United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.

Transcription

1 United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. General Information Contact Information Nonprofit Address United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. 711 Stewarts Ferry Pike Suite 100 Nashville, TN Phone (615) Fax Web Site Web Site Facebook Facebook At A Glance Year of Incorporation 1969 Former Names United Southeastern Tribes, Inc. 1

2 Mission & Impact Statements Mission United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing the development of federally recognized Indian Tribes, to improving the capabilities of Tribal governments, and assisting the USET Members and their governments in dealing with public policy issues and in serving the broad needs of the Indian people. Background On October 4, 1968, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Miccosukee Tribe and the Seminole Tribe of Florida met in Cherokee, North Carolina with the shared idea of developing an organization that promoted of unity between the Tribes in order to create and utilize the needed resources for meeting and overcoming social and economic challenges. Today the USET's membership is comprised of federally recognized Tribes from Maine, to Florida, and Texas to the Carolinas. USET is a nonprofit, inter-tribal organization that collectively represents its member Tribes at the regional and national level. USET has grown to include twenty-six federally recognized Tribes. The vision of USET's four founding Tribes was to build strength by working in unity with one another and to ensure that there was a strong voice for Tribes east of the Mississippi River. This vision evolved into USET's organizational mission to enhance the development of federally recognized Indian Tribes, improve the capabilities of Tribal governments, and to assist USET members and their governments in dealing effectively with public policy issues and serving the broad needs of Indian people. USET's Because there is Strength in Unity motto continues to be the foundation of all its efforts to this day. While defined as a regional organization, USET has developed into a nationally prominent and respected organization due to its broad policy platform and influence on the most important and critical issues facing all of Indian Country. Supporting all of its issue specific advocacy is a foundation built upon the goals of promoting and protecting the inherent sovereignty rights of all Tribal Nations, pursuing opportunities that enhance Tribal Nation rebuilding, and working to ensure that the United States upholds its sacred trust responsibilities to Indian Country. USET serves as a resource to many of its Tribes as a support to implement many critical programs for which the Tribes may lack capacity to successfully administer. This includes grant administration, data collection, information technology support, forum for the exchange of ideas, work on behalf of its membership to create an improved quality of life for American Indians through increased Health, Education, Social Services, Housing, Economic Development, Transportation, and Justice opportunities, and works to promote capacity for existing and future (youth) leadership to ensure Indian Country's continued growth, development, and prosperity as Tribal Nations. 2

3 Impact Major Accomplishments for the past yearuset has been working on national advocacy leading to improved legislation and policy which allow Tribes to maintain and promote its sovereignty and ability to build healthy communities. USET has been involved with efforts to reauthorize the Stafford Act, Violence Against Women Act, Farm Bill, and improve tax codes all with the interests and challenges faced by Indian Country. Development of a USET Youth Leadership Council and promotion of healthy activities for young American Indian leaders. USET work has included the development of partnerships and programs to promote cultural awareness, stimulate critical thinking to address issues in their communities, promote understanding of legislative and policy making on the Tribal, state, and federal levels, and to bring new opportunity for education and positive growth for youth. USET has been promoting capacity building with its Tribal membership so they will effectively and efficiently serve the healthcare needs of its citizens. USET facilitates programs for diabetes prevention and care, program support for clinic operations, data collection, and educational support activities for healthcare. In out-reach activities, USET held its fourth Tribal Utility Summit (TUS) in Nashville, Tennessee. The TUS is designed to promote understanding and awareness for protection of the Tribe's drinking water and land conservation along with public safety issues. The TUS held classes and workshops to promote individual Tribal utility employee capacity and certifications. It was also the national platform for five federal agencies announced a new MOA for promoting safe drinking water initiatives in Indian Country. Goals and Objectives for the current year1. Extend advocacy/policy communication and relationship building outside of Indian Country to broaden support base.2. Achieve a stronger future for USET member Tribes in health care administration and delivery of services.3. Develop a core set of health consulting services that go beyond what USET is currently offering to member Tribes that could be marketed across Indian Country.4. Enrich Program Development and Integration for USET Member Tribes with a Focus on Renewable Energy, protection of natural resources, and climate change. 5. Develop resources (including training and technical assistance) supporting economic development projects for building capacity and strengthening sovereignty for USET member Tribes. Needs USET is seeking support to build capacity for its member Tribes to overcome the historic trauma Indian Country has suffered. USET has identified these unifying activities to help build capacity with Tribes to exercise selfdetermination and promotion of sovereignty so they may transcend the social and economic challenges plaguing Indian Country. 1. Youth and Scholarship- Providing youth opportunity to attend summer camps and college/university, leadership development for teens, and cultural exchange opportunity. $200, Training and Technical Assistance- Support for data collection, continuing education and certification programs for Tribal health and utility employees. $300, Cultural Awareness- Public education on Indian Country, native language preservation, and forum for exchange of ideas to protect and preserve cultural identity. $200, Environmental Protection and Economic Development- Promulgate new innovations and approaches to preserve natural resources, indigenous food, seek opportunity to develop renewable and clean energy. $300, Other ways to donate, support, or volunteer Check via mail:711 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Suite 100Nashville, TN 37214Attn.: Brandon StephensAll major credit cards are accepted Service Categories Primary Organization Category Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy / Civil Rights, Social Action, & Advocacy N.E.C. Areas of Service Areas Served TN - Davidson 3

