Glassroots Inc.

“THE FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY the outside auditor AND REVIEWED BY MANAGEMENT. A DRAFT OF THE FORM 990 IS PROVIDED TO THE BOARD FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL PRIOR TO FILING THE FORM 990 with the department of the treasury.”

“THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS DISTRIBUTED AT A BOARD MEETING ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE BOARD MEMBERS SIGN A STATEMENT THAT THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICY. Any conflicts are reviewed and discussed by the board to ensure full transparency for all board actions.”

“THE SEARCH COMMITTEE ANALYZEs COMPARATIVE SALARY DATA FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH LEADERS OF COMPARATIVE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND THROUGH A SURVEY OF NONPROFIT SALARY DATABASES AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AND THROUGH BOARD EXECUTIVE COMITTEE CONTACTS as part of the compensation determination process for the Executive Director.”

“Governing documents are available to the public upon request.”

“The organization refinanced their mortgage in fy2015 and as a result wrote off the prior year deferred loan costs which resulted in a loss of $4,697.”

“GlassRoots works diligently to counter the challenges youth face by providing a safe environment, positive role models, and rigorous program and skill development opportunities through the creation of glass art. Our 13-year history has successfully proven that it is possible to marry art and entrepreneurship through real life application of talent, interest and skills. GlassRoots core programs, offered for teens and young adults, include STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) and are offered as in-school residencies, after-school and summer arts programs, and as workshops, using competency in handling molten glass as a pathway to personal development. GlassRoots also engages adults in "art for art's sake" workshops held on evenings and weekends. In our hotshop at 10 Bleeker Street, risky behaviors are replaced by production teamwork as student groups form glass vases, cups and artistic items in the 2,200 degree heat of our furnace; in our flameworking studio they use gas torches to melt glass and create fine jewelry; in our flat shop students explore the ancient art of mosaics along with more modern techniques, and in our classrooms, business and entrepreneurship come to life. GlassRoots programs engage students over a long term and have the potential for a high impact. With the growing complexity of the world and the increasing demands of the 21st-century workforce, there is little question that all students should graduate from high school fully prepared for college AND careers. All of our secondary school programs use a college and career readiness frame, especially for STEM-related majors and careers. GlassRoots uses glassmaking and the elements fire and danger to engage youth while teaching them about the math, physics, chemistry and history of glass. Since glassmaking is a collaborative effort, our students also learn life skills such as focus, teamwork, problem solving and responsible behavior. While our educational programs focus on youth in high risk situations, we also serve special needs and home schooled students as well as disabled adults. Recent Achievements 1. During the last academic year we served 1080 youth from 82 different schools in 495 visits over 1400 hours. 2. In October 2014 we successfully launched our Varis Scientific Glass Program - training young adults ages 18-24 to make and repair the highly technical glass used in chemistry and pharmaceutical labs and enabling them to walk into entry-level jobs starting at 2 times the minimum wage. Industry and higher education organizations partnered with us on this important program. 3. GlassRoots board elected it's first-ever student board representative. 4. By invitation, one of our teaching artists presented a paper on our Scientific Glassblowing program at an international conference in Canberra. Our Executive Director spoke at the international Glass Arts Society conference. 5. GlassRoots entered into an important partnership with Rutgers University Newark and continued partnerships with Newark arts, education, funding and community organizations. 6. We installed a magnificent public mural in the new Hotel Indigo Newark Downtown, a source of immense pride for our staff and students who could see their artistry enhancing a public space. 7. We developed and hosted an innovative Glass Volcano Program in partnership with the Earth Science Department at Rutgers Newark bringing science to life through glass for 350 Newark students. 8. Our craft entrepreneurship program, launching in November, was fully funded by two generous foundations. Young women in Newark will have a place to both build community and small businesses to provide supplemental income to help forge their futures. 9. 100% of our eligible students graduated from high school in June. 10. We recovered from a fire outside of our studios, rebuilt our 7-year old furnace, and ended the year solidly financially in the black.”