The Stewardship Network

“The Stewardship Networks 990 initial draft is reviewed for accuracy by our CEO and Finance Director. Any CEO approved proposed changes are made to our accountant. After the suggested changes have been incorporated, it is reviewed by the Chair of the Finance Committee who is a member of our Board of Directors. After approval by the Chair of the Finance Committee, the 990 is presented to the Board.”

“The Stewardship Network board members and employees annually sign the written conflict of interest policy and are required to disclose interests that could give rise of conflicts. We regularly and consistently monitor and enforce compliance with this policy through an annual review and discussion at board meetings and through the annual review of the policy and signing of the Conflict of Interest Policy certificate.”

“The Stewardship Network has researched and benchmarked compensation for the CEO against compensation studies by Guidestar, Association for Nature Center Administrators, and Nonprofit Enterprise At Work.”

“The Stewardship Network will research and benchmark compensation for other officers and key employees against compensation studies by Guidestar, Association for Nature Center Administrators, and Nonprofit Enterprise At Work when the organization determines that officers are to be paid or services are retained of an employee that meets the IRS definition of key employee.”

“The Stewardship Network makes its governing documents and conflict of interest policy available upon request. Financial statements are available to the public on our website.”

“2020 Successes The Stewardship Network TSN carries forward its mission and impact in 2020 as part of ongoing programs and continued collaborative work that increases and enhances ecological stewardship by bringing like-purposed people together and working across jurisdictional and property boundaries. Despite challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, TSNs Member Communities continued to work on natural area restoration and management projects, as well as learning and engagement programs. The Stewardship Network inspires community members to get involved in caring for their local land and water, and supports the local leadership of each Member Community through operational assistance, leadership trainings, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.”

“Training and Events, continued The 2020 Spring Invasive Species Challenge, despite complications imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, logged successful engagement and connected participants from across the United States and Canada to care for natural areas in a collaborative conservation campaign. At the end of the 2020 Challenge, 338 individuals removed 73,481 pounds of invasive species, improving the ecological health of thousands of acres of natural areas. Furthermore, the 2020 Challenge marks an impressive economic impact volunteers reported 53,463 hours of donated time in the field, creating an enormous benefit with very little cost if any to local governments, organizations, and private landowners. The value of volunteer time in 2020, which is updated annually by the Independent Sector, was 27.20 per hour - providing a benchmark for the Challenges 1.4 million-dollar volunteer economic impact. Ultimately, the 2020 Challenge connected ecological stewards across the United States and Canada, elevated enthusiasm for caring for natural areas, and also provided a snapshot of the immense impact seemingly little actions make when people pull together for the health and preservation of natural areas.”

“Contractual services for various program services 88,704 Payroll service fees 792”