2018-10-05T11:39:57-05:00 2017-12-31 521392008 GELMAN ROSENBERG & FREEDMAN 4550 MONTGOMERY AVE SUITE 650N BETHESDA MD 208142930 990 2017-01-01 980118876 TOSTAN INC TOST 2022991156 718 7TH STREET NW NO 2ND FL WASHINGTON DC 20001 ELENA BONOMETTI CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 2022991156 2018-10-05 1 ANDREAS ALEXANDROU CPA P01330558 3019519090 75.103.231.202 2018-10-05 12:39:52 ED P 4FA38BE9C690C82C721A5060F87FC7588CB81F81 5A5C524C85CBD7B525F27CAD6767516B6BEFF5C9 2017 2018-06-14 16:35:46Z X ELENA BONOMETTI 718 7TH STREET NW NO 2ND FL WASHINGTON DC 20001 8147347 0 X WWW.TOSTAN.ORG X 1991 DE SEE PART III, LINE 1. 8 7 10 7 0 0 8171418 7742712 0 0 414 -2645 -18937 -73255 8152895 7666812 141374 220542 0 0 4335622 3263691 28050 55000 284745 4314517 3092198 8819563 6631431 -666668 1035381 9444598 10652782 101895 109164 9342703 10543618 X TO EMPOWER AFRICAN COMMUNITIES TO BRING ABOUT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND POSITIVE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION BASED ON RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. 0 0 5340965 220542 -74379 IN 2017, TOSTAN OPERATED IN 6 COUNTRIES AND HAD THE FOLLOWING REACH ACROSS ITS 3 MAJOR PROGRAMS (COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM, REINFORCEMENT OF PARENTAL PRACTICES, PEACE & SECURITY):GUINEA: TOSTAN WORKED WITH 60 COMMUNITIES, WITH A TOTAL OF 5,393 PARTICIPANTS.GUINEA-BISSAU: TOSTAN WORKED WITH 80 COMMUNITIES, WITH A TOTAL OF 5,398 PARTICIPANTS.MALI: TOSTAN WORKED WITH 80 COMMUNITIES, WITH A TOTAL OF 4,678 PARTICIPANTS.SENEGAL: TOSTAN WORKED WITH 203 COMMUNITIES, WITH A TOTAL OF 9,666 PARTICIPANTS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) 5340965 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 X 5 0 1 10 0 0 1 ML MR GV PU SG GA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 8 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AL CA GA MD MA NJ NM NY TN VA X X MALICK TOUNKARA 2022991156 VDN ET ROUTE DE AEROPORT BP 29371 DAKARYOFF SG MOLLY MELCHING FOUNDER 40.00 X X 91200 0 10497 CHEIKH MBACKE CHAIRPERSON 15.00 X X 0 0 0 JENNIFER HEDRICK TREASURER 5.00 X X 0 0 0 KELLY BAXTER SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ANNE CHARLOTTE RINQUIST DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 GAIL KANEB DIRECTOR 8.00 X 0 0 0 JAN CHRISTIANSEN DIRECTOR (FROM DEC. 2017) 1.00 X 0 0 0 JIM GREENBAUM DIRECTOR (UNTIL JULY 2017) 8.00 X 0 0 0 NEIL FORD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALEXANDER DAVEY COO (UNTIL JAN. 2017) 40.00 X 45835 0 0 ELENA BONOMETTI INTERIM COO (FROM FEB 2017); CEO (FROM SEP 2017) 40.00 X 82785 0 11250 219820 0 21747 0 0 0 0 0 3693498 4049214 585566 7742712 209 209 364455 438834 -74379 -74379 -74379 38847 41701 -2854 -2854 -2854 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 1124 1124 1124 7666812 -74379 0 -1521 220542 220542 241567 100165 126531 14871 2562126 2049824 394617 117685 112976 86704 21254 5018 273933 216908 44420 12605 73089 56206 13443 3440 23150 14065 6726 2359 90250 54830 26224 9196 55000 55000 471028 310757 157000 3271 239442 217023 14155 8264 552843 463296 56212 33335 176691 163789 10821 2081 1496106 1386856 91630 17620 42688 42688 6631431 5340965 1005721 284745 2084863 2659885 61230 175130 6432817 7227683 128153 33928 37901 15631 1476881 942711 645590 534170 46151 4374 7893 1981 9444598 10652782 101895 109164 101895 109164 X 1415037 1464759 7927666 9078859 9342703 10543618 9444598 10652782 X 1035381 -76 165610 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 271433 271433 451750 200848 250902 455100 481047 -25947 298598 260816 37782 534170 X 7675855 -76 9119 9043 7666812 0 7666812 6640550 9119 9119 6631431 0 6631431 PART X, LINE 2: FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, TOSTAN HAS DOCUMENTED ITS CONSIDERATION OF FASB ASC 740-10, INCOME TAXES, THAT PROVIDES GUIDANCE FOR REPORTING UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES AND HAS DETERMINED THAT NO MATERIAL UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS QUALIFY FOR EITHER RECOGNITION OR DISCLOSURE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 SCHEDULE E, PART I, LINE 3 TOSTAN HAS A RACIALLY NON-DISCRIMINATORY POLICY IN PLACE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE ORGANIZATION ONLY WORKS IN AFRICA, THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES IS AFRICAN, AS ARE 99% OF ITS EMPLOYEES. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION'S EDUCATION EFFORTS WITHIN COMMUNITIES ARE ON-GOING AND THERE IS NOT SPECIFIC SOLICITATION OR REGISTRATION PERIOD. SCHEDULE E, PART I, LINE 6 DURING 2017, TOSTAN RECEIVED $3,693,498 OF NON-U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. 