2025-11-13T10:34:54-06:00 2024-12-31 410746749 CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP 1188 PADRE DRIVE STE 101 SALINAS CA 93901 990 2024-01-01 812531220 BIRCHBARK FOUNDATION INC BIRC 8314717255 9029 SOQUEL AVENUE F SANTA CRUZ CA 95062 ALYSSA PLICKA TREASURER 8314717255 2025-11-10 1 1 AUTUMN ROSSI P01404602 8317596300 2025-11-10 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z MERRIANNE BURTCH 9029 SOQUEL AVENUE F SANTA CRUZ CA 95062 1871010 0 1 X WWW.BIRCHBARKFOUNDATION.ORG X 2016 CA TO HONOR THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND THROUGH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VULNERABLE FAMILIES FACED WITH UNAFFORDABLE MEDICAL EXPENSES TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A PET, AND SUPPORT FOR ALL FAMILIES WITH OUR EDUCATION AND PET LOSS COUNSELING PROGRAMS. 7 7 5 40 0 0 495274 1798308 0 0 5384 33184 -13035 -29352 487623 1802140 0 0 0 0 173615 243385 0 0 93717 241773 390462 415388 633847 72235 1168293 365851 1551318 0 2173 365851 1549145 X BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN NEED AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES TO OUR COMMUNITY, BIRCHBARK FOUNDATION EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS IN TIMES OF CRISIS AND TO BE BETTER ADVOCATES FOR THEIR PETS 1 0 471311 0 WE PROTECT AND HONOR THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND BY FINANCIALLY AIDING LOW-INCOME PET GUARDIANS WHO CANNOT AFFORD EMERGENCY VET CARE, AND TO SUPPORT ALL FAMILIES WITH EDUCATION AND PET LOSS COUNSELING PROGRAMS. WE HAVE ASSISTED OVER 280 FAMILIES AND PETS AND OFFERED OVER 430 HOURS OF PET LOSS GRIEF SUPPORT TO OVER 160 PEOPLE IN 2024. 471311 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 7 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 CA X MEGHAN FRENCH 8313314822 9029 SOQUEL AVE SUITE F SANTA CRUZ CA 95062 MERRIANNE BURTCH PRESIDENT 5.00 X X 0 0 0 AMY BOYLE BOARD VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ALYSSA PLICKA TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 BRIANNA CARABBA BOARD SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 LESLIE JUNGEMANN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANISSA NOVAK BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH VANCLEAVE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 DONNA J ODRYNA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 20.00 X 35090 0 0 JACOB WILKENS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 27620 0 0 62710 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 53343 78647 1666318 30100 1798308 33184 33184 30601 78647 65791 -35190 -35190 3079 -3079 -3079 MISC REVENUE 900099 8917 8917 8917 1802140 0 0 3832 62710 62710 143533 71678 10493 61362 14692 14692 22450 10918 7223 4309 4659 4659 31900 20049 7881 3970 20638 1074 462 19102 5964 1064 4551 349 6229 574 2583 3072 8844 155 8689 2380 1380 1000 3436 3436 PROGRAM EXPENSES 303701 301709 1992 SALES AND USE TAX 1523 1523 OTHER EXPENSE 693 693 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 495 465 30 633847 471311 68819 93717 39365 44698 120806 1292728 204920 213132 760 760 365851 1551318 2173 0 2173 X 25564 355289 0 0 340287 1193856 365851 1549145 365851 1551318 1168293 15001 0 X 0 0 0 X 264503 444899 462639 495274 1798308 3465623 264503 444899 462639 495274 1798308 3465623 1662881 1802742 265 403 366 5384 33184 39602 54 54 8917 8917 3514196 0.51300 0.70480 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: OTHER INCOME - 2024 AMOUNT: $ 8,917. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 INVESTMENTS - OTHER 213132 C 213132 FALL IN LOVE 109247 78647 30600 1492 20802 7116 16905 109247 78647 30600 1492 20802 7116 16905 46315 -15715 X 4 11100 DONOR'S ESTIMATE X 19000 DONOR'S ESTIMATE 0 0 0 0 PART I, COLUMN (B): COLUMN B INDICATES THE NUMBER OF ITEMS CONTRIBUTED. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 2 SENIOR PET AID: SPECIFIC FUNDING FOR PREVENTATIVE PET CARE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS INITIAL CARE GRANT: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR AN INITIAL VET CONCERN TO PREVENT A WORSENING OF HEALTH AND FINANCIAL NEED FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B A DRAFT COPY OF THE 990 RETURN IS PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR REVIEW BEFORE FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C BIRCHBARK'S POLICY ON REGULARLY AND CONSISTENTLY MONITORING AND ENFORCING COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY INVOLVES SEVERAL KEY PRACTICES DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES, EXECUTIVES, AND BOARD MEMBERS ACT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND AVOID ANY ACTIVITIES OR RELATIONSHIPS THAT COULD LEAD TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. 