Local First Arizona Foundation

“The executive director of the organization distributes a pdf copy of the 990 return to all board members for review and comment prior to being filed. At the first meeting of the board following the filing of the 990 with the irs, the complete form 990 is presented to the board by the organizations lead officers with responsibility over the form 990s review thereafter, questions are taken and the form, its preparation, and its public relation impact is discussed.”

“At each board and committee meeting, if there is a discussion of selecting or engaging a vendor or service provider, all in attendance are asked to recuse themselves from this discussion if there could be a perceived conflict. Annually, the organization reviews and discusses the conflict of interest policy and requests that each board member list and acknowledge any known conflicts.”

“The executive committee reviews the compensation for the executive director by comparing her compensation to the compensation of individuals in like positions, in comparable organizations using forms 990, compensation studies, and other available data. The committee then approves any changes in compensation based on this information. The organization has no other paid officers or employees meeting the irs definition of a key employee.”

“Requests for copies of the organizations governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements may be made in writing or in person at the organizations main business location. All such requests are fulfilled in a timely manner.”

“Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 continued Program Accomplishment 3 and the Farm to School tours, which work to put healthy, local foods into the hands of our residents,from school kids to seniors. Our first school buyer tour this year included 23 school districts and 3 Arizona farms. Also, we hosted the Food and Farm Finance Forum which helps lower income, small scale growers to access the capital they so desperately need to produce more food and grow their companies.”

“Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 The Rural Technologies Program works with businesses in rural areas throughout Arizona to educate small and medium sized businesses about digital marketing tools and how these tools can bring them closer to customers and business services located within their own communities. Research has emerged that demonstrates that small and medium businesses in the rural communities of AZ are less connected to a network of customers, service providers or opportunities for collaboration within their own zip code, town, city or even the state of Arizona. These rural businesses are regular users of national, or international brands, of services such as FedEx, Kinkos online, Amazon, etc. simply because they are unaware of the print shop, shipping business or the retailer located within their own community. And, because of this, these potential partners are going out of business, and their employees losing jobs, in areas where new businesses are substantially less likely to emerge or create jobs.”

“Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Local First Arizona is working to help these businesses move to inexpensive and easy-to-use digital marketing mediums that connect them with their local supply chain partners. Local First Arizona provides training workshops, on-going support information and launch assistance to these businesses about building a website, utilizing optimization tools, participating in social media particularly Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and creating momentum that encourages their fellow business members and nearby rural residents to do the same. LFAF has served 87 rural small business this year with new technology workshops and ongoing consulting for improved business connectivity and community.”