Mississippi News and Information Corp

“Donna Barksdale, Executive Chair, and Jim Barksdale, Director, have a family relationship - husband and wife.”

“The completed Form 990 and audited financial statements were provided to all members of the governing body and were reviewed at a regularly scheduled Board Meeting on October 15, 2017.”

“The conflict of interest policy covers all members of the Board. Each Board Member is supplied with a copy of the policy each year and signs an annual statement which affirms that the Director has received a copy of the policy, has read and understands the policy, has complied with the policy and understands that the organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption, it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax exempt purposes. Board Members have a duty to disclose potential or actual conflicts to the Executive Chair and the remaining Board Members decide if a potential or actual conflict exists. If applicable, identified conflicts of interest and appropriate recusals are documented in the Board Minutes.”

“The process for determining compensation for the Chief Executives includes a review and approval by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Comparability data used in the review process is obtained through review of compensation of positions of comparable organizations. The decisions are documented in Committee Meeting and/or Board Meeting Minutes.”

“The audited financial statements and tax returns are available on the organization's website (www.mississippitoday.org). Governing documents and conflict of interest policy are available upon request.”

“Mississippi news and information corporation, operating as mississippi today, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit digital news and information resource that aggresively and objectively covers state and local government affairs and community issues, including education, health, economic development, poverty and race, as well as mississippi's social culture. The staff produces high-quality reporting to act as a government watchdog, support the functioning democracy and helping shape the future of the state. Increasing citizen awareness, including how government action affects people and communities, may lead to greater civic engagement. Mississippi today helps create the next generation of distinguished journalists by recruiting exceptional graduates of journalism, communications and public policy educational institutions and working with current students at the state's colleges and universities to develop skills that will prepare them for productive careers.”

“Total volunteers in 2016 represent the nine board members that do not receive any compensation.”

“Mississippi news and information corporation, operating as mississippi today, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit digital news and information resource that aggresively and objectively covers state and local government affairs and community issues, including education, health, economic development, poverty and race, as well as mississippi social culture. The staff will produce high-quality reporting to act as a government watchdog, support the functioning democracy and help shape the future of the state. Increasing citizen awareness, including how government action affects people and communities, may lead to greater civic engagement. Mississippi today will help create the next generation of distinguished journalists who reflect the state's diversity by recruiting exceptional graduates of journalism, communications and public policy educational institutions and working with current students at the state's colleges and universities to develop skills that will prepare them for productive careers.”

“CONSULTING FEES: Program service expenses 103,677. Management and general expenses 5,750. Fundraising expenses 51,750. Total expenses 161,177.”

“The organization did not have an audit committee in 2016. Currently the Board of Directors approves selection of the independent accountant and approves the audited financial statements.”