2025-08-06T11:12:40-05:00 2024-12-31 411489071 SMITH SCHAFER & ASSOCIATES LTD 7500 HIGHWAY 55 SUITE 350 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55427 990 2024-01-01 412020362 GREAT NORTH INNOCENCE PROJECT GREA 6126244779 229 19TH AVENUE SOUTH SUITE 285 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55455 JOANNA CURRY TREASURER 6126244779 2025-08-01 1 ADAM KELLERHALS P01568272 9529201455 2025-07-23 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z JOANNA CURRY 229 19TH AVENUE SOUTH SUITE 285 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55455 1274577 0 X GREATNORTHINNOCENCEPROJECT.ORG X 2001 MN WE WORK TO FREE THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND PREVENT FUTURE WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS FROM OCCURRING. WE ALSO EDUCATE ATTORNEYS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS TO PREVENT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND OTHER UNJUST RESULTS IN CRIMINAL CASES. 18 18 7 40 0 0 974060 1274513 0 0 86 64 -76913 -86964 897233 1187613 0 0 0 0 747740 802137 0 0 146605 429143 434062 1176883 1236199 -279650 -48586 1085756 1083661 74886 106400 1010870 977261 X THE GREAT NORTH INNOCENCE PROJECT WORKS TO FREE THE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED AND PREVENT FUTURE WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS FROM OCCURING IN MINNESOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. 0 0 925337 EACH YEAR OUR TEAM WORKS DILIGENTLY TO SCREEN HUNDREDS OF REQUESTS FOR HELP, TO GIVE FREEDOM BACK TO PEOPLE IN PRISON FOR CRIMES THEY DID NOT COMMIT. GREAT NORTH INNOCENCE PROJECT STAFF, LAW STUDENTS, INVESTIGATORS, AND VOLUNTEER ATTORNEYS SPEND THOUSANDS OF HOURS CAREFULLY ANALYZING THESE CASES TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE IS NEW EVIDENCE THAT COULD SHOW ACTUAL INNOCENCE. WE LITIGATE CASES WHERE NEWLY DISCOVERED EVIDENCE IS IDENTIFIABLE AND CAN PROVIDE CLEAR AND CONVINCING PROOF OF ACTUAL INNOCENCE. THE GREAT NORTH INNOCENCE PROJECT ALSO WORKS TO IMPROVE THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM TO PREVENT WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND EDUCATES LAW STUDENTS, THE COURTS, LAWYERS, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ON THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM.LAST YEAR, WE RESPONDED TO HUNDREDS OF PHONE CALLS, EMAILS, AND LETTERS REQUESTING INFORMATION ON OUR SERVICES. WE RECEIVED 303 LETTERS REQUESTING OUR ASSISTANCE AND SENT 93 APPLICANT QUESTIONNAIRES IN RESPONSE TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS FOLLOWING OUR INITIAL SCREENING OF THE LETTERS RECEIVED. WE RECEIVED 132 COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES FROM APPLICANTS. WE SCREENED AND INVESTIGATED THOSE REQUESTS. LAST YEAR, AS IS TYPICAL FOR THE GREAT NORTH INNOCENCE PROJECT, WE HAD MORE THAN 227 CASES OPENED IN SCREENING AND INVESTIGATION, AND APPROXIMATELY 15 CASES OPEN IN SOME FORM OF LITIGATION, COURT-ORDERED DNA TESTING, OR FORMAL REVIEW BY THE MINNESOTA CONVICTION REVIEW UNIT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.TWO OF THOSE CLIENTS WERE FREED IN 2024 AFTER GNIP PREVAILED IN ITS EFFORT TO HAVE THEIR MURDER CONVICTIONS VACATED.THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, WE CREATED, IMPLEMENTED, AND CONTINUED TO PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT FOR, A STATEWIDE CONVICTION REVIEW UNIT TO PROVIDE A POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL AVENUE FOR RELIEF FOR PEOPLE CLAIMING THEY ARE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED. WE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 61 STUDENTS THROUGH CLASSES AND CLINICS TAUGHT AT 4 LAW SCHOOLS AND PROVIDED COMMUNITY AND CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION TO MORE THAN 1,400 PEOPLE. WE ALSO ACTIVELY ADVOCATED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM IN MINNESOTA. 925337 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 16 0 1 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 18 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 MN X X SARA JONES 6126244779 229 19TH AVE S MINNEAPOLIS MN 55455 SARA JONES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 130411 0 30656 JAMES VOLLING CHAIR 1.50 X X 0 0 0 TARA DUGINSKE VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN KINGREY PAST CHAIR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JAMES MAYER LEGAL DIRECTOR 40.00 X 116264 0 8156 JOHN HART DIRECTOR/TREASURER 0.50 X X 0 0 0 RACHEL BOND SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 TIMOTHY WALSH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER AT-LARGE 0.50 X X 0 0 0 BEN VICKERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER AT-LARGE 0.50 X X 0 0 0 KEVIN RIACH DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 BETH FORSYTHE DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 JR LAPLANTE DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 ADAM MARTIN DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 JAZZ HAMPTON DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 SUSAN ROE DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 TATEWIN MEANS DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 