Connect Foundation

“Form 990 is first reviewed by the organization's accounting department and audit committee where it is compared against audited financial statements. Form 990 is then forwarded to the ceo for his review, with emphasis on non-financial information contained in the tax return. Once authorized by the ceo, the form 990 is sent to the audit committee for approval. Once approved, it is distributed to the full board for comments. Lastly, the tax preparer is notified that the form 990 is ready to be filed.”

“When a perceived conflict exists and is not raised, it is addressed with the individual and the individual is asked to abstain from voting or performing actions that would create a conflict.”

“A compensation committee made up of executives from various professions evaluate the ceo's salary annually. They compare his salary to comparable non-profit companies in the region using the "charity navigator ceo compensation study" the ceo's salary is adjusted upward based on meeting certain milestones, and can be deferred upon agreement by the ceo and the board.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements available to the public upon request. The form 990 is also available on www.guidestar.com.”

“Five.ten.thirty was the largest gathering of the innovation community in san diego history. Connect gathered 200 vcs, angel investors, ceos, ctos, dei leaders, national security leaders, and 160+ tech and life science companies, driving innovation across san diego to continue collective momentum forward to scaling up a more robust and more inclusive economy across the megaregion. Over 3,000 people attended this inaugural event. The goals of 5.10.30 are to celebrate community advancement, to generate interest outside of san diego and attract more talent to san diego; springboard, a business creation and development program in which business advisors provide mentorship to new technology companies who then present to a panel of industry veterans, investors and service providers; frameworks workshops, half-day, professional development programs structured to provide an overview of business basics through 'fundamentals': a vocabulary, foundation and 'framework' in which business leadership can be built around, and 'advanced workshops': a focused and detailed look at specialized and industry specific topics customized to fit the needs of a start-up company; connect innovation report, a regional quarterly index which tracks the health of the san diego innovation economy by comparing data year to year and quarter to quarter, providing a comparison across tech industry clusters to selected regions and monitoring availability of various types of capital. The data helps policymakers and trade organizations plan and advocate effectively for innovation economy including availability of visas and workforce training for talent in high growth clusters, building an attractive environment for capital investment, allocation of grant funding, reform of the patent system and zoning; summer social, an annual gathering of san diego entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, ceos, and service providers getting together to network, make relationships, and celebrate the innovation community of san diego. The program will resume in fiscal year 2023 (july 2022); meet a mentor, a program that matches early-stage companies with generalist mentors to answer questions ranging from ideas, business plans, marketing, and more; vc road trip, during day 2 of the cool companies private event, venture capitalists from all around the country embark on an outing, typically sailing, and are given a tour of san diego. The purpose of the day learn about san diego and to grow relationships between out-of-town venture capitalists and the san diego innovation community.”

“There have been no changes from the prior year by organization's committee that assumes responsiblity for oversight of the audit of the organization's financial statements and selection of an independent accountant.”