Grateful Gatherings

“Grateful gatherings, www.gratefulgatherings.org, is a 501c3 non-profit providing furniture and household items to those transitioning out of homelessness, poverty or crisis. We do this through community driven donation drives. Currently, we have 6 chapters throughout the bay area and we have chapter leaders who run those chapters with their own community partners. Chapter leaders are introduced, directed and supervised by our director of programs and co-founder chris flitter. After an initial meeting, chapter leaders are given the chapter handbook and the director of programs guides them through the policies and procedures in the handbook. All chapter leaders are required to be on a gathering as a volunteer before taking on the lead role of a chapter leader (volunteer position). Chapter leaders are required to meet the families, see the homes, and gather volunteers and donors together to help the family in need. Gatherings consist of one-day volunteer driven events where the community donates and collects furniture and household items to families in need. The same day the items are delivered, unpacked and set up in the home. Responsibilities for the chapter coordinator would include: "recruit volunteers and donors through personal or external network. This can happen through friends, work, church, school, etc. Manage email lists. "oversee chapter budget and act as a liaison between director of programs and volunteers and donors. "meet with clients and organize site visits prior to each gathering. "research and help recruit agencies to partner within their area. Director of programs will assist in this process. -create and write acknowledgments to donors and volunteers. This is done after each event and includes photos which are to be uploaded to the website under the supervision of the grateful gatherings marketing coordinator.”

“Form 990 is prepared by an outside tax professional. The form is then reviewed by the organization's board. After a full review (with modifications where necessary), the final version of the tax return is provided to all members of the organization's voting body. The president signs the e-file authorization and all returns are e-filed.”

“Members of the board of directors review all potential conflicts of interest at least annually. All personnel and board members are required to disclose (in writing) potential conflicts and any related party affiliations. Loans between the organization and members of management and the board are strictly prohibited. The organization seeks full transparency on all relationships. Any potential conflicts (in fact or appearance) are discussed openly and resolved in accordance with the organization's policies and procedures”

“The board of directors decides the salary and benefits of the executive director. The board, which consists of independent members, has reviewed relevant data and determined fair and equitable compensation based on compensation of executive directors of agencies of similar size, field and location to the agency.”

“The executive director determines the salary and/or wages of all other staff, based on current market compensation practices and the minimum wage.”

“All of the organization's governing documents, financial statements and other legal filings are maintained in a secure environment and held available for inspection by tax authorities and the general public. Tax returns are available upon request at the organization's location in oakland, ca”

“Volunteers stepped up and inspired us even amid the adjustments and crisis of the 2020 pandemic. An estimated 168 volunteers helped grateful gatherings in 2020. Volunteers helped collect, organize, and set up the family's home as part of our "gathering days." covid temporarily paused these activities in march; however, we returned to small volunteer-driven "gathering days" by the summer, following new safety protocols. When covid hit, volunteers then began picking up and delivering food boxes and other emergency needs like cleaning supplies to families in crisis. Some volunteers helped drop off activities for the kids. In addition, volunteers created and ran a virtual arts & craft camp for the kids, utilizing local high school students as the "camp counselors." at year end, volunteers helped buy and deliver gifts during our annual holiday adopt-a-family program.”