Smartmeme DBA Center for Story-Based Strategy

“The tax return is prepared by an outside accounting firm. After completion of said returns, the organization is sent a draft of the tax returns to be reviewed and examined. The organization makes copies of the returns and distributes to those individuals charged with governance. Those individuals at that time can review and if applicable discuss any line items in the return with the accountant who has prepared the return. If all items are found to be acceptable, an authorization is signed and provided to authorize the outside accounting firm to process, sign and provide copies of the returns to be filed (paper or electronically) with the designated governmental agencies. The tax returns are then signed by the organization, stamped and mailed with certified return receipt or the signed form 8879 is provided to the outside accounting firm allowing electronic filing.”

“Employees and Board members of the organization are required to put in writing their conflicting interests when they first become an employee or Board member; then these are reviewed and updated annually. Annual Declarations of Conflict of Interest are distributed and signed by the CSS Board of Directors at the beginning of each Fiscal Year.”

“The organization determines the compensation of key employees, including the Executive Director (or CEO/top management official), by reviewing market data and comparable compensation levels for similar positions at organizations of comparable size, budget, and mission and taking into account the organizations financial data. This includes researching publicly available data from nonprofit compensation surveys, Form 990 filings of peer organizations, and other relevant industry benchmarks.”

“Federal Tax Returns are available at guidestar.org & ProPublica.”

“Governing documents are available for public inspection at the principal place of business.The conflict of interest policy and the organization's financial statements are available upon request.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Partnerships: CommOp CSS & their partner organizations successfully concluded a three-year project focused on advancing narrative and communications strategies for community led initiatives. Through a fellowship program, twenty fellows designed and implemented narrative projects that applied strategic communications and SBS tools to key initiatives within their local contexts. Through comprehensive training, individualized coaching, and four virtual narrative co-learning spaces, fellows refined their project concepts, received feedback from SBS practitioners and peers, and deepened their skills in using narrative as a tool for healthier communities.”