State of EarthShare California
History of the Founding of the Environmental Federation of California (DBA EarthShare
California)
Helen Glenny and Earl Blauner, as co-founders, joined with other founding member groups in
the belief that an environmental option should be offered in both the state and federal workplace
giving campaigns. Unfortunately, Helen became ill and died shortly after the federation was
formed in 1982. Kal Stein became the first executive director of the Environmental Federation
of California and later moved to the east coast to launch EarthShare National.
In 2001 the Environmental Federation of California affiliated with the EarthShare National
network and took on the DBA of EarthShare California. The network is composed of thirteen
(13) state affiliates and chapters across the country and partners with over 600 of the most
respected environmental groups at the local, regional, national and international level.
Mission Statement & Overview
The purpose of Environmental Federation of California (dba) EarthShare California is to
broaden the financial support of its diverse affiliated environmental and conservation member
groups, primarily via workplace fundraising.
State of EarthShare California Report 2
The mission is to protect, support and improve California's natural heritage of clean air, safe
water, diverse wildlife, and healthy communities and families by raising funds for leading environmental organizations.
EarthShare California is an umbrella organization of prominent environmental groups brought
together to raise funds in California. The organization’s main office is located at 870 Market
Street, Suite 703 San Francisco, California. The organization conducts fundraising throughout
the state of California. ESCA staff is strategically positioned in Northern and Southern
California.
Fiscal Viability
Overall the state of the federation is financially sound. There are enough funds on hand to
cover the organization’s financial obligations.
Compensation of Governing Body
ESCA is a non-profit organization registered under federal tax code 501(c) (3) and the State of
California; a volunteer Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from its member
groups and individuals from the community at large governs EarthShare California.
It is certified that EarthShare California’s board is directed by an active and responsible
governing body whose members have no material conflict of interest and the majority of whom
serve without compensation in directing the federation.
Executive Committee Board Officers March 2016 – March 24, 2017
Scott McIntyre, President Ted Schofield, 2nd Vice President
Pat Smith, Acting Secretary Toni Counts Rose, Treasurer
Ray Sullivan, 1st Vice President
Board Committee Chairs March 2016 –March 24, 2017
Paige Rogowski, Affiliate Relations Committee Scott McIntyre, Audit
Michelle Kremer, Personnel Toni Counts Rose, Finance
Board of Directors Meeting Schedule FYJuly 1, 2015 –June 30, 2016
Date
Time Location
November 13, 2015 2-4pm Conference call
February 12, 2016 2-4pm Conference call
March 11, 2016 8:30am–3pm HansonBridgett, LLP
425 Market Street, San Francisco,
California
June 24, 2016 2-4pm Conference call
State of EarthShare California Report 3
EarthShare California Board of Directors
Mr. Craig Bansmer Mr. Alan Ehrgott At Large Member Director Affiliate Member Director Volunteer, Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee American River Conservancy Affiliate Relations Committee Member Executive Director 1844 N. Woodside Street PO Box 562 Orange, CA 92865 Coloma, CA 95613 [email protected] [email protected]
Ph: 714.924.6804 Ph: 530.295.2190 Term begin February 13, 2016 Term begin March 20, 2015 Term expires March 24, 2017 Term expires March 24, 2017
Ms. Nona Dennis Mr. John Dean At Large Member Director At Large Director Volunteer, Marin Conservation League Retired Fundraising Executive Secretary & Past President Chair, Gala Event Planning Committee 1623 A Fifth Ave 3850 W59th Place San Rafael, CA 94901 Los Angeles, CA 90043 [email protected] [email protected] Ph: 415.485.6257 Ph: 323.291.6660 Term begin March 21, 2014 Term begin February 13, 2016 Term expires March 11, 2016 Term expires March 24, 2017
Ms. Michelle Kremer Ms. Paige Rogowski Affiliate Member Director Affiliate Member Director
