Merriwold Club Inc

The information for Merriwold Club Inc is as of the organization's most recent filing in December '22. This organization is located in Forestburgh, NY. It has been in existence for 78 years, following its founding in 1944.

Organization Classification

The IRS classifies organizations according to the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system. The NTEE system helps the IRS assign a 3-character code to each organization to describe the organization's activities.

The Merriwold Club Inc's NTEE code is N50. The "N" tells us that the organization is classified along with Recreational Clubs. The "50" tells us that the organization is involved in Recreation & Sports. The NTEE describes Recreational Clubs as organizations that provide facilities for recreational activities, sports, and games, as well as social opportunities for members to meet and socialize. The organization's mission is focused on member services and land conservation. The Merriwold Club Inc is also classified as a 501(c)(7) organization, which is a type of Social and Recreational Club according to the Internal Revenue Code.

Program Areas

Within the member services and land conservation program area, the organization focuses on providing services to its members and engaging in land conservation efforts. This program area is not specifically reported by another fund or program, therefore all revenues, support, and functional expenses related to member services and land conservation are included in the general fund.

Organization Staffing

Merriwold Club Inc is run by John Goodreds, who is the President. The organization has 5 employees, none of whom are paid over $100k per year. Supporting the small staff are 50 volunteers.

Board Governance

Merriwold Club Inc, a non-profit organization, appears to be well-governed based on the information provided. The organization has 12 voting members, all of whom are independent, indicating a diverse and unbiased decision-making process. The absence of potential conflicts of interest further strengthens the organization's governance structure, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the organization and its mission. The fact that board meetings and committee meetings are documented demonstrates a commitment to transparency and accountability. This documentation allows for proper record-keeping and ensures that decisions and discussions can be reviewed and referenced in the future. However, it is worth noting that the organization does not have a conflict of interest policy or require the disclosure of conflicts. While this may not be an immediate concern given the absence of potential conflicts, implementing such policies can further enhance the organization's governance practices and mitigate any future conflicts that may arise. Additionally, the organization does not delegate management to an outside firm, indicating that the board members are actively involved in the day-to-day operations and decision-making processes. This level of direct involvement can contribute to a more efficient and effective governance structure. However, it is important to highlight some areas where the organization could improve its governance practices. The absence of a written whistleblower policy and document retention policy leaves the organization vulnerable to potential misconduct or legal issues. These policies are crucial in encouraging the reporting of unethical behavior and ensuring the proper retention and disposal of important organizational documents. Furthermore, the organization does not substantiate or review leadership or officer's salaries, which can raise questions about the fairness and transparency of the compensation process. Implementing a process to substantiate and review salaries can help ensure that compensation is reasonable and in line with industry standards. Lastly, the organization does not provide copies of the 990 form to the board prior to filing. This form contains important financial information that board members should review to ensure the organization's financial health and compliance with regulations. Overall, while Merriwold Club Inc demonstrates some strong governance practices, there are areas where improvements can be made to further enhance transparency, accountability, and compliance within the organization.

Organization Growth

The Merriwold Club Inc nonprofit organization has experienced a decrease in various aspects over the given time period. Contributions and grants received decreased from $581.7K in 2014 to $480.2K in 2022. Investment income also saw a decline from $402 in 2014 to -$92,956 in 2022. Total revenue followed the same trend, decreasing from $582.1K in 2014 to $387.2K in 2022. However, there was an increase in employee salaries from $75.0K in 2014 to $83.1K in 2022, indicating potential growth in the organization's workforce. Total expenses also increased from $328.5K in 2014 to $376.1K in 2022, suggesting the organization's operational costs have risen. Additionally, there was a decrease in the total number of employees from 7 in 2014 to 5 in 2022, while the number of volunteers remained the same at 50. Overall, the Merriwold Club Inc nonprofit organization has experienced a mixed bag of growth and decline over the given time period.