2018-11-08T08:16:07-06:00 2017-12-31 580945566 CLARK L TOMLIN CO PC CPAS 2400 LAKEVIEW PARKWAY SUITE 600 ALPHARETTA GA 30009 990 2017-01-01 161639971 GEORGIA WATCH GEOR 4045251085 55 MARIETTA STREET NW NO 903 ATLANTA GA 30303 LIZ COYLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4045251085 2018-11-07 0 ALAN R TOMLIN P01260125 7703957024 2018-11-07 50.194.254.177 2018-11-07 14:11:58 ES P 349C22E100B34E0AFC9DA7F5B97D73BAFF9E9D7A 349C22E100B34E0AFC9DA7F5B97D73BAFF9E9D7A 2017 2019-02-21 02:37:17Z LIZ COYLE 55 MARIETTA STREET NW ATLANTA GA 30303 540985 0 X WWW.GEORGIAWATCH.ORG X 2002 GA SEE SCHEDULE O 12 12 4 22 0 0 243871 356488 0 0 77 25 190581 172333 434529 528846 0 0 0 0 276628 344688 0 0 0 147228 113556 423856 458244 10673 70602 139371 209973 0 0 139371 209973 X SEE SCHEDULE O 0 0 200448 FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMS: SEE SCHEDULE O 28902 CONSUMER ENERGY PROGRAM (CEP) SEE SCHEDULE O 129800 HEALTH ACCESS PROGRAM (HAP): SEE SCHEDULE O 359150 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 6 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 12 12 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 X LIZ COYLE 4045251085 55 MARIETTA STREET NW SUITE 903 ATLANTA GA 30303 X SHERONN HARRIS BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JIMMY HURT BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALLISON KELLY BEATON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 CLARK HOWARD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHARLENE TURNER BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 DENNIS CREECH BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 BETH CAYCE BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 DANNY ORROCK BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MAURA GEORGE MD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHELLE PUTNAM BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROY BARNES BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN DALTON MD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MATTHEW WILSON BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN BEVIS CHAIRMAN 1.00 X 0 0 0 RAYMOND P CARPENTER TREASURER 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARTHA WILBER MD SECRETARY 1.00 X 0 0 0 LIZ COYLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 102700 0 0 102700 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 15000 341488 356488 25 25 13867 15000 12139 1728 1728 CY PRES - OTHER INCOME 900099 170605 170605 170605 528846 170630 0 1728 102700 72152 30548 185490 185490 34473 30819 3654 22025 19690 2335 1200 1200 25750 25750 12962 12962 1755 1755 6738 6738 2865 2865 25801 25801 778 778 568 568 604 604 2504 2504 HAP PROGRAM 9242 9242 REIMBURSABLE EXPENSES 7813 7813 TELEPHONE 4645 4645 FINANCIAL PROTECTION PR 4465 4465 5866 3729 2137 458244 359150 99094 0 137605 150816 56321 15897 14641 186 1256 1580 1580 139371 209973 0 0 X 46371 77473 93000 132500 139371 209973 139371 209973 70602 0 X 1 X 1 X 0 0 X 270883 148006 221115 213871 341488 1195363 270883 148006 221115 213871 341488 1195363 1195363 888 455 324 77 25 1769 102129 176401 104877 234063 199472 816942 2014074 0.59350 0.60300 X 790 24960 25750 444633 470383 94077 23519 0 0 78035 71891 87468 94077 331471 497207 31791 32495 27727 25750 117763 19509 17973 21867 23519 82868 124302 350 1890 2767 790 5797 15897 14641 1256 1256 X 540985 0 540985 -12139 -12139 528846 470383 0 470383 -12139 -12139 458244 PART X, LINE 2: GEORGIA WATCH, INC. HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN OTHER-THAN PRIVATE FOUNDATION AND IS TAX EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. GEORGIA WATCH, INC. IS SUBJECT TO A TAX ON INCOME FROM ANY UNRELATED BUSINESS. ON JANUARY 1, 2011, GEORGIA WATCH, INC. ADOPTED THE RECOGNITION REQUIREMENTS FOR UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AS REQUIRED BY GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, WITH NO CUMULATIVE EFFECT ADJUSTMENT REQUIRED. INCOME TAX BENEFITS ARE RECOGNIZED FOR INCOME TAX POSITIONS TAKEN OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN IN A TAX RETURN, ONLY WHEN IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE INCOME TAX POSITION WILL MORE-LIKELY-THAN-NOT BE SUSTAINED UPON EXAMINATION BY TAXING AUTHORITIES. GEORGIA WATCH, INC. HAS ANALYZED TAX POSITIONS TAKEN FOR FILING WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND ALL STATE JURISDICTIONS WHERE IT OPERATES. GEORGIA WATCH, INC. BELIEVES THAT INCOME TAX FILING POSITIONS WILL BE SUSTAINED UPON EXAMINATION AND DOES NOT ANTICIPATE ANY ADJUSTMENTS THAT WOULD RESULT IN A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON GEORGIA WATCH, INC.'S FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OR CASH FLOWS. ACCORDINGLY, GEORGIA WATCH HAS NOT RECORDED ANY RESERVES, OR RELATED ACCRUALS FOR INTEREST AND PENALTIES FOR UNCERTAIN INCOME TAX POSITIONS AT DECEMBER 31, 2017. GEORGIA WATCH, INC. IS SUBJECT TO ROUTINE AUDITS BY TAXING JURISDICTIONS, HOWEVER, THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO AUDITS FOR ANY TAX PERIODS IN PROGRESS. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: LESS FUNDRAISER EVENT EXPENSES REPORTED AT FORM 990 PART VIII LINE 8B -12,139. PART XII, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: LESS FUNDRAISER EVENT EXPENSES REPORTED AT FORM 990 PART VIII LINE 8B -12,139. FUNDRAISER DINNER & COCKTAIL PARTY 28867 15000 13867 4264 7875 28867 15000 13867 4264 7875 12139 1728 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 LIZ COYLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 102700 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 102700 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: FOUNDED IN 2002, GEORGIA WATCH IS A NONPROFIT, NONPARTISAN 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION WORKING TO ENSURE THAT GEORGIANS ARE INFORMED AND PROTECTED ON MATTERS THAT IMPACT THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. WE ENDEAVOR TO CLOSE OPPORTUNITY GAPS, REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND PROTECT CONSUMERS' HARD-EARNED INCOME. WE ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES THAT LOWER THE ENERGY BURDEN ON STRUGGLING FAMILIES, OPEN DOORS TO THE FINANCIAL MAINSTREAM, IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, AND INCREASE FINANCIAL SECURITY. WE EDUCATE CONSUMERS SO THAT THEY KNOW THEIR RIGHTS AND ARE BETTER ABLE TO PROTECT THEIR ASSETS. WE ALSO EQUIP AND INSPIRE COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR OWN BEST INTERESTS. IN ALL THAT WE DO, WE WORK TO ENSURE EQUITABLE OUTCOMES AND JUSTICE FOR GEORGIA CONSUMERS. ALL GEORGIA WATCH ACTIVITIES ARE MANAGED AND OVERSEEN BY ITS STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS. PART III, LINE 1 BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION: OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT AND INFORM CONSUMERS SO ALL GEORGIANS PROSPER AND COMMUNITIES THRIVE. WE BELIEVE TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION, EQUITY MUST BE A SHARED VALUE AMONG ALL GEORGIANS. GEORGIANS SHOULD THRIVE WHEREVER THEY CHOOSE TO LIVE. JUSTICE MEANS ALL COMMUNITIES KNOW AND ASSERT THEIR RIGHTS. TO SUCCEED, GEORGIA WATCH MUST BE A RELENTLESS ADVOCATE FOR ALL GEORGIA CONSUMERS. PART III, LINE 4A 4A) FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMS GEORGIA WATCH WORKED IN 2017 TO EDUCATE GEORGIA CITIZENS, THE MEDIA AND POLICYMAKERS ABOUT CRITICAL AREAS OF PUBLIC CONCERN, INCLUDING PREDATORY LENDING, PROACTIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, IDENTITY THEFT, SCAM AVOIDANCE AND ENERGY ISSUES. GEORGIA WATCH OFFERS NUMEROUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ASSIST GEORGIANS WITH BASIC CONSUMER PROTECTIONS, INCLUDING GETTING ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE; MANAGING PERSONAL FINANCES MORE EFFECTIVELY, AND LOWERING ENERGY BILLS. GEORGIA WATCH STAFF MEMBERS TRAVEL AROUND THE STATE TO PRESENT THESE PROGRAMS, WHICH ARE UPDATED AND EXPANDED AS NEEDED. THESE PROGRAMS OFFER TOOLS THAT HELP CONSUMERS CONNECT WITH RESOURCES, BUILD AND MANAGE WEALTH, AND AVOID PREDATORY PRACTICES SUCH AS TITLE PAWN AND PAYDAY LENDING. IN 2017, GEORGIA WATCH BUILT UPON THE SUCCESS OF LAST YEAR'S GEORGIA CONSUMER PRIVACY EDUCATION PROJECT WITH THE GEORGIA CONSUMER FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROJECT. WITH FUNDING FROM THE ROSE FOUNDATION, GEORGIA WATCH LEVERAGED EXISTING STATEWIDE RELATIONSHIPS AND BUILT NEW ONES TO FORM A NETWORK OF 139 STATEWIDE TRAINERS REPRESENTING NEARLY 90 ORGANIZATIONS. THESE TRAINERS LIVE IN SEVEN AREAS OF THE STATE, REPRESENTING MYRIAD SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS, ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS, AND BOTH RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES. DURING MAY AND JUNE OF 2017, GEORGIA WATCH STAFF TRAVELED TO SEVEN AREAS OF THE STATE TO CONDUCT ALL-DAY TRAIN-THE-TRAINER WORKSHOPS DURING WHICH SERVICE PROVIDERS WERE TRAINED ON THE FINANCIAL LITERACY CURRICULUM THAT THEY WOULD THEN TEACH TO THEIR CLIENTS AND COMMUNITIES. AFTER THE TRAIN-THE-TRAINER WORKSHOP, OUR PARTNERS BEGAN PLANNING AND CONDUCTING THEIR OWN WORKSHOPS WITH THE MATERIAL. AS OF AUGUST (JUST 2-3 MONTHS AFTER THE TRAIN-THE-TRAINER SESSIONS), 35 WORKSHOPS HAD BEEN CONDUCTED WITH 513 INDIVIDUALS IN ATTENDANCE. PART III, LINE 4B 4B) CONSUMER ENERGY PROGRAM (CEP) THROUGH MEDIA AND GRASSROOTS OUTREACH, GEORGIA WATCH RAISES AWARENESS OF PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC) PROCEEDINGS AND OTHER ENERGY ISSUES IMPACTING OUR STATE'S ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY AND UTILITY RATEPAYERS' POCKETBOOKS. WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON ASSISTING LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS WHO ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO THE HIGH COST OF UTILITIES, WE DEVELOP CONSUMER RESOURCES WITH TIPS ON HOW TO USE LESS ENERGY TO SAVE MONEY ON POWER BILLS, WHICH WE DISSEMINATE AT WORKSHOPS AND THROUGH OUR WEBSITE. IN 2017, WE CONTINUED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP (DSMWG) TO PUSH GEORGIA POWER TO DEVELOP MEANINGFUL EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS FOR LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS AND STAY UP-TO-DATE ABOUT THE COMPANY'S PROGRESS IMPLEMENTING ENERGY ASSESSMENT SOLUTIONS PROGRAM THAT RESULTED FROM THE 2016 INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLANNING SETTLEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. GEORGIA WATCH IS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE JUST ENERGY CIRCLE (JEC). IN 2017, WE HELPED PLAN AND PARTICIPATED IN JEC-ORGANIZED COMMUNITY FORUMS, INCORPORATING OUR HIGHLY-VALUED, "HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR POWER BILLS" WORKSHOP. GEORGIA WATCH ALSO ENGAGES WITH GEORGIA ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR ALL (EEFA) COALITION PARTNERS AND OTHERS IN OUR CLEAN ENERGY AND CONSUMER ADVOCACY NETWORKS TO PROMOTE POLICIES THAT EXPAND ACCESS TO CLEAN, AFFORDABLE ENERGY ACCROSS THE STATE. IN OCTOBER 2017, WE HOSTED AN ENERGY EQUITY FORUM IN CAMILLA THAT DREW AT LEAST 40 PARTICIPANTS FROM AROUND THE AREA AND THE STATE. TO BUILD UPON THE FORUM, WE ENGAGED WITH THE GEORGIA EEFA COALITION TO DETERMINE EFFECTIVE ENERGY EQUITY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES. WE DELIVERED 15 POWER BILLS WORKSHOPS OR PRESENTATIONS ON POWER BILLS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN 2017. PART III, LINE 4C 4C) HEALTH ACCESS PROGRAM (HAP) IN 2012, GEORGIA WATCH CREATED THE HEALTH ACCESS PROGRAM TO ENSURE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE FOR LOW-INCOME, UNDER- AND UNINSURED GEORGIANS. THROUGH GEORGIA WATCH'S TOLL-FREE CONSUMER HELPLINE, CONSUMERS CONTACT US DIRECTLY WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING THEIR HEALTHCARE. HEALTHCARE AFFORDABILITY WAS THE NUMBER ONE REASON THAT CONSUMERS CONTACTED GEORGIA WATCH IN 2016 AND 2017, MANY OF THEM SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO RESOLVE A SURPRISE MEDICAL BILL OR HOW TO ACCESS HEALTHCARE AND INSURANCE. IN RESPONSE, WE PRODUCED THE GEORGIA CONSUMER GUIDE FOR MEDICAL BILLS AND DEBT IN 2017 AND CONDUCTED NEARLY A DOZEN CORRESPONDING EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE METRO ATLANTA AREA. SPECIFICALLY, THE MEDICAL DEBT GUIDE PROVIDES CONSUMERS WITH ANSWERS TO COMMON - YET COMPLEX - MEDICAL