Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2010
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
THE MAIN STREET PROJECT
Employer identification number
20-1788275
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) a person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
a family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
a 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of support?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in IRC 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
178,000
161,850
426,708
468,640
260,970
1,496,168
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3..
178,000
161,850
426,708
468,640
260,970
1,496,168
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
670,784
6
Public Support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
825,384
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
178,000
161,850
426,708
468,640
260,970
1,496,168
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
243
19
262
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. (Explain in Part IV.) Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets..
945
945
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
1,497,375
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (See instructions.)
..................
12
111,981
13
First Five Years
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here..........................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public Support Percentage for 2010 (line 6 column (f) divided by line 11 column (f))
.........
14
55.120 %
15
Public Support Percentage for 2009 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
53.270 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2010.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2009.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2010.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
..................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2009.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts and circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
..............................................
18
Private Foundation
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
...................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in IRC 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
8
Public Support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2006
(b) 2007
(c) 2008
(d) 2009
(e) 2010
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
13
Total support (Add lines 9, 10c, 11 and 12.).
14
First Five Years
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public Support Percentage for 2010 (line 8 column (f) divided by line 13 column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2009 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2010 (line 10c column (f) divided by line 13 column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2009 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2010.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3% and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
..........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2009.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
....
20
Private Foundation
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Supplemental Information. Complete this part to provide the explanation required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; or Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2010
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2010
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
THE MAIN STREET PROJECT
Employer identification number
20-1788275
Identifier
Return Reference
Explanation
FIRST ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTION
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A
UNIQUE MODEL OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE - ALLOWING THEM TO PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN THE LIFE OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE RURAL ENTERPRISE CENTER HAS WORKED TO ASSEMBLE THE RESOURCES, COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND SYSTEMS THAT LATIN@ ENTREPRENEURS AND THEIR FAMILIES NEED TO SUCCESSFULLY BREAK OUT OF THE CYCLE OF POVERTY. THOSE EFFORTS CAME TOGETHER IN 2010 IN THE FORM OF A UNIQUE AND POWERFUL EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING APPROACH FOR ASPIRING LATIN@ FARMERS OR "AGRIPRENEURS." THE AGRIPRENEUR TRAINING PROGRAM CAPITALIZES ON STRENGTHS OF CULTURE, EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION, AND ADDRESSES CHALLENGES OFTEN TIED TO STRUCTURAL RACISM: THE LACK OF ACCESS TO LAND, WORKING CAPITAL, MARKETING AND BUSINESS SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, AND FOCUSED TRAINING. THE TRAINING APPROACH MOST DIRECTLY BENEFITS IMMIGRANT LOW-INCOME LATIN@ FAMILIES FROM MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA LIVING IN THE NORTHFIELD AREA OF SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA (RICE COUNTY PRIMARILY, BUT ALSO FAMILIES IN DAKOTA, DODGE, GOODHUE, AND STEELE COUNTIES). WE KNOW FROM OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND CONTACTS THAT MANY LATIN@ FAMILIES IN THE AREA HAVE ONLY ONE WAGE EARNER LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY AND THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS OFTEN WORK TWO TO THREE JOBS TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES - AND THAT ALL THE FAMILIES WE WORK WITH FALL BELOW THE MORE REALISTIC POVERTY MARKER OF 200 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINE. BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE ASSETS SHARED BY MANY LATIN@ FAMILIES IN SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA AND BEYOND, AS WELL AS THE RECENT REGIONAL MARKET ASSESSMENTS, POINT TO SMALL-SCALE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AS AN OPPORTUNITY: AT HEAVILY-ATTENDED COMMUNITY MEETINGS WE'VE HOSTED, MORE THAN 70 PERCENT OF LATIN@ ATTENDEES INDICATED THAT THEY EITHER CAME FROM RURAL AREAS IN LATIN AMERICA OR MEXICO WHERE THEY WERE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURE, OR HAVE WORKED AS LABORERS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION OF LIVESTOCK, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. LATIN@ IMMIGRANTS ARE MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY TO BECOME ENTREPRENEURS THAN ESTABLISHED POPULATIONS OF PREVIOUS IMMIGRANTS. A COOPERATIVE, FAMILY-FOCUSED AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS MODEL IS CULTURALLY FAMILIAR. SMALL-SCALE SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FUTURE REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH (PARTNERSHIP FOR SOUTHERN MINNESOTA REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT). OUR MODEL FOR AGRIPRENEUR TRAINING FOR LOW-INCOME RURAL LATIN@S WAS DESIGNED TO WORK WITH AND FOR "AT RISK FAMILIES" - LIFTING UP THEIR ENTIRE FAMILY'S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SITUATION AND BREAKING THE CURRENT CYCLE OF POVERTY IN A WAY THAT'S CULTURALLY COMPATIBLE AND RELEVANT. THE PROCESS OF ENGAGING IN SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY FOOD PRODUCTION AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT (AS A COOPERATIVE GROWER RATHER THAN EMPLOYEE) GIVES PARENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A HEALTHIER DIET FOR THEIR CHILDREN - AND MODEL THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY, NATURAL FOOD. WORKING PARTNERSHIPS ARE CRITICAL TO THE PROGRAM AND THE LONG-TERM SUCCESS OF AGRIPRENEURS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM HAS A CURRENT NETWORK OR SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE OF MORE THAN 3,000 INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS.
SECOND ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTION
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B
MINNESOTA, AND LEVERAGING THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF PARTNER GROUPS. OUR ASSOCIATION WITH MAG-NET CONTINUES TO EXPAND OUR KNOWLEDGE AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES, HELPING US IDENTIFY MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCLUDING HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED VOICES IN THE DISCUSSION OF OUR DIGITAL FUTURE. THE MINNESOTA DIGITAL JUSTICE COALITION WAS FORMED TO BUILD CAPACITY WITH MULTIPLE ORGANIZATIONS IN DIGITAL SKILLS AND INFLUENCE A DIGITALLY INCLUSIVE NATIONAL BROADBAND POLICY. WORKING WITH THE GROUP, WE ORGANIZED INTERNET DAY OF ACTION EVENT IN MARCH, WITH A KEYNOTE SPEECH BY THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE. WE ALSO COORDINATED, A NATIONAL 'DIGITAL JUSTICE COALITION MEET-UP" OF SIMILAR NETWORKS AT THE ALLIED MEDIA CONFERENCE IN JUNE. MAIN STREET PROJECT STAFF CREATED CURRICULUM AND DELIVERED DIGITAL STORYTELLING, MEDIA JUSTICE BASICS AND PODCASTING TRAINING TO MORE THAN 300 ADULTS AND YOUTH ACROSS MINNESOTA, ALBUQUERQUE, NM AND PHILADELPHIA, PA, AND CONDUCTED DIGITAL STORY TRAINING SESSION AT BOTH THE 2010 ALLIED MEDIA CONFERENCE AND U.S. SOCIAL FORUM. ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATED IN TRAINING ARE INCORPORATING THESE SKILLS INTO THEIR OWN PROGRAMMING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE MINNESOTA CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZING IS WORKING WITH HMONG YOUTH TO CREATE A PODCAST CAMPAIGN ON THE NEED FOR HMONG POLICE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS; CENTRO CULTURAL (FARGO-MOORHEAD) IS HELPING IMMIGRANT PARENTS CREATE DIGITAL STORIES TO HELP BUILDING UNDERSTAND IN THEIR COMMUNITY; TWIN CITIES COMMUNITY VOICE MAIL AND CROSSING BARRIERS ARE USING THE POWERFUL DIGITAL STORIES PARTICIPANTS CREATED IN ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS. EARLY IN THE YEAR WE FACILITATED SSRC RESEARCH COMMISSIONED BY THE FCC ON BARRIERS TO BROADBAND ADOPTION IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES. IN AUGUST, MAIN STREET PROJECT'S MEDIA JUSTICE TEAM WORKED WITH FREE PRESS AND THE CENTER FOR MEDIA JUSTICE TO HOST AND CO-SPONSOR THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNET PUBLIC HEARING FEATURING FCC COMMISSIONERS CLYBURN AND COBBS, THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE, AND SENATOR AL FRANKEN IN AUGUST. THE EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 700 PEOPLE (STANDING ROOM ONLY) AND BY ANOTHER 1,100 WHO WATCHED THE LIVE STREAM VIA THE INTERNET. MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE EVENT WAS EXTENSIVE. STAFF CONDUCTED PRE-EVENT TRAINING FOR TWENTY MINNESOTA DIGITAL JUSTICE COALITION MEMBERS WHO TESTIFIED AT THE HEARING.
ORGANIZATION'S PROCESS USED TO REVIEW FORM 990
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B
A COPY OF FORM 990 IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARD FOR ITS REVIEW AND APPROVAL PRIOR TO FILING.
ENFORCEMENT OF CONFLICTS POLICY
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C
THE ORGANIZATION'S BOOKKEEPER/ACCOUNTANT MONITORS THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY COMPLIANCE.
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS DISCLOSURE EXPLANATION
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19
UPON REQUEST THE ORGANIZATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.