1 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 6 663 PROGRAM SERVICE ACTIVITIES COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS 3962079 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 0 0 GRANTS TO RECIPIENTS LOCATED IN THE REGION 220542 6 663 0 0 6 663 4182621 0 4182621 SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA PROGRAM SUPPORT 220542 WIRE 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 2: TOSTAN AND THE GRANTEE SIGN A CONTRACT THAT DEFINES THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, THE BUDGET AND THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE. IN ADDITION, THE GRANTEE IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE DETAILED EXPENSE REPORTS TO TOSTAN. X X X X X X 1 RAISING CHANGE LLC 98 MORNINGSIDE DRIVE FLORENCE MA 01062 FUNDRAISING 0 0 45000 -45000 DANIELLE COATES 4 RIVER COURT IPSWICH MA 01938 FUNDRAISING 0 0 10000 -10000 55000 -55000 AL CA GA MD MA NJ NM NY TN VA X 6 585566 FMV 0 0 0 0 PART I, COLUMN (B): THE NUMBER IN COLUMN (B) REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A THE GAMBIA: TOSTAN WORKED WITH 30 COMMUNITIES, WITH A TOTAL OF 2,546 PARTICIPANTS. MAURITANIA: TOSTAN WORKED WITH 30 COMMUNITIES IN A POST-CEP PARTNERSHIP. TOTAL NUMBER OF TOSTAN MAJOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS IN 2017 IN THE 6 COUNTRIES: 27,681 TOTAL NUMBER OF AFRICAN COMMUNITIES HOSTING IN TOSTAN'S 3 MAJOR PROGRAMS IN 2017: 483 TOSTAN ALSO CONDUCTED A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES, REACHING MANY HUNDREDS MORE COMMUNITIES. PLEASE SEE BELOW. COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM (CEP): OUR UNIQUE THREE-YEAR PROGRAM EMPOWERS COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN SIX WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES WITH THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THEY NEED TO LEAD THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT. THE CEP IS A NON-FORMAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, BASED ON HUMAN RIGHTS, AND IS IMPLEMENTED IN MORE THAN A DOZEN LOCAL LANGUAGES. IT COMBINES MODERN EDUCATION TECHNIQUES WITH TRADITIONAL AFRICAN ORAL TEACHING METHODS AND IS UNDERPINNED BY A RESPECTFUL APPROACH TO LOCAL BELIEFS AND CULTURE. IMPACT AREAS: OUR WORK USES A HOLISTIC APPROACH FOR COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT, AND OUR IMPACTS ARE FOUND ACROSS FIVE KEY AREAS: GOVERNANCE, EDUCATION, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. EACH IMPACT AREA IS ELABORATED UPON BELOW: GOVERNANCE: CEP PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, LEADERSHIP, DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING. EACH COMMUNITY DEMOCRATICALLY SELECTS 17 MEMBERS TO FORM A COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (CMC) AND RECEIVES TRAINING IN THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT PROJECTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THESE COMMITTEES CONSTITUTE A STRONG LEADERSHIP PRESENCE IN TOSTAN COMMUNITIES, CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY. THEY WORK TO INCREASE DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION BY ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN AT BIRTH, TO VOTE AND RUN FOR OFFICE AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL ELECTIONS. THE PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP OF WOMEN IN CMCS IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED, AND IN 2017, 100% OF CMCS IN GUINEA, GUINEA-BISSAU, MALI, MAURITANIA AND SENEGAL HAD A MAJORITY OF FEMALE MEMBERS. THESE WOMEN EMERGE AS COMMUNITY LEADERS, ACTIVISTS, AND ROLE MODELS, SHOWING YOUNG GIRLS AND BOYS ALIKE THAT WOMEN CAN SUCCEED IN LEADERSHIP ROLES AND WORK ALONGSIDE MEN AS EQUALS. EDUCATION: CMCS ORGANIZED DURING THE CEP LEAD INITIATIVES THAT ENSURE GIRLS AND BOYS ARE ENROLLED IN SCHOOL. WHEN A FAMILY IS CONSIDERING REMOVING THEIR CHILD FROM SCHOOL, CMC MEMBERS MEET WITH THEM TO DISCUSS OTHER POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. CHILD/FORCED MARRIAGE IS ONE PRACTICE THAT IS A KEY FACTOR IN DETERMINING WHETHER A GIRL WILL STAY IN SCHOOL. FOLLOWING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN OUR HOLISTIC PROGRAM, HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRIES IN WHICH WE WORK PLEDGED TO ABANDON CHILD/FORCED MARRIAGE IN 2017, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO OVER 8,000 AS A RESULT, THOUSANDS OF GIRLS ARE LIKELY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY IN SCHOOL FOR LONGER, RATHER THAN BE MARRIED AT A YOUNG AGE. IN THE FINAL MODULE OF THE CEP, THE AAWDE, PARTICIPANTS LEARN TO READ AND WRITE IN THEIR LOCAL LANGUAGES, AS WELL AS BASIC MATH SKILLS. LEARNING HOW TO SEND AND RECEIVE SMS TEXT MESSAGES THROUGH THE MOBILE PHONES FOR