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
2012
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
GREAT RIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER
Employer identification number
43-1943334
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 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 monetary support
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 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) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
197,119
212,180
194,814
226,936
257,142
1,088,191
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
197,119
212,180
194,814
226,936
257,142
1,088,191
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)..
513,708
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
574,483
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
197,119
212,180
194,814
226,936
257,142
1,088,191
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
97
33
47
88
192
457
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..
88
78
78
125
97
466
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
1,089,114
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
322,676
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 2012 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))
.........
14
52.750 %
15
Public support percentage for 2011 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
52.870 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2012.
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—2011.
If the organization did not check a 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—2012.
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—2011.
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) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 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) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(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.)
0
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(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 2012 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
0 %
16
Public support percentage from 2011 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2012 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
0 %
18
Investment income percentage from 2011 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2012.
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—2011.
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) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Complete this part to provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
OTHER INCOME PART II, LINE 10; DESCRIPTION: MISC.; 2008: 88.; 2009: 78.; 2010: 78.; 2011: 125.; 2012: 97.;
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Additional Data
Software ID:
12000225
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
2012
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
GREAT RIVERS ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER
Employer identification number
43-1943334
Identifier
Return Reference
Explanation
Pt VI, Line 2
Kathleen Henry, the president of Great Rivers, has a
family relationship with Louise Green, a member of the
board of directors. The board makes decisions
according to the Missouri statutes governing
nonprofit corporations - a majority vote of a quorum
of the board is necessary to take action. Consequently
the relationship could not create any undue influence
on decisions of the board of directors.
Pt VI, Line 11b
The 990 draft was emailed to all board members for
review. Each was requested to respond within the
comment period with either an approval or with
additions/corrections. Responses were then summarized
and any changes forwarded to the tax preparer for
inclusion in the final return.
Pt VI, Line 12c
Each board member and member of a committee with
governing board-delegated powers annually signs a
statement which affirms that the person: a. Has
received a copy of the conflict of interest policy;
b. Has read and understands the policy; c. Has agreed
to comply with the policy; and d. Understands the
organization is charitable and in order to maintain
its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily
in activities which accomplish one or more of its
tax-exempt purposes. In addition, every time the
board discusses whether to accept a new case, the
board members must disclose any interests that
Form 990, Part IX, Line 24f
OTHER 710. 521. 43. 146.
might give rise to a conflict.
Pt VI, Line 15a
In 2012 there were four attorneys and one office manager who
Pt VI, Line 15b
worked for Great Rivers. One attorney is President, one is
the General Counsel and Secretary/Treasurer, and two
are staff attorneys. The President and General Counsel
reviewed the salaries of attorneys and personnel
at small law firms in St. Louis and determined that
the salaries of Great Rivers' employees are less than
those with equivalent experience. Consequently, in March the
board authorized a 3% raise for staff that began in
April. The board discussed and approved the 2013 raises
at its December 2012 meeting.
Pt VI, Line 19
Great Rivers makes its governing documents, conflict
of interest policy, audited financial statements, and
990's available to the public upon request. Our 990's
and other information can be found on the Guidestar
website.
Pt VIII, Line 8c
On occasion there is a small loss (fair market value
of tickets less the direct costs) on line 8 due to
several reasons. Expenses for postage and printing
of invitations, program printing, awards, and other
misc. expenses are not part of the FMV of the ticket
so become expenses not offset by revenue on line 8.
Another reason is that it's difficult to determine the
FMV of a ticket. If you offset the small loss with
the contributions on line 1c, you will see that the
sponsorships, general contributions, and ticket
prices in excess of FMV more than make up for the loss.
Pt.IX,Line 26
Joint costs - All the specific expenses for the
creation, printing, and mailing of the newsletters
and other direct mail solicitations and website costs
are considered 100% fundraising expenses in column D
when they don't meet the SOP 98-2 (ASC 958-720)
criteria of purpose, audience, and content.
Staff time expended on combined educational campaigns
and fundraising solicitations sometimes meets the
joint cost allocation criteria and sometimes it
doesn't. Tracking time by specific task (fundraising
solicitations, newsletter production, speaking
engagements, meetings with donors and community
members, writing grants, updating the website,
working with current and potential volunteers, etc.),
calculating the cost of each task, then determining
the allocation based on the joint cost criteria would
be onerous. As an alternative, the costs of the
staff persons involved in combined educational and
fundraising solicitations are allocated in Part IX
based on a reasonable estimate of time spent on
program, management, and fundraising activities.
The allocation of their salaries is included on line
26.
Pt.VII,lines 1&2
Officers of the organization -
Kathleen Henry and Bruce Morrison, both officers of
the organization, are also employees. Missouri law
allows employees to be board officers. They are not
paid for their officer duties nor can they vote as
board members.
Pt.X,line 27
Unrestricted Net Assets - Due to the uncertainty of
when grants will be awarded and contributions received,
it's now considered a best practice for not-for-
profit organizations to have funds set aside as an
Operating Reserve that can be used when revenue is
less than anticipated. The board of directors is
committed to ensuring the long-term financial health
of the organization and, as such, is considering the
adoption of an Operating Reserve in the near future.
The amount set aside for an Operating Reserve would
be part of Unrestricted Net Assets but would be
shown on a separate line of the audited financial
statements.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.