Cherokee Preservation Foundation Inc.

“Executive director, bobby raines, and employee, daniel martin, have a business relationship that began in 2015 before bobby raines became executive director. No cpf monies have been granted to this business and no issues or challenges have been found with this business relationship.”

“The governor of the state of north carolina appoints the foundations directors, two of which are selected from a list of nominees submitted by the chief of the eastern band of cherokee indians. The chief and chairman of the tribal council of the eastern band of cherokee indians also serve as directors”

“The audit/investment committee review the form 990 in detail with the guidance of its finance officer. The full board is provided with a copy of the 990 before it is filed and performs a more cursory review of the document. The audit/investment committee members and finance officer answer all questions board members have before the 990 document is filed.”

“Comparability of salaries data for all staff members is gathered from the following sources; forms 990 of similiar organizations in north carolina, local organizations; and an annual salary and benfits survey from the council on foundations philanthropic trade organization. Salaries are proposed by the board chairman and executive director each year during the budgeting and annual staff evaluation processes. Then, the proposed salaries are presented in the draft budget submitted to the board.”

“As with executive officers, ceo, the same policy is used for all employees: comparability of salaries data for all staff members is gathered from the following sources; forms 990 of similiar organizations in north carolina, local organizations; and an annual salary and benfits survey from the council on foundations philanthropic trade organization. Salaries are proposed by the board chairman and executive director each year during the budgeting and annual staff evaluation processes. Then, the proposed salaries are presented in the draft budget submitted to the board.”

“Photo copies of the form 990 are available upon request at the organizations administrative office. In addition, recent filings of the form 990 are available online at www.guidestar.org”

“All governing documents, policies and financial statements are make available upon request to any individual or organization, the foundation often shares its internal information in an effort to assist other organizations in adopting best practices.”

“The process has not changed from the prior year.”

“Part v, line 4:the endowment fund represents amounts set aside in a long-term invesments fund. The objective of the fund is to emphasize long-term growth of capital and to build a corpus that will help sustain the foundations operations in the future. The fund is not reported as restricted since there are not donor-imposed stipulations. Included in the endowment fund investment portfolio are monies designated for two leadership award funds. The objective of the funds is to emphasize short-term growth of capital, while simultaneously protecting the corpus from the effects of inflation, to allow for the awarding of annual leadership awards. The funds are not reported as restricted since there are no donor-imposed stipulations. Form 990, part iii, line 4astatement of program accomplishments:the mission of the cherokee preservation foundation (cpf) is to increase the quality of life of the eastern band of cherokee indians (ebci) and strengthen the western north carolina region. Cpf accomplishes this mission as a grant maker, convener, partnership broker and community builder. In these roles, we award grants to nonprofit organizations, schools and higher learning institutions on or near tribal lands in the seven western most counties of north carolina. In additiion, we bring together groups with common interests and goals to share ideas, combine efforts and resources, and leverage resources from various funding organizations, we then network with regional, state and national orgaiztions to seek and create partnerships enabling other funding organizations to invest in projects and groups in western north carolina, building the capacity of nonprofits on the qualla boundary (the ebcis homeland) and surrounding region.during two grant funding cycles in fiscal year 2020, the board approved 31 grants and leadership awards totaling $3.8 million. The foundation began operation in 2002 and has awarded grants and leadership awards in three focus areas - cultual preservation, economic evelopment and employment opportunities. Cultural preservation*cherokee language initiative:one of the most recognizable cultural preservation initiatives is the cherokee language revitalization initative, which is a movement to save the cherokee language. The foundation supported this in 2020 by granting more than $50,000 to western carolina university for its cherokee language program. The foundation also supported snowbird cherokee traditions with more than $37,000 to support cherokee second-language learners. Leadership and civic participation:*times of change are times of opportunity, but only if we are secure in our identity and leadership skills. The emergence of a solid leadership base is essential in maintaining a sustainable community. To help the tribe develop new leaders, the foundation has developed a progession of leadership programming. The goal of these cultural-based leadership initiatives is to produce a selfless, giving generation, grounded in tradiional cherokee values, who possess contemporary leadership shills. Cherokee youth leadership:*the cherokee youth councils (cyc) mission is to empower local youth to have a voice on issues that matter to them. Cyc is focused on strengthening its participation and contribution to the cherokee community youth with the opportunity to identify, develop, and assess projects that directly impacted the cherokee community. Approximately forty youth participate in biweekly meeting to plan and implement projects. These projects have focused on environmental protection, youth educational activities, and creating public awareness on teen pregnancy and bullying issues. In 2020 the foundation supported cyc with a grant of more than $116,000. Cultural exchange program:*the foundation has traditionally held a costa rica eco-study tour that provides a uniques experience for cherokee and western north carolina youth. The foundation collaborates with the cherokee extension office to offer this life-enhancing program. I”