2024-05-13T08:30:12-05:00 2023-06-30 042571780 AAFCPAS INC 50 WASHINGTON STREET WESTBOROUGH MA 01581 990 2022-07-01 273660369 BOSTON'S HIGHER GROUND INC BOST 6176528014 384 WARREN STREET ROXBURY MA 02119 MOSSIK HACOBIAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6176528014 2024-05-13 1 MOSSIK HACOBIAN XXX-XX-XXXX 1 SORIE KABA CPA P01317106 5083669100 2024-05-13 0 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z MOSSIK HACOBIAN 384 WARREN STREET ROXBURY MA 02119 625567 0 X WWW.HIGHERGROUNDBOSTON.ORG X 2010 MA TO CONNECT CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES IN BOSTON'S UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO EXISTING SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES THAT CONTINUE TO IMPROVE, AVOID DUPLICATION, AND EMPOWER AND TRANSFORM LIVES FROM CRADLE TO CAREER BY ENGAGING COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL. 18 18 30 26 0 0 2536914 548730 50203 72861 880 23 0 3953 2587997 625567 0 0 0 0 729501 973680 0 0 135405 572817 663487 1302318 1637167 1285679 -1011600 2219486 1351598 226266 369978 1993220 981620 X TO CONNECT CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES IN BOSTON'S UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO EXISTING SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES THAT CONTINUE TO IMPROVE, AVOID DUPLICATION, AND EMPOWER AND TRANSFORM LIVES FROM CRADLE TO CAREER BY ENGAGING COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL. 0 0 766492 72961 EDUCATION, SUPPORT FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS: IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, BOSTON'S HIGHER GROUND (HIGHER GROUND) EXTENDED ITS AGREEMENT WITH BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CONTINUED TO COORDINATE THE 14-MEMBER SURROUND CARE COALITION AND SUPPORTED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVED BY TWO LOCAL SCHOOLS, DAVID A. ELLIS K-5, AND HIGGINSON LEWIS INCLUSION, AND THE NEARBY CRISPUS ATTUCKS CHILDREN'S CENER (CACC). COALITION MEMBERS INCLUDED THE BOSTON CHILDREN'S CHORUS, CENTER FOR TEEN EMPOWERMENT, DOCWAYNE, ELIZABETH STONE HOUSE, FAMILIES FIRST PARENTING PROGRAMS, JFYNETWORKS, KEYSTEPS, MASS. ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN, ONEBEAD, PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION & RESILIENCE (PEAR), ROOM TO GROW, THOMPSON ISLAND OUTWARD BOUND EDUCATION CENTER, UNION CAPITAL BOSTON. IN ADDITION, HIGHER GROUND PLACED SOCIAL WORK GRADUATE STUDENTS FROM LOCAL UNIVERSITIES TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. WE COMPLETED THE SECOND YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SURROUND CARE COALITION AND BEGAN THE THIRD YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORTED BY A 3-YEAR $1 MILLION GRANT FROM BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SERVING LOCAL SCHOOLS AND CACC. HIGHER GROUND, WITH SUPPORT OF LOCAL SCHOOL LEADERS AND SURROUND CARE COALITION PARTNERS, SECURED FUNDS FROM BPS AND BOSTON AFTER SCHOOL AND BEYOND (BASB) AND IMPLEMENTED ITS FOURTH SUMMER LEARNING ACADEMY (SLA) AGAIN IN-PERSON AND HOSTED AT THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SCHOOL. IN ADDITION, RESPONDING TO SUGGESTIONS BY MEMBERS OF THE COALITION'S PARENT TEACHER ADVISORY GROUP (PTAG), HIGHER GROUND LAUNCHED AN IN-PERSON AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS HOSTED AT THE DAVID A. ELLIS SCHOOL. TOGETHER THE SUMMER LEARNING ACADEMY AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVE AS EXTENDED DAY AND EXTENDED YEAR LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE IN MOST NEED OF SUCH SUPPORT. WE CONTINUED TO PRIORITIZE STUDENTS WHO ARE HOMELESS OR WERE RECENTLY HOUSED.FINALLY, IN FY 2023, HIGHER GROUND LAUNCHED A MENTORING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO IN TURN SUPPORTED YOUNGER STUDENTS TO SUCCEED IN THEIR ACADEMIC ENDEAVORS. 