JOANNA CURRY DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 LOUSENE HOPPE DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 CATHERINE LIPINSKY DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 DELINDA WASHINGTON DIRECTOR 0.25 X 0 0 0 246675 0 38812 2 0 1 0 0 293787 321772 658954 1274513 64 64 0 293787 86964 -86964 -86964 1187613 0 0 -86900 285216 199672 36197 49347 386134 276385 40557 69192 14732 10600 1441 2691 63124 35213 20569 7342 52931 38845 4886 9200 50919 19326 31593 26369 7356 13898 5115 45931 41468 1335 3128 7734 1889 5845 CONVICTION REVIEW UNIT 238600 238600 INVESTIGATION AND RELAT 43341 43341 BANK CHARGES AND CC PRO 15344 7891 7310 143 MEMBERSHIP DUES 2322 1841 481 3502 2910 145 447 1236199 925337 164257 146605 761887 129246 537260 52382 126971 12401 16121 259086 274063 1085756 1083661 74886 106400 74886 106400 X 989372 975690 21498 1571 1010870 977261 1085756 1083661 -48586 14977 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 1255758 1316174 906420 974060 1274513 5726925 1255758 1316174 906420 974060 1274513 5726925 1635428 4091497 1413 129 86 64 1692 5728617 0.71420 0.68270 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 9381 190 0 0 0 9381 9381 1080213 1089594 183959 45990 0 0 183959 183959 275939 9381 9381 45990 45990 68985 0 PART I-A, LINE 1: THE ORGANIZATION WORKS INDEPENDENTLY AND IN COALITION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PASS LAWS AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT MINIMIZE CHANCES OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND REMEDY INJUSTICES. 0 LT INVESTMENT 274063 F 274063 X 2454197 14977 1164643 1179620 1274577 -86964 -86964 1187613 2487806 1164643 1164643 1323163 -86964 -86964 1236199 PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. THEREFORE, NO PROVISION OR LIABLITIY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAXES HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THE ORGAINZATION'S FEDERAL INFORMATIONAL RETURNS ARE SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY THE IRS, GENERALLY FOR THREE YEARS AFTER THEY WERE FILED. MANAGEMENT HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT HAVE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AND ASSOCIATED UNRECOGNIZED BENEFITS THAT MATERIALLY IMPACT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OR RELATED DISCLOSURES. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUNDRAISING EXPENSE PART XII, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUNDRAISING EXPENSES BENEFIT OF INNOCENCE 293787 293787 414 9790 27557 8096 41107 293787 293787 414 9790 27557 8096 41107 86964 -86964 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 SARA JONES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 130411 0 0 0 0 0 5800 0 24856 0 161067 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE E.D. REVIEWS THE FORM AND COMPARES IT WHEREVER POSSIBLE TO THE NUMBERS SUBMITTED TO THE ACCOUNTANT AND TO 990'S FROM PREVIOUS YEARS. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR IRREGULARITIES, THE E.D. CONTACTS THE ACCOUNTANT. ONCE THE E.D. IS SATISFIED WITH THE ACCURACY OF THE REPORT, THE E.D. MEETS WITH THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE DOCUMENT. QUESTIONS AND CHANGES ARE FORWARDED TO THE ACCOUNTANT PER THIS REVIEW. ALL UPDATES AND CHANGES ARE MADE. A COPY IS THEN DISTRIBUTED TO EACH BOARD MEMBER PRIOR TO ITS FILLING AND IS DICUSSED AND VOTED ON AT THE NEXT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ONCE A YEAR, BOARD MEMBERS MUST REVIEW AND SIGN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM DESCRIBING ANY RELATIONSHIPS, POSITIONS, OR CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY ARE INVOLVED THAT COULD CONTRIBUTE TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST (AS DEFINED IN IPMN'S POLICY ON CONFLICTS OF INTEREST). IN ADDITION, AT THE START OF EACH BOARD MEETING, THE BOARD CHAIR IS REQUIRED TO READ A LIST OF POSSIBLE CONFLICTS. BOARD MEMBERS MUST CERTIFY THAT "TO THE BEST OF OUR INFORMATION AND BELIEF, THERE ARE NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AT THIS TIME." A BOARD MEETING CONFLICT CHECK FOR IS THEN SIGNED AND DATED BY THE BOARD CHAIR PRIOR TO RESUMING THE REST OF THE MEETING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE GNIP BOARD DETERMINES THE COMPENSATION OF THE EXECUTVIE DIRECTOR AND LEGAL DIRECTOR. COMPARABILITY DATA IS UTILIZED, MOST NOTABLY THE MINNESOTA COUNCIL OF NONPROFITS, "MINNESOTA NONPROFIT SALARY AND BENEFITS SURVEY". THE COMMITTEE'S DECISIONS ON COMPENSATION WERE BASED UPON 1.) THE EMPLOYEE'S PERFORMANCE AS EVALUATED BY THE EMPLOYEE EVALUATION MATRIX AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, AND 2.) COMPARING THE CURRENT COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES TO THE DATA FOUND IN THE NONPROFIT SALARY AND BENEFITS SURVEY TO ENSURE APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION THAT TOOK INTO ACCOUNT EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AND INDUSTRY STANDARDS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 UPON REQUEST, THE ORGANIZATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS. PART XII, LINE 2C THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.