Make a Wish Foundation of East Tennessee Inc.

“The foundation worked closely with an independent public accounting firm engaged to prepare the form 990. The draft form 990 prepared by the accounting firm was reviewed by the foundation's president/ceo. The return was then presented to the finance committee for their review. Subsequent to the committee's approval, a complete copy of the form 990 was provided to all voting members prior to filing with the internal revenue service.”

“The foundation maintains a conflict of interest and ethics statement as provided by the make-a-wish foundation of america for each officer, employee, board member, and volunteer. Such statements must be signed upon date of hire, election, or commencement of volunteer service, and at least annually thereafter. The signed statements are then submitted to and reviewed by the volunteer coordinator if they are from volunteers, and the president/ceo if from all employees and board members. Review of the statements is monitored by the president/ceo. The procedures for addressing any conflicts of interest of which the president/ceo becomes aware includes, but are not limited to, the following (1) determining the nature of the conflict via verbal or written communication with the interested person, (2) fully disclosing conflicting interests to the board, (3) the conflicted person recuses himself/herself from deliberations and decisions regarding the transaction, and (4) taking appropriate actions warranted by the conflict as recommended by the board up to and including termination of service.”

“For 2016 compensation, the president/ceo's compensation was determined by the board of directors, consisting of independent persons. It was reviewed against national benchmarking salary studies, surveys done every few years by make-a-wish foundation of america, and by local salary surveys conducted by state organizations and by national benchmarking organizations. The boards discussions and decisions were contemporaneously documented. Documentation includes the terms of the transaction and the date it was approved, the members present during deliberations and those who voted on it, and the comparability data relied upon and how it was obtained. Form 990, part vi, section b, line 15b: the foundation does not have other officers who are compensated and has no employees who meet the definition of key employees. The same process listed above is used for other staff, using the same instruments. Salaries for staff other than the president/ceo are decided by the president/ceo in consultation with the employees immediate supervisor within limits set by the board-approved budget. All salary increases are based on metrics from performance reviews.”

“While federal tax laws do not mandate that the organization's governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements be made available for public inspection, the organization makes its audited financial statements and form 990 available upon request and on its website. Governing documents and conflict of interest policies are also available upon request with inspection at an office of the organization.”

“The make-a-wish foundation of east tennessee creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.”

“The make-a-wish foundation of east tennessee creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The foundation granted 78 wishes during the fiscal year ended august 31, 2017. The total cost of wishes granted for the fiscal year was $1,070,262. Of this amount, $204,805 was contributed by various vendors who provided in-kind contributions such as travel and travel services, transportation, lodging and other services and use of facilities to complete a child's wish. For financial statement purposes, these amounts are included as contribution revenue and granted wish expense. For form 990, however, the irs requires the $204,805 of contributed services and use of facilities to be excluded from both revenue and expense.”