Benchmarks

“The form 990 is reviewed and approved by the board-designated finance committee along with benchmarks' annual audit. The form 990 and the finance committee's recommendations are presented to the full board of trustees for final approval prior to filing.”

“The president/ceo is responsible for continually monitoring for compliance with the benchmarks conflict of interest policy. Nominees for board of trustees vacancies are screened to determine if any potential conflict of interest exists. Upon election and annually, trustees are required to sign an affirmation acknowledging receipt of the conflict of interest policy and that their appointment to the board of trustees is not in violation of this policy. The president/ceo, along with the coo, are responsible for all hiring. All employees are required to read and affirm that no conflict of interest exists through their employment with benchmarks.”

“The compensation provided to the president/ceo of benchmarks is determined solely by the board of trustees. Annually, the chairman of the board of trustees conducts an evaluation of the president/ceo, including consultation of comparability data, to determine the ceo's compensation. Contemporaneous records of their decisions are made and kept in benchmarks' personnel files. For all other benchmarks employees, the president/ceo, along with the coo, has full responsibility for their hiring, supervision, evaluation and discharge.”

“The organization makes its form 1023 available via its website. The 990 is available for public inspection via the guidestar website or by specific request. The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public via request approved by the board of trustees.”

“Benchmarks is an alliance of 85+ member organizations whose missions, generally, are to support north carolina's most vulnerable children, adults, and families, who experience neglect, abuse, and/or require treatment for mental health-related disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities, or substance abuse. Through the collective voice of its members, benchmarks again this year advocated for and promoted quality welfare services for children, adults, and families throughout the state. Benchmarks' mission is accomplished through a unified voice, collective experience, training, sharing best practices, collection of data, and partnership with the state department of health and human services leadership. This year, as in past years, benchmarks was integral in the prevention of significant state funding cuts for mh/idd/sas and child welfare services. Benchmarks sponsored legislation in this year's legislative session that directly supported services of its membership and benefited north carolina's children, adults, and families.”

“Grant professional fees: program service expenses 174,459. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 174,459. Other professional fees: program service expenses 21,047. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 21,047. Consulting fees: program service expenses 1,830. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 1,830. Memberships: program service expenses 3,929. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 3,929.”

“The association's finance committee assumes responsibility for the oversight of the audit and selection of an independent accountant. This has not changed from the prior year.”