BILLING QUESTIONS INCLUDING: INSURANCE COVERAGE AND APPEALS, EXPLANATION OF BENEFITS STATEMENTS (EOBS), BILL PAYMENT OPTIONS, AND DEBT COLLECTION RIGHTS. WE ALSO PRODUCED AN ONLINE RESOURCE FOR THE UNINSURED THIS YEAR AND ARE CONDUCTING CORRESPONDING WORKSHOPS ON ACCESSING AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE WITH SUPPORT FROM THE GEORGIA HEALTH FOUNDATION. GEORGIA WATCH HAS ENGAGED OVER 40 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN EDUCATION EFFORTS AROUND MEDICAL DEBT AND HEALTHCARE ACCESS, DISTRIBUTED OUR GUIDES ELECTRONICALLY AND IN PRINT THOUSANDS OF TIMES, AND EDUCATED NEARLY 380 CONSUMERS AND ADVOCATES THROUGH OUR HEALTHCARE AFFORDABILITY WORKSHOPS. THE MEDICAL DEBT GUIDE, WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE, HAD BEEN DOWNLOADED OVER 1500 TIMES, AND WE CONTINUALLY RECEIVE REQUESTS FOR MORE HARD COPIES TO DISTRIBUTE. IN 2017, GEORGIA WATCH ALSO BEGAN SERVING ON THE GEORGIA COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH HAS BEEN MEETING FOR A YEAR UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS (CHWS) IN GEORGIA. IMPROVING HEALTH EQUITY IS KEY TO OUR ORGANIZATION'S VISION, AND PROMOTING HEALTHCARE ACCESS IS ONE OF OUR STRATEGIC GOALS. WE KNOW THAT CHWS CAN HELP REDUCE DISPARITIES FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS IN OUR STATE. CREATING A STATEWIDE CHW CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IS KEY TO PROVIDING RECOGNITION FOR THIS GROWING GROUP OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND ALSO FOR OBTAINING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THIRD PARTY PAYORS FOR THEIR SERVICES. AS A MULTI-ISSUE CONSUMER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HELP PATIENTS ADDRESS ISSUES IN THEIR LIVES WITH INCOME, HOUSING, HEALTHY EATING, AND MENTAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH IN ORDER TO BECOME WELL AND STAY WELL. WE HAVE BROUGHT A USEFUL AND KNOWLEDGEABLE CONSUMER ADVOCACY VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION AT THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ABOUT ENCOURAGING USE OF THE CHW MODEL IN GEORGIA. PART IV, LINE 34 EXPLANATION: THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS FUNDS IN TRUST TOTALING $239,013 ON 12/31/2017, AS STATED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S SEPARATE AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. FOR INCOME TAX REPORTING, THE FUNDS IN TRUST ARE REPORTED SEPARATELY ON FORM 990-EZ FOR GEORGIA WATCH FOUNDATION, INC. (EIN 26-1477073). GEORGIA WATCH FOUNDATION, INC. IS IDENTIFIED IN SCHEDULE R. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 6 THIS ORGANIZATION HAS MEMBERS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 WILL BE REVIEWED IN DETAIL BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD AND APPROVED FOR FILING, AFTER WHICH IT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE ENTIRE BOARD FOR RATIFICATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE BOARD REVIEWS THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND HAS ULTIMATE AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL OR DENIAL OVER THE PACKAGE AS WELL AS THE RETENTION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE FORM 1023, FORM 990 AND OTHER GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICE. PART VIII, LINE 11A CY PRES - OTHER INCOME: GEORGIA WATCH RECEIVED A DISTRIBUTION OF CY PRES REMAINDER FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $170,604.59 FROM THE COX V. COMMUNITY LOANS OF AMERICA SETTLEMENT AS ORDERED BY CHIEF JUDGE CLAY LAND ON AUGUST 17, 2017. FORM 990 ELECTION SECTION 1.263(A)-1(F) DE MINIMIS SAFE HARBOR ELECTION GEORGIA WATCH 55 MARIETTA STREET NW NO. 903 ATLANTA, GA 30303 EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 16-1639971 FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2017, GEORGIA WATCH IS MAKING THE DE MINIMIS SAFE HARBOR ELECTION UNDER REG. SEC. 1.263(A)-1(F). GEORGIA WATCH FOUNDATION INC 55 MARIETTA STREET NW ATLANTA GA 30303 261477073 SUPPORT FOR GEORGIA WATCH GA 501 (C) (3) 509 (A) (2) N/A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0