2017-05-15T13:19:26-05:00 2016-06-30 208078757 SALTER & COMPANY LLC 4600 EAST-WEST HIGHWAY SUITE 300 BETHESDA MD 208143415 990 2015-07-01 204840080 HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC D/B/A BRIGHT MINDS HOWA 4107400707 10910 ROUTE 108 ELLICOTT CITY MD 21042 LISA OLIVIERI CHAIR 4107400707 2017-05-15 1 JEFFREY W LEWIS CPA P01016134 3018307400 2017-05-15 X 2015 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z BRIGHT MINDS FOUNDATION PATRICIA SASSE 10910 ROUTE 108 ELLICOTT CITY MD 21042 175068 0 X BRIGHTMINDSFOUNDATION.ORG X 2006 MD THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE IS TO ASSIST IN THE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS IN THE HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. 15 14 2 38 0 0 135780 133112 0 0 118 103 36519 25399 172417 158614 37266 3500 0 0 81752 86490 0 0 17676 45541 42226 164559 132216 7858 26398 61195 87807 12144 12358 49051 75449 X THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE IS TO ASSIST IN THE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS IN THE HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. 0 0 78521 3500 THE BRIGHT MINDS FOUNDATION IS THE HOWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION, AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CREATED IN 2006 BY THE HCPSS BOARD OF EDUCATION AND GOVERNED BY AN INDEPENDENT BOARD OF VOLUNTEERS REPRESENTING LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS. DUE TO CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS IN THE COUNTY, OF THE 52,511 STUDENTS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, FULLY 19.4% OF STUDENTS ARE RECEIVING FREE AND REDUCED MEALS (FARMS) SERVICES BASED ON FAMILY INCOME BELOW FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES. ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE BETWEEN 500-600 STUDENTS RECEIVING HOMELESS SERVICES IN THE SYSTEM. OVER 2,250 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL) PROGRAM, REPRESENTING 58 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES (PRIMARILY SPANISH AND KOREAN) AND 75 COUNTRIES. (STATISTICS TAKEN FROM HCPSS PROFILE AT HTTP://WWW.HCPSS.ORG/ABOUTUS/PROFILE.PDF). ACCORDINGLY, THE BRIGHT MINDS FOUNDATION IS POSITIONED TO HELP FILL THE GAPS TO PROVIDE HELP NEEDED BY SOME OF THESE STUDENTS THAT CANNOT BE FULLY ADDRESSED BY THE SCHOOL BUDGET.PROGRAMS1.BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE: HCPSS HAS IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN HOWARD COUNTY WHOSE FAMILIES ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE HOME TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT. THESE FAMILIES EXPERIENCE GREAT DIFFICULTY IN EVERY SPHERE OF LIFE DUE TO THIS DISCONNECT. BY PROVIDING REFURBISHED LAPTOPS, NEW PRINTERS, AND FLASHDRIVES, WE HAVE ENABLED THE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO COMPETE ON A MORE LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. WE HAVE PLACED 975 COMPUTERS IN HOMES TO DATE, AND DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS IN EACH HOME, PLUS EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS WHO CAN USE THE EQUIPMENT, WE BELIEVE WE HAVE CHANGED THE LIVES OF AT LEAST 5,000 PEOPLE. STUDENTS NOW CAN DO THEIR HOMEWORK AT THEIR OWN PACE FROM HOME, AND BECAUSE WE ARE GIVING LAPTOPS THAT HAVE WI-FI CAPABILITY, THEY CAN ACCESS THE INTERNET FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS, EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE IT AT HOME. THIS EQUIPMENT ALSO ALLOWS PARENTS TO CONNECT TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO OVERSEE THE STUDENTS' PERFORMANCE, VIA THE FAMILY PORTALS, AND CHECK HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS, ACTIVITIES, ETC., WHICH WAS UNAVAILABLE TO THEM BEFORE. WE ALSO REFER FAMILIES TO COMCAST TO QUALIFY FOR INEXPENSIVE BROADBAND, AND PROVIDE TRAINING ON PARENTAL SECURITY ISSUES, AS WELL AS ONLINE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LIBRARY. