Elkhorn Slough Foundation

“The 990 is reviewed by Elkhorn Slough Foundation's management staff including the Executive Director, Administrative Director, Bookkeeper and our consulting CPA. The second level of review is conducted by the Finance Committee of the Board of ESF which includes the Treasurer. This review is conducted in advance of submission of the 990 to the IRS. Once the staff and the Finance Committee have approved the 990, it is posted on the secure Board web-site for reviewing by the entire Board of Directors. This would typically occur before submission.”

“The Elkhorn Slough Foundation Board discusses and approves all real estate and other significant transactions and includes a review of conflicts of interest. Any links of board members or key employees to financial transactions are discussed at both the committee level and by the full board. If a real conflict of interest is identified, that board or staff member would identify their interest and recuse themselves from any decision-making process. As noted, officers and board members are required annually, to disclose any interests that could give rise to conflicts.”

“Compensation for the Executive Director is set by the Board of Directors. The process begins with an annual evaluation of the E.D. by the Executive Committee of the Board. This is presented to the full board for approval. Once approved, the Executive Committee assigns a compensation committee of independent directors from the board. The compensation committee secures and reviews current salary and compensation data for the non-profit sector from at least two sources. The committee then recommends a compensation level to the board for approval.”

“The Elkhorn Slough Foundation makes all governing documents available to the public. Copies of articles of incorporation, by-laws, IRS confirmation of 501(c)(3) status, employee manuals, fiscal policies, Board agendas and minutes, Board resolutions, conflict of interest policy and audited financial statements are available for review and inspection at the Foundation offices located at the Elkhorn Reserve Public Facility.”

“Client Note 1 - FORM 990, PAGE 9, PART VIII, LINE 11A - MITIGATION FEESMitigation Fees Mitigation fees are a type of mitigation that can be used to compensate for unavoidable impacts to wetlands and uplands. In this approach to mitigation, a permittee pays a fee to a third party instead of conducting project-specific mitigation. The Foundation is the third party recipient of mitigation fees in the form of land and funds for the continual care of the lands. The fees are not considered a contribution.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: RAM-The Research and Monitoring program on the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is the primary vehicle for conducting the water quality monitoring, habitat monitoring and biological monitoring on the Reserve and throughout the Elkhorn Slough Watershed. The research and monitoring team has also been responsible for the publication of a series of peer reviewed scientific publications, listed on the website: www.elkhornslough.org. This is an ongoing program funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Elkhorn Slough Foundation administers these funds for the benefit of ESNERR and slough conservation in concert with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: EPR-The education and public outreach programs of the Foundation include the web site www.elkhornslough.org, our presence on social media and our talks, walks, lectures and programs for the public and for school and community groups. This includes volunteer programs with community groups: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church groups, corporate volunteer programs and a host of others. This also includes support for the education programs on the National Estuarine Research Reserve that sees 6,000 to 8,000 students per year and assistance with the Public Visitor Center that hosts a total of 40,000 to 50,000 visitors per year. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: CTP- The Coastal Training Program is a NOAA funded program of ESNERR that brings diverse people together, farmers, fishermen, regulatory personnel, elected officials, landowners, and scientists, to define natural resource issues and explore solutions. CTP builds collaborative networks that develop expertise and leadership to conserve Elkhorn Slough, one of the biodiversity hotspots of the U.S.”