4 USET serves its membership which includes 26 federally recognized American Indian Tribes located in 12 states from Texas to the Carolinas and Florida to Maine. USET also works to provide public education on American Indian Tribes and issues to the communities surrounding its office in Davidson County, Tennessee. USET has a working partnership with Vanderbilt University to promote education for youth, economic development, and scientific research. Board Chair Statement The founding principle of USET is Because There Is Strength in Unity." That is our true strength. It is from vision, strength and courage of our founding Tribes, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians this organization exists. Since its origination in 1969 there have been 22 other federally recognized American Indian Tribes join USET's membership. These Tribes, and so many others have been battling poverty, social injustice, disease, and overall unhealthy living with no hope. Individually, their efforts were not efficient or as effective to make critical changes to national and state policy or implement programs in their Tribes to stop the damage and rebuild their Tribal communities. In unity the founding Tribes set a true example and formula for success in Indian Country. Financial support is only a part of the formula for true success as we have discovered. USET is truly about sharing your time, wisdom, and putting forth your medicine to assist each other with hope for better health, education, housing, economic development, and preservation of our culture and natural resources. USET is founded on the principles of rebuilding our Tribal Nations and promoting sovereignty throughout Indian Country, which is a great legacy we want to leave for our people. We invite you to help us rebuild these Tribal Nations with resources paving our path to a bright and healthy future. I am, Brian Patterson, President of USET and the Bear Clan Representative of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, which is a member Tribe of USET. Within the Oneida Nation and as members of the Haudenosaunee, we have the responsibility to safeguard a place for the future seven generations. As leaders we are taught to weigh the effects of decision-making on this generation as well as our children's children unto the seventh generation. This is the medicine I carry with me as I serve as a leader, husband, father, son, brother, and a neighbor. In part, USET's purpose is to promote leadership in order to move forward with the ultimate, desirable goal of complete involvement and responsibility at all levels in Indian affairs; to lift the bitter yoke of poverty from our people through cooperative effort. I would remind young people, who will be our future leaders, to live the life they were destined to live - with strength and courage, with love in their heart, with what the Peacemaker called the power of the good mind, to make a difference, to make an impact. We can only do this with the power of our Creator, healthy bodies, educated minds, and the right tools. Thank you for support of our organization's effort to meet the challenges in Indian Country so we can make a positive impact on the next seven generations. CEO Statement United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) works diligently to protect and promote the inherent sovereign authority of its Tribal nation members. By doing so, its work impacts all Tribal nations and their respective Tribal citizenship. Our work serves to foster and support the Nation Rebuilding efforts of Indian Country broadly that is necessary after years of failed Federal Indian policies. By doing so, we are empowering ourselves and becoming more self-determining and self-reliant. The work of USET enables Tribal nations to proactively address issues of poverty, unemployment, health disparities, environmental concerns, domestic violence, etc. that continue to plague many of our communities today. While our work may appear narrow and specific to Indian Country, the reality is that strong Tribal nations and economies have residual effect on surrounding non- Native communities and the United States as a whole. Additionally, core to our approach is education and awareness as a means to achieve social justice. In many ways, Native people are a forgotten people relegated to a few pages in history books. The reality is that we are people who have survived despite attempts to assimilate and terminate us out of existence. We are a resilient people who continue to prosper in today's world while respecting and holding onto our cultural and traditional practices, beliefs, and values. As part of our work, we take full responsibility for the need to properly educate people and to make them aware about America's First People, our unique treaty based relationship with the United States, our unique history and current trust relationship with the United States, and our vast contributions which have been instrumental in the growth and evolution of the United States. 4

5 Programs Programs Office of Environmental Resource Management Description The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management (OERM) was created in 2004 to assist member Tribes in addressing environmental concerns, such as clean and safe drinking water, healthy community ecosystems, climate change, traditional practices, and public safety. OERM works to build Tribal capacity by providing training to water, waste water, and solid waste utility workers. USET OERM also provides utility worker certifications. Budget Population Served,, Tribal Health Program Support Description USET's Tribal Health Program Support department provides on-going health and policy information, technical assistance, and training to USET member Tribes. The intent of THPS efforts is to create efficiencies within Tribal clinics, building capacity among medical providers, and promote health living activities. Budget Population Served,, Administration Description USET continues to evolve and mature as an organization. The Administration, which consists of executive level management, financial controller and accounting, information technology, and special project support staff maintains a on building organizational capacity to meet current and long term objectives. Budget Population Served,, Development Description Development works to promote fundraising, public relations, grant administration, and resource development for the organization. It currently has a staff of one director. The organization works as a team to support the Development Department. Development also works to ensure programs and departments complete activities which support USET's long term and short term strategic plans. Population Served,, CEO Comments USET is a 44 year old not-for-profit that continues to evolve and mature as an organization. Occurring simultaneously, our Tribal Nation members are growing and evolving which leads to greater demands for requested supportive services. Our Tribal Nation membership has broad government needs; including, but not 5

6 limited to: healthcare, economic development, transportation, housing, social services, law enforcement, environmental, etc. As such, we have a responsibility to not only sustain and grow our current core competency areas, but to grow and expand to offer the necessary support services required by our membership. While grant funding has played a vital role in our service provision, we have taken concrete steps to diversify our revenue portfolio to support our current level of activity and to support future growth. In 2011, we increased our capacity by adding a Development Director to focus on grant/contract expansion, event sponsorship development, planned giving, and other fundraising related activities. Additionally, USET has unique opportunities in the area of social entrepreneurship. We are currently examining opportunities to take advantage of our unique expertise for the benefit of generating unrestricted revenue to support our core not-for-profit activities. 6

7 Governance Board Chair Board Chair Brian Patterson Company Affiliation Oneida Indian Nation Term Oct 2006 to Dec Board Members Name Affiliation Status Phyliss J Anderson Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians 7 Jessie Baird Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Nita Battise Colley Billie Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida James Billie Seminole Tribe of Florida Kevin P Brown Rodney Butler Clayton Cleaves Marjorie Colebut-Jackson The Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Passamaquoddy Tribe - Pleasant Point Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Daniel S Collins Shinnecock Indian Nation Brenda Commander Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Beverly Cook Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Cedric Cromwell Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Roy Cypress Jr Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida John Paul Darden Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana Brenda Fields Penobscot Indian Nation Kirk Francis Penobscot Indian Nation Wayne George Catawba Indian Nation R James Gessner The Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut Ray Halbritter Oneida Indian Nation Clint Halftown Cayuga Nation William Harris Catawba Indian Nation Terri Henry Ronnie Henry Michell Alexander Hicks Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Clint Hill Oneida Indian Nation Ricky Jackson Jena Band of Choctaw Indians

8 Jennifer Kiandoli Aroostook Band of Micmacs Sharon LeRoy Cayuga Nation Brenda Lintinger Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Lousiana Exofficio Michelle Litteral Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana Robert R McGhee Poarch Band of Creek Indians Randy Noka Narragansett Indian Tribe Exofficio Brian Patterson Oneida Indian Nation Exofficio Edward Peter-Paul Aroostook Band of Micmacs Rodney Pierce Seneca Nation of Indians Marshall Pierite Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Lousiana Lovelin Poncho Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana Kenneth Poynter Richard Randolph Passamaquoddy Tribe - Pleasant Point Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Linda Raymond Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Buford L Rolin Poarch Band of Creek Indians Marshall Ray Sampson Sr Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Lousiana Jim Shore Seminole Tribe of Florida D'Taobi Silva Shinnecock Indian Nation Cheryl Smith Jena Band of Choctaw Indians Barry E Snyder Seneca Nation of Indians Clayton Sockabasin Joseph M Socobasin Ronnie Thomas Passamaquoddy Tribe - Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe - Indian Township Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Matthew Thomas Narragansett Indian Tribe Paul Thompson Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Tobias Vanderhoop Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) April Wyatt Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black 0 Asian American/Pacific Islander 0 Caucasian 0 Hispanic/Latino 0 Native American/American Indian 54 Other 0 0 Board Demographics - Gender Male 39 8

