Patrick Cleary responds to recent questions raised about Humboldt Area Foundation

I just received this email from Mr. Patrick Cleary. I want to thank him for responding in this public format.


Dear John,

I wanted to respond to the questions you raised in your blog. I have attached a letter for you to share on your page, which is also below. 

I  ask that you contact me directly if you have any questions about Humboldt Area Foundation.  Despite what has been said elsewhere, we always return phone calls and emails (though it may sometimes take a day or two).  We are committed to serving our community in a forthright and clear manner.  As I know you take pride in your journalism, I  hope that you will check with us in the future before writing about HAF in order to have a balanced perspective.

Thank you. 

Patrick Cleary

Executive Director

Humboldt Area Foundation

The letter Mr. Cleary sent me:

Dear Mr. Chiv,

                In response to your recent blog post, I am happy to answer the questions contained within regarding Humboldt Area Foundation. 

1)      What is the total administrative cost of operating the Humboldt Area Foundation? How does that cost compare to the amount of money given back to the community?

According to our most recent audited financial statements, which are available on our website, our total administrative expenses for the fiscal year ending June 2015 were $1,186,497, which includes our development and investment expenses. This represents 17% of total expenses, and compares to over $3.6 million in grants distributed in addition to our programmatic activites. This also reflects the costs for the investment and management of over 700 donor funds totaling over $100 million  .

2)      How many people are employed by the Humboldt Area Foundation? How many of those employee positions are grant-funded?

Current employment at Humboldt Area Foundation is 31, of which 11 are grant-funded. The grant-funded positions include seven people who work for True North Organizing Network and  some of the staff at our Wild Rivers Community Foundation affiliate in Del Norte.

3)      How much money does Humboldt Area Foundation commit to operating the True North Organizing Network? What is the source of the funding given to True North? How many people are employed by True North Organizing Network?

True North is funded principally by grants from The California Endowment as part of their Building Healthy Communities initiative.  Additional funding comes from Marguerite Casey Foundation, The Bush Foundation, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, and direct donations from individuals.  Humboldt Area Foundation has contributed a total of $10,000 from its discretionary fund. HAF receives overhead reimbursement for its role as fiscal sponsor of True North which helps to defray our administrative expenses. As mentioned above, seven people work for True North. True North is a community-led organization which is nonpartisan and endorses no political parties or candidates

4)      Why was the decision to appoint long-term HAF Board of Directors member Terry Supahan as the director of True North made? Is Mr. Supahan still a member of the Board of Directors?

The search for the Director of True North was a national search process during which Mr. Terry Supahan applied. He was the unanimous choice of the search committee based upon his extensive experience and knowledge of the region.   His application was vetted by the Humboldt Area Foundation’s Board Executive Committee.  Mr. Supahan resigned as an HAF board member in September 2015 and was hired to start at True North on October 1, 2015. 

Our annual audited statements, tax returns and grants list are readily available for the public to access on our website www.hafoundation.org. All donors are provided with regular financial statements detailing all uses of their funds as well as investment returns. I am happy to answer questions about Humboldt Area Foundation to anyone; however, it is HAF policy to not respond to anonymous internet posts.

Sincerely,

Patrick Cleary

Executive Director