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. Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
STARFYSH
Employer identification number
27-1976856
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) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
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) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
57,388
113,988
158,609
189,149
242,424
761,558
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
57,388
113,988
158,609
189,149
242,424
761,558
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)..
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
761,558
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
57,388
113,988
158,609
189,149
242,424
761,558
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).
761,558
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
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 2013 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))
.........
14
15
Public support percentage for 2012 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
16a
33 1/3% support test—2013.
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—2012.
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—2013.
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—2012.
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) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
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) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(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) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(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 2013 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2013 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2013.
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—2012.
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) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
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) 2013
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.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at
www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
STARFYSH
Employer identification number
27-1976856
Return Reference
Explanation
FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
STARFYSH HAS DETERMINED TO FOCUS ON ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST DESPERATE GEOGRAPHIC LOCALES AND PEOPLE GROUPS: THAT OF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, HAITI. IT IS BOTH OUR PURPOSE AND OUR EXPECTATION THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REVERSE THE CYCLE OF POVERTY THERE THROUGH THE ADDRESSING OF ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURAL NEEDS (WATER, AGRICULTURE, HEALTH) WHILE DEVELOPING A MODEL FOR SUSTAINING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS (EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT). WHILE WORKING TOWARD THESE GOALS, WE WILL NOT IGNORE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEMONSTRATING CHRISTIAN COMPASSION IN TIMES OF URGENT, IMMEDIATE, AND DESPERATE NEED.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A
WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL THEIR ON-FIELD LOGISTICS. THIS MODEL ALSO DEFRAYS THE COST OF THE YEARLY LEASE OF THE STARFYSH GUESTHOUSE/BASE OF OPERATIONS HERE ON THE ISLAND. THIS MODEL OF RECEIVING GUESTS WORKS WELL: WE HAVE RECEIVED HIGH MARKS FROM ALL THE TEAMS WE HAVE HOSTED.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B
VILLAGES WHERE THE NEED IS GREATEST.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C
FUTURE INCOME STREAM WHICH CAN MAKE THE DEMONSTRATION FARM SELF- SUSTAINABLE. OUR SHORT-TERM GOAL IS TO QUICKLY DEVELOP THE CURRENT PROPERTY TO THE POINT WHERE, WITHIN ONE YEAR, WE CAN START CONDUCTING AGRICULTURE TEACHING CONFERENCES FOR ISLAND FARMERS. OUR LONG TERM VISION IS TO ESTABLISH SATELLITE CAMPUSES WHERE WE CAN WORK ON UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING GROWING SITUATIONS (E.G., SLOPES, EROSION, SEASIDE, ETC.).
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D