9 Female 15 Unspecified 0 Governance Board Term Lengths 0 Board Term Limits 0 Board Meeting Attendance % 70% Written Board Selection Criteria? Written Conflict of Interest Policy? Percentage Making Monetary Contributions 0% Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions 100% Constituency Includes Client Representation Number of Full Board Meetings Annually 3 Board CoChair Board CoChair Randy Noka Company Affiliation Narragansett Indian Tribe Term Oct 2006 to Dec thenokas@aol.com Standing Committees By-laws Development / Fund Development / Fund Raising / Grant Writing / Major Gifts Executive Strategic Planning / Strategic Direction Risk Management Provisions Automobile Insurance and Umbrella or Excess Insurance Blanket Personal Property Commercial General Insurance Commercial General Liability Commercial General Liability and D and O and Umbrella or Excess and Automobile and Professional Fiduciary Liability Life Insurance Medical Health Insurance Professional Liability Workers Compensation and Employers' Liability Additional Board Members 9

10 Name Dolly Barnes Michael Bolt Stephen Bowers Kathy Brown Robert Bryant Connie Hilbert Erika Honey Edie Jackson Jason Lambert Barak Norton Myers Charlene Owle Willo Sylestine Robert Thrower Kandice Watson Affiliation Passamaquoddy Tribe - Indian Township Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Seminole Tribe of Florida Catawba Indian Nation Penobscot Indian Nation The Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut Penobscot Indian Nation Poarch Band of Creek Indians Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Poarch Band of Creek Indians Oneida Indian Nation 10

11 Management Executive Director/CEO Executive Director Kitcki A. Carroll Term Start Apr Experience Kitcki A. Carroll currently serves as the Executive Director for United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET). In his capacity as Executive Director, he works to protect and promote the sovereignty rights of USET member nations. Mr. Carroll is a strong advocate for all Indian people and actively works to ensure that the United States fulfills its trust responsibilities and obligations to Indian Country. Mr. Carroll is an enrolled citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and is a descendant of Cheyenne Peace Chief, Chief Black Kettle. Mr. Carroll was born in Boston, Massachusetts and later moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he received his BSBA in Finance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Prior to his current not-for-profit work in Indian Country and prior Tribal government work, he served in diverse capacities in the insurance and financial services industry including as a Series 7 Securities Trader with one of the nation's largest broker/dealers. He also served as the statewide Director for Community Services for one of Nebraska's largest not-for-profit organizations. This experience in the Tribal government, not-for-profit, and for profit sectors provide him with a unique perspective and understanding as a Senior Executive. Mr. Carroll has held various Executive/Senior management positions in the tribal government and not-for-profit sector over the past 13 years; including, but not limited to the following leadership and executive management skills: budgeting, financial analysis, strategic planning and implementation, program development, grants and contracts management, Board and member relations, community relationship building, advocacy at the local-state-federal level, and public speaking. Additionally, he has served on various work groups, panels, task forces, boards, and advisory groups. Former CEOs Name Term Michael Cook Apr Aug 2009 James Tim Martin July July 2006 Staff Full Time Staff 34 Part Time Staff 1 Volunteers 0 Contractors 2 Retention Rate 98% Plans & Policies Does the organization have a documented Fundraising Plan? Does the organization have an approved Strategic Plan? Number of years Strategic Plan Considers 3 11

12 When was Strategic Plan adopted? Oct 2013 In case of a change in leadership, is a Management Succession plan in place? No Does the organization have a Policies and Procedures Plan? Does the organization have a Nondiscrimination Policy? Does the organization have a Whistle Blower Policy? No Does the organization have a Document Destruction Policy? No Awards Awards Award/Recognition Organization Year Certification Program Award Exchange Network Leadership Award Silver Hammer Award Citation for Exceptional Initiative and Accomplishments to Dee Sabattus Area Director Award for Exhibiting Outstanding Leadership in Advocating for Improved Indian Health Care- President Brian Patterson IHS National Director's Special Recognition Award for National Best Practices Training and Conference Association of Board of Certification 2014 Environmental Protection Agency 2012 National Partnership for Reinventing Government US Health and Human Service - Indian Health Service US Health and Human Service - Indian Health Service US Health and Human Service - Indian Health Service Senior Staff Brandon Stephens Title Experience/Biography Development Director Prior to beginning work with USET in 2012, he worked for his Tribal government, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Brandon began working for the Eastern Band of Cherokee as a grant writer and urban planner. He also served as the Tribe's Executive Director for its housing and community development programs. Brandon has also worked as a radio broadcaster as an announcer, reporter (news and sportscasting), and radio station manager (including advertising and marketing sales). 12