1. REGULAR MONITORING: ANNUAL DECLARATIONS: ALL RELEVANT PARTIES MAY BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM. THIS FORM TYPICALLY ASKS INDIVIDUALS TO DISCLOSE ANY RELATIONSHIPS, ACTIVITIES, OR INTERESTS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CONFLICT WITH THEIR DUTIES TO THE ORGANIZATION. ONGOING UPDATES: INDIVIDUALS MUST UPDATE THEIR CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS WHENEVER NEW POTENTIAL CONFLICTS ARISE. THIS ENSURES THAT THE ORGANIZATION IS AWARE OF ANY CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COULD AFFECT DECISION-MAKING. INTERNAL AUDITS: PERIODIC AUDITS MIGHT BE CONDUCTED TO REVIEW COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THESE AUDITS COULD INCLUDE REVIEWING CONTRACTS, FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS, AND OTHER RECORDS TO IDENTIFY ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. 2. CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT: CLEAR PROCEDURES: THE POLICY SHOULD OUTLINE CLEAR PROCEDURES FOR ADDRESSING POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. THIS MIGHT INCLUDE STEPS FOR INVESTIGATING REPORTED CONFLICTS, DETERMINING WHETHER A CONFLICT EXISTS, AND DECIDING ON THE APPROPRIATE COURSE OF ACTION. CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE: THE POLICY SHOULD SPECIFY THE CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH CONFLICT OF INTEREST REQUIREMENTS. THIS COULD RANGE FROM CORRECTIVE ACTIONS, SUCH AS REMOVING THE INDIVIDUAL FROM THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, TO MORE SEVERE MEASURES LIKE TERMINATION OR LEGAL ACTION, DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE VIOLATION. TRAINING AND COMMUNICATION: REGULAR TRAINING SESSIONS MIGHT BE CONDUCTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL RELEVANT PARTIES UNDERSTAND THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER IT. THIS CAN INCLUDE EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS AND GUIDANCE ON HOW TO HANDLE THEM. ETHICS COMMITTEE OR OFFICER: AN ETHICS COMMITTEE OR DESIGNATED OFFICER MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THIS BODY WOULD BE TASKED WITH REVIEWING DISCLOSURES, INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL CONFLICTS, AND ENSURING THAT APPROPRIATE ACTIONS ARE TAKEN WHEN NECESSARY. 3. TRANSPARENCY AND REPORTING: DOCUMENTATION: ALL DISCLOSURES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND DECISIONS RELATED TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST SHOULD BE WELL-DOCUMENTED. THIS ENSURES TRANSPARENCY AND PROVIDES A RECORD THAT CAN BE REVIEWED IF QUESTIONS ARISE LATER. REPORTING TO STAKEHOLDERS: IN SOME CASES, PARTICULARLY FOR SIGNIFICANT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, THE ORGANIZATION MIGHT REPORT THE SITUATION TO ITS STAKEHOLDERS (E.G., BOARD MEMBERS, SHAREHOLDERS, OR THE PUBLIC) TO MAINTAIN TRANSPARENCY AND TRUST. 4. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: POLICY REVIEW: THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND UPDATED REGULARLY TO ENSURE IT REMAINS EFFECTIVE AND RELEVANT. THIS MIGHT INVOLVE ADJUSTING THE POLICY TO ADDRESS NEW TYPES OF CONFLICTS OR CHANGES IN THE ORGANIZATION'S OPERATIONS OR REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT. BY IMPLEMENTING SUCH A POLICY, BIRCHBARK WOULD BE ABLE TO MITIGATE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, ENSURE ETHICAL BEHAVIOR WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION, AND MAINTAIN THE TRUST OF STAKEHOLDERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 HERE IS A SAMPLE POLICY FOR DETERMINING THE COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES AT BIRCHBARK FOUNDATION, INC. THAT INCLUDES INDEPENDENT REVIEW, USE OF COMPARABILITY DATA, AND CONTEMPORANEOUS SUBSTANTIATION OF THE DELIBERATION AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS: COMPENSATION POLICY FOR OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES PURPOSE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY IS TO ESTABLISH A FAIR, REASONABLE, AND TRANSPARENT PROCESS FOR DETERMINING THE COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES OF BIRCHBARK FOUNDATION, INC. ("BIRCHBARK"). THIS PROCESS INCLUDES AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW, THE USE OF APPROPRIATE COMPARABILITY DATA, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF CONTEMPORANEOUS RECORDS TO SUBSTANTIATE THE DELIBERATION AND DECISIONS MADE BY THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BODY. SCOPE: THIS POLICY APPLIES TO THE COMPENSATION OF ALL OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES OF BIRCHBARK, AS DEFINED BY THE IRS AND THE ORGANIZATION'S BYLAWS. POLICY STATEMENT: BIRCHBARK FOUNDATION, INC. IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT THE COMPENSATION OF ITS OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION, FINANCIAL HEALTH, AND APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS. THE COMPENSATION PROCESS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN A MANNER THAT IS OBJECTIVE, TRANSPARENT, AND FREE FROM CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. PROCEDURES: 1.INDEPENDENT REVIEW: OCOMPENSATION COMMITTEE: THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SHALL ESTABLISH A COMPENSATION COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS WHO HAVE NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST REGARDING THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS OF THE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES BEING REVIEWED. OINDEPENDENCE REQUIREMENT: NO MEMBER OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE A DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTEREST IN THE COMPENSATION BEING DETERMINED. MEMBERS MUST BE FREE FROM ANY RELATIONSHIPS OR INTERESTS THAT COULD IMPAIR THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE UNBIASED DECISIONS. 