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
FOOD CO-OP INITIATIVE
Employer identification number
27-2252564
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.") ....
1,277,427
228,560
194,109
1,700,096
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
1,277,427
228,560
194,109
1,700,096
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)..
965,998
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
734,098
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..
1,277,427
228,560
194,109
1,700,096
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
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.)..
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
1,700,096
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
8,656
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
15
Public support percentage for 2011 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
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.)
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
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
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
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
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
2012
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
FOOD CO-OP INITIATIVE
Employer identification number
27-2252564
Identifier
Return Reference
Explanation
ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
THE FOOD CO-OP INITIATIVE (FCI) WAS CREATED WITH THE PRIMARY GOAL OF SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING NEW FOOD CO-OP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. TO MEET THAT GOAL, FCI PLANS TO PROVIDE EXTENSIVE LEARNING TOOLS, DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES, RESOURCE DATABASES, PERSONAL CONSULTATION AND TRAINING. FCI ASSISTS GROUPS IN BOTH URBAN AND RURAL AREAS TO BRING A SOURCE OF HEALTHY FOOD, A STABLE BUSINESS AND MEANINGFUL JOBS TO THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITIES WITH WHICH FCI ASSISTS.
FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT DESCRIPTION
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A
AS A FREE DOWNLOAD THROUGH OUR WEB SITE. JOINT TRAINING WITH THE INDIANA COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT CENTER UP AND COMING, UP AND RUNNING CONFERENCE WAS HELD MARCH 8-9 IN BLOOMINGTON, IN WITH APPROXIMATELY 80 IN ATTENDANCE. FCI PARTICIPATED IN THE CONFERENCE PLANNING AND MADE PRESENTATIONS ON, CAPITALIZING A STARTUP FOOD CO-OP, OPEN FORUM ON CO-OP STARTUPS, RECRUIT MEMBERS WITH HOUSE PARTIES, AND CASE STUDY PANEL: FRIENDLY CITY FOOD CO-OP. POST-CONFERENCE EVALUATIONS GAVE THIS EVENT A 4.84 RATING ON A SCALE OF 1-5. ATTENDEES WERE ESPECIALLY POSITIVE ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES TO INTERACT WITH PEERS AND TRAINERS, BOTH IN GROUP AND ONE-ON-ONE SETTINGS. FCI FILMED MANY OF THE PRESENTATIONS AND PLANS TO EDIT AND RELEASE THESE AS FREE RESOURCES. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENT WITH CDS & NDAREC OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROVIDE JOINT TRAINING EVENT IN THE UPPER MIDWEST FOR STARTUP FOOD CO-OPS AND CO-OP DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS. FCI PUT TOGETHER A TWO-PART EVENT WITH CDS, NDAREC AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WI CENTER FOR COOPERATIVES. FCI CREATED AN AGENDA DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF BEST PRACTICES IN RETAIL CO-OP DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT FOR THE REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER CO-OP DEVELOPMENT CENTERS, STAFF OF MATURE FOOD CO-OPS INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING NEW CO-OPS, ACADEMICIANS, AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES. ATTENDEES WERE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN TRAINING CO-OP ORGANIZERS IN THE FOLLOW-UP WORKSHOPS FOR NEW CO-OPS. ALL OF THE TRAINING WAS STRUCTURED AROUND OUR SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT MODEL, "FOUR CORNERSTONES IN THREE STAGES." FCI RECRUITED THE BEST CONSULTANTS AND ADVISORS IN THE FOOD CO-OP SECTOR TO DO THE TRAINING. THERE WERE TWENTY ATTENDEES FOR THE "TRAIN THE TRAINER" SEGMENT IN SPITE OF SEVERAL CANCELLATIONS DUE TO STORMS IN THE NORTHEAST. OVERALL EVALUATION RATING WAS 4.9 ON A SCALE OF 1-5. 39 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE SECOND SEGMENT, INCLUDING SOME OF THE CO-OP DEVELOPERS WHO CAME FOR THE FIRST SEGMENT. OVERALL EVALUATION RATING WAS 4.5 ON A SCALE OF 1-5. THE CCMA CONFERENCE WAS HELD JUNE 14-16 IN PHILADELPHIA, PA. FCI ASSEMBLED A SERIES OF SIX WORKSHOPS AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS SPECIFIC TO THE NEEDS OF START-UP FOOD CO-OPS. FCI PARTICIPATED IN PROMOTING THE CONFERENCE AND OUR TRACK OF WORKSHOPS FOR STARTUPS. OVERALL CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE WAS ESTIMATED AT OVER 400. APPROXIMATELY 13 CO-OPS ATTENDED THAT ARE STILL IN DEVELOPMENT AND MANY OTHERS, NOW OPEN, THAT FCI SUPPORTED DURING THEIR DEVELOPMENT. SEVERAL PANELISTS AND PRESENTERS AT THE CONFERENCE ARE MEMBERS OF THOSE FORMER STARTUPS, NOW SHARING THE BENEFITS THEY RECEIVED WITH THE NEXT ROUND OF ORGANIZERS. FOOD CO-OP INITIATIVE HOSTED AN INFORMATION TABLE DURING THE CONFERENCE WHERE WE COULD MEET BOTH ORGANIZERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ESTABLISHED CO-OPS TO OFFER OUR ASSISTANCE AND BEGIN BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE FUNDRAISING.
SECOND ACCOMPLISHMENT DESCRIPTION
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B
ON-GOING MONITORING CONTINUES FOR ALL GRANT RECIPIENTS, INCLUDING PROGRESS REPORTS, CONFERENCE CALLS WITH BOARDS, AND GENERAL ADVICE AND REFERRALS. OUR NEW CRM PLATFORM (CONSTITUENCY RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT) IS IMPROVING OUR ABILITY TO RECORD MORE DETAILED AND ACCURATE STATISTICS. NEW DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS WHICH WE IMPLEMENTED IN 2012 ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT GRANT FUNDS ARE BEING USED AS INTENDED AND THAT ALL EXPENDITURES ARE DOCUMENTED. SITE VISITS TO SEED GRANT RECIPIENTS OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO VISIT EACH GRANT RECIPIENT, OFFER CUSTOMIZED SUPPORT, BUILD CLOSER WORKING RELATIONSHIPS, OBSERVE ORGANIZATIONAL STRENGTHS AND SHORTCOMINGS, AND TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON LOCATION AND SITE OPTIONS WHEN APPROPRIATE. SITE VISITS WERE CONDUCTED WITH THE FOLLOWING 2011 GRANT RECIPIENTS DURING 2012: MACOMB CO-OP, MACOMB, IL; LOVETTSVILLE CO-OP, LOVETTSVILLE, VA; GREAT RIVER CO-OP, WALPOLE, NH; CONSUMER OWNED CO-OP, WILLMAR, MN; RIVERBEND CO-OP, REDWING, MN; EAST AURORA CO-OP, EAST AURORA, NY; ALLEGANY CO-OP, ALLEGANY, NY; MONADNOCK CO-OP, KEENE, NH; AND LAKE CO-OP, CLEARLAKE, CA. SITE VISITS WERE CONDUCTED WITH THE FOLLOWING 2012 GRANT RECIPIENTS DURING 2012: HUB CITY CO-OP, SPARTANBURG, SC; GATEWAY FOOD CO-OP, ST. PAUL, MN; AND GRANITE CITY CO-OP, BARRE, VT. SEED GRANTS: SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TRAINING ONE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD OF 1,000 WAS MADE FOR THREE MEMBERS OF THE EASTWOOD MARKET CO-OP TO ATTEND THE UP & COMING CONFERENCE. SEED GRANTS: INTENSIVE SUPPORT PILOT GRANTS PLANS WERE TO AWARD UP TO 20,000 IN GRANT FUNDS, MATCHED WITH 25% CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE GRANTEE CO-OPS FOR POST-OPENING SUPPORT, WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING THEM ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS. THIS IS INTENDED TO BE A PILOT EFFORT TO DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH INTERVENTION CAN BE EFFECTIVE. WE IDENTIFIED THREE RURAL CO-OPS THAT WERE IN DANGER OF FAILURE WITHOUT INTENSIVE SUPPORT. ACTION PLANS TO PROVIDE TRAINING, OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AND OVERSIGHT WERE LAID OUT FOR EACH STORE AND APPROPRIATE SERVICE PROVIDERS WERE BROUGHT ON BOARD. ALL OF THE PILOT CO-OPS ARE STILL IN OPERATION AT THIS TIME AND THE SUPPORT PROGRAMS ARE STILL ON-GOING. TOTAL GRANT COMMITMENTS OF 17,000 WERE MADE.
DOCUMENTATION BY COMMITTEE
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 8B
THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT HAVE ANY COMMITTEES WHICH HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY.
ORGANIZATION'S PROCESS USED TO REVIEW FORM 990
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B
FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BEFORE BEING FILED.
ENFORCEMENT OF CONFLICTS POLICY
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C
THE ORGANZIATION ANNUALLY REVIEWS THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, DISCUSSES IT AND ACKNOWLEDGES ANY APPLICABLE DISCLOSURES.
COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR TOP OFFICIAL
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY IS REVIEWED ANNUALLY AND IS SET BASED ON POLICY GOVERNANCE REPORTS AND COMPARABLE NON-PROFIT POSITIONS.
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS DISCLOSURE EXPLANATION
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19
THE ORGANIZATIONS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.