Sea - El Carmen

“SEA - El Carmen administers charitable donations and transfers funds collected for Educational purposes for the Guayaquil Ecuador Mission Project through the not-for profit organization FAMS, which established the legal entity and local licensing for the Escuela, Saint Vincent de Paul School, an elementaary school run on behalf ofthe Guayaquil Mission. The Public Charity stewardship of the project by SEA - El Carmen has allowed for obtaining In-Kind contributions from the local City Government in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The City Council and Mayor approved the donation of the land for the construction of the school, reducing the overhead costs for operating the school. The donation of the land has been administered by FAMS, Fundacion Ana Maria Suarez, a not-for-profit organization established under the ministry of Social Services for Educational and Medical purposes. The 25 year agreement with the City of Guayaquil requires the continued operation of the school in one of the poorest parts of Guayaquil. Governing Officers actively oversee the operation and finances of the school, fundraising activity, and investments.”

“Guayaquil Mission project was established with additional committee members from the volunteers who have chaired fundraising efforts during the annual Gala Dinner. The Guayaquil Mission has alliances with participation in Houston, TX from SEA El Carmen, St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church parisioners, St Vincent de Paul Elementary School, Seventh Grade and the Congregation of the Incarnate Word of the Blessed Sacrament. The Guayaquil Mission has alliances in Guayaquil Ecuador from FAMS Fundacion Ana Maria Suarez, the Escuela, St. Vincent de Paul School, parent vonlunteers, and the City of Guayaquil.”

“Form 990 is reviewed by the Governing Officers of SEA - El Carmen during the preparation of the report prior to electronic filing, along with a review of the annual budgets for the operation of the SVdP School. Completed copies of IRS Form 990 are shared with the fundraising committee.”

“SEA - El Carmen enrolled with other organizations which post the organizational and financial information on their websites with links to collect funds for non-profit organizations. The websites are linked on the SEA - El Carmen website Donate Page www.sea-elcarmen.org to provide a means so donations can be processedelectronically through those organizations which post a summary of the IRS Form 990 Tax Returns. These include Network for Good and JustGive.”

“The Saint Vincent de Paul School in Guayaquil, Ecuador was operated during the mandated pandemic school closures by conducting Zoom remote instruction. Volunteers provided additional support to the teachers with remote learning. Classroom attendance resumed in May 2022. During the pandemic, officers of the organization worked full-time as unpaid volunteers in support of the mission in the roles of school administrators.”

“The school was organized and is funded and directed by the publiccharity SEA - El Carmen dba Guayaquil Ecuador Mission Project. Volunteers organized as Directors for the parish project assisted with a mailing fundraising campaign Special Appeal. The Educational activity of the Guayaquil Ecuador Mission Project are maintained as a mission in the Church bulletin and on the website as a ministry for the poor.”

“SVdP School staff accumulate retirement funds established by Ecuadorian law based upon tenure with the organization. Liability for the cost of those funds are maintained by SEA - El Carmen in investments.”