Surfrider Foundation Anza Borrego Foundation
Chief Operating Officer Executive Director
PO Box 6010 587 Palm Canyon Drive, Ste. 111
San Clemente, CA 92674-6060 Borrego Springs, CA 92004 [email protected] [email protected]
Ph: 949.492.8270 Ph: 760.767.0446 x1001
Term begin March 21, 2014 Term begin March 21, 2014
Term expires March 23, 2018 Term expires March 23, 2018
Mr. Scott McIntyre Ms. Toni Counts Rose At Large Director At Large Director Planned Solutions Southern California Edison 9250 Silverwood Court 18111 Erik Ct Unit 444 Granite Bay, CA 95746 Canyon Country, CA 91387 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Ph: 916.580.9750 C: 805.338.0395 Term begin March 21, 2014 Term begin March 20, 2015 Term expires March 23, 2018 Term expires March 24, 2017
State of EarthShare California Report 4
Mr. Ted Schofield Mr. Ray Sullivan
At Large Member Director At Large Member Director
Volunteer, San Gorgonio Wilderness Assoc. Volunteer, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council
7325 Greenbrier Pl 149 Terrace Drive
Highland, CA 92346 San Francisco, CA 94127-1529
[email protected] [email protected]
Ph: 909.649.1668 Ph: 415,681.4256
Term begin March 21, 2014 Term begin March 20, 2014
Term expires March 23, 2018 Term expires March 23, 2018
Ms. Karin Lin Mr. Kevin Connelly
Affiliate Member Director Affiliate Member Director
The Nature Conservancy, California Earth Island Institute
201 Mission Street, 4th Floor 2150 Allston Way, Ste. 460
San Francisco, CA Berkeley, CA 94704-1375
[email protected] [email protected]
Ph: 415.281.0431 Ph: 510.859.9155
Term begin July 1, 2015 Term begin March 11, 2016
Term expires March 11, 2016 Term expires March 23, 2018
Ms. Vicki Nichols At-Large Member Director Volunteer, Marin Conservation League 117 Caledonia Street, #C Sausalito, CA 94965 [email protected] Ph: 415.272.9755 Term begin March 11, 2016 Term expires March 23, 2018
Certifying in Compliance With All Statutes
EarthShare California certifies that it is in compliance with all statutes, Executive Orders and
regulations restricting or prohibiting US persons from engaging in transactions and dealings
with countries, entities and individuals subject to economic sanctions administered by the US
Dept. of the Treasury’s office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Activities and Supporting Services
EarthShare California member groups address the full spectrum of environmental issues
ranging from local, regional, national and broader global environmental concerns. EarthShare
California provides a vital link between its fundraising campaigns and the environmental
community, bringing the environmental message of its member groups to over one million
employees in diverse workplaces throughout California.
State of EarthShare California Report 5
Since its inception in 1982, it is estimated that ESCA has raised more than $30 million for the
environment. Through the programs of its member groups, ESCA directly supports both the
public and corporate interest of creating and sustaining healthy communities, by fostering and
enabling the movement towards a cleaner environment.
A few examples of our members’ recent accomplishments, listed below, demonstrate the
federation’s ability to successfully sustain the implementation of program and service objectives
in the areas of health, promotion of “green” communities and education, address global
warming, protect wildlife and preserve habitat and open spaces.
Earth Island Institute’s New Leaders Initiative, since 2000, has honored six dynamic, young
activist leaders ages 13- 22 with the annual Brower Youth Award – the top prize for bold, young
environmental leaders in North America. On October 20, 2015, at the16th annual BYA honors
went to:
• Ryan Camero for using creative storytelling to chronicle a fragile delta and the
communities that surround it
• Jess Grady-Benson for fostering the fossil fuel divestment movement on college
campuses
• Dyanna Jaye for mobilizing a civically-engaged environmental youth coalition
• Celeste Tinajero for making impactful and lasting changes through greening a high
school campus
• JP Viñals for energizing a campaign for urban green spaces through youth organizing
• Kate Weiner for creating an alternative space for environmental engagement through a
student-run arts collective.