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH MANY LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS AND FUNDING FROM THE COMMUNITY.2. STAFF AND TEACHER'S GRANT PROGRAM: WHILE THE HCPSS IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PERFORMING SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN TEH STATE, AND ENJOYS A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF COUNTY DOLLARS TO MEET ITS MANDATE, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES TO THE COUNTY, SUCH AN INFLUX OF FAMILIES WHO DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH AS WELL AS AN INCREASE IN FAMILIES IN POVERTY WHO ARE ENTITLED TO FREE AND REDUCED MEALS (FARMS), AS A RESULT OF THE UNSTABLE ECONOMY. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN HIGH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, MORE RESOURCES ARE NEEDED TO MANAGE THESE GROWING CHANGES AND NEEDS. IT IS CLEAR THAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT BECOMES MORE NECESSARY TO HELP PROVIDE NECESSARY ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE FALL BY THE WAYSIDE. RECOGNIZING THAT THERE ARE MANY OUTSTANDING IDEAS THAT STAFF AND TEACHERS CREATE TO PROVIDE ENRICHMENT THAT OFTEN MUST BE SCRAPPED AS THEY ARE OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET, BRIGHT MINDS OFFERS A YEARLY OPPORTUNITY FOR STAFF AND TEACHERS TO QUALIFY FOR GRANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $500 TO $2,000 THAT CAN BE USED TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND GROW. WE DEFINE CATEGORIES USING THE 21ST CENTURY COMPETENCIES CURRICULUM, AND ALSO STATE THAT THE PROJECT MUST BE DESIGNED TO MEET OUR MISSION OF EQUITY AND EQUALITY FIRST. IT IS A FACT THAT STUDENTS WHO MAY NEED ENRICHMENT THE MOST OFTEN HAVE THE LEAST OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE IT, SO WE ARE PROUD TO SOLICIT AND DIRECT PRIVATE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THESE OPPORTUNITIES. IN THE PAST, WE HAVE GRANTED FUNDS TO SCHOOLS WITH THE HIGHEST FARMS PERCENTAGES TO PURCHASE LEGO ROBOTIC EQUIPMENT FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO HELP MOTIVATE THEM TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY CAREERS. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS A SCHOOL WHOSE STUDENTS REPRESENTED A VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE OF MINORITY GROUPS, WHICH WAS AWARDED FUNDS TO PURCHASE WEATHER PROBES TO AGAIN HELP DIRECT THESE STUDENTS TO TECHNOLOGY CAREERS BY INTRODUCING THEM TO THESE CONCEPTS AND THE PROPER EQUIPMENT. WE CAN CITE SUPPORT FOR 65 PROJECTS REPRESENTING $111,000 INVESTMENT SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION.3. STRATEGIC GOAL REVIEW AND EXPANSION: WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SCHOOL, WE ARE FINDING NEW WAYS TO HELP THEM MEET THEIR 2018 VISION TO CLOSE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS BY TARGETING STUDENTS FROM DISADVANTAGED HOMES TO FILL NEEDS LIKE TRANSPORTATION. THE LACK OF TRANSPORTATION IS OFTEN A BARRIER THAT IMPACTS THEIR ABILITY TO ACCESS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, OR ACTIVITIES THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOME TERRITORY. WE ARE CONSIDERING WAYS TO COLLABORATE AND TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THESE STUDENTS AND ARE OPEN TO OTHER EMERGING NEEDS THAT MAY BE DEFINED IN THE FUTURE.4. DRIVING STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM: IN RECOGNITION OF THE BARRIERS CAUSED BY LACK OF TRANSPORTATION FOR STUDENTS WHO CANNOT MAKE THEIR OWN ALTERNATE PLANS IN ORDER TO ATTEND AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, WE WERE ASKED TO LOOK AT WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP. BECAUSE LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD IN GENERAL IS A MAJOR INITIATIVE FOR OUR FOUNDATION, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED PARTNERS TO WORK WITH US TO CREATE A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO CALL ATTENTION TO THIS INITIATIVE. WE HAVE CULTIVATED A PARTNERSHIP WITH DISTRICT 1 COUNCILMAN JON WEINSTEIN TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIKE THE INDEPENDENT GAS STATION OWNERS TO CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO OUR PROGRAM. WE RAISED FUNDS TO BEGIN ADDING ONE BUS PER WEEK TO SEVEN SCHOOLS FROM