Raising a Reader

“The Executive Committee consists of the officers (Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer) of the governing board. The committee meets at the discretion of the President and CEO, no less than 4 times per year. The committee provides insight and guidance to management on issues related to the operations and notable strategic shifts in direction for the organization. All request approvals are directed to the full board.”

“As of 12/30/22, Raising A Reader and Silicon Valley Community Foundation disaffiliated. Raising A Reader submitted Form 8940 in March 2023 to be reclassified from a Supporting Organization to a Public Charity. For that reason, the Bylaws were updated in early 2023 to remove any references to Silicon Valley Community Foundation. In Section 5.05 of the new bylaws, the board of directors nominates and elects new board directors.”

“The form 990 is placed on a secured website or sent by email for the governing body to review and comment prior to 990 filing. Review is verified by email.”

“In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, all board members must disclose on an annual basis through the "Annual Form 990 Questionnaire for Prior Tax Year "Conflict of Interest for Current Year" questionnaires and upon discovery of a potential conflict within 30 days. Via the questionnaires, provided by the General Counsel, the interested person must disclose a list of offices and directorships he or she holds in charitable and business organizations that may pose a conflict of interest and to identify his or her place of employment or principal business activity as well as the organizations, corporations and other businesses with which his or her spouse or other relative may be affiliated that may post a conflict of interest. After disclosure by the interested person of all related financial interests and all related material facts, the board will discuss and make a determination if a conflict of interest exists. In the event the organization is considering a procurement of services from an organization in which an interested person is an officer, director, or is employed, the interested person shall so inform the governing board of the conflict. The interested person may be present during the deliberation to answer questions, but must recuse himself/herself from voting on the procurement.”

“The organization utilizes a third party firm's market analysis of compensation data as a benchmark. The Board of Directors use this data to review the CEO's compensation during the annual performance review process for which there is contemporaneous documentation and recordkeeping.”

“The organization utilizes a third party firm's market analysis of compensation data as a benchmark for all staff positions. This process was last undertaken in 2023.”

“The audited financial statements are posted on Raising A Reader's website. The governing and organizing documents can be reviewed through an email upon request. The conflict of interest policy is not made available to the public.”