2026-02-17T14:35:57-07:00 2025-09-30 990 2024-10-01 800249546 GULF COAST CITIZEN DIPLOMACY COUNCIL INC GULF 8503773176 150 W Maxwell St Pensacola FL 32501 Jena Melancon Executive Director 8503773176 2026-02-17 1 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Gulf Coast Diplomacy Jena Melancon 150 W Maxwell St Pensacola FL 32501 235200 0 X www.gulfcoastdiplomacy.org X 2008 FL We facilitate professional exchange programs for international visitors through the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program & other federal exchanges. We also conduct educational outreach via virtual exchange to schools and civic organizations and run an in-person leadership and educational program for high school students. We also facilitate hospitality efforts for international professionals visiting Northwest Florida. 16 16 5 400 0 0 286236 231496 4776 3694 72 0 0 10 291084 235200 0 0 0 0 130538 142710 0 0 3197 72560 70125 203098 212835 87986 22365 222816 245047 3426 3292 219390 241755 Gulf Coast Diplomacy is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization facilitating and strengthening connection, collaboration, and fellowship between the people of the Gulf Coast and the global community through international exchange and education. 0 0 85349 0 0 Professional Exchange Facilitation: From October 2024 through September 2025, the organization facilitated professional exchange programs for 139 international visitors in 21 groups, supported by 30 interpreters and liaisons. Participants attended 119 structured professional meetings and engaged with 678 U.S. professional counterparts. In six visits, 36 visitors delivered classroom presentations to local students. The organization arranged 68 cultural activities for professional visitors. All in-person visitors (118) participated in at least one cultural activity outside of regular business hours. The organization also coordinated eight volunteer activities for seven groups (57 participants), totaling 95 volunteer hours donated in Northwest Florida. Program topics included local strategies to promote economic growth, technological innovation, and cooperative efforts to combat transnational crime. The program's immediate objective is to facilitate professional dialogue and promote understanding of American civic values and public policy. Long-term objectives include encouraging continued professional communication, supporting workforce and economic development in Northwest Florida, strengthening community engagement, and contributing to democratic institutions and national security. Donated program support included honorary citizenship certificates valued at $74 and baked goods valued at $86, used in connection with participant recognition and hospitality, and two hotel rooms, valued at $1,568, provided for staff training supporting IVLP program delivery. 69346 0 2940 Youth Education: We engaged 41 local teens in our 11-month Youth Diplomats leadership program and worked with more than 230 additional youth through in-person exchanges and virtual leadership initiatives. Two university students were employed to support youth programming and professional exchange coordination, providing structured office and facilitation experience. We hosted two U.S. Department of State in-person youth exchanges for 31 teens from Brazil and France. Participants stayed with local host families for 373 total nights. During their programs, they met with 26 local professionals in 81 meetings, participated in classroom visits, and completed 117 volunteer hours across five community service activities alongside local youth. Short-term outcomes include increased knowledge of international affairs, civic institutions, and career pathways. Long-term objectives are to strengthen leadership capacity, workforce readiness, cross-cultural communication skills, civic engagement, and professional networks among participating youth. 23115 0 754 Hospitality & Outreach: We coordinated structured home hospitality dinners to facilitate professional and cultural exchange between local residents and international visitors. Forty-four local hosts welcomed 81 international professionals into their homes for 305 meals. In addition, families hosting three Congressional Open World groups provided lodging for 17 participants for eight nights each, totaling 136 nights of homestay accommodation. We organized 14 community coffees connecting nearly 100 international professionals with 94 local residents. Sixteen community members participated in the Great Decisions discussion series to strengthen their understanding of international issues frequently encountered during exchange programs. A total of 341 residents attended public presentations and visitor speaking engagements. We staffed informational tables at seven community events and promoted exchange opportunities through print, broadcast, digital media, and direct outreach. Short-term outcomes include increased community awareness of international exchange opportunities and expanded participation in hospitality programs. Long-term objectives are to strengthen civic engagement, improve cross-cultural communication skills, and foster sustained professional and educational relationships between local residents and international visitors. 