The Loft Inc

“An initial draft of the 990 is reviewed in detail by the finance committee of the board. After changes or corrections, if needed, the near final draft of the 990 is distributed to full board in pre-read material prior to the January board meeting. The treasurer/finance committee chair reviews the document for the board with assistance of representatives from the independent auditors, if needed. Board members are invited to ask questions and submit any further corrections. The Treasurer recommends approval of the 990 (with changes, as needed) and a full vote of the board is called. The board must approve the 990 before it is submitted.”

“Each year, typically at the first meeting of the fiscal year as a 'standing agenda item,' all board members are asked to review the conflict of interest policy for the purpose of stating and/or updating their disclosures, and to sign and date the form.”

“Relying in substantial part on the bi-annual survey of non-profit salaries conducted and published by the minnesota council of non-profits, the board of director's executive committee establishes the salary for the executive director, within the limits established by the board of directors in approving the organization's budget. The executive director in turn, uses the same procedure for establishing salaries for all other staff, including the managing director.”

“The organization makes its financial statements and 990 available to the public on its website. The governing documents and conflict of interest policy are held at the organization's offices and are available upon request.”

“The loft advances the artistic development of writers, fosters a thriving literary community, and inspires a passion for literature. As an intergenerational, multicultural literary arts center, the loft operates as an artist service organization, a gathering place for readers and writers, a community school for the arts, and a presenting organization. Each year the loft nurtures hundreds of novelists, poets, spoken word artists, and writers in every genre and style, and connects readers and live audiences in the twin cities and across minnesota with contemporary literature, reaching over 750,000 people annually.”

“Creative Writing Education: The Organization offered Classes for Writers and Readers during fiscal year 2018 at Open Book, at libraries and community sites throughout the greater Twin Cities area and online. Adults and youth (ages 6-90+) at all levels of artistic development furthered their skills in classes focused on fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, screen/playwriting, children's literature, graphic novel, and other literary forms, learned more about developing a writing practice and career, and explored literature as readers. All classes were taught by accomplished writers and literary professionals. This year, the Organization served 3,040 adults and 834 youth in 385 classes and workshops, schools and community programs, and one conference, spanning the broadest range of genres. Poetry Out Loud - a recitation competition, offered 1950 students from 21 Minnesota schools the opportunity to participate in literary learning opportunities and advance to a national competition. To mitigate financial barriers to participation in creative writing classes, the organization provided 663 low income discounts, 211 additional subsidies to students from traditionally underrepresented communities and 241 scholarships, in addition to a work-study program, and free writing classes in partnership with eight regional library systems across the greater Twin Cities. Other collaborations with libraries, schools, community centers and human service organizations brought the organization education programs to a range of locations throughout the state.”

“Awards, Grants, and Events: In fiscal year 2018, the organization provided a range of competitive opportunities that allowed emerging writers to advance their artistic and professional development. McKnight artist fellowships for writers provided five minnesota writers of demonstrated ability with grants of $25,000, buying them time to concentrate on their craft. the writers were competitively selected for awards in poetry, spoken word, and children's literature. the mentor series in poetry and creative prose offered twelve emerging Minnesota writers opportunity to work intensively with six nationally acclaimed writers in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. four writers in each genre were selected for the program by the mentors. mentors and mentees spend tme working in groups and one-on-one and mentees receive a $1,000 grant. students and mentors present their work in public readings throughout the year. the spoken word immersion fellowship provided grants of $7,500 for four spoken word artists of color to pursue projects in the communities that inspire their work. this was the final year of the fellowship. literary events - authors' readings and performances helped develop audiences for literature while promoting and advancing the work of individual writers. events also featured writers and thought leaders using literature to spur conversations on topical issues. events took place throughout the year at the target performance hall, open book, as well as a variety of partner locations. three thousand individuals attended 42 events including community gatherings and shared readings featuring mentors with fellows from the mentor series, authors of young adult literature, minnesota writers and spoken word performers. in almost all cases, the readings, interviews and performances were followed by a dialogue with the artists.”

“literary Community and Writers Services: Loft.org, the Organizations website, provided regular articles and fostered discussions about the writers life and craft Through a daily blog, The Writers Block. There, writers found writing exercises, literary reviews, commentary, news, and discussion. The site also included interviews, a calendar of readings and events, an online catalog of classes, and resources including information about writing groups, competitions, grants, awards, publishers, and agents. Visitors perused and checked out current and back issues of literary magazines as well as books published by Minnesota presses, books by regional writers including the Organizations instructors, members and students, and writers' reference books from The Rachel Anne Gaschott Ritchie Small Press Library. Sixty-three writers made use of the Organizations writers studios, four Organization-sponsored culturally distinct writing groups met regularly at Open Book and eleven literary groups used the Book Club Room this year.”