National Endowment for Democracy

“The form 990 is reviewed by the budget, audit and administration committee, the president & chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, and the chief financial officer prior to filing with the irs.”

“Each board member is required to complete and submit a conflict of interest disclosure form annually, certifying awareness of the policy and disclosing any actual or potential conflicts. In addition to the annual certification, board members must disclose any new conflicts as they arise, particularly in connection with proposed transactions or governance decisions. Disclosures are reviewed by the chair of the board and/or the governance committee, who determine whether a disclosed interest constitutes a conflict. If necessary, the matter is brought before the full governance committee for discussion and resolution. When a conflict is confirmed, the governance committee oversees a review to determine the appropriate action. All actions are documented in board records and maintained for audit and compliance purposes. A board member found to have a conflict is prohibited from participating in any discussion or vote related to the transaction or matter in question. The recusal is recorded in the official minutes, and the board proceeds with deliberation and action independent of the conflicted individual.”

“All salaries for ned employees are commensurate with salary structures established by ned policy, which is set and periodically reviewed by the board of directors. Salary levels and overall compensation policies are reviewed as part of the annual budget process by the budget, audit, and administration committee (baa). This committee, composed solely of independent members of the board, reviews and recommends the annual organizational budget, including compensation pools, to the full board of directors for final approval. To ensure salaries are reasonable and consistent with market norms: ned utilizes third-party compensation consultants and benchmarking studies, including independent compensation surveys of peer nonprofit organizations, to set and review salaries, particularly for executives and officers. All compensation decisions are formally documented in accordance with irs requirements. Salary reviews and compensation decisions are conducted annually as part of the organizational budgeting cycle. Adjustments based on merit, performance evaluations, or added responsibilities are reviewed annually or as needed, to remain consistent with internal policy and market trends.”

“Ned makes its audited financial statements and filed form 990s available to the public and strives to be transparent in its financial reporting. While governing documents and other financial records are not routinely posted online, ned will provide such information upon request, consistent with the disclosure provisions outlined in internal revenue code section 6104(d).”

“The national endowment for democracy (ned) is dedicated to fostering the growth of a wide range of democratic institutions abroad, including political parties, trade unions, free markets and business organizations, as well as the many elements of a vibrant civil society that ensure human rights, an independent media, and the rule of law. Ned leverages its grants program through networking and recognition activities that provide political support and solidarity, such as the world movement for democracy, the center for international media assistance, the reagan-fascell democracy fellows program, and democracy award events, as well as through scholarly research that gives activists access to the latest insights on strengthening democratic values and developing strategies for democratic transition, including the journal of democracy and the international forum for democratic studies.”

“Ned has a singular mission - advancing democracy in support of freedom around the world. Our targeted, demand-driven small grants program responds to the needs of local ngos that defend human rights, strengthen independent media and civic education, and empower women and youth in a manner that enables them to establish credibility as democratizing forces in their own societies. Ned's statement of principles and objectives (1984): "democracy involves the right of the people freely to determine their own destiny. The exercise of this right requires a system that guarantees freedom of expression, belief and association, free and competitive elections, respect for the inalienable rights of individuals and minorities, free communications media, and the rule of law."”