411147 FAMILY-LED STABILITY INITIATIVE: IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, HIGHER GROUND CONTINUED TO PLAY A LEAD ROLE IN THE FAMILY-LED STABILITY INITIATIVE (FLSI) TO ADDRESS STUDENT HOMELESSNESS IN BOSTON SCHOOLS. HIGHER GROUND COORDINATED THE PROGRAM WITH AN AGREEMENT WITH BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS (BPS) ON BEHALF OF FOUR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND IN COLLABORATIONS WITH THE BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY (BHA) AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF HOUSING (MOH) SUPPORTING FAMILIES SERVED BY 13 SCHOOLS IN BOSTON'S ROXBURY, DORCHESTER AND MATTAPAN NEIGHBORHOODS. THE NONPROFIT PARTNERS IN ADDITION TO HIGHER GROUND ARE DUDLEY STREET NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE (DSNI), PROJECT HOPE, AND NEW LEASE FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES. THE 13 PARTNER SCHOOLS INCLUDE THE BOSTON DAY AND EVENING ACADEMY, DAVID A. ELLIS, DUDLEY STREET NEIGHBORHOOD CHARTER SCHOOL, DEARBORN STEM ACADEMY, ELLISON PARKS EARLY EDUCATION CENTER, HAYNES EARLY EDUCATION CENTER, HENRY L. HIGGINSON INCLUSION, HIGGINSON LEWIS INCLUSION, MADISON PARK TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, O'BRYANT SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATH, ORCHARD GARDENS, RAFAEL HERNANDEZ, AND WILLIAM MONROE TROTTER. IN JUNE 2023 HIGHER GROUND AND FLSI PARTNERS JOINED BPS SUPERINTENDENT MARY SKIPPER TO MARK REACHING THE MILESTONE OF 500 FORMERLY HOMELESS STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES HOUSED AND COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO COLLABORATE AND HOUSE 500 MORE BOSTON SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.DURING FISCAL 2023, WE CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS WITH NETWORKS OF ORGANIZATIONS IN BOSTON AND GATEWAY COMMUNITIES IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS THAT HAD EXPRESSED INTEREST IN LAUNCHING THEIR OWN INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS STUDENT HOMELESSNESS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. 21893 OTHER PROGRAMS: WHILE MAINTAINING FOCUS ON ITS PRIMARY EFFORTS TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN ITS COMMUNITY, HIGHER GROUND ENGAGED IN ACTIVITIES COMPLEMENTARY ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THESE INCLUDED COLLABORATING WITH NAAACP BOSTON, THE COMMONWEALTH SEMINAR, AND ADL NEW ENGLAND IN HOSTING QUARTERLY COMMUNITY CROSSOVER DIALOGUES THAT ENGAGED COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ACTIVISTS IN A LEARNING JOURNEY ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES OF GREATER BOSTON'S DIVERSE POPULATIONS, RESPONDING TO REQUESTS FROM COMMUNITY RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT THEM IN ADDRESSING CONCERNS IN THEIR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, AND PARTICIPATING IN CITYWIDE AND REGIONAL CONVENINGS ON EDUCATION, HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS, AND GENERAL PUBLIC POLICY DISCUSSIONS IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY. 1199532 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 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 1 11 0 1 30 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 0 0 MA X MOSSIK HACOBIAN 6176528014 384 WARREN STREET ROXBURY MA 02119 CHARLIE TITUS CHAIR 2.50 X X 0 0 0 WAYNE YSAGUIRRE VICE CHAIR 2.50 X X 0 0 0 CHARLOTTE GOLLAR RICHIE VICE CHAIR (UNTIL 12/2022) 2.50 X X 0 0 0 CLARA ARROYO TREASURER 2.50 X X 0 0 0 RANDALL DAVIS TREASURER (UNTIL 12/2022) 2.50 X X 0 0 0 MATTHEW CAMMACK CLERK 2.50 X X 0 0 0 ARTHUR CHOO CLERK (UNTIL 12/2022) 2.50 X X 0 0 0 RON BELL DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 RICHARD CHANG DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SYLVIA CROSS DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JEFFREY EDWARDS DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 ERICKA FLORENCE COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOSE LOPEZ COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DARIEN JOHNSON DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 CAROL MIRANDA DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 BRIAN NEVINS COMMITTEE CHAIR 2.50 X 0 0 0 JASON PERRY DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 RENEE SIMMONS DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 COLIN ROSE DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 LASHAUNDA WATSON DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 LEVERETT WING DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 BRANDY BROOKS DEPUTY DIRECTOR 40.00 X 137371 0 0 MOSSIK HACOBIAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 120192 0 0 257563 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 300000 248730 548730 CONTRACT SERVICES 541611 72861 72861 72861 23 23 3853 0 3853 3853 3853 MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE 900099 100 100 100 625567 72961 0 3876 X 237846 173628 47569 16649 617057 460257 64855 91945 40221 27529 4992 7700 78556 53768 9750 15038 47240 47240 484457 350445 131669 2343 25073 23067 