2.USE OF COMPARABILITY DATA: ODATA COLLECTION: THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE SHALL OBTAIN AND REVIEW APPROPRIATE COMPARABILITY DATA BEFORE MAKING ANY COMPENSATION DECISIONS. THIS DATA MAY INCLUDE, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: COMPENSATION SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY INDEPENDENT FIRMS INFORMATION ABOUT COMPENSATION LEVELS FOR SIMILARLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS IN COMPARABLE POSITIONS AT SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS WRITTEN OFFERS FROM COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS COMPETING FOR THE SERVICES OF THE OFFICER OR KEY EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION PAID BY OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION, SIZE, AND SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES OMARKET ANALYSIS: THE COMMITTEE SHALL ANALYZE THE DATA TO ENSURE THAT THE COMPENSATION BEING CONSIDERED IS REASONABLE IN LIGHT OF THE COMPARABILITY DATA REVIEWED. 3.CONTEMPORANEOUS SUBSTANTIATION OF DELIBERATION AND DECISION: ODOCUMENTATION: THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE SHALL DOCUMENT THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF DETERMINING COMPENSATION, INCLUDING: THE TERMS OF THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT THE DATE AND DETAILS OF THE MEETING(S) WHERE THE COMPENSATION WAS DISCUSSED AND APPROVED THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WHO WERE PRESENT DURING THE DELIBERATIONS AND THEIR VOTE THE COMPARABILITY DATA RELIED UPON AND HOW IT WAS OBTAINED ANY ACTIONS TAKEN TO RESOLVE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST THE BASIS FOR THE FINAL DETERMINATION OF COMPENSATION OMINUTES: DETAILED MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE'S MEETINGS SHALL BE RECORDED AND APPROVED PROMPTLY AFTER THE MEETING. THESE MINUTES SHALL SERVE AS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE COMMITTEE'S DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS. ORECORD RETENTION: ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING MINUTES, COMPARABILITY DATA, AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS, SHALL BE RETAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH BIRCHBARK'S DOCUMENT RETENTION AND DESTRUCTION POLICY. 4.FINAL APPROVAL: OBOARD RATIFICATION: THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR FINAL APPROVAL. THE BOARD SHALL REVIEW THE COMMITTEE'S WORK AND RATIFY THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS IF THEY AGREE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS. OCONFLICT OF INTEREST RECUSAL: ANY BOARD MEMBER WITH A CONFLICT OF INTEREST REGARDING THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT SHALL RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM THE DISCUSSION AND VOTING PROCESS. 5.PERIODIC REVIEW: OANNUAL REVIEW: THE COMPENSATION FOR OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES SHALL BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT IT REMAINS FAIR, REASONABLE, AND ALIGNED WITH MARKET STANDARDS AND THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL SITUATION. OADJUSTMENTS: IF NECESSARY, THE COMMITTEE MAY RECOMMEND ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPENSATION BASED ON UPDATED COMPARABILITY DATA OR CHANGES IN THE ORGANIZATION'S CIRCUMSTANCES. COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING: BIRCHBARK FOUNDATION, INC. IS COMMITTED TO COMPLIANCE WITH IRS REGULATIONS, INCLUDING THE REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION OF REASONABLENESS UNDER SECTION 4958. THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE WILL ENSURE THAT ALL COMPENSATION DETERMINATIONS ARE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS POLICY AND APPLICABLE LAWS. REVIEW AND AMENDMENTS: THIS POLICY SHALL BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MAY BE AMENDED AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE IT REMAINS RELEVANT, EFFECTIVE, AND COMPLIANT WITH ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. ________________________________________ APPROVAL: THIS POLICY WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BIRCHBARK FOUNDATION, INC. ________________________________________ THIS POLICY ESTABLISHES A ROBUST FRAMEWORK FOR DETERMINING OFFICER AND KEY EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AT BIRCHBARK FOUNDATION, INC., ENSURING THAT DECISIONS ARE MADE TRANSPARENTLY, ETHICALLY, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL STANDARD. THE PROCESS DESCRIBED HERE WAS LAST COMPLETED IN 2024. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES THEIR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BY WRITTEN REQUEST.