LITERACY AND DEVELOPMENT (MPLD) MODULE, DESCRIBED BELOW, ENCOURAGES PARTICIPANTS TO PRACTICE AND SHARE THEIR NEWLY ACQUIRED LITERACY SKILLS. IN 2017, TOSTAN CONTINUED THE GROWTH OF OUR REINFORCEMENT OF PARENTAL PRACTICES (RPP) MODULE WHICH BUILDS ON KNOWLEDGE GAINED DURING THE CEP TO ENABLE PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH SUPPORTS CHILDREN'S EARLY DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING IN ORDER TO BETTER PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND LIFE (SEE ALSO EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT BELOW) HEALTH: DURING THE CEP, PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THEIR RIGHT TO HEALTH AND THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE, ABOUT HYGIENE AND HOW DISEASES ARE SPREAD AND PREVENTED. THEY ALSO DISCUSS THE HEALTH RISKS OF HARMFUL PRACTICES SUCH AS FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING (FGC) AND CHILD/FORCED MARRIAGE. THE CEP ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE THEY GAIN ABOUT HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS WITH THEIR SOCIAL NETWORKS, AND COMMUNITIES OFTEN LAUNCH SPECIFIC INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE CHILD AND MATERNAL HEALTH IN THEIR VILLAGES. COMMUNITIES RAISE AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATIONS AS WELL AS TAKING ACTION TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY HYGIENE AND PREVENTING DISEASES SUCH AS MALARIA. ENVIRONMENT: OUR CEP EQUIPS COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO FIND CREATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. DURING THE CEP, PARTICIPANTS LEARN HOW DISEASES ARE TRANSMITTED AND HOW THIS IS LINKED TO UNHYGIENIC PRACTICES THAT CAN POLLUTE THE ENVIRONMENT. OUR RESPECTFUL AND NON-JUDGMENTAL APPROACH PROMOTES COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT. AS A RESULT, COMMUNITIES LEAD INITIATIVES TO MAKE THEIR ENVIRONMENTS MORE HYGIENIC IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY'S HEALTH. COMMUNITIES ALSO USE THEIR PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS TO IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS THEIR PARTICULAR NEEDS. ECONOMIC GROWTH: THE FINAL PHASE OF THE CEP, THE AAWDE, INCLUDES CLASS SESSIONS ON BASIC LITERACY, MATH, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, AND BUDGETING SKILLS THAT HELP PARTICIPANTS SUCCESSFULLY PLAN AND LAUNCH SMALL BUSINESSES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE ALSO PROVIDE SMALL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS TO CMCS. THE CMCS OFTEN USE THESE GRANTS TO ESTABLISH A ROTATING MICROCREDIT FUND THAT HELPS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY WOMEN, WITH THE INVESTMENT THEY NEED TO START SMALL BUSINESSES, INVEST IN AGRICULTURE, OR TAKE ON OTHER INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES. THE CMC ALSO ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SAVE AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES: IN ADDITION, OUR WORK ADDRESSES CROSS-CUTTING THEMES IMPORTANT FOR COMMUNITY WELL-BEING. THESE ISSUES INCLUDE CHILD PROTECTION, THE REINFORCEMENT OF PARENTAL PRACTICES, THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS, AND FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING (FGC). WE BELIEVE THAT THESE CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES REQUIRE HOLISTIC AND HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED SOLUTIONS, AND OUR PROGRAM AIMS TO STRENGTHEN POSITIVE SOCIAL NORMS WHILE ADDRESSING THOSE WHICH LEAD TO HARMFUL PRACTICES. FGC: THE HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED CEP ALLOWS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO DRAW THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS ABOUT FGC AND LEAD THEIR OWN MOVEMENTS FOR CHANGE. IN THE CEP CLASS SESSIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS, PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THEIR RIGHT TO HEALTH AND THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE. THEY ALSO DISCUSS THE RESPONSIBILITIES THEY SHARE TO PROTECT THESE RIGHTS IN THEIR COMMUNITY. IN SESSIONS ON HEALTH, THEY LEARN ABOUT THE POTENTIAL, IMMEDIATE, AND LONG-TERM HARMFUL CONSEQUENCES OF THE PRACTICE AND DISCUSS WAYS TO PREVENT THESE HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. RATHER THAN BLAMING OR CRITICIZING, WE ENCOURAGE DIALOGUE AROUND THESE AND OTHER PRACTICES THAT COMMUNITIES FEEL HINDER THEIR VISION FOR THEIR COMMUNITY'S DEVELOPMENT. PARTICIPANTS AND COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (CMC) MEMBERS SPEAK WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AS WELL AS TRAVEL TO OTHER COMMUNITIES TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED. THROUGH THIS PROCESS, MANY COMMUNITIES DECIDE TO END FGC TOGETHER, SOME WITHOUT HAVING DIRECTLY PARTICIPATED IN OUR CLASSES. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A CHILD PROTECTION: THROUGH OUR CEP MODULE ON CHILD PROTECTION, CMCS ARE TRAINED TO ADDRESS THE DEEP SOCIAL NORMS AND PRACTICES THAT NEGATIVELY AFFECT CHILDREN. THE CHILD PROTECTION MODULE TRAINING IS FOR CMC MEMBERS IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE CEP. THE MODULE HELPS BUILD CONSENSUS AROUND HUMAN RIGHTS AND CHILDREN'S RIGHTS WHILE BUILDING AWARENESS OF THE VARIOUS MORAL, SOCIAL, AND LEGAL NORMS THAT AFFECT CHILDREN. INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON IMMEDIATE RELIEF, THE MODULE HELPS COMMUNITIES ADDRESS THE DEEP SOCIAL NORMS AND PRACTICES THAT ARE AT THE SOURCE OF THESE ISSUES AFFECTING CHILDREN. IT EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND INTRODUCES IDEAS FOR HOW COMMUNITIES CAN WORK TOGETHER TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN. THE CHILD PROTECTION MODULE STRENGTHENS THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN AND PREVENT VIOLATIONS OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS BY REINFORCING THE CAPACITIES OF COMMUNITIES AND THEIR SURROUNDING VILLAGES TO IDENTIFY AT-RISK CHILDREN, REINFORCING THE CAPACITIES OF COMMUNITIES TO PREVENT THE TRAFFICKING OR MIGRATION OF CHILDREN TO URBAN CENTERS, REINFORCING THE CAPACITIES OF COMMUNITIES TO HELP CHILDREN IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS SUCH AS SEXUAL ABUSE, INCEST, FORCED MARRIAGE AND FGC, AND FOSTERING THE CREATION OF DYNAMIC AND FUNCTIONAL COMMISSIONS FOR CHILD PROTECTION IN ALL COMMUNITIES. ALL COMMUNITIES WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE CEP, SPECIFICALLY THE CMCS, ARE TRAINED IN THE CHILD PROTECTION MODULE. AFTER THE TRAINING, CMCS ESTABLISH COMMISSIONS FOR CHILD PROTECTION (CCPS), WHICH LEAD THE COMMUNITY IN ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND TRANSFORMING EXISTING SOCIAL NORMS THAT SUSTAIN HARMFUL PRACTICES. THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN HAVE BEEN REGISTERED AT BIRTH BY CMCS, IMPROVING THEIR ACCESS TO SCHOOL AND LEGAL RECOGNITION. IN ADDITION TO LEADING THESE COMMUNITY-WIDE PROJECTS, CMCS ALSO INTERVENE DIRECTLY IN CASES OF CHILD ABUSE. TOSTAN IS ALSO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE INGO LA RENCONTRE AFRICAINE POUR LA DFENSE DES DROITS DE L'HOMME (RADDHO) AND ANTI-SLAVERY INTERNATIONAL FOR THE CHILD PROTECTION PROJECT, REINFORCING HIGHER-LEVEL ADVOCACY FOR KORANIC SCHOOL REFORM WITH GRASSROOTS SOCIAL MOBILIZATION WORK AROUND ENDING CHILD BEGGING. THROUGH THE PROJECT 56 KORANIC SCHOOLS WITH 3,060 CHILDREN TOTAL HAVE ENDED CHILD BEGGING IN 2017. 93 KORANIC SCHOOLS WITH AN ADDITIONAL 2,366 CHILDREN HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED BEGGING. 196 KORANIC SCHOOLS HAVE IMPROVED THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THEIR STUDENTS THANKS TO SUPPORT FROM THE PROJECT AND 338 KORANIC SCHOOL TEACHERS PARTICIPATED IN MEETINGS EXCHANGING ON BEST PRACTICES TOWARDS THEIR STUDENTS. EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT: IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, WE DEVELOPED THE REINFORCEMENT OF PARENTAL PRACTICES (RPP) MODULE BEGINNING IN 2012. THE MODULE AIMS TO REINFORCE KNOWLEDGE GAINED IN THE CEP THAT ENCOURAGES PARENTS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT. AS A RESULT, THE MODULE WILL HELP IMPROVE CHILDREN'S EARLY DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING, ALLOWING THEM TO PERFORM BETTER AND STAY IN SCHOOL. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT CERTAIN SOCIAL NORMS AND TRADITIONAL PRACTICES IN SENEGAL CAN HINDER THE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT OF INFANTS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE BELIEF THAT INFANTS MUST BE PROTECTED FROM DANGEROUS SPIRITS: TO PROTECT THEM CERTAIN PARENTS AVOID LOOKING NEWBORN BABIES IN THE EYE AND SPEAKING REGULARLY AND DIRECTLY TO THEM. HOWEVER, RECENT DISCOVERIES ABOUT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN HAVE SHOWN IMPORTANCE OF STIMULATING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN. DURING THE RPP MODULE, FACILITATORS SHARE WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS SIMPLE TECHNIQUES THAT ENRICH INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PARENTS AND THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN AND ARE ALL LINKED TO CHILDREN'S BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS TO EDUCATION AND HEALTH. THESE TECHNIQUES INCLUDE SPEAKING TO THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN USING A RICH AND COMPLEX VOCABULARY, ASKING THEIR CHILDREN QUESTIONS AND HELPING THEM RESPOND, PLAYFULLY COPYING THEIR CHILDREN, TELLING THEM STORIES, AND DESCRIBING OBJECTS IN DETAIL TO THEM. PRIMARY CAREGIVERS IN EACH COMMUNITY ARE TRAINED TO TEACH OTHERS THE SAME SKILLS AFTER TOSTAN LEAVES. THIS MODULE HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY IMPLEMENTED IN WOLOF, PULAAR, AND MANDINKA COMMUNITIES IN SNGAL. IN 2017 TOSTAN WAS ABLE TO BRING THIS MODULE TO 100 NEW COMMUNITIES. NEW PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON DECENTRALIZED GOVERNANCE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH DECENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT SERVICES. IN 2017, TOSTAN BEGAN DEVELOPMENT OF A CURRICULUM TO SUPPORT IMPROVED DECENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND RESOURCES THROUGH AN APPROACH THAT TRAINS COMMUNITIES AND LOCALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS ALIKE. TOSTAN LOOKS FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS NEW PROGRAMMING IN 2018. EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND GIRLS: WOMEN AND GIRLS MAKE UP MORE THAN HALF OF OUR CEP PARTICIPANTS. DURING OUR PROGRAM, WOMEN DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE, AND DEMONSTRATE THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE IMPORTANT DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, SHOWING HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TO THEIR COMMUNITY'S DEVELOPMENT. WE ALSO WORK TO ENGAGE MEN AND BOYS IN THE CEP, ENCOURAGING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS. MEN AND WOMEN WORK TOGETHER TO PROMOTE EQUALITY AND DEVELOP NEW SOCIAL NORMS AROUND RESPECTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ALL. WE ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO TAKE ON LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. CMCS: AS PART OF THE CEP, EACH PARTICIPATING COMMUNITY DEMOCRATICALLY SELECTS A CMC TO COORDINATE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. EACH CMC HAS 17 MEMBERS, NINE OF WHOM MUST BE WOMEN. EACH COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF SEVERAL COMMISSIONS, INCLUDING HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, CHILD PROTECTION, EDUCATION, INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES, AND SOCIAL MOBILIZATION, WHICH CONTINUE TO LEAD DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AND PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED DEVELOPMENT LONG AFTER THE PROGRAM HAS FINISHED. ORGANIZED DIFFUSION: THROUGH ORGANIZED DIFFUSION, THE IMPACT OF THE TOSTAN PROGRAM IS MULTIPLIED. EACH CLASS MEMBER COMMITS TO SHARING THEIR KNOWLEDGE WITH AT LEAST ONE PERSON WITHIN THEIR FAMILY AND WIDER COMMUNITY, PERMITTING NEW IDEAS TO BE SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGH THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. EACH PARTNER COMMUNITY ADOPTS ANOTHER COMMUNITY WITHIN THEIR SOCIAL NETWORK, OPENING DIALOGUE AND ALLOWING NEIGHBORING OR INTRAMARRYING COMMUNITIES TO MAKE DECISIONS AS ONE GROUP. OUR WORK OFTEN STRETCHES ACROSS COUNTRY BORDERS TO CREATE IMPACTS ON A REGIONAL SCALE, SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT TO ABANDON FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING (FGC) AND CHILD/FORCED MARRIAGE. TOSTAN ALSO TRAINS DEDICATED SOCIAL MOBILIZATION TEAMS THAT VISIT COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE NEVER PARTICIPATED IN THE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM TO REINFORCE INFORMATION SHARED THROUGH ORGANIZED DIFFUSION ACTIVITIES ON FGC, HEALTH AND RELIGION, ALLOWING COMMUNITIES TO ASK QUESTIONS AND BEGIN TO EXPLORE THESE ISSUES IN GREATER DEPTH AND ACROSS AGE AND GENDER DIVISIONS. IN 2017, THESE SOCIAL MOBILIZATION TEAMS WORKING BOTH DURING AND AFTER THE CEP VISITED HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES AND REACHED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. SOCIAL MOBILIZATION FOR FISTULA EDUCATION AND IDENTIFICATION: THROUGH THE FISTULA PROJECT, TOSTAN WORKED IN 2017 WITH THE SENEGALESE MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO IDENTIFY FISTULA-AFFECTED WOMEN, FACILITATE THEIR TREATMENT AND RAISE KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES SO THAT THEY CAN BE FULLY REINTEGRATED. IN 2017, 360 COMMUNITIES WERE VISITED BY SOCIAL MOBILIZATION AGENTS. COMMUNITY GRANTS: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS ARE SMALL GRANTS, USUALLY BETWEEN $300 AND $1,000, PROVIDED TO CMCS TO HELP FUND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AS WELL AS TO ESTABLISH CMC-RUN MICROCREDIT FUNDS. THE ROTATING MICROCREDIT FUNDS SET UP BY THE CMCS HELP VILLAGERS, PARTICULARLY WOMEN, OBTAIN THE INVESTMENT THEY NEED TO START SMALL BUSINESSES, INVEST IN AGRICULTURE, OR TAKE ON OTHER INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES. THE CMCS OPERATE THE MICROCREDIT FUND BASED ON A GROUP-LENDING, REVOLVING-FUNDS SYSTEM. THE CMC WORKS TOGETHER TO SET THE INTEREST RATE AND THE LENGTH OF THE LOANS THEY WILL GRANT. STRONG COMMUNITY TIES HELP ENCOURAGE A HIGH REPAYMENT RATE. THE INTEREST FROM THESE FUNDS IS THEN USED TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF LOANS AVAILABLE, UNDERTAKE COMMUNITY PROJECTS, OR ESTABLISH A SOLIDARITY FUND FOR CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL NEEDS. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS GIVE CMCS AND INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THE LITERACY, NUMERACY, AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE THEY GAINED DURING THE CEP INTO PRACTICE. THESE GRANTS PROVIDE A WAY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES, ALLOWING THEM TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND SUSTAINABLY INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION TO ONGOING GRANTS THAT TAKE PLACE IN MOST ACTIVE CEPS, IN 2017 TOSTAN SUPPORTED THESE GRANTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 30 COMMUNITIES IN THE GAMBIA, AND 30 IN MAURITANIA. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES NETWORK (ECN): THE ECN HAS BEEN SET UP TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES TO PARTNER WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ON DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. THROUGH THE ECN, WE CONNECT TRAINED CMCS WITH NONPROFIT PARTNERS, MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS, BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES, AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS SO THEY CAN ACCESS RESOURCES AND FUNDING TO CONTINUE THEIR COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. THE ECN ALSO ASSISTS CMCS TO FORM FEDERATIONS AND WORK TOGETHER ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, ENSURING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CEP. IN 2017 TOSTAN CONTINUED ECN PARTNERSHIPS WITH 80 COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN SENEGAL. MOBILE PHONE FOR LITERACY AND DEVELOPMENT (MPLD) MODULE: THE MODULE FOCUSES ON USING MOBILE PHONE TECHNOLOGY, SPECIFICALLY SMS TEXT MESSAGING, AS A TOOL TO REINFORCE LITERACY AND NUMERACY SKILLS, AND IS NOW AN INTEGRATED PART OF THE CEP. MOBILE PHONES AND THEIR NETWORKS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE PREVALENT IN THE COMMUNITIES WITH WHICH WE PARTNER. WE FOUND THAT USING MOBILE PHONE TECHNOLOGY IS A RELEVANT AND INNOVATIVE WAY TO REINFORCE LITERACY AND NUMERACY SKILLS LEARNED IN THE CEP. TOSTAN FACILITATORS TEACH PARTICIPANTS THE PRACTICAL USES OF STANDARD MOBILE PHONE FUNCTIONS AND HOW SMS TEXTING CAN BE USED AS A TOOL TO PRACTICE THEIR LITERACY SKILLS. THE MOBILE PHONES ARE USED TO REINFORCE LITERACY, ORGANIZATION, AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS, AS WELL AS TO BUILD CONSENSUS AROUND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. SMS TEXTING BECOMES A SUSTAINABLE AND RELEVANT OPTION FOR REINFORCING LITERACY AND NUMERACY AS ACCESS TO MOBILE PHONE TECHNOLOGY INCREASES. MOBILE PHONES AND SMS TEXT MESSAGING CAN BE USED AS A TOOL TO ACCELERATE POSITIVE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION. THEY CONNECT WOMEN WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THEIR COMMUNITIES; AMPLIFY THE VOICE AND INFLUENCE OF YOUTH AND MARGINALIZED GROUPS IN A COMMUNITY'S DECISION-MAKING PROCESS; ORGANIZING ADVOCACY WORK; AND ACCELERATE LARGE-SCALE SOCIAL MOVEMENTS. ALL COMMUNITIES BENEFITING FROM THE CEP (SEE ABOVE) ARE BENEFITTING OR WILL BENEFIT FROM TOSTAN'S MPLD PROGRAMMING DURING THE 3-YEAR CEP PERIOD. THE PEACE AND SECURITY PROGRAM: THE PEACE AND SECURITY PROGRAM REINFORCES CONFLICT PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS LEARNED DURING THE CEP THROUGH ADDITIONAL CLASSES OVER SIX MONTHS AND ESTABLISHES A COMMUNITY-LED STRUCTURE TO LEAD AND STRENGTHEN PEACE-BUILDING AND HUMAN SECURITY AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL. SKILLS LEARNED INCLUDE IMPROVED COMMUNICATION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS AS WELL AS THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILIAL CONFLICTS. PEACE AND SECURITY PROGRAMMING IN 2017 EXTENDED TO 40 COMMUNITIES IN GUINEA CONAKRY, 40 IN GUINEA-BISSAU, AND 40 IN MALI. THE COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES IN THE THREE PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES, ESTABLISHED DURING THE CEP, CARRIED OUT HUNDREDS OF ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS RAISING ACTIVITIES ON HUMAN RIGHTS, HUMAN SECURITY AND PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION. THIS PROGRAM SEES WOMEN IN PARTICULAR TAKE ON MORE ACTIVE ROLES IN COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP. IN 2017, 6,688 WOMEN LEADERS HELPED RESOLVE 1,600 LOCAL CONFLICTS THROUGH 240 NEW COMMUNITY-BASED PEACE COMMITTEES. THE PRISON PROJECT: AIMS TO HELP DETAINEES REINTEGRATE BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN A MODIFIED VERSION OF THE CEP. PARTICIPATION BUILDS THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUIPS THEM WITH PRACTICAL SKILLS TO START INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES. WE ALSO FACILITATE FAMILY MEDITATIONS TO HELP INTEGRATE FORMER DETAINEES BACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITIES UPON RELEASE. AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT ADDRESSING PRISON CONDITIONS IN AFRICA ALLOWS PRISONS TO FORM PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND NGOS LIKE TOSTAN TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES. THESE SERVICES ENCOURAGE SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION OF PRISONERS INTO SOCIETY UPON THEIR RELEASE. AS PART OF THE MODIFIED VERSION OF THE CEP WE IMPLEMENT IN PRISONS, FACILITATORS LEAD CLASS DISCUSSIONS ON TOPICS INCLUDING HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION, PROBLEM SOLVING, HYGIENE, HEALTH, AND LITERACY, AS WELL AS PROVIDE FAMILY MEDIATION AND SKILL TRAININGS IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES. UPON RELEASE, PARTICIPANTS ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO START-UP FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SMALL BUSINESSES. THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM THE SKILLS TRAININGS AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF THE PRISONERS WHO ARE STILL IMPRISONED MAKE THESE FUNDS POSSIBLE. THE PRISON PROJECT (PP) CURRENTLY WORKS IN SIX SENEGALESE PRISONS. IN 2017, 1,988 DETAINEES PARTICIPATED IN 588 CEP SESSIONS ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, PROBLEM SOLVING, HEALTH AND HYGIENE, AND PRACTICAL SKILLS IN LITERACY, NUMERACY, PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES. TOSTAN SUPERVISORS HELD AN ADDITIONAL 67 AWARENESS-RAISING SESSIONS TO REINFORCE CLASS CONTENT AND DEAL WITH SPECIFIC ISSUES RELEVANT TO EACH PRISON, SUCH AS INFECTIOUS DISEASE TRANSMISSION.SEVERAL INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS WERE LED BY DETAINEES INCLUDING CELL CLEANING DAYS; SPORTS COMPETITIONS; COOKING; AND CLASSES TEACHING WOLOF, FRENCH AND ENGLISH AND THE INTERPRETATION OF RELIGIOUS TEXTS. TOSTAN STAFF FACILITATED A TOTAL OF 746 IN-PERSON MEDIATIONS AND 6,115 TELEPHONE MEDIATIONS. 287 DETAINEES WERE TRAINED IN INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS POULTRY FARMING, FABRIC DYEING, SHOE AND BAG MAKING, MARKET GARDENING, AND FRUIT AND CEREAL PROCESSING. IN HONOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WOMAN, A CELEBRATION AND OPEN HOUSE WAS HELD AT THE THIES PRISON. IN SEPTEMBER 2017 TOSTAN RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE US EMBASSY TO START A REINTEGRATION PROJECT IN DIOURBEL. THIS FUNDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SMALL TRAINING CENTER AND TO SEVERAL TRAININGS FOR FORMER DETAINEES ON INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES. THE TOSTAN TRAINING CENTER (TTC): THE TTC WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONERS AND GRASSROOTS LEADERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO SENEGAL TO LEARN ABOUT TOSTAN'S MODEL. WITH ROLES AS DIVERSE AS NGO LEADERS, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND ACADEMICS, THEY COME TOGETHER TO LEARN AND EXCHANGE ON TOSTAN'S PROGRAM CONTENT, HUMAN RIGHTS APPROACH, PARTICIPATORY METHODOLOGY AND ORGANIZED DIFFUSION STRATEGY. PARTICIPANTS EXPLORE THE THEORIES AND PRACTICES OF HOLISTIC COMMUNITY-LED DEVELOPMENT, VISIT VILLAGES THAT HAVE ENDED FGC AND CHILD MARRIAGE AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM, AND DISCUSS EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR CHANGING DEEPLY ENTRENCHED SOCIAL NORMS WITH STAFF WORKING IN THE FIELD. THEY ALSO PARTICIPATE IN HUMAN RIGHTS SESSIONS DRAWN FROM THE TOSTAN PROGRAM AND COVER IMPORTANT LESSONS LEARNED FROM OVER 27 YEARS OF IMPLEMENTATION. IN 2017, 83 PEOPLE FROM 20 COUNTRIES ATTENDED TOSTAN TRAININGS. RECOGNITION: TOSTAN CONTINUED TO RECEIVE HIGH-LEVEL RECOGNITION FOR ITS WORK IN 2017. THE ORGANIZATION AND ITS LEADERSHIP AND PROGRAMS WERE FEATURED IN MANY NEWS ARTICLES IN LEADING NEWS AND ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS AND PARTICIPATED IN A WIDE RANGE OF CONFERENCES AT LOCAL AND GLOBAL LEVEL. THESE ARE DOCUMENTED AND AVAILABLE ON TOSTAN'S WEBSITE. 2017 AND BEYOND: FUTURE PERSPECTIVES. LAUNCHED OFFICIALLY IN SEPTEMBER 2016, TOSTAN'S STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT PLAN (SEP) 2016-2022 HAS A CORE STRATEGIC FOCUS OF "DEMONSTRATING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF EMPOWERING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY LED DEVELOPMENT." IT ARTICULATES THREE PROGRAMMING PLATFORMS: THE CEP, THE POST-CEP, AND TRAINING. IT ALSO OUTLINES A SET OF INTERNAL STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AND A PROCESS FOR DEFINING AND FOLLOWING KEY PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES. IN 2017 TOSTAN MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AGAINST ITS STRATEGIC TARGETS, REACHING OVER 26,000 PEOPLE VIA VARIOUS PROGRAMS, IN KEEPING WITH THE ARRIVAL OF TOSTAN'S NEW CEO IN 2017, TOSTAN ALSO LAUNCHED A REVIEW OF THE SEP 2016-2022. THIS REVIEW REAFFIRMS THE MAIN STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS OF THE PLAN WHILE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REFINE AND IMPROVE TOSTAN'S STRATEGIC POTENTIAL. THIS PROCESS IS PLANNED TO COMPLETE IN 2018 WITH THE FINALIZATION A REVISED SEP DOCUMENT TO GUIDE WORK UNTIL THE END OF 2022. FORM 990, PART I LINE 5 AND PART V, LINE 2A: THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HAS ADDITIONAL STAFF OF 663 LOCATED IN AFRICA. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 WAS PREPARED BY THE OUTSIDE ACCOUNTANTS. A DRAFT OF THE RETURN WAS REVIEWED BY SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND AUDIT COMMITTEE. THE FINAL FORM 990 WAS PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BEFORE FILING WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL EMPLOYEES AND BOARD MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO ANNUALLY SUBMIT ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN WRITING. NEW HIRES WILL BE ASKED IF THERE IS A CONFLICT AND NOTICE WILL BE GIVEN TO THE SENIOR MANAGEMENT IMMEDIATELY AND BOARD YEARLY. IF A CONFLICT ARISES, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DETERMINE WHETHER THE CONFLICT EXISTS AND, IF SO, THE BOARD VOTES TO AUTHORIZE OR REJECT THE TRANSACTION OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION DEEMED NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE CONFLICT AND PROTECT TOSTAN'S BEST INTERESTS. BOARD MEMBERS HAVE A DUTY TO DISCLOSE ANY POSSIBLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DETERMINES WHETHER A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS AND, IF SO THE BOARD VOTES TO AUTHORIZE OR REJECT THE TRANSACTION OR TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION DEEMED NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE CONFLICT AND PROTECT TOSTAN'S BEST INTERESTS. VOTES WILL BE BY A MAJORITY VOTE, WITHOUT COUNTING THE VOTE OF ANY INTERESTED DIRECTOR, EVEN IF THE DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS ARE LESS THAN A QUORUM PROVIDED THAT AT LEAST ONE CONSENTING DIRECTOR IS DISINTERESTED. AN INTERESTED BOARD MEMBER, OFFICER, OR STAFF MEMBER WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY DISCUSSION OR DEBATE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OR OF ANY COMMITTEE OR SUBCOMMITTEE IN WHICH THE SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION IS A CONTRACT, TRANSACTION, OR SITUATION IN WHICH THERE MAY BE A PERCEIVED OR ACTUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST. HOWEVER, THEY MAY BE PRESENT TO PROVIDE CLARIFYING INFORMATION IN SUCH A DISCUSSION OR DEBATE UNLESS OBJECTED TO BY ANY PRESENT BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANYONE IN A POSITION TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT SPENDING TOSTAN'S RESOURCES (I.E., TRANSACTIONS SUCH AS PURCHASES CONTRACTS) - WHO ALSO STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM THAT DECISION - HAS A DUTY TO DISCLOSE THAT CONFLICT AS SOON AS IT ARISES (OR BECOMES APPARENT); S/HE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY FINAL DECISIONS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE BOARD COMMITTEE REVIEWS COMPARABLE SALARIES BEFORE MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SENIOR STAFF SALARIES. THE PROCESS IS DOCUMENTED. A REVIEW WAS LAST CONDUCTED IN SEPTEMBER 2017. THE BOARD COMMITTEE ALSO REVIEWS COMPARABLE SALARIES BEFORE MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE KEY EMPLOYEES SALARIES. THE PROCESS IS DOCUMENTED. TOSTAN'S COMPENSATION POLICY IS TO PAY AT THE 25TH PERCENTILE OF THE MARKET FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND TOWARDS THE 75TH PERCENTILE FOR AROUND 900 AFRICAN STAFF MEMBERS IN THE FIELD. 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. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: EXCHANGE RATE LOSS 165,610.