Accountability Counsel

“The tax return is prepared by an outside accounting firm. After completion of said returns, the organization is sent a draft of the tax returns to be reviewed and examined. The organization makes copies of the returns and distributes to those individuals charged with governance. Those individuals at that time can review and if applicable discuss any line items in the return with the accountant who has prepared the return. If all items are found to be acceptable, an authorization is signed and provided to authorize the outside accounting firm to process, sign and provide copies of the returns to be filed (paper or electronically) with the designated governmental agencies. The tax returns are then signed by the organization, stamped and mailed with certified return receipt or the signed form 8879 is provided to the outside accounting firm allowing electronic filing.”

“The Directors, Officers, and Key Employees of Accountability Counsel must complete a Compliance Form on an annual basis, which includes an affirmation that they have received a copy of the Conflict of Interest Policy, have read and understand the Policy, agree to comply with the Policy, and information on all actual or potential Conflicts of Interest involving them or their family members. The Compliance Form also contains an affirmation that the they understand that Accountability Counsel is charitable in nature and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption, it must engage primarily in activities that accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt charitable purposes.”

“The Executive Directors compensation is set by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors (Board members minus the Board President, who is the Executive Director). The Board sets compensation based on Executive Director performance and benchmarking to other leaders of social enterprises making similar levels of impact. The compensation of other key employees is set by the Executive Director, reviewing performance and benchmarking to similar key roles, with a goal of being a competitive leader to attract and retain key talent.”

“Federal Tax Returns are available at guidestar.org & charitynavigator.org.”

“Governing documents are available for public inspection at the principal place of business. They can also be found online at https://accountabilitycounsel.org/about-us/governance-and-financials/.The conflict of interest policy and the organization's financial statements are available upon request.”

“COVID impacted our ability to work in person with many of the communities we serve through our Communities Program. Communities program work temporarily shifted to relying more deeply on local partners where in person travel has not been possible. We shifted to virtual and telephonic-based communications to ensure continuity of advocacy support where possible. Travel is now resuming.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Communities Achievements: Continuation from page 2, Form 990In Uganda, we supported community members in Kawaala, Kampala to file a complaint to the World Banks Inspection Panel regarding the social and environmental impacts of a large drainage channel. The project as proposed will require the eviction of families who have lived and farmed on that land for decades. Their complaint is now the first case to use the World Banks new dispute resolution (mediation) service: a service that only exists because of the painstaking advocacy of our Policy team and partners. As the mediation progresses, Accountability Counsels Communities and Policy teams are working together to push the World Banks new mechanism to adopt best practices for public sector dispute resolution, in order to set the best possible precedent for every case that follows this one.In Haiti, we supported farmers who reached a historic agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank and the Haitian government to remedy harm resulting from their displacement by an industrial park. As a result of our advocacy alongside community representatives, we have seen important progress in implementation: with preparations for the first replacement land parcels to be distributed to vulnerable families; further water pumps delivered and wells dug; students receiving scholarships for vocational training; and the successful delivery of a small business development program to more than 180 families.In Nepal, we supported Indigenous communities affected by high-voltage transmission lines to engage in a complaint process with an accountability office regarding the need for free, prior and informed consent. In mid-2021, our team achieved a long-awaited and hard-fought victory with those communities, when a landmark investigation found that the European Investment Bank must take urgent steps to uphold communities right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent in its funding of the hydropower sector. We are now pushing the bank to respect and fully implement that recommendation.In Kenya, we supported farmers and Lamu communities to raise grievances to investors about the harmful impacts of a proposed coal-fired power plant on the environment, cultural heritage sites, and traditional livelihoods. Our team coordinated with partners to send a series of letters to past and potential financiers of the coal-fired power plant to discourage future investment in the project. As a result of efforts by Save Lamu and the international coalition supporting it (including our team), the coal plant project remains unfunded and now appears unlikely to proceed.In Ukraine, we supported villagers in a complaint process seeking solutions to harm from an industrial poultry operation with 17 million chickens that is seeking substantial expansion without adequate safeguards. After the project company withdrew from a dialogue process with community representatives in mid 2021, our team supported those representatives to pivot their accountability strategy to seek an independent investigation of the project and its impacts.In Mongolia, we supported nomadic herders with implementation of agreements reached through dispute resolution to remedy harm from a large mine. These agreements aim to help local herders continue their traditional way of life while accessing support for alternative livelihoods. While implementation of those agreements has been slowed due to COVID-19, in 2021, we conducted surveys of herders to obtain their input on the prioritization of implementation measures in preparation for renewed implementation activity.In Myanmar, we supported Indigenous communities to advocate for their rights, forests, and peace through an accountability office complaint about a top-down conservation project in a conflict zone. Having achieved project suspension two years ago, we have supported communities in their advocacy around an alternative, Indigenous-led conservation plan and regarding c”