1876 130 45554 41213 2816 1525 1794 860 934 6622 3176 3446 5299 5299 EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENAN 20658 6521 14137 MISCELLANEOUS 14267 6992 7200 75 MEALS 12523 4836 7687 1637167 1199532 302230 135405 487661 77437 1731108 1134376 717 717 0 139068 2219486 1351598 226266 230519 0 139459 226266 369978 X 385662 146744 1607558 834876 1993220 981620 2219486 1351598 -1011600 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 109633 585325 1453536 2488457 548730 5185681 109633 585325 1453536 2488457 548730 5185681 805383 4380298 11 15 19 880 3876 4801 12180 12180 12130 36490 5226972 557542 0.83800 0.82770 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: LICENSING FEES - 2018 AMOUNT: $ 12,180. 2019 AMOUNT: $ 12,180. 2020 AMOUNT: $ 12,130. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 PART II-B, LINE 1: DURING FY 2023 BOSTON HIGHER GROUND'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, AND ONE OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS WERE IN CONTACT WITH TWO STATE SENATORS TO INQUIRE ABOUT POTENTIAL STATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT A REGIONAL EFFORT TO ADDRESS STUDENT HOMELESSNESS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE TWO STATE SENATORS FILED AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE BUDGET TO INCLUDE IN THE FY 2024 STATE BUDGET $500,000 TO SUPPORT THE REGIONAL EFFORT. REPRESENTATIVES OF 13 ORGANIZATIONS, AND 29 INDIVIDUALS SIGNED A LETTER IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT. THE AMENDMENT WAS NOT ADOPTED BUT WE EXPECT THAT THE LEGISLATORS WILL TRY AGAIN. AS THIS EFFORT IS BASED ON BUILDING ON THE FLSI EXPERIENCE TO ADDRESS STUDENT HOMELESSNESS ON A REGIONAL LEVEL, WE CONSIDER IT PART OF HIGHER GROUND ADVOCACY TO ADDRESS STUDENT HOMELESSNESS AND IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES. THE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT BY STAFF AND ONE BOARD MEMBER WAS MINIMAL AND GIVEN THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR ROUTINELY WORK MORE HOURS THAN THE HOURS FOR WHICH THEY ARE COMPENSATED, IT IS REASONABLE TO INFER THAT NO HIGHER GROUND FUNDS FOR EXPENDED IN SUPPORT OF THIS EFFORT. 0 RIGHT-OF-USE ASSET - OPERATING 139068 139068 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 139459 139459 625567 0 625567 0 625567 1637167 0 1637167 0 1637167 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND TREASURER AND PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL AND A COPY IS MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS VIA EMAIL AND INCLUSION IN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PORTAL ON OUR WEBSITE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL NEW BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVE A COPY OF THE HIGHER GROUND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, REVIEW IT AS PART OF THEIR ORIENTATION, CERTIFY TO HAVING READ AND COMMIT TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICY, AND ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ANY FUTURE CONFLICTS AS THEY ARISE. IT IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA FOR THE ANNUAL BOARD AND STAFF RETREATS. FINALLY, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD CHAIR CONFER AS NEEDED TO ENSURE ALL BOARD AND STAFF ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A HIGHER GROUND'S CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONFERS WITH BOARD MEMBERS AS NEEDED AND NEGOTIATES THE SALARY OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BASED ON REVIEW OF SALARY LEVELS AND BENEFITS FOR THE POSITION IN COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS. NO OTHER OFFICERS OR KEY EMPLOYEES ARE COMPENSATED BY THE ORGANIZATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 ALL HIGHER GROUND GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G OTHER PROFESSIONAL FEES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 149,897. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 32,606. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 1,243. TOTAL EXPENSES 183,746. CONSULTING: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 200,548. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 99,063. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 1,100. TOTAL EXPENSES 300,711. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: HIGHER GROUND HAS A COMMITTEE THAT ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SELECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT.