2016-05-16T16:30:52-05:00 2015-06-30 208078757 SALTER & COMPANY LLC 4600 EAST-WEST HIGHWAY SUITE 300 BETHESDA MD 208143415 990 2014-07-01 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 2016-05-16 1 JEFFREY W LEWIS CPA P01016134 3018307400 2016-05-16 X 2014 2016-08-17 19:52:53Z BRIGHT MINDS FOUNDATION PATRICIA SASSE 10910 ROUTE 108 ELLICOTT CITY MD 21042 183132 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. 14 13 2 38 0 0 112922 135780 0 0 99 118 0 36519 113021 172417 15871 37266 0 0 69445 81752 0 0 12486 38719 45541 124035 164559 -11014 7858 61412 61195 20219 12144 41193 49051 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 124850 37266 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 650 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 2,600 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 59 PROJECTS REPRESENTING $94,000 INVESTMENT SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION.3. FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING: AS WE SEEK FUNDING FOR OUR PROGRAMS, WE HAVE ATTRACTED SPONSORS WHO HAVE PROVIDED RESOURCES TO HELP US INCLUDE OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS IN OUR WORKSHOPS AND FOR OUR STAFF AND TEACHER GRANTS. ONE SUCH EXAMPLE IS THE COLLABORATION WE HAVE ESTABLISHED WITH CAPITAL ONE BANK, WHICH HAS SUPPORTED OUR PROGRAMS OVER THE YEARS WITH MANY THOUSANDS OF GRANT DOLLARS. IN ADDITION, THEY HAVE SENT NUMBERS OF VOLUNTEERS TO ATTEND OUR LAPTOPS FOR STUDENTS WORKSHOPS TO PROVIDE AN HOUR LONG FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING COMPONENT. IT IS OUR POLICY TO HOLD MANDATORY WORKSHOPS FOR A PARENT AND STUDENT TO ATTEND WHEN RECEIVING A COMPUTER FROM US, TO LEARN HOW TO USE THE EQUIPMENT AND HOW TO SET IT UP AT HOME, AND ALSO TO ENSURE THAT THE PARENT IS ENGAGED AND RECEIVES TRAINING AS WELL. IT IS AT THIS MANDATORY WORKSHOP THAT WE OFFER A COURSE IN FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING, PERFORMED BY LOCAL CAPITAL ONE BRANCH BANK MANAGERS AS VOLUNTEERS. THE COURSE IS ALWAYS VERY WELL RECEIVED, AND AT THE END, EACH MANAGER TAKES TIME TO MEET THE FAMILIES INDIVIDUALLY AND INFORMALLY INVITE THEM TO VISIT THE LOCAL BANKS FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE. WE FIND THAT THESE FUN AND NONTHREATENING ENCOUNTERS WITH BANK EMPLOYEES SET A VERY HELPFUL TONE FOR FAMILIES THAT MAY OTHERWISE FEEL INTIMIDATED TO VISIT A LOCAL BANK. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THIS PARTNERSHIP AND WE WORK CLOSELY WITH CAPITAL ONE BANK TO DETERMINE OTHER AREAS OF INVOLVEMENT FOR THEM, SUCH AS INTRODUCING THEM TO THE FINANCE ACADEMY AT THE ARL AND HELPING THEM TO BECOME PART OF THE ADVISORY BOARD.4. 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.5. 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 THE HAMMOND HS PTSA AND BOOSTER CLUBS TO FUND TOGETHER TWO AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY BUSES THAT WILL ALLOW 180 DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY AFTER SCHOOL TO TAKE PART IN LEARNING AND MENTORING ACTIVITIES. BY THE END OF THE 2014/2015 SCHOOL YEAR, WE HAD RECEIVED STATISTICS SHOWING THAT APPROXIMATELY 177 MORE HAMMOND HS STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN AFTER SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAMS, WHICH LED TO AN OVERALL INCREASE IN THEIR GPAS. WE ARE WORKING ON AN EXPANSION TO THIS PROGRAM, WHICH WE HAVE NAMED DRIVING STUDENT SUCCESS, AND WE HAVE RAISED AWARENESS OF THE PROGRAM IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE TARGETING FUNDS THAT WILL ALLOW US TO PLACE ONE BUS ON ONE DAY A WEEK IN EACH HIGH SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT AND ARE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. 6. BRIGHT MINDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: BRIGHT MINDS HAS CREATED A NAMED SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS IN NEED FOR SPRING 2015 AND WE ARE ALSO POISED TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY DETERMINE HOW BEST TO COMMEMORATE AND MEMORIALIZE LOVED ONES AND OTHERS WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES MERIT. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE WHICH HAS EXPLORED LEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES AND WHO WILL OVERSEE THE ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED FOR THIS PURPOSE. THIS IS BEING DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HCPSS SO THAT PARENTS AND OTHER POTENTIAL DONORS DO NOT SEEK ADVICE FROM THE EMPLOYEES OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WHO ARE NOT VERSED IN THESE AREAS, BUT WLL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT OUR FOUNDATION FOR DISCUSSION AND ADVICE. A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WAS RELEASED TO EACH HIGH SCHOOL IN SPRING 2015 AND WE SELECTED ONE DISADVANTAGED STUDENT FROM HAMMOND HS WHO HAD A 4.0 UNWEIGHTED AVERAGE AND WAS PLANNING TO ATTEND YALE. WE HAVE AWARDED HER $1000 PER YEAR FOR UP TO FOUR YEARS, AND WILL SEND PAYMENT DIRECTLY TO HER SCHOOL FINANCE OFFICE. 124850 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 1 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 14 13 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 VALERIE JAMES DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JULIE MYERS DIRECTOR 6.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LISA OLIVIERI CHAIR 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 AL SCOLNIK DIRECTOR 4.50 0.00 X 0 0 0 ERIC NASS DIRECTOR 4.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 WILLIAM GRAY FORMER CHAIR 10.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 DR RENEE FOOSE EX OFFICIO 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 PATRICIA M SASSE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 0.00 X 71458 0 0 LESLIE BARNETT VICE CHAIR 12.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 CAROLYN MECH SECRETARY 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 STEVEN POYNOT DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 RYAN C FREDERIC DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 SUSAN JAMESON DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREA M RUSSELL DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 RAMYA VEMURI DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 71458 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 135780 24955 135780 118 118 47234 10715 36519 36519 172417 118 0 36519 37266 37266 71458 46448 14292 10718 4053 2634 811 608 6241 4057 1248 936 1790 1790 2784 2784 224 224 5747 5747 2663 1332 1331 228 114 114 1290 1290 EQUIPMENT FOR STUDENTS 27695 27695 SCHOLARSHIPS 1900 1900 MEMBERSHIP 620 620 WEBSITE 600 600 164559 124850 27223 12486 57918 56690 2440 3505 1000 1054 0 61412 61195 8829 8639 2440 3505 8950 0 20219 12144 X 36158 31362 5035 17689 41193 49051 61412 61195 7858 0 X X 1 X 0 1 0 X 57405 69217 139554 112922 135780 514878 57405 69217 139554 112922 135780 514878 58187 456691 192 201 161 99 118 771 515649 118 0.88570 0.80980 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 2014, 2013 AND 2012. GOLF TOURNAMENT 34350 34350 8296 1316 DANCE CONTEST 12884 12884 1103 47234 47234 8296 2419 10715 36519 1 HCPSS 10910 ROUTE 108 ELLICOTT CITY MD 21042 526000968 37266 TEACHER ASSISTANCE 1 1 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.