American Brain Foundation

“The CFO undertook extensive review of the draft Form 990 as initially prepared by the Finance Business Manager. Their review was thereafter augmented by exempt organizations Tax/Legal Counsel. This Form 990 was then presented to the Audit Committee by the CFO and other members of the management team. The Audit Committee reviewed the Form 990 and identified any agreed upon changes to be made. In line with Minnesota Law, the final Form 990 was approved by the Board of Directors. The final 990 was brought to the Board for discussion during a full meeting of the Board of Directors, prior to filing the final Form 990. At that time, the completed overview of this Form 990 was provided to the Board by the CFO.”

“The Foundation's conflict of interest policy covers individuals serving as an officer, director, committee member, or positions of official responsibility or leadership. All covered individuals are required to complete a relationship disclosure statement annually, or as changes in personal circumstances occur. The statements are reviewed and actions determined according to the Foundation's hierarchy based on position; or by the Executive Committee if a resolution cannot be made. Potential conflicts are handled on an individual basis. Actions taken depend on the severity of the conflict which include no action required, on-going monitoring with appropriate disclosure, or withdrawal from the conflicting relationship. Conflict of interest proceedings are documented in meeting minutes or as appropriate.”

“In 2017 the Foundation's Executive Director was leased to ABF through a contractual relationship with AAN. The ABF's Executive Committee is responsible for hiring and setting the compensation for the Executive Director. The committee employs procedures (use of independent consultant, compensation survey and approval by board) and last set compensation amounts in 2017.”

“The Foundation makes its financial statements and bylaws available to the public on its website. The Foundation does not make its other governing documents (e.g. articles of incorporation) nor its COI policy available to the public.”

“Because Jane Ransom's and Timothy Engel's services are accessed from the American Academy of Neurology (an unrelated organization) via a leasing arrangement, a "yes" answer is not require on Line 5. However, the compensation these individuals received from that organization is reported in Line 1a's Columns D and F as though it had been provided directly by ABF, with concomitant Schedule J reporting.”

“To expand support for research, the American Brain Foundation built and tested the world's first neuroscience crowdfunding platform, with the aim of formally launching campaigns in 2018. Crowdfunding advances our mission by bringing researchers and donors together online in campaigns to raise needed research dollars and raise public awareness.”