Independent Sector

“Independent sector has members that help support the mission of the organization”

“There is only one class of voting members. The membership have the authority to elect directors of the organization other than the president.”

“The membership have the authority to approve changes in the articles of incorporation and by-laws, membership dues and/or dues assessment methodology, membership eligibility criteria, affirm major policies and legislative actions by the board, as appropriate, and adopt resolutions on national issues of concerns to the membership, as appropriate.”

“Prior to filing, the form 990 is presented to independent sector's audit committee for review. The chief operating officer also reviews the form 990 in detail with the president and chief executive officer prior to obtaining the ceo's signature on the document. The form 990 is also presented to the full board of directors for review in advance of filing. It is distributed in advance of the board meeting in order to ensure that directors have the opportunity for a meaningful review and to allow all directors the opportunity to gain a full understanding of the document before it is filed. Independent sector's auditors participate in the board meeting in order to respond to any questions that directors may have.”

“Each year, board members are asked to review independent sector's conflict of interest policy and to complete a conflict of interest disclosure statement. Among other things, the policy makes clear that all decisions of the board, officers and employees of independent sector are to be made solely on the basis of a desire to promote the best interests of the organization and the public good. The disclosure statement, in turn, requests that directors identify, to the best of their knowledge, affiliations with organizations that may be potentially related to the financial or other substantive operations of independent sector. They are also asked to identify circumstances involving either themselves, or a member of their extended family, that may be construed as a conflict of interest. If such circumstance should arise subsequent to submitting the disclosure statement, the policy sets forth an ongoing disclosure requirement. At the staff level, independent sector personnel also ensure that there are no conflicts of interest when considering engagement of a new vendor. If a potential conflict is identified, appropriate steps are taken both to assess the nature of the potential conflict and, subsequently, to ensure that the possibility of an actual conflict is mitigated. Such mitigation may be achieved through the recusal or firewalling of the individual in question, thus ensuring that the conflict is managed and the letter and spirit of the conflicts policy are upheld. In addition, we note that during the annual audit staff identify and disclose to auditors all known conflicts of interest.”

“Apart from the organization's president and chief executive officer, independent sector's board officers (chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer) do not receive compensation from the organization. An annual compensation review process for the ceo takes place under the leadership of the board chair and executive committee. An outside consultant is retained or salary surveys and 990s are reviewed to provide industry comparable salary data. An intermediate sanctions analysis and related documentation are also completed. The executive committee has responsibility for making final recommendations to the full board of directors regarding the president's performance evaluation and compensation. The board of directors makes a final determination with regard to these matters. With regard to staff compensation, the president and ceo, senior leadership team, nonprofit hr consultant and appropriate staff directors also complete annual performance evaluations. For all staff other than the president and ceo, is utilizes industry comparable data in making determinations regarding the range of salaries. The president and ceo makes all final determinations relative to staff compensation.”

“Independent sector's governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are made available to the public. The annual audit, 990 and 990-t, board of directors list, and is policies (conflict of interest, financial responsibility, gifts and entertainment, records retention and travel) are all available to the public on the organization's website (www.independentsector.org).”

“In 2021, the policy leadership program began a new initiative called the seat at the table initiative that seeks to ensure the nonprofit sector is a critical ally in designing and implementing the work of government. The seat at the table initiative, through legislation and a proposed executive order, would create mechanisms that leverage the mission, knowledge, and impact of nonprofits to help government and the sector work together more effectively in pursuit of shared goals.”

“Consultants: program service expenses 1,447,601. Management and general expenses 347,983. Fundraising expenses 3,531. Total expenses 1,799,115. Legislative assistance: program service expenses 195,522. Management and general expenses 47,001. Fundraising expenses 477. Total expenses 243,000. Speakers, service bureaus, and other: program service expenses 99,282. Management and general expenses 23,865. Fundraising expenses 242. Total expenses 123,389. Temporary help: program service expenses 62,770. Management and general expenses 30,560. Fundraising expenses 14,523. Total expenses 107,853.”