Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc.

“The first level of review of the Form 990 is by Mountain Association's Chief Financial Officer, who provides the preparer with the information for the return and works closely with the preparer to ensure its accuracy and completeness. The President or Chief Operating Officer reviews the form before signing it. The board's finance committee also reviews the Form 990. Following the finance committee review, the Form 990 is distributed to the board electronically before it is submitted to the IRS.”

“The Mountain Association bylaws include a conflict of interest policy that specifies conflicts of interest to be avoided. The board of directors may make exceptions to the policy in specific cases when the situation is fully disclosed to them. A provision of the conflict of interest policy is that each director, officer and employee must receive, sign and return a copy of a summary of the conflict of interest policy. Annually, Mountain Association board members and key employees sign the summary anew, affirming that they have read and understand the policy. As part of the annual audit process, board members and other related parties fill out a related party questionnaire on which they report any interests and transactions that could give risk to conflicts of interest. Any conflicts of interest are disclosed as part of the audited financial statements.”

“Annually, the Mountain Association President is evaluated through a process guided by the board executive committee, composed of the board officers (chair, vice-chair, board treasurer and board secretary). The executive committee reports its findings to the board in closed session. After considering the committee's report, the board sets the President's compensation for the following year. The board takes into account compensation levels reported on Forms 990 for the CEOs of three to five comparable organizations as well as its knowledge of compensation of positions in the private and nonprofit sectors with comparable levels of responsibility, qualifications and achievement. The President does not participate in or vote on the decision on the President's compensation. The board's decision on compensation is recorded in minutes which are presented and approved at the following board meeting. This process last took place in January 2023. The President determines the compensation of other staff, including those who serve as corporate officers, following an annual performance review of each staff member. Along with considerations of equity among staff, the President takes into account compensation levels reported on Forms 990 for officer positions in three to five comparable organizations and their knowledge of compensation of positions in the private and nonprofit sectors with comparable levels of responsibility, qualifications and achievement. Every change in a staff salary is documented in a letter to the staff member.”

“Mountain Association, its subsidiary Ridgecrest Enterprises, and its sister nonprofit Appalachian Investment Corporation, are audited each year. The corresponding audit report is on the consolidated financial statements of Mountain Association and its affiliates. This report is available at www.mtassociation.org. A separate audit on Mountain Association's stand-alone financial statements is not issued.”

“Mountain Association's articles of incorporation and audited financial statements are available on the Mountain Association web site, www.mtassociation.org. The conflict of interest policy is available upon request.”

“Consultants: Program service expenses 719,490. Management and general expenses 73,152. Fundraising expenses 396. Total expenses 793,038.”

“The method did not change from the prior year.”