Humane Society Legislative Fund

“Officers markarian, pacelle, waite, kindler, frake, rodgers, crane, getz, unti, reese, mochi, and england were employed by another tax-exempt organization on whose board hslf directors wiebers, coupe, and probst served. Therefore, these individuals had 'business relationships' with each other.”

“In 2013, hslf amended its bylaws to increase the number of directors. Hslf now has 11 directors.”

“The members of the corporation shall consist of the persons names as the initial board of directors in the articles of incorporation and such other natural person(s) who support the corporation's purposes and who affirmatively respond to the corporation's invitation to join. Members shall pay annual dues in such amount and shall be determined by the board of directors. The "persons names as the initial board of directors in the articles" are directors coupe, probst, and wiebers. Any individual who responds affirmatively to an invitation to become a member of the humane society legislative fund (hslf) and either 1) makes a single contribution of ten dollars ($10) or more to hslf as membership dues, or 2) makes a series of contributions that total ten dollars ($10) or more in the aggregate within four (4) months after the date of the first contribution shall be considered a member of hslf for the twelve-month period ending on the anniversary of the date on which hslf has determined that an aggregate of ten dollars has been reached in the case of contributors described in section 2) above.”

“There were no meetings of any hslf board committee in 2013.”

“After internal accounting staff drafts the 990, the draft is submitted to hslf's independent tax preparers for their review and revision, as may be appropriate. The revised draft is then given to hslf's treasurer for further review. Once all staff and professional reviews/revisions are done, the treasurer sends the proposed final of the form 990 to the hslf board for its consideration. Once the board has had an opportunity to review and comment, the finalized version is filed with the irs.”

“The implementation of the conflict of interest policy emphasizes avoiding conflicts to begin with. This organization was of such a size, in terms of board and staff, that monitoring and compliance was accomplished through legal and executive diligence on an ongoing basis.”

“Hslf makes its articles of incorporation and bylaws available to members free of charge upon request. Formal audited financial statements are filed with state charitable solicitation registrations and are made available to major donors and, where required by state law, to the general public by mail upon request. Hslf makes copies of its form 1024 application for recognition of tax-exempt status available to the public upon request both by mail and in person at hslf's headquarters in washington, dc. Hslf makes copies of the most recently-filed forms 990 available to the public upon request both by mail and in person at hslf's headquarters washington, dc. The three most recently filed forms 990 are also available to the general public free of charge on the hslf website. The conflict of interest policy has not been made available to the general public.”

“Voter outreach: program service expenses 77,077. Management and general expenses 5,294. Fundraising expenses 5,537. Total expenses 87,908. Media-buying consultants: program service expenses 204,116. Management and general expenses 14,020. Fundraising expenses 14,664. Total expenses 232,800. General consultants: program service expenses 75,068. Management and general expenses 5,156. Fundraising expenses 5,393. Total expenses 85,617.”

“The process for overseeing the audit of the financial statements and selection of an independent accountant that audited the financial statements has been consistent with prior years. The audited financial statements are reviewed by the board which acts as its own committee.”