JANUARY 2016 THROUGH JUNE 2016. EACH BUS HOLDS APPROXIMATELY 45 STUDENTS SO WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUPPORT THE ABILITY FOR AT LEAST 300 STUDENTS PER WEEK TO STAY AFTER SCHOOL TO TAKE PART IN ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES. THIS INCLUDES MENTORING AND TUTORING ALONG WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SPORTS, DRAMA, STUDENT CLUBS, ETC. THERE ARE NO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS TO USE THE BUSES; THEY ARE SIMPLY THERE FOR THOSE WHO NEED THEM. MOST SCHOOLS HAVE INSTITUTED SIGN UP PROGRAMS AND ARE ABLE TO KEEP TRACK OF STUDENT USE FOR MONITORING AND REPORTING. 78521 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 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 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 15 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 MD X THE ORGANIZATION 4107400707 10910 ROUTE 108 ELLICOTT CITY MD 21042 MICHAEL IWANCZUK TREASURER 6.00 X X 0 0 0 JULIE MYERS DIRECTOR 6.00 X 0 0 0 LISA OLIVIERI CHAIR 5.00 X X 0 0 0 TAMMY ANDREWS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ERIC NASS DIRECTOR 4.00 X 0 0 0 CLARISSA EVANS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 DR RENEE FOOSE EX OFFICIO 2.00 X X 0 0 0 PATRICIA M SASSE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 73500 0 0 LESLIE BARNETT VICE CHAIR 12.00 X X 0 0 0 JULIA MATTIS DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 SUZI PADGETT DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 RYAN C FREDERIC DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN JAMESON DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREA M RUSSELL DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 LISA TERRY DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 JOHNNY CIPOLLA DIRECTOR 2.00 X 0 0 0 73500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 133112 12169 133112 103 103 41745 16454 25291 25291 MICROSOFT REFUND 900099 108 108 108 158614 211 0 25291 3500 3500 73501 47775 14700 11026 6404 6404 6585 4452 1219 914 4660 4660 1463 1463 12571 6835 5736 4725 4725 103 51 52 630 315 315 1309 1309 COMPUTERS FOR STUDENTS 12694 12694 SCHOLARSHIPS 3000 3000 WEBSITE 741 741 MEMBERSHIP 330 330 132216 78521 36019 17676 56690 84252 3505 3055 1000 500 61195 87807 8639 9303 3505 3055 12144 12358 X 31362 58455 17689 16994 49051 75449 61195 87807 26398 0 X X 1 X 0 1 0 X 69217 139554 112922 135780 133112 590585 69217 139554 112922 135780 133112 590585 66175 524410 201 161 99 118 103 682 591267 103 0.88690 0.88570 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 X PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE NOT TO BE A "PRIVATE FOUNDATION" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 509(A) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES GENERALLY ACCEPTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA REQUIRE THAT A TAX POSITION BE RECOGNIZED OR DERECOGNIZED BASED ON A "MORE LIKELY THAN NOT" THRESHOLD. THIS APPLIES TO POSITIONS TAKEN OR EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN IN A RETURN. THE ORGANIZATION HAS DETERMINED THAT ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DO NOT INCLUDE ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS FOR THE TAX YEARS OF 2015, 2014 AND 2013. GOLF TOURNAMENT 19250 19250 6554 721 DANCE CONTEST 7527 7527 793 1 14968 14968 8386 41745 41745 14940 1514 16454 25291 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 THE IRS FORM 990 IS PRESENTED TO THE OFFICERS FOR APPROVAL AND SIGNED BY THE BOARD CHAIR. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE ORGANIZATION EDUCATES THE BOARD ON THE DEFINITION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. ALL BOARD MEMBERS SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT THAT THEY WILL DISCLOSE ALL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION IS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD AND OFFICERS ANNUALLY BEFORE RENEWAL OF THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE REVIEW OF ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SELECTION OF AN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT.