2025-11-04T10:43:32-06:00 2024-12-31 391203191 SVA CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS SC 1221 JOHN Q HAMMONS DRIVE MADISON WI 53717 990 2024-01-01 461527090 ROOTS ETHIOPIA INC ROOT 6083472960 14 LONGMEADOW CIR MADISON WI 53717 MEGHAN WALSH BOARD CHAIR 6083472960 2025-11-04 1 1 LYNN HESLINGA P01273410 6088318181 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z MEGHAN WALSH 14 LONGMEADOW CIR MADISON WI 53717 524409 0 X WWW.ROOTSETHIOPIA.ORG X 2013 WI SUPPORTING COMMUNITY IDENTIFIED SOLUTIONS FOR JOB CREATION AND EDUCATION IN ETHIOPIA. 7 7 0 7 0 0 728197 519460 0 0 30 30 7596 4410 735823 523900 542571 615639 0 0 0 0 0 0 73252 71750 138514 614321 754153 121502 -230253 569677 339419 625 620 569052 338799 X ROOTS ETHIOPIA IS A NON-PROFIT THAT EXISTS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE ACCESS TO WORK AND EDUCATION ARE THE FOUNDATIONS FOR BUILDING A POVERTY-FREE WORLD. WE BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE NO BARRIERS TO ETHIOPIAN FAMILIES SUCCEEDING IN WORK AND SCHOOL. WE ASSIST FAMILIES TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, WE SUPPORT WOMEN TO CREATE VALUABLE LOCAL MARKET WORK, AND WE JOIN WITH COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE THEIR SCHOOLS, SO EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE TO LEARN. 0 0 237784 235559 ROOTS ETHIOPIA'S LEARNING RESOURCE PROJECTS (LRPS) ARE DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN UNDER-RESOURCED RURAL SCHOOLS BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL MATERIALS, CAPACITY-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES, AND INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS. THE OVERARCHING OBJECTIVE IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA.IN 2024, ROOTS ETHIOPIA SUPPORTED 30 RURAL SCHOOLS THAT COLLECTIVELY SERVE MORE THAN 10,000 STUDENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. CORE INTERVENTIONS INCLUDED THE PROVISION OF TEACHING MATERIALS, SCIENCE AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT, LIBRARY RESOURCES, AND TARGETED TUTORIAL PROGRAMS FOR GRADE 8 STUDENTS IN 30 LRP SCHOOLS. ADDITIONAL INITIATIVES ADVANCED HOLISTIC STUDENT DEVELOPMENT THROUGH YOUTH SPORTS AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS, WHILE ALSO ENSURING IMPROVED ACCESS TO SAFE AND FUNCTIONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THROUGH THE REPAIR OF SUBSTANDARD FACILITIES.SPECIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2024 INCLUDED: EQUIPPING 7 PRE-PRIMARY CLASSROOMS WITH AGE-APPROPRIATE TEACHING MATERIALS AND FURNITURE. SUPPORTING 4 SCHOOLS WITH TAILORED LITERACY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVES. DELIVERING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS TO OVER 210 EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL STAFF, INCLUDING PRE-PRIMARY FACILITATORS AND SCIENCE TEACHERS. ESTABLISHING 4 YOUTH SPORTS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE PHYSICAL WELL-BEING, TEAMWORK, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. STRENGTHENING SCHOOL LIBRARIES TO EXPAND ACCESS TO READING MATERIALS AND FOSTER A CULTURE OF LEARNING. LAUNCHING A NEW INITIATIVE TO ESTABLISH A CENTER FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, ADDRESSING AN URGENT GAP IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION.TOGETHER, THESE INVESTMENTS DEMONSTRATE ROOTS ETHIOPIA'S COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING EQUITABLE, HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES AND TO EMPOWERING BOTH STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS WITH THE RESOURCES, SKILLS, AND OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS. 147843 146460 THE SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES VITAL RESOURCES THAT ENABLE STUDENTS FROM VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS TO ACCESS, REMAIN IN, AND EXCEL WITHIN QUALITY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. FROM JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 2024, ROOTS ETHIOPIA SUPPORTED 220 STUDENTS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, DELIVERING MEASURABLE ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL OUTCOMES.THE IMPACT IS CLEAR: EIGHT SPONSORED STUDENTS ARE NOW ENROLLED IN HIGHER EDUCATION, AND ONE HAS SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATED FROM UNIVERSITY. FORTY-NINE STUDENTS CONSISTENTLY RANKED IN THE TOP 10 PERCENT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CLASSES, WHILE 91 PERCENT OF PARTICIPANTS RECORDED IMPROVED ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. ATTENDANCE ALSO SHOWED REMARKABLE PROGRESS, WITH 96 PERCENT OF SPONSORED STUDENTS IMPROVING THEIR CONSISTENCY IN SCHOOL.RECOGNIZING THE ECONOMIC PRESSURES FACED BY FAMILIES, THE PROGRAM ALSO EXTENDED TARGETED FOOD SUPPORT TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF SOARING INFLATION. THIS INTERVENTION REDUCED THE NEED FOR STUDENTS TO ENGAGE IN DAILY WAGE LABOR, THEREBY SAFEGUARDING THEIR RIGHT TO REMAIN IN SCHOOL AND FOCUS ON THEIR EDUCATION. 