Upstate Forever does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Upstate Forever does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization?s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
Upstate Forever does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
Upstate Forever does not meet this Standard because the 2020 annual report did not include:
- A roster of the board of directors.
- 2020 financial information.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
Upstate Forever does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://www.upstateforever.org/, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
Upstate Forever meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Upstate Forever seeks to balance growth with the protection of Upstate South Carolina?s natural resources though three main program areas: land conservation, clean water, and land planning and policy. Other project areas include energy, outdoor recreation, and legislative issues. The organization reports working with landowners, communities, local stakeholders, municipalities, like minded businesses, and partner nonprofits to protect some of the region?s most important assets, including wild and working farmlands, rivers and clean air, and rural character; and to ensure that communities are vibrant and retain their unique identities in the face of rapid development and significant sprawl.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, Upstate Forever's program expenses were:
| Land conservation, clean water and land policy |
$1,381,810 |
| Consulting subcontract costs |
$166,101 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$1,547,911 |
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Chief Executive
Andrea Cooper, Executive Director
-
Compensation*
$95,900
-
Chair of the Board
Erwin Maddrey
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President and Chief Executive Officer, Maddrey & Associates
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Board Size
20
-
Paid Staff Size
25
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 24% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,090,993, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Upstate Forever's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.
| Source of Funds |
| Investment income |
$725,361 |
| Grants |
$650,323 |
| Membership contributions |
$401,311 |
| Land Trust Endowment contributions |
$223,342 |
| Contributions |
$35,341 |
| Consulting fees |
$28,644 |
| Interest income |
$15,820 |
| Special Events |
$4,018 |
| Other |
$2,445 |
| Total Income |
$2,086,605 |
- Programs: 79%
- Fundraising: 13%
- Administrative: 8%
| Total Income |
$2,086,605 |
| Program expenses |
$1,547,911 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$259,406 |
| Administrative expenses |
$163,205 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$1,970,522 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$116,083 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$8,637,213 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$8,753,296 |
| Total Liabilities |
$50,556 |
| Total Assets |
$8,803,852 |