0 0 0 177810 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 FL X Jena Melancon 8503773176 150 W Maxwell St Pensacola FL 32501 Jena Melancon Executive Director 35 0 X 64239 0 8866 Elizabeth Yelverton Chair 2.2 0 X X 0 0 0 Logan McDonald Vice Chair 1 0 X X 0 0 0 Jean Norman Secretary 1.1 0 X X 0 0 0 Stephen Helms-MacBeth Treasurer 0.6 0 X X 0 0 0 Leigh DeSantis Immediate Past Chair 1.1 0 X 0 0 0 Karen Jurkowich Director 0.4 0 X 0 0 0 Henry Kelley Director 0.2 0 X 0 0 0 Julie Tippins Parker Director 1 0 X 0 0 0 Randolph Scott Director 0.3 0 X 0 0 0 Dee Reilly Director 0.5 0 X 0 0 0 Clyde Roark Director 0.3 0 X 0 0 0 Kayla Maybry Director 0.4 0 X 0 0 0 Karen Kellams Director 0.1 0 X 0 0 0 Marty Griffith Director 0.3 0 X 0 0 0 Jeannine Van Reeth Director 0.9 0 X 0 0 0 Carrie Cromey Director 0.4 0 X 0 0 0 64239 0 8866 0 0 0 0 0 0 10715 3885 0 187206 29690 1728 231496 Youth Diplomats 611000 2440 2440 0 0 Great Decisions 611000 754 754 0 0 Camp Global 611000 500 500 0 0 0 0 0 0 3694 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3885 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Bank Account Interest 928120 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 235200 3704 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 64238 52520 9636 2082 0 0 0 0 56975 47787 8546 642 0 0 0 0 12541 10535 1881 125 8956 7523 1343 90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2569 2184 385 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 342 287 52 3 13090 8330 4577 183 846 711 127 8 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2501 190 2311 0 0 0 0 0 1725 0 1725 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2187 1837 328 22 Cultural Programming and Welcome Packets for Delegates 45905 45905 0 0 Professional Memberships 500 0 500 0 Misc Office Exp: Holiday, board, and birthday lunches 417 0 417 0 Fundraising Expenses from banking platform 42 0 0 42 0 0 0 212835 177810 31828 3197 24521 26109 198295 218938 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 222816 245047 3426 3292 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3426 3292 X 219390 241755 0 0 0 0 219390 241755 222816 245047 22365 0 0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 X 189856 134959 358292 286236 227612 1196955 0 0 0 0 0 0 6000 6000 3000 16000 16000 47000 195856 140959 361292 302236 243612 1243955 0 1243955 73 72 208 72 10 435 0 0 0 0 0 0 2710 12822 26895 4776 7579 54782 1299172 0 0.95750 0.94218 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 The $7,579.39 reported as other income consisted of $3,885 in fundraising event revenue; $754.39 in program service revenue from the Great Decisions discussion series; $2,440 in program service revenue from the Youth Diplomats Program; and $500 in program service revenue from the Camp Global online summer camp. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 The organization has voting members. Members elect the Board of Directors by voting to approve the Board-nominated slate of candidates at the annual meeting. Members do not have ownership rights, do not receive distributions, and do not have rights to the organization's assets upon dissolution. Governance authority is vested in the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7a Members elect the Board of Directors by voting to approve the Board-nominated slate of candidates at the annual meeting. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The Executive Director provides a copy of the Form 990 to the Board Treasurer and all members of the Board of Directors for review prior to filing. The Executive Director is available to answer questions and discuss the return with the Board before submission. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The organization requires directors, principal officers, and committee members with board-delegated powers to annually disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest through a written disclosure statement. The Executive Director reviews the completed disclosure forms and reports any potential conflicts to the Board of Directors. When a conflict of interest arises, the interested person discloses all material facts and recuses themselves from discussion and voting on the matter. The Board documents the disclosure and recusal in the meeting minutes. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request. Requests may be submitted by email or in writing, and copies are provided electronically.