96220 95320 IN RESPONSE TO THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF CONSECUTIVE DROUGHTS ACROSS ROOTS ETHIOPIA'S AREAS OF OPERATION, THE ORGANIZATION MOBILIZED RAPID HUMANITARIAN RELIEF TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND DIGNITY OF VULNERABLE FAMILIES. WORKING IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL LEADERS AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES, ROOTS ETHIOPIA'S FIELD TEAMS ENSURED THAT AID REACHED THOSE MOST ACUTELY AFFECTED.BETWEEN JANUARY AND DECEMBER 2024, EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE WAS DELIVERED TO MORE THAN 6,400 INDIVIDUALS, REPRESENTING OVER 1,060 FAMILIES FACING ACUTE FOOD INSECURITY. EACH HOUSEHOLD RECEIVED A CAREFULLY DESIGNED RELIEF PACKAGE THAT INCLUDED STAPLE FOOD SUPPLIES SUCH AS CORN, ESSENTIAL COOKING OIL, AND TARGETED CASH TRANSFERS TO MEET URGENT HOUSEHOLD NEEDS. THIS APPROACH NOT ONLY ADDRESSED IMMEDIATE HUNGER BUT ALSO ENABLED FAMILIES TO EXERCISE CHOICE AND DIGNITY IN MEETING THEIR MOST PRESSING PRIORITIES.THE INTERVENTION WAS CRITICAL IN MITIGATING THE RISK OF MALNUTRITION, ESPECIALLY AMONG CHILDREN, PREGNANT AND LACTATING MOTHERS, AND OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS. BEYOND FOOD SECURITY, THE PROGRAM ALSO STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY RESILIENCE BY REINFORCING TRUST AND COOPERATION BETWEEN LOCAL LEADERS, HOUSEHOLDS, AND HUMANITARIAN PARTNERS.ROOTS ETHIOPIA REMAINS COMMITTED TO COMPLEMENTING SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY RELIEF WITH LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIESENSURING THAT FAMILIES NOT ONLY SURVIVE IMMEDIATE SHOCKS BUT ARE ALSO BETTER PREPARED TO WITHSTAND FUTURE CLIMATE-RELATED CRISES. 139607 138300 SELF-HELP ENTREPRENEURIAL GROUPS (SHE)FORMERLY KNOWN AS INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES AND SELF-HELP SAVINGS GROUPSARE A CORNERSTONE OF ROOTS ETHIOPIA'S LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMMING. THESE GROUPS ENABLE WOMEN FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS TO LAUNCH AND SUSTAIN SMALL-SCALE ENTERPRISES WHILE BUILDING SAVINGS, THEREBY CREATING PATHWAYS TO LONG-TERM ECONOMIC SECURITY AND RESILIENCE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.FROM JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 2024, 80 SHE GROUPS WERE ACTIVELY OPERATING ACROSS ROOTS ETHIOPIA'S PROGRAM AREAS, DIRECTLY ENGAGING 1,600 WOMEN IN LOCAL MARKET-BASED BUSINESSES. THESE WOMEN ARE COLLECTIVELY STRENGTHENING HOUSEHOLD INCOME STREAMS, EXPANDING SAVINGS CAPACITY, AND INVESTING IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND HEALTH.TO ENHANCE SKILLS AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY, FOUR TARGETED BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL LITERACY, LIFE SKILLS, AND BASIC LEADERSHIP TRAININGS WERE DELIVERED TO SHE MEMBERS DURING THE YEAR. FURTHERMORE, 11 COMMUNITY FACILITATORS WERE TRAINED TO PROVIDE ONGOING SUPERVISION, MENTORSHIP, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE GROUPS, ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY, GROWTH, AND SUSTAINABILITY.THE SHE MODELS NOT ONLY IMPROVES WOMEN'S ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE BUT ALSO STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY SOLIDARITY AND CREATES A MULTIPLIER EFFECTELEVATING ENTIRE HOUSEHOLDS AND COMMUNITIES TOWARD GREATER STABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY. 139607 138300 621454 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 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 1 3 0 1 0 0 1 ET 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 WI X X MEGHAN WALSH 6088391150 14 LONGMEADOW CIRCLE MADISON WI 53717 X MEGHAN WALSH BOARD CHAIR 40.00 X X 0 0 0 JEANNE M OLSON STRATEGY CHAIR 20.00 X X 0 0 0 ASCHELAW CHAMISO BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 KONGIT GIRMA BOARD MEMBER 10.00 X 0 0 0 WENDY HARPER TREASURER 15.00 X X 0 0 0 CAMI BLUMENTHAL BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 WENDI AILOR BOARD MEMBER 5.00 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 519460 519460 30 30 4879 509 4370 4370 