13 Wanda Janes Title Deputy Director Experience/Biography Wanda has been working with USET in various capacities since Her duties have included event planning, liaison to USET Tribal membership, and organizational operations management. Prior to arriving at USET, Wanda worked as Special Assistant to the Tribal Chairman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Steve Adams Title Experience/Biography Controller Steve has working with USET since 1996 as the head of the organizations financial management. He has worked for the Attorney General of Texas investigating delinquent cases for the state. Steve has also worked for the K-Mart Corporation where his duties included working on controlling costs, increasing efficiency, and employee training. Prior to joining USET, Steve was an accountant for Mapco. Jerry Pardilla Title Experience/Biography Office of Environmental Resource Management Director Jerry has over 25 years of experience in leadership, management, and operations in Tribal government, business enterprises, and nonprofit organizations. Jerry has served as the Governor/CEO (Tribal Leadership) for his Tribe, the Penobscot Indian Nation. In recent work his focus has been on environmental and climate change issues as he served as Executive Director for the National Tribal Environmental Council, Environmental Program Director and Deputy Director for the Alaska Inter- Tribal Council, President of Katahdin Consulting (environmental contractor for the National Tribal Environmental Council). Jerry has military service and experience with federal grant management. Tihtiyas "Dee" Sabattus Title Experience/Biography Tribal Health Program Support Director When Dee began working with USET, the organization had only two health programs (Epidemiology and Special Diabetes Program for Indians). She began her work with USET as a Project Administrator, which included collecting data, grant management, and making Tribal site visits. Now as Director, the Tribal Health Program Support Department has grown to six programs and more than a dozen employees. Dee has worked as a Youth Councilor, Visitor Assistant with the U.S. Park Service, as a special assistant for the Maine State Speaker and Clerk for the House of Representatives. The variety of work history and experience makes Dee valuable to any organization to understand and work with people, facilitating needs, and using management skills to increase productivity and efficiency. 13

14 Financials Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Start Oct Fiscal Year End Sept Projected Revenue $9,347, Projected Expenses $9,347, Endowment Value $0.00 Endowment Spending Percentage (if selected) 0% Detailed Financials Revenue and Expenses Fiscal Year Total Revenue $10,782,549 $10,244,792 $7,149,639 Total Expenses $10,659,221 $10,205,647 $7,070,637 Revenue Sources Fiscal Year Foundation and Corporation $0 $0 $0 Contributions Government Contributions $8,680,787 $8,452,490 $6,420,124 Federal $0 $0 $0 State $0 $0 $0 Local $0 $0 $0 Unspecified $8,680,787 $8,452,490 $6,420,124 Individual Contributions $7,974 $13,593 $61,830 Indirect Public Support $0 $0 $0 Earned Revenue $1,770,854 $1,482,217 $361,715 Investment Income, Net of Losses $21,934 $12,492 $20,854 Membership Dues $301,000 $284,000 $285,116 Special Events $0 $0 $0 Revenue In-Kind $0 $0 $0 Other $0 $0 $0 14

15 Expense Allocation Fiscal Year Program Expense $9,356,699 $8,896,081 $5,954,507 Administration Expense $1,302,522 $1,309,566 $1,116,130 Fundraising Expense $0 $0 $0 Payments to Affiliates $0 $0 $0 Total Revenue/Total Expenses Program Expense/Total Expenses 88% 87% 84% Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue 0% 0% 0% Assets and Liabilities Fiscal Year Total Assets $3,041,937 $2,526,446 $2,062,530 Current Assets $2,667,829 $2,182,010 $1,433,982 Long-Term Liabilities $0 $0 $0 Current Liabilities $1,909,861 $1,517,698 $908,107 Total Net Assets $1,132,076 $1,008,748 $1,154,423 Short Term Solvency Fiscal Year Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities Long Term Solvency Fiscal Year Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets 0% 0% 0% Top Funding Sources Fiscal Year Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount Government Grants $8,680,787 Government Grants $8,452,490 Government Grants $6,420,124 Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar Program Service Program Service Program Service Amount Revenue $1,770,854 Revenue $1,482,217 Revenue $361,715 Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Membership Dues $301,000 Membership Dues $284,000 Membership Dues $285,116 Capital Campaign Is the organization currently conducting a Capital Campaign for an endowment or the purchase of a major asset? Campaign Purpose United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing the development of Indian Tribes, to improving the capabilities and capacity of Tribal governments to rebuild their communities and develop healthy lifestyles (economic development, public safety, housing, health and human services, protection of natural resource, and promotion of cultural awareness). Capital Campaign Goal $1,000, Campaign Start and End Dates Oct 2013 to Oct 2016 Capital Campaign Raised-to-Date Amount $50, as of Mar 2014 Capital Campaign Anticipated in Next 5 Years? State Charitable Solicitations Permit TN Charitable Solicitations Registration - Expires June

16 Organization Comments Federal sequestration and changes to national policy (including federal budgets) will make