Artrain's board of directors believes in charitable accountability and full disclosure. Artrain strives to meet or exceed commonly accepted accountability standards for nonprofit organizations.

Government & Oversight

• Artrain has a voluntary board of directors of no more than 25 voting members who are eligible to serve three consecutive three-year terms. Artrain strives to maintain a national board that is geographically, gender and culturally diverse.
• Artrain's board of directors reviews the CEO's performance annually and approves the organization's budget and fundraising practices each year. It adopted a conflict of interest policy in 2004.
• Artrain has established accounting procedures that are supported by its auditors that are sufficient to safeguard the organization's finances.
• Artrain holds four or more board meetings per year. One meeting each year is held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Artrain's hometown. Two or more of the meetings are held in communities where Artrain is currently visiting. While Artrain encourages face-to-face participation, it offers board members an option to participate via conference call when traveling is not convenient. A quorum must be present in order to take any action.
• Artrain's president/CEO, Debra Polich, is the only paid voting member of the board of directors. No other directors are compensated in any way.
• Artrain avoids business transactions with board members or staff; when such transactions take place, the interested party does not take part in the board vote on the transaction, and the transactions are priced below or at market value or provided in-kind.

Measuring Effectiveness

• Every two years, Artrain's board of directors conducts a self-assessment, re- evaluates its goals and reassess its direction.
• A report detailing the board assessment results is distributed at the next regularly scheduled board meeting after the report is completed and the results compiled.

Finances

• It is commonly accepted that an organization should spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities. The percentage of Artrain's total expenses spent on program activities:
  • 79% - 2007
  • 80% - 2006
  • 71% - 2005
  • 67.7% - 2004
  • 87% - 2002
  (Artrain did not tour in 2003.)
• It is commonly accepted that an organization should spend no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. (Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.) The percentage of related contributions Artrain spent on fundraising:
  • 7% - 2007
  • 13% - 2006
  • 10% - 2005
  • 13% - 2004
  • 21% - 2003
  • 6% - 2002
• Artrain's unrestricted net assets total $165,500 and its annual budget averages $1.5 million.
• Artrain's finances are audited each year by an independent auditing firm. These audits are available online at www.ArtrainUSA.org, upon request by calling 734-747-8300 or by emailing info@artrainusa.org.
• Artrain's audit contains a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc) and shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fundraising and administrative activities.
• Artrain accurately reports the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. This information is included in Artrain's audit and annual report and is available by request.
• Artrain's fiscal year runs from January 1 through December 31. Each year at the board of directors' annual meeting, the board is presented with and votes on a detailed budget including projected expenses and revenues for the following year.

Fundraising and Informational Materials

• Artrain makes every effort to be completely truthful about the organization, mission, programs and fundraising activities in all means of communication.
• Artrain publishes an Annual Report once it has audited financial statements. The annual report includes the organization's mission statement, summary of program services and accomplishments, roster of the board of directors and financial information including income and expenses. The annual report is available online at www.ArtrainUSA.org or by calling 734-747-8300.
• Artrain's Annual Reports are available for viewing at www.ArtrainUSA.org.
• Artrain's IRS Form 990 is available for viewing at www.guidestar.org or www.fdncenter.org.
• Artrain takes the collection and maintenance of its donors' and visitors' information and their wishes for privacy very seriously. Every effort is made to securely maintain accurate information. Review and correction of personal information can be arranged by contacting the office at 734-747-8300. At this time Artrain does not share or sell its donor or mailing lists with other agencies.
• Artrain provides a "check off box" on response forms that allows donors to state that they do not want their information shared with other organizations.
• Artrain is in the process of posting a privacy policy on its website.
• Artrain does not currently benefit from any cause-related marketing efforts.
• Artrain has not received any complaints from the Better Business Bureau.