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 900099 40 40 40 523900 4410 0 30 615639 615639 5909 5815 94 24302 24302 16280 16280 56878 56878 12169 12169 2330 2330 1257 1257 MERCHANT CHARGES 16126 16126 MISCELLANEOUS 3049 3049 SUPPLIES 214 214 754153 621454 59447 73252 329870 304822 29807 29837 210000 2500 0 2260 569677 339419 625 620 625 620 X 209279 218972 359773 119827 569052 338799 569677 339419 -230253 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 530088 496008 772827 728197 519460 3046580 530088 496008 772827 728197 519460 3046580 1109104 1937476 118 57 30 30 30 265 3046845 0.63590 0.70500 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 523900 0 523900 0 523900 754153 0 754153 0 754153 0 SNNPR, ETHIOPIA 2 15 PROGRAM SERVICES AND OTHER ASSISTANCE LEARNING RESOURCE PROJECTS (SCHOOL RESOURCES & TEACHER SUPPORT]; SCHOOL SPONSORSHIPS; SELF HELP GROUPS; HUMANITARIAN AID 615639 2 15 0 0 2 15 615639 0 615639 SNNPR, ETHIOPIA GENERAL SUPPORT 615639 WIRE TRANSFERS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 2: MONITORING OF FUNDS: ALL PROSPECTIVE GRANT RECIPIENTS SUBMIT DETAILED/ITEMIZED PROPOSALS TO THE ROOTS ETHIOPIA BOARD FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. ROOTS ETHIOPIA ADDIS OFFICE PROGRAMS ALSO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR FUNDING AND SELECT SOME SITES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOCAL MINISTRIES OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITIES. IF THE PROPOSAL IS ACCEPTED, THE GRANT OR PROGRAM/PROJECT IS FUNDED VIA WIRE TRANSFER TO EITHER THE GRANTEE (WHO IMPLEMENTS THE PROJECT) OR THE ROOTS ETHIOPIA ADDIS OFFICE (WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROJECT.) THIS INCLUDES: USING AGREED UPON CRITERIA TO SELECT AND APPROVE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS; MAKE APPROPRIATE PAYMENTS FOR PRE-APPROVED EXPENSES; MONITOR THE PROJECT UNTIL COMPLETION WHILE KEEPING THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR UPDATED AS TO PROGRESS AND ALSO WHILE COLLECTING DATA ON THE VARIABLES AGREED UPON IN ADVANCE; KEEPING FINANCIAL RECORDS, PARTICIPANT ROSTERS, AND PROJECT PLANS. THE GRANT RECIPIENT SUBMITS FINANCIAL REPORTS, ROSTERS AND PLANS BOTH PERIODICALLY AND UPON REQUEST. THE ROOTS ETHIOPIA ADDIS OFFICE SUBMITS FINANCIAL REPORTS, ROSTERS AND PLANS BOTH QUARTERLY AND UPON REQUEST. MEETINGS ARE HELD ON SITE AT INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR OFFICES AND ROOTS ETHIOPIA OFFICES WHERE FINANCIAL RECORDS (CASH ACCOUNTING) AND PROJECT RECORDS ARE MADE AVAILABLE. BOARD MEMBERS AND/OR ROOTS ETHIOPIA STAFF CONDUCT SITE VISITS IN PROJECT LOCATIONS TO GATHER DATA AND REVIEW ADHERENCE TO AGREED UPON PROJECT CONDITIONS. AN EXTERNAL FINANCIAL AUDITOR REVIEWS AND APPROVES ROOTS ETHIOPIA ADDIS OFFICE FINANCIAL RECORDS ANNUALLY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B BOARD MEMBERS RECEIVE A COPY OF THE COMPLETED FORM VIA INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS AND ARE DIRECTED TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS/POTENTIAL CORRECTIONS TO THE BOARD TREASURER BEFORE THE DATE UPON WHICH THE 990 WILL BE FINALIZED AND FILED WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS INVOLVED WITH PROPOSED OR ONGOING TRANSACTIONS AND MONITORS ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. IN ADDITION, ALL POSITIONS OF INFLUENCE, FINANCIAL BENEFITS, FINANCIAL INTERESTS AND OTHER POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST MUST BE DISCLOSED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CERTIFICATION. DEPENDING UPON THE NATURE OF THE CONFLICT, THIS MAY INCLUDE THE INDIVIDUAL BEING REMOVED FROM A POSITION OF DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO THE CONFLICT SITUATION. WHEN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS RELEVANT TO A MATTER REQUIRING ACTION BY THE BOARD, THE INTERESTED PERSON(S) SHALL CALL IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE BOARD AND SAID PERSON(S) SHALL NOT VOTE ON THE MATTER. IN ADDITION, THE PERSON(S) SHALL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE FINAL DECISION OR RELATED DELIBERATION REGARDING THE MATTER UNDER CONSIDERATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 IN FICSAL YEAR 2024, ROOTS ETHIOPIA REVIEWED COMPENSATION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES. AS PART OF THIS REVIEW, PEER DATA WAS USED TO ESTABLISH/REFINE PAY GRADES AND COMPENSATION BANDS FOR ALL POSITIONS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC VIA ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE AND UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.