Care to Learn

“990 review process: the form 990 is prepared by an accounting firm based on the financial statements and information provided by management of the organization. Prior to filing, the executive director of care to learn emailed each board member a copy to review. The board was asked for input and feedback. Feedback was received and the 990 was updated.”

“Conflict of interest policy: any director, principal officer or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, is an interested person covered under this policy. Duty to disclose: in connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement. Determining whether a conflict of interest exists: after disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists. Procedures for addressing the conflict of interest: - an interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest. - the chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement. - after exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest. - if a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the organization's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement. Violations of the conflicts of interest policy: - if the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. - if, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.”

“Compensation review policy: a compensation review was completed in march of 2020, conducted by the executive committee of the governing board. The executive committee of the governing board used guidestar, charity navigator, and 990s of other organizations to determine compensation. Compensation review was completed by the executive director for other key employees in 2020.”

“Document disclosure policy: the governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available upon request.”

“Program service accomplishments: care to learn has filled over 318,000 needs of care in our last fiscal year. A need is each time one child is given one item/items to meet an emergent health, hunger or hygiene need. Since care to learn's founding, we have filled over 1,750,000 student needs. Care to learn started with one chapter in springfield public schools in 2008 and as of june 30, 2021, had 36 school district chapters. Care to learn uses a consistent partnership model to ensure we can consistently meet student needs. Care to learn works with the chapter to identify the unmet needs of under-resourced students. Then care to learn works with the chapter and community to develop funding for the basic health, hunger and hygiene needs identified. Chapters then fill the needs and care to learn manages the payments and funds. One of our core values is respect. We do not ask that students meet any qualifications. If a student needs help and a school official agrees there is a need, it is met. Therefore we do not have a lot of tracking. Each chapter is unique based upon the communities needs and resources. However, at least 30 of our 35 chapters have backpack programs or food pantries within the school which care to learn funds. Each chapter also works to fill hygiene needs with deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lice kits, etc. Health issues typically include funding medicine, eye glasses, tooth pains, and doctor visits.”