Athfest Incorporated

“Alicia nickles (chairperson, sponsorship chair) is co-owner of flagpole magazine, a weekly publication that covers the music and arts scene in and around athens, georgia. The organization contracts with flagpole magazine to provide coordination of sponsorship and vendor sales for the festival and the half marathon and the printing of the festival guide. Athfest pays commissions on sponsorship sales and sponsor trades to flagpole and its employees who generate sponsor revenues to the organization as well as reimburses flagpole for the printing costs of the festival guide. .......paul thomas (treasurer) is a cpa in the athens area. His clients include musicians, bands, agents, record lables, performance venues (night clubs), artists and others in the music and arts industry in and around athens. Paul has business relationships with several of the board members, committee chairs and/or their businesses. His firm is compensated for the preparation of annual form 990. ....... Russ hallauer (vice-chairperson). His employment in the marketing and advertising field add to the ability of the organization to better promote its programs and events. Russ is owner of ghostmeat records, which is contracted by the organization to produce an annual music compilation disc/album that features athens area bands. The compilation is used to promote the annual festival as well as educate the listeners about the variety of music in the athens area. Sales of the compilation help fund the organization's educational programs......... Troy aubrey (booking chair) is responsible for coordinating 130+ bands that perform at the annual festival on three outdoor stages and as many as 15 indoor venues, as well as bands that perform along the route of the annual half marathon fundraiser. Troy works for foundry entertainment. The organization contracts with foundry entertainment for the booking of the bands. Troy's wife works for flagpole magazine and generates sponsorship revenues for the organization and subsequently receives commissions from the organization.........”

“Committee chairs are nominated by the board from those who volunteer for the position. The existing committee chairs vote for the next years slate of chair positions. Committee chairs of the organization elect the board of officers for the year. All committee chairs are members of the board of directors.”

“Decisions by the executive committee are subject to approval by the board. Committees are given budgets and any expenses outside those budgeted are approved by the board in advance.”

“The form 990 is reviewed by the board and the committee chairs prior to the filing of the return.”

“A conflict of interest policy is reviewed and signed by the board and all committee chairs on an annual basis. All existing or potential conflicts are made known to the board and the chairs.”

“Jared bailey was the director of the organization. He resigned his position effective at the end of his employment contract which ended january 31st. His pay and benefits, including an end-of-contract bonus, were determined by the board of directors. Jill helme was hired as the athfest educates executive director in april 15, 2014. Jill has her master's degree in nonprofit leadership and brings with her extensive experience in nonprofit management including grant making, program development, program evaluation, and event planning. Jill has been working in youth development and education for more than 15 years and 8 of those have been in 501(c)(3) nonprofit setting.”

“Contracts with officers, board members, committee chairs or their related business entities are all made through written contracts and approved in advance by the unrelated board members.”

“Currently copies of the organizations form 990 are made available for public inspection at the organization's offices during normal business hours. Consideration is underway to add the 990 to the web page or link to the guidestar site that contains copies of the organization's 990. Other financial reports and documents are also open to public inspection as requested.”

“ROUNDING OF ENTRIES”

“SEE ATTACHED LISTINGS”