lawsuit against a lending company that took advantage of georgia consumers.”

“Founded in 2002, georgia watch is the state's leading consumer advocacy organization, focused on issues that impact consumers' wallet and quality of life. Georgia watch is a non-profit, nonpartisan 501(c)3 organization that utilizes education and advocacy to help give consumers a strong ally to level the playing field with powerful special interests in the state. We work every day to create a georgia that is a model for consumer protection. Our work focuses on educating consumers and influencing public policies in ways that positively impact consumers. While we serve all georgia residents, we pay particular attention to vulnerable populations who most need a champion - senior citizens, low-income individuals, communities of color - those who are most at-risk for predatory business practices and most burdened by the high cost of utilities and healthcare. To fulfill our mission, georgia watch works closely with the public, coalition partners, legislators, regulators, and the media to serve as an advocate as well as a trusted resource for information and guidance. All georgia watch activities are managed and overseen by its staff and board of directors.”

“Briefly describe the organization's mission: our mission is to empower and protect georgia consumers on matters that impact their wallets and quality of life through education, advocacy and policy development. We work to influence public policies that positively impact consumers, safeguard consumer protections in the area of personal finance, promote access to safe and affordable healthcare, encourage fair utility rates and renewable energy options, protect the right to trial by jury and promote access to the courts.”

“4a) consumer education and advocacy programs georgia watch worked in 2015 to educate georgia citizens, the media and policymakers about critical areas of public concern, including predatory lending, proactive financial management, identity theft, scam avoidance and energy issues. Georgia watch offers numerous educational programs designed to assist georgians with basic consumer protections, including getting access to quality healthcare options; managing personal finances more effectively, and lowering energy bills. Georgia watch staff members travel around the state to present these programs, which are constantly updated and expanded as needed. These programs offer tools that help consumers build wealth, grow assets, and avoid predatory practices such as payday lending. We also advocated in 2015 for consumer protections against the debt settlement industry for financially vulnerable georgians before the georgia house of representatives. Georgia watch hosted free consumer workshops at community centers, libraries, and with civic groups around the state, offered a toll-free hotline for individual consumer questions and dispute resolution, published a monthly newsletter and was featured over 80 times in national, state and local media through print, television, radio and internet news. Our work in 2015 reached at least 50,000 consumers in all georgia counties.”

“4b) consumer energy program (cep) our consumer energy program impacted thousands of georgians in 2015 through our advocacy for safe, clean, and affordable energy and through our consumer hotline and web-based consumer resources. We successfully highlighted the critical role energy efficiency and resource diversification play in mitigating the impact of rising energy costs from georgia power company's predominantly nuclear-, coal- and oil-based portfolio. We regularly intervened in matters before the georgia public service commission (psc) to promote investment in clean, renewable energy and the retirement of coal plants. In 2015, we engaged with coalition partners to develop strategies around state compliance with the epa's clean power plan. We called on state energy regulators and georgia power to reduce harmful emissions while driving energy innovation, promoting clean energy job growth, and helping consumers save money on their power bills through energy efficiency. We also spoke up for consumers at the public service commission in the plant vogtle construction monitoring hearings. Nearly half the population of georgia is served by electric membership corporations or cooperatives (emcs), and a majority claim tax-exempt status under the provisions of the internal revenue code (i.r.c.), 501(c)(12). Rural emcs were founded in the 1930s on principles of democracy to meet the energy needs in remote and rural areas of the country. Georgia watch conducted research into emc practices regarding irs requirements and democratic membership involvement in governance. To promote emc transparancy and democracy, we released a report on our findings in november 2015.”

“4c) hospital accountability project/health access program (hap) in 2007 georgia watch created the hospital accountability program to promote increased transparency of billing practices at georgia hospitals, helping ensure affordable care for all. In 2012, georgia watch created the health access program to ensure access to affordable care for low income, under- and uninsured georgians. In january 2015, we released a comprehensive report examining barriers for advanced practice registered nurses (aprns) in georgia and suggested policy changes that would improve healthcare access in rural areas. In may 2015, we released a policy report that gave an in-depth look at the first round of community health needs assessments (chnas) conducted by georgia nonprofit hospitals. Eight hospitals are using georgia watch's chna report as an improvement tool.”

“Explanation: the organization holds funds in trust totaling $211,269 on 12/31/2015, as stated in the organization's separate audit of financial statements. For income tax reporting, the funds in trust are reported separately on form 990-ez for georgia watch foundation, inc. (ein 26-1477073). Georgia watch foundation, inc. Is identified in schedule r.”

“Section 1.263(a)-1(f) de minimis safe harbor election georgia watch 55 marietta street nw no. 903 atlanta, ga 30303 employer identification number: 16-1639971 for the year ending december 31, 2015, georgia watch is making the de minimis safe harbor election under reg. Sec. 1.263(a)-1(f).”