2014-11-14T14:02:35-06:00 2014-06-30 042571780 ALEXANDER ARONSON FINNING & CO PC 21 EAST MAIN STREET WESTBORO MA 01581 990 2013-07-01 273660369 BOSTON'S HIGHER GROUND INC BOST 6176528014 384 WARREN STREET ROXBURY MA 02119 MOSSIK HACOBIAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6176528014 2014-11-14 1 SORIE KABA CPA P01317106 5083669100 2014-11-14 2013 2015-11-30 17:44:51Z MOSSIK HACOBIAN 384 WARREN STREET ROXBURY MA 02119 356893 0 X WWW.HIGHERGROUND-BOSTON.ORG X 2010 MA BOSTON'S HIGHER GROUND, INC. (HIGHER GROUND) SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A NEW COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL FOR A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BY LEVERAGING CAPACITIES OF EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS. 20 20 5 2 0 0 244964 338507 0 10450 429 3 0 -33234 245393 315726 0 0 0 0 209954 129921 0 0 69298 192284 205210 402238 335131 -156845 -19405 27915 26909 15954 34353 11961 -7444 X TO CONNECT CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN BOSTON'S UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO EXISTING SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES THAT CONTINUE TO IMPROVE, AVOID DUPLICATION, AND EMPOWER AND TRANSFORM LIVES FROM CRADLE TO CAREER BY ENGAGING COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL. 0 1 109981 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: HIGHER GROUND CONTINUED ITS YOUTH ORGANIZING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN COLLABORATION WITH CENTER FOR TEEN EMPOWERMENT. DURING THE SUMMER OF 2013 AND THROUGH THE 2013-2014 SCHOOL YEAR, THIRTY AT-RISK YOUTH WERE EMPLOYED ACROSS THE SUMMER AND TWO AFTER SCHOOL CYCLES. THE YOUTH HELPED ORGANIZE SEVERAL EVENTS INCLUDING A PEACE CONFERENCE ON MAY 22, 2014 ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 500 YOUTH AND ADULTS. THE YOUTH ORGANIZERS CONTINUED PARTICIPATING IN AND ORGANIZING MEETINGS WITH THE POLICE AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP REDUCE VIOLENCE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. 49898 PARENTING SUPPORT: HIGHER GROUND CONTINUED ITS PARENTING CIRCLES IN COLLABORATION WITH FAMILIES FIRST. WE CONDUCTED TWO MORE 8-WEEK CYCLES ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 50 NEW AND EXPECTANT PARENTS. DURING THE PARENTING CIRCLES WE PROVIDED CHILD CARE AND ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH SCHOOL READINESS. 15510 10450 HEALTH: HIGHER GROUND COMPLETED ITS SURVEY OF LOCAL YOUTH AND ADULTS THAT HAD BEEN SERVED BY HIGHER GROUND TO ESTABLISH A BASELINE OF HEALTH INDICATORS AGAINST WHICH PROGRESS COULD BE TRACKED OVER TIME. HIGHER GROUND CONTINUED ITS COLLABORATION WITH BRIGHAM & WOMEN'S PASSAGEWAY PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES COUNSELING AND REFERRAL TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE; CONTINUED TO COLLABORATE WITH WHITTIER STREET HEALTH CENTER AND ITS WIC PROGRAM BY HOUSING THE PROGRAM IN OUR OFFICES AFTER THEY WERE DISPLACED DUE TO THE CLOSING OF THE ROXCOMP COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (ROXCOMP); AND CONTINUED TO ORGANIZE COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND PROVIDE UPDATES TO MORE THAN 300 FORMER STAFF, PATIENTS AND INTERESTED NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS ON THE COURT-APPOINTED RECEIVER RESPONSIBLE FOR DISPOSITION OF ROXCOMP'S ASSETS AND ADDRESSING ITS LIABILITIES. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2014 HIGHER GROUND RECEIVED $1,000 FROM THE ROXCOMP RECEIVER FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES AND $9,450 IN LICENSING FEE FROM WHITTIER STREET HEALTH CENTER FOR HOUSING THE WIC PROGRAM IN ITS OFFICES. 15198 EDUCATION 10105 COMMUNITY BUILDING 25303 200692 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 10 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 20 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 MA X MOSSIK HACOBIAN 6176528014 384 WARREN STREET ROXBURY MA 02119 HUBIE JONES FOUNDER/COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PABLO CALDERON COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SHIRLEY CARRINGTON COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CLARENCE COOPER COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 GERARD COX COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TULAINEL MONTGOMERY COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL CURRY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 REV ARTHUR GERALD DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RONA KILEY COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MONALISA SMITH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALEJANDRA ST JUILLEN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LEVERETT WING DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RODNEY HENRY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RENEE SIMMONS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KATHY TAYLOR DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DOLORES CALAF DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL MILES DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DONNA THOMAS MARTINEZ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHARLIE TITUS CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CHARLOTTE GOLAR RICHIE VICE-CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 WILLIAM PINAKIEWICZ CO-TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 RANDALL DAVIS CO-TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ARTHUR CHOO CLERK 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MATTHEW CAMMACK DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MOSSIK HACOBIAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 105769 0 8857 105769 0 8857 1 0 0 0 0 133234 205273 338507 LICENSE FEES 900099 9450 9450 CONTRACT REVENUE 900099 1000 1000 10450 3 3 7933 133234 41167 -33234 -33234 315726 10450 0 -33231 X 93313 31445 23094 38774 26576 19351 6987 238 10032 4081 2538 3413 10400 10400 152615 123773 7844 20998 46 28 8 10 6206 3329 1653 1224 19386 12464 2987 3935 40 24 7 9 1799 1097 303 399 MEALS & ENTERTAINMENT 6420 4249 2171 MISCELLANEOUS 5196 203 4919 74 EQUIPMENT & MAINTENANCE 3102 648 2230 224 335131 200692 65141 69298 15319 1284 169 12025 25000 402 625 27915 26909 15954 34353 15954 34353 X 11961 -7444 11961 -7444 27915 26909 -19405 0 X X 1 X 0 1 0 X 60000 488000 244964 338507 1131471 60000 488000 244964 338507 1131471 410988 720483 7 1490 429 3 1929 1133400 10450 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 X PART X, LINE 2: HIGHER GROUND FOLLOWS ASC TOPIC INCOME TAXES, WHICH REQUIRES HIGHER GROUND TO REPORT ANY UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS AND TO ADJUST ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE IMPACT THEREOF. AS OF JUNE 30, 2014, HIGHER GROUND DETERMINED THAT IT HAS NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. HIGHER GROUND FILES FEDERAL AND MASSACHUSETTS INFORMATION RETURNS. ALL RETURNS FILED TO DATE REMAIN SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY TAX AUTHORITIES. FUNDRAISER 141167 133234 7933 6376 14211 20580 141167 133234 7933 6376 14211 20580 41167 -33234 FORM 990, PART III, LINE 3 AT THE START OF FISCAL YEAR 2014, HIGHER GROUND FACED A MAJOR FINANCIAL CHALLENGE. HIGHER GROUND WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS THANKS TO AN EMERGENCY BRIDGE GRANT FROM A FOUNDATION AND A MAJOR FUNDRAISING EVENT. WITH GRANT SUPPORT FROM TWO FUNDERS, HIGHER GROUND ENGAGED A CONSULTANT TEAM FROM NEXT STREET FINANCIAL TO HELP ASSESS ITS FIRST THREE YEARS OF OPERATIONS AND RECOMMEND A SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM AND BUSINESS MODEL. THE RESULT WAS A PLAN TO FOCUS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION. HIGHER GROUND ALSO CONCLUDED THAT TO BE SUSTAINABLE IT NEEDED TO SECURE 50% OF ITS ANNUAL FUNDING FROM PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL DONORS AND REDUCE ITS RELIANCE ON PHILANTHROPIC SOURCES TO SUSTAIN ITS PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS LONG TERM. WITH ITS NEW MODEL NOT YET COMPLETE AND NO PRIVATE COMMITMENTS IN HAND, HIGHER GROUND'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONCLUDED IN MAY 2014 TO SUSPEND PROGRAMS AND SCALE BACK OPERATIONS AND LAUNCH THE NEW MODEL UPON DETERMINING THE LIKELIHOOD OF TWO YEARS OF FUNDING FOR THE NEW MODEL. HIGHER GROUND TERMINATED ALL REMAINING EMPLOYEES AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONTINUED TO SERVE ON A PRO BONO BASIS. HIGHER GROUND IS CURRENTLY SEEKING COMMITMENTS FROM PRIVATE DONORS FOR 50% OF FUNDING FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND APPROACHING FOUNDATIONS FOR GRANT SUPPORT FOR THE REMAINING 50% OF ITS PROJECTED TWO-YEAR BUDGET BASED ON ITS NEW BUSINESS MODEL. HIGHER GROUND IS CONTINUING TO OPERATE WITH ONE FULL-TIME VOLUNTEER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TWO PART-TIME VOLUNTEER ADVISORS AND PART-TIME SUPPORT STAFF SHARED WITH TEEN EMPOWERMENT, ANOTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THOROUGHLY REVIEWED THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF HIGHER GROUND BEFORE THEY WERE FINALIZED AND ON WHICH THE FORM 990 IS BASED. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE REVIEWED FORM 990 FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE REVIEWED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND APPROVED THE FINAL DRAFT OF FORM 990 FOR FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONAIRE IS COMPLETED BY EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD AND IS REVIEWED AT THE BOARD MEETING ANNUALLY. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INCLUDES A PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND COMPARISON TO THE COMPENSATION OF TOP MANAGEMENT IN SIMILAR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 HIGHER GROUND MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G OTHER PROFESSIONAL FEES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 123,773. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 7,844. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 20,998. TOTAL EXPENSES 152,615. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.