GUESTHOUSE EXPENSES/BASE OF OPERATIONS KEY TO STARFYSH'S EFFECTIVENESS ON THE GROUND IS OUR BASE OF OPERATIONS IN HAITI FROM WHICH ALL PROJECTS ARE PLANNED AND CARRIED OUT. ESTABLISHING THIS BASE WAS AN IMPORTANT, STRATEGIC FIRST STEP AS WE BUILD IN-FIELD CAPACITY FOR CARRYING OUT OUR MISSION IN THE YEARS TO COME. THE STARFYSH BASE IS LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF ANSE-A-GALETS, ON THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, SOME 12 MILES OFFSHORE OF MAINLAND HAITI. WE CHOSE ANSE-A- GALETS AS A GOOD TEMPORARY BASE, AS IT IS THE ONLY VILLAGE ON THE ISLAND THAT HAS BOTH AN AIRSTRIP AND A BOAT PORT. OUR BASE CONSISTS OF A SMALL HOUSE THAT WE CURRENTLY LEASE ON A YEAR-TO-YEAR BASIS. WE CONSIDER IT AS A TEMPORARY BASE THAT WE WILL MAINTAIN UNTIL WE CAN BUILD OUR OWN BASE OF OPERATIONS UP IN THE GEOGRAPHIC CENTER OF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE. THE HOUSE IS SIMPLE, FURNISHED IN A VERY UTILITARIAN WAY. IT HAS A SMALL KITCHEN AND CAN SLEEP UP TO TWELVE WORKERS AT A TIME. ELECTRICITY IS PROVIDED BY GENERATORS. WATER FOR SHOWERS , SINKS, AND TOILETS IS GRAVITY FED BY AN ONROOF WATER CISTERN. THE HOUSE IS GATED AND GUARDED, ALLOWING FOR US TO USE THE YARD AS A STAGING AREA FOR PROJECT EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. WE HAVE TWO HEAVY DUTY 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCKS AND TWO 4-WHEEL ATV'S WITHOUT WHICH NAVIGATION IN THE LA GONAVE MOUNTAINS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. EDUCATION EDUCATION CONTINUES TO BE A STRONG FOCUS OF STARFYSH'S ENERGIES ON THE ISLAND. OUR FIRST SCHOOL, CURRENTLY IN ITS THIRD YEAR, CONTINUES TO THRIVE. ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SIX CHILDREN, PRE-K THROUGH 5TH GRADE, ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED. EIGHT TEACHERS AND ONE PRINCIPAL ARE EMPLOYED. WE CONTINUE TO POUR RESOURCES AND ENERGY INTO TRAINING TEACHERS. OUR MODEL OF CREOLE-BASED LEARNING HAS BEEN EMBRACED AND HAS PROVEN SUCCESSFUL. STUDENTS, WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT LIKELY EAT EVERY DAY, ARE FED A NUTRITIOUS MEAL AS A PART OF THEIR SCHOOL DAY. THE SCHOOL HAS OUTGROWN ITS TINY BUILDING AND MUST, IF IT IS TO CONTINUE TO GROW, FIND A BIGGER FACILITY. DURING THE PAST YEAR, STARFYSH FACILITATED THE VILLAGE'S PURCHASE OF A NEARBY PARCEL OF LAND AND WE HAVE RECENTLY COMPLETED PLANS TO BUILD A MODEST-SIZED SCHOOL ON THE PROPERTY. WE HOPE TO BEGIN BUILDING IN THE UPCOMING YEAR. IN A PILOT EFFORT THIS PAST YEAR, WE ALSO INVESTED IN THIRTY COMPUTER TABLETS FOR USE AT THE SCHOOL, TABLETS DOWNLOADED WITH THOUSANDS OF CREOLE RESOURCES, RESOURCES EITHER UNAVAILABLE OR TOO COSTLY IN PRINT FORM. WE CONTINUE TO WRITE AND PUBLISH ELEMENTARY-LEVEL, CREOLE-LANGUAGE READERS IN PRINT FORM. WITH OUR NOW-PROVEN MODEL AND A BIT OF SUCCESS UNDER OUR BELT, WE ARE NOW LOOKING TO CREATE A SCHOOL IN ANOTHER VILLAGE. GENERAL FUND/WHERE NEEDED MOST TO PROVIDE FOR OVERHEAD COSTS TO RUN ORGANIZATION, ALLOW STARFYSH TO DESIGNATE FUNDS TO PROJECTS THAT NEED A BIT OF EXTRA FUNDS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE IS EVER TO TRULY RISE OUT OF DESPERATE POVERTY, IT WILL BE HER PEOPLE THAT DO THE RAISING. ONE DAY, HER PEOPLE MUST CARRY ON THE WORK WHICH WE HAVE STARTED. IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, AN ECONOMY MUST RISE UP THAT CAN SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN AND GROW THE PROJECT EFFORTS STARFYSH HELPS TO INITIATE. IMBEDDED IN ALL OUR PROJECT EFFORTS ARE IDEAS AND PLANS FOR ECONOMIC SELF-SUSTAINABILITY. STARFYSH VALUES THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING QUALIFIED AND PROMISING INDIVIDUALS TO ESTABLISH BUSINESSES. IN A PILOT EFFORT THIS PAST YEAR, WE CONDUCTED BUSINESS TRAINING FOR TWELVE INDIVIDUALS. AT THE COMPLETION OF THEIR TRAINING THEY WERE EACH GRANTED STARTUP MICRO-LOANS. WE ALSO ASSISTED TWO OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN EXPANDING THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES. WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR, UNTIL WE CAN PROVIDE CLOSER OVERSIGHT AND MENTORING TO NEW ENTREPRENEURS, WE WILL LIKELY NOT FUND NEW BUSINESS STARTUPS. CHURCH/VILLAGE PARTNERSHIP ONE OF THE STARFYSH MODELS FOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT IS TO BRING IN SPONSORING PARTNERS WHO WILL ADOPT AND UNDERWRITE THE PROJECT. ONE SUCH EXAMPLE, AND OUR FIRST LARGE-SCALE EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE CREATED BETWEEN A STATESIDE CHURCH (BERKLEY HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN) AND THE REMOTE VILLAGE OF MAKOCHON. IN A SEVEN-YEAR SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT, BERKLEY HAS AGREED TO FINANCIALLY PARTNER WITH STARFYSH IN BRINGING HOLISTIC LIFT TO THE VILLAGE, WITH HEAVY SUPPORT IN THE FIRST YEAR AND GRADUALLY DIMINISHING SUPPORT OVER THE SEVEN YEARS. THE VILLAGE HAS EXCITEDLY AGREED TO THIS PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND HAS ALREADY, IN THIS FIRST YEAR, DEMONSTRATED A STRONG RESPONSE TO THIS INCENTIVE. MAKOCHON'S SCHOOL IS UP AND RUNNING. 8-12 MICRO-BUSINESSES WILL BEGIN IN SPRING, 2013, AND ANOTHER 8-12 WILL FOLLOW NEXT FALL/WINTER. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS PARTNERSHIP MODEL CAN BE USED FOR MANY FUTURE EFFORTS ON THE ISLAND. LATRINES ESSENTIALLY NO HOUSEHOLDS ON LA GONAVE HAVE A FLUSH TOILET AND, ASTONISHINGLY, FEWER THAN 10% OF THE 10,000 FAMILIES ON THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, HAITI HAVE EVEN A BASIC OUTHOUSE LATRINE. THIS, IN A LAND WHERE DIARRHEAL ILLNESSES (E.G. TYPHOID, HEPATITIS, CHOLERA, ETC.) ARE ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH. URINATION AND DEFECATION ARE DONE ON THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND WHEREVER AND WHENEVER THE NEED PRESENTS ITSELF, AND WITHOUT REGARD TO, OR EVEN THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONSEQUENCES TO HEALTH AND DISEASE. AS WE MOVE ABOUT THE LA GONAVES VILLAGES, ONE OF OUR STARTING POINTS IS EDUCATING THEIR PEOPLE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A FAMILY LATRINE IN ORDER TO PREVENT DISEASE. ALL TOO AWARE OF THE RAVAGES OF CHOLERA, VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY RECEPTIVE WHEN WE TELL THEM HOW BASIC SANITATION AND HYGIENE MEASURES CAN PREVENT THE DISEASE. RELIEVED TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN BASICALLY CHOOSE NOT TO GET CHOLERA, THEY ARE TAKING US UP ON OUR CHALLENGE TO THEM TO BUILD A LATRINE. WE HAVE PUT OUT A CHALLENGE TO THEM; IF THEY WILL DIG A DEEP LATRINE PIT, WE WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE CONCRETE WITH WHICH THEY CAN BUILD A BASE AND TOILET STOOL. WE ALLOW THEM TO HOUSE THEIR LATRINE, THEN, WITH WHATEVER MATERIALS FITS (CORRUGATED TIN, PALM FRONDS, ETC.). THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING. SO FAR, OVER 1,000 LATRINES HAVE BEEN BUILT AND ARE NOW IN USE WITH SEVERAL SMALL VILLAGES BOASTING 100% LATRINE USE HEALTH IN EARLY 2014, STARFYSH COMPLETED THE OUTFITTING OF ITS RDDU (REMOTE MOBILE DENTAL UNIT). IT HAS BEEN DEPLOYED TO REMOTE LOCATIONS BY TEAMS OF DENTISTS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS SO FAR. WE ARE NOW ACTIVELY SEEKING DENTAL TEAMS TO TAKE DENTAL CARE TO VILLAGES SEVERAL TIMES PER YEAR. WE ALSO BEGAN OUTFITTING OF OUR RMMU (REMOTE MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT) THIS PAST YEAR, SENDING OUT OUR FIRST TEAM OF DOCTORS AND NURSES THIS PAST SUMMER. OUR SECOND MEDICAL TEAM IS SLATED FOR A JANUARY, 2015 VISIT TO THE ISLAND, WHERE THEY WILL TAKE MEDICAL CARE TO A VILLAGE WHOSE PEOPLE HAVE NEVER SEEN A DOCTOR. STARFYSH PARTNERS WITH A SMALL ORGANIZATION ON LA GONAVE WHOSE TRAINED COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATORS VISIT VILLAGES ACROSS THE ISLAND, TEACHING THEIR CITIZENS ABOUT NUTRITION, BASIC HEALTH, AND SANITATION AND HYGIENE PRACTICES. THEY WORK TO FACILITATE THE FORMATION OF VILLAGE LEADERSHIP COMMITTEES. COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATORS WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN OUR VISION TO EDUCATE THE 100,000 PEOPLE OF LA GONAVE IN HEALTHIER WAYS OF LIVING.