State of EarthShare California Report 6
Organic Farming Research Foundation funded 326 research grants to organic researchers
and farmers totaling more than $3,000,000. The organization’s mission is to bring more farmers
and acreage into organic production.
San Diego Coastkeeper removed over 10,000 bottle caps from San Diego beaches. These "conveniences" harm our underwater friends who mistake them for food. Grab a reusable water bottle and break that nasty convenience addiction once and for all.
State of EarthShare California Report 7
Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee protects the endangered desert tortoise and its
ecosystem by preserving habitat in California’s Mojave and Sonoran deserts and by fostering
research and education.
Save the Bay Volunteers planted 3,200 native seedlings at the Oro Loma Horizontal Levee
Project. Save The Bay will plant 70,000 seedlings at this site over the coming months.
Slide Ranch emphasizes hands-on experience and exploration of their working farm and
surrounding countryside. Campers are encouraged to touch, taste, smell, hear, observe, and
ask questions. Campers milk goats, collect eggs from chickens and ducks, card and spin wool,
create nature-based crafts, learn to compost, plant seeds, harvest and cook from our organic
garden, and explore the tide pools and trails of our beautiful coastal wild lands.
State of EarthShare California Report 8
Urban Corps of San Diego – Organization’s accomplishments were: 61 youth graduates with
a H.S. diploma and green job skills, 2,382 trees planted in San Diego County, 1,946,749 square
feet of graffiti removed, 1,097,459 pounds of recyclables collected, 5,805,000 square feet of
habitat restoration completed, 5,000 linear feet of park trails built and 31,560 hours of volunteer
service contributed to San Diego
Management and Administration
The management team is composed of Patricia Smith, Executive Director, and Isidro Sterling,
Interim CFO/IT Manager. Ms. Smith has over 20 years in management, sales, and operations
working in both the private and nonprofit sectors as a savings and loan bank retail manager,
account executive, and executive director. Ms. Smith holds an MBA from University of Phoenix,
a BA in History from California State University, Northridge, and a Certificate in Nonprofit
Fundraising from California State University, Long Beach.
Mr. Isidro Sterling has extensive experience in managing an organization’s full accounting
cycle, including compliance with reporting requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards
Board FAS 116 “Accounting for Contributions Received and Contributions Made” and FAS 117
"Financial Statements of Not-for-Profit Organizations". He holds a BS in Finance/Accounting,
certificates as CPA, electronic document management, client server technology, SQL Database
Programming, TCP/IP, C++, PERL and is fluent in Spanish and English.
EarthShare California Management & Chief Administrative Staff
Ms. Patricia Smith Mr. Isidro Sterling
Executive Director Chief Financial Officer/IT Manager
Mr. David Coyle Ms. Tanya Heravian
Associate Director Manager, Operations & Engagement
Ms. Tania Katbi
Development Director/Regional Manager
Southern California Region
State of EarthShare California Report 9
Membership Requirements
Affiliated member groups must meet membership requirements as stated in the Bylaws of
EarthShare California and are vetted annually in February of every year.
Fiscal and financial operational requirements are a demonstrated history of fiscal accountability
and responsibility, an audit of fiscal operations to be completed by an independent certified
public accountant in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) and
have administrative and fundraising expenses (overhead) not more than 25% of revenues.
Member organizations (39 as of June 30, 2015) are required to perform a minimum of 30
service hours per year. These can be earned by doing workplace presentations, participating
on board committees, new business development, serving as Affiliate Member Director and
helping with administrative tasks or projects as needed by ESCA. Service hours keep overhead
low and, particularly through campaign presentations, encourage donors to give more.
In addition to service hour requirements member organizations are required to:
• Submit annual materials
• Attend the Annual General Meeting
• Vote in the annual elections
• Submit current 990 and audited financial statements
• Assist with new business development
The financial penalty for non-fulfillment of service hours is $150 per hour billed to each group in
deficit. Groups not performing their annual service point requirements will be put on probation,
pending review by the Affiliate Relations Committee, membership may be terminated.
EarthShare California Membership Dues & Service Charge Policies
Joining Fees are $5,000 plus 10% of respective calculated member distributions during the first
three years of membership. During the fiscal year of July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 there
were no new members accepted.
Federation Expense and Designation Policy
The administrative, campaign, and program expenses of EarthShare California are shared
proportional to each member’s respective share of net campaign revenue, except as
restricted by limitations imposed by a limited number of campaigns.
Management/administrative, program and fundraising rate: 32%
EarthShare National affiliation fee: 4%
Pledge revenue shrinkage percentage: 6%
Administrative and fundraising rate for the CFC (combined federal campaign): 11.14%
Non-affiliated agencies fee/no affiliation fee charged: 10.0%
Undesignated split: 60%/EarthShare California, 40%/EarthShare National
The audited financial statements, of EarthShare California, cite that the federation is honoring
designations made to each member organization by distributing a proportionate share of
receipts based on donor designations to each member.
State of EarthShare California Report 10
Functional Allocation of Expenses
EarthShare California reports its expenses on a financial basis as follows:
• Program services include specific campaign actives and educational
efforts on the part of ESCA, as well as activities dealing with and
providing information and referral for affiliated member groups.
Additionally, program services also include expenses related to the
management of existing campaigns.
• Fundraising represents the costs related to attracting new campaigns,
raising funds for internal operations. Fundraising activities include
soliciting gifts, special events, writing grants, direct mail solicitations,
cause marketing, online fundraising, marketing and communication with
current and at-large donors, and corporate engagement.
• General and administrative relates to all overhead activities, including managements and general aspects that are not related to fundraising or program activities.
Sale/Lease of Contributor Information
EarthShare California certifies that the organization does not sell or lease the names
or information provided by donors.
Distribution of Funds
Donor contribution revenue is recognized as pledges are made based on donor pledge forms or
employer summarized information. For campaigns where there is no such information, pledges
are estimated based on prior year actual collections and allocations. Contributions are allocated
to affiliated organizations to the extent the donor designates a preference.
Each member organization is distributed a proportionate share of receipts based on donor
designations to each member. Pledges are treated as unconditional promises to give and are
expected to be collected within one year.
Member Organizations receive income designated to their agency and share equally in the
undesignated income (any donations to EarthShare California) less ESCA’s admin fees/dues
as approved by the Board of Directors.
Affiliated organizations also receive contributions directly from donors or third-party processors
that are attributable to EarthShare California’s annual workplace campaigns. Affiliated member
groups are required to send these contributions to ESCA so that these amounts may be
recognized in the gross campaign results and distributed appropriately.
Penalty Fees are assessed to Member Organizations that do not complete the 30-hour service
requirement at a rate of $150 per hour not fulfilled. (FY July 2013- June 30, 2014)
State of EarthShare California Report 11
Historical Overview of Revenue from Workplace Campaigns
EarthShare California’s revenue declined due to the economic downturn, impact upon public
sector campaigns, government shut down, changing environment of workplace giving,
shrinkage and the use of for profit vendors in the processing of pledges and direct payment of
designations. Therefore, the need to increase the administrative fee, from 25% to 32%, charged
to cover the organization’s operating expenses.
According to an economic forecast released, by the Los Angeles County Economic
Development Corporation, California employers are projected to keep hiring over the next two
years but at a slower pace than in 2015. It is expected that the state will add 650,000 in 2016
and 2017 and lowering the unemployment rate to about 5.9% by 2017.
