Greater Cleveland Community Shares

STATEMENT OF PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE: GREATER CLEVELAND COMMUNITY SHARES (COMMUNITY SHARES) IS A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION PROVIDING FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT FOR ITS MEMBER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHERS LOCATED IN NORTHEAST OHIO. MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN PROGRAMS DIRECTED TOWARDS COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT, SOCIAL CHANGE, AND CITIZEN EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT. THE PRINCIPAL GOAL IS TO HELP THE MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS RAISE FUNDS THROUGH CHARITABLE WORKPLACE GIVING CAMPAIGNS. A MINIMUM OF 85% OF CAMPAIGN RECEIPTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO ELIGIBLE MEMBERS AND UNAFFILIATED NON-PROFITS EACH YEAR.

EXEMPT PURPOSE ACHIEVEMENTS IN FOUR LARGEST PROGRAM AREAS (AS MEASURED BY FUND DISTRIBUTIONS): DISTRIBUTIONS TO MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS COMMUNITY SHARES DISTRIBUTED FUNDS TO 36 MEMBERS AND 52 OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE RECEIVED FROM THE WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN PLEDGES. THE UNRESTRICTED FUNDS PROVIDED TO MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS ENABLE THEM TO ADMINISTER COMMUNITY-BUILDING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFTEN RESTRICTED BY OTHER FUNDERS. OVER THE 37-YEAR HISTORY OF COMMUNITY SHARES, THESE DISTRIBUTIONS TOTAL MORE THAN 17 MILLION. MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS IN 2021 INCLUDED 36 MEMBER NONPROFITS: ADOPTION NETWORK CLEVELAND; BELLAIRE-PURITAS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; BIKE CLEVELAND; BURTEN, BELL, CARR DEVELOPMENT, INC.; BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS UNLIMITED; CITYMUSIC CLEVELAND; CLEVELAND ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEAGUE (APL); CLEVELAND JOBS WITH JUSTICE; CLEVELAND MINORITY ORGAN TISSUE TRANSPLANT EDUCATION PROGRAM (MOTTEP); CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE; CLEVELAND TRANSFORMATION ALLIANCE (NEW FOR 2021); FAIR HOUSING CENTER FOR RIGHTS AND RESEARCH; FUTUREHEIGHTS, INC.; GREATER CLEVELAND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY; HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CONGRESS; INTERRELIGIOUS TASK FORCE ON CENTRAL AMERICA; JOURNEY CENTER FOR SAFETY AND HEALING; LAKE ERIE INK: A WRITING SPACE FOR YOUTH; LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER CENTER OF GREATER CLEVELAND; LINKING EMPLOYMENT, ABILITIES AND POTENTIAL (LEAP); MAY DUGAN CENTER; NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) GREATER CLEVELAND; NARAL PRO- CHOICE OHIO FOUNDATION; NEAR WEST THEATRE; NEIGHBORHOOD PETS; NEW AGRARIAN CENTER (CITY FRESH); NORTHEAST OHIO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS (NEOCH); PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO; POLICY MATTERS OHIO; PRETERM; PROVIDENCE HOUSE; SLAVIC VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT; TREMONT WEST DEVELOPMENT; UNION MILES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; WATERLOO ARTS; AND WOMEN'S RECOVERY CENTER. CAMPAIGN ADMINISTERING CHARITABLE WORKPLACE GIVING CAMPAIGNS IN APPROXIMATELY 70 LOCAL WORK SITES (I.E. BUSINESSES, LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING FIRMS, SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, NON-PROFITS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES), COMMUNITY SHARES COLLECTED PLEDGES FOR ITS MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER NON-PROFITS. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE STATE OF OHIO COMBINED CAMPAIGN AND OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY'S BUCKS FOR CHARITY CAMPAIGN. THROUGH OUR MEMBERSHIP IN COMMUNITY SHARES USA, WE PARTICIPATED IN THE COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN, AND IN ADDITION FACILITATED THE ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION OF FIVE OF OUR MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS. THE FUNDS RAISED THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO COMMUNITY SHARES' MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT 2022, AS PAYMENTS ON PLEDGES ARE RECEIVED FROM PAYCHECK DEDUCTIONS. COMMUNITY SHARES ORGANIZATIONS USE THESE FUNDS TO SUPPORT A VARIETY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE MISSIONS, INCLUDING BRINGING NEIGHBORHOODS TOGETHER FOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, PROMOTING CIVIL RIGHTS, WORKING TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY, EDUCATING COMMUNITIES ABOUT HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, PROMOTING ANIMAL WELFARE, PROVIDING ARTS AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES, AND WORKING TO REDUCE VIOLENCE IN CLEVELAND'S NEIGHBORHOODS. IN ADDITION TO MEMBER NONPROFITS, DONORS TO COMMUNITY SHARES' WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS CAN ALSO DESIGNATE ANY CERTIFIED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION TO RECEIVE THEIR PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS OR DONATIONS. IN 2021, COMMUNITY SHARES DISTRIBUTED 9,104.82 TO 52 OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, AFTER VERIFYING THEIR IRS AND STATE OF OHIO CHARITIES REGISTRATION STATUS WAS CURRENT AND RECEIVING THE FUNDS. COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN 2021 TOOK THE FORM OF PRESENTATIONS TO EMPLOYEES IN THE WORKPLACES WHERE COMMUNITY SHARES PARTICIPATES IN ANNUAL CHARITY CAMPAIGNS. THESE PRESENTATIONS ENCOURAGED PHILANTHROPIC GIVING, INFORMED EMPLOYEES ABOUT COMMUNITY SHARES' MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS AND EDUCATED THEM ABOUT THE CHOICES THEY HAVE WHEN MAKING THEIR PLEDGES. BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND MOST EMPLOYEES WORKING FROM HOME, THESE WERE PRIMARILY CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM. ADDITIONAL VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS WERE GIVEN TO DECISION-MAKERS WHO WERE CONSIDERING ADDING COMMUNITY SHARES TO THEIR WORKPLACE CAMPAIGNS AND TO BOARD MEMBERS OF MANY OF COMMUNITY SHARES MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS. COMMUNITY SHARES COLLABORATED WITH THE NONPROFIT GIRLS EMPOWERMENT GROUP, QUEEN I AM, ON A GIVING TUESDAY PROJECT ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021, TAKING TWENTY YOUTH FOR A "CLEVELAND COMPASSION TOUR" FROM THE EAST TO THE WEST, AND STOPPING TO DO HANDS-ON ACTIVITY PROJECTS TO LEARN ABOUT COMMUNITY NEEDS AND SOLUTIONS PROMOTED BY OUR MEMBER NONPROFITS. THE GIRLS WROTE ABOUT GENEROSITY AND GIVING AT THE CLEVELAND HEIGHTS-BASED LAKE ERIE INK: A WRITING SPACE FOR YOUTH; LEARNED ABOUT GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY-BASED RADIO ON A TOUR OF WOVU IN THE GARDEN VALLEY; HELPED MAKE HEALTHY SOUP AND ATE LUNCH WITH CLEVELAND MOTTEP AT THE BURTEN, BELL, CARR DEVELOPMENT'S CORNUCOPIA PLACE KITCHEN; PACKED BAGS OF PET FOOD FOR DONATIONS TO CLIENTS IN NEED AT NEIGHBORHOOD PETS IN SLAVIC VILLAGE; AND ENDED WITH A DISCUSSION OF DIVERSITY AND PERSONAL EXPRESSION AT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER CLEVELAND IN THE DETROIT-SHOREWAY NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE THEY ALSO GOT A TOUR AND SNACKS. SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS WERE EXPANDED IN 2021 TO EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE MISSION-DRIVEN WORK OF OUR MEMBERS, AND THEIR WORK. OUR REGULAR E-NEWS BLASTS EXPANDED COVERAGE OF MEMBER ACTIVITIES AND RESEARCH. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS WAS HELD VIRTUALLY, AND BOARD MEMBERS WERE ELECTED FOR TWO-YEAR TERMS OF OFFICE. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL THESE ITEMS ARE MAINLY ADMINISTRATIVE IN NATURE, PAYING FOR GENERAL SUPPLIES, POSTAGE, MEETING EXPENSES FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES, AND SOME ADMINISTRATIVE SALARIES. WE REQUIRE MEMBERS TO RENEW THEIR MEMBERSHIP ANNUALLY, AND VERIFY THEIR ORGANIZATION FOR MISSION FULFILMENT, AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE. MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE WORK OF THE ORGANIZATION BY VOLUNTEERING WITH CAMPAIGN PRESENTATIONS AND OTHER TASKS. WE ALSO HOSTED AN AMERICORPS VISTA THROUGH THINK TANK, INC. TO BUILD OUR INTERNAL CAPACITY AND OUR SERVICE TO MEMBERS. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES SERVICE TO MEMBERS OTHER SERVICES TO MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE FEDERATION IN THE FORM OF MAILINGS, E-MAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND E- NEWSLETTER, AND REMINDERS. A LINK ON THE COMMUNITY SHARES WEBSITE HELPS ITS MEMBERS ANNOUNCE JOB OPENINGS, AND SHARES FREQUENTLY REFERS QUALIFIED INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS TO MEMBER GROUPS AND REFERS BUSINESSES TO MEMBERS WITH VOLUNTEER DAY PROJECTS. IN ADDITION, THE WEBSITE AND MONTHLY E- NEWSLETTER HIGHLIGHTS MEMBERS' ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ACTIVITIES AND SUCCESSES. SEVERAL BROWN BAG LUNCH SEMINARS ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO HELP BUILD THE CAPACITY OF OUR MEMBERS AND INCREASE THEIR EFFICACY. THESE TOPICS INCLUDED: DISABILITY ACCESS, ORGANIZING VIRTUAL EVENTS, VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MANAGEMENT IN A PANDEMIC, MANAGING MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE, NATIVE AMERICAN INVISIBILITY AND IMAGERY, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, AND SELF-CARE FOR STAFF. WE ALSO HOSTED TWO INFORMAL NETWORKING "HAPPY HOUR" EVENTS FOR THE STAFF OF MEMBERS VIA ZOOM. SHARES OFFERS MEMBERS THE BENEFIT OF USING THREE DONATION KIOSKS CALLED DIP JARS, WHICH UTILIZE CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY FOR CREDIT CARD PROCESSING. THESE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS FOR THEIR EVENTS, FREE OF RENTAL CHARGES. USE OF THESE IN 2021 WAS LIMITED BECAUSE OF THE CANCELLATION OF IN-PERSON EVENTS, BUT A HANDFUL WERE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS IMPORTANT SERVICE. COMMUNITY SHARES ALSO COORDINATES MEMBER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OHIO ASSOCIATION OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS (NONPROFIT EDUCATION, DISCOUNTED SERVICES, AND CONSULTING), WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY (ARCHIVAL SERVICES) AND CENTURY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION (FINANCIAL SERVICES). ALL OF THESE MEMBER SERVICES ARE GEARED TOWARD IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS, PROMOTING COOPERATION, BUILDING ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITIES, AND SEEKING ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY. FUNDRAISING OTHER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES GO TOWARD SUPPORTING THE OPERATIONS OF COMMUNITY SHARES. THESE SOURCES OF FUNDING INCLUDE FOUNDATIONS, INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE DONORS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS. DONATED SERVICES MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDED OVER 1,800 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES FOR COMMUNITY SHARES, WHILE COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS GAVE AN ADDITIONAL 100 HOURS. VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS, INSTITUTIONS, AND BUSINESSES DONATED SERVICES AND PRODUCTS TO BE USED AS FUNDRAISING INCENTIVES AND PRIZES. ANNUAL REPORT GREATER CLEVELAND COMMUNITY SHARES PUBLISHES AN ANNUAL REPORT, WHICH IS POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE AND DISTRIBUTED AT CAMPAIGN PRESENTATIONS AND TABLETOP EVENTS.