Actual revenue increase or decline from existing campaigns over a 4 year campaign season:
Campaign year Revenue Increase/Decline
2011 $1,321,152 -8%
2012 $1,133,660 -14%
2013 $1,162,651 +3%
2014 $1,033,002 -11%
Strategies and Accomplishments
Strategy to increase revenue in existing campaigns by 11%
The strategy employed to increase revenue, in existing campaigns, by 11% targeted specific
campaigns that could be returned to the 2010 pledge level. Criteria for targeted campaigns
were employee base, ability to increase participation rate, well managed campaign from the top
down, and overall commitment to giving.
New Business Development
The strategy for new business development entails corporate engagement. Corporate
engagement involves networking, employee engagement projects, Green Team Roundtable,
expanding relationship with specific targeted campaigns and creating partnerships.
Corporate & Employee Engagement
Sensus conference participants were given a coin with a code to access a webpage. At that
page, they selected one nonprofit project to support. A company called Causora set up the
promotional page, tracking and distribution.
Once the project profile has been created, it will remain on the Impact Project site, and other
companies can fund it as well. Sensus anticipates roughly $10K in total support will be
distributed between four projects.
The four projects selected were:
• Northeast/Air : Replanting The Appalachian Forest, Pennsylvania: Arbor Day
Foundation
State of EarthShare California Report 12
• Southeast/Wildlife : NC Native butterflies, bees and other pollinator species: North
Carolina Wildlife Federation
• Northwest/Land: Plant the seeds for a more sustainable future: Mountains to Sound
Greenway
• Southwest/Water Scarcity: Water Conservation Career Program: San Jose
Conservation Corps
Networking events attended
Connecting and meeting with potential contacts is very important in developing business
relationships and creating a constant flow of quality potential targets for new business. The goal
is attendance at 21 networking events throughout the fiscal year.
The criteria for determining what type of networking event to attend:
Whenever possible review the list of attendees
Attendance at speaker series events at colleges or universities such as Stanford, UCLA, Harvey
Mudd, etc.
Green or sustainability forums
Bank networking mixers
Corporate philanthropy events
Chamber of commerce breakfast or mixers
Green Teams Roundtable
The “Roundtable” presents an opportunity to engage and connect with corporate sustainability
directors from the private sector as well as the public sector. This is a ‘soft sell” way to engage
and build relationships. The objective is to have three Green Team meetings during the fiscal
year.
Summary of Financial Activities (as of June 30, 2014)
Certification in Accordance with GAAP
The Executive Director (Patricia Smith) as EarthShare California’s certifying official certifies that
the federation accounts for its funds on an accrual basis in accordance with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP) and has an audit of its fiscal operations completed by an
independent certified public accountant in accordance with GAAP.
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $840,775
Pledges and grants receivable, net $694,462
Accounts receivable, net $1,220
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges $13,568
Property and equipment, net $3,320
Other assets $2,760
Total Assets $1,556,105
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $106,988
State of EarthShare California Report 13
Campaign funds payable $1,081,076
Other liabilities [Affiliation fee payable] $82,159
Total Liabilities $1,270,223
Net Assets or Fund Balances
Unrestricted net assets $282,171
Temporarily restricted net assets $3,711
Total Net Assets $285,882
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $1,556,105
Revenue and Expenses (for the year ending June 30, 2014)
Public Support and Revenue:
Amounts raised in campaigns $1,172,917
(Less campaign expenses and allowance for uncollectible pledges)
Less amount designated to member charities
$582,086
Public Support Designated to EarthShare California
$532,664
Administrative charges for raising funds on behalf of others $410,930
Other revenue $37,673
Net assets released from restrictions:
Satisfaction of purpose restrictions
$1,000
Total Public Support and Revenue $992,914
Expenses
Total program services $859,841
Management and general $122,896
Fundraising $47,944
Total Expenses $1,030,681
Change in unrestricted net assets ($38,767)
Changes in temporarily restricted net assets
Grant revenue $0.00
Net Assets released from restrictions: ($1,000)
Satisfaction of purpose restrictions
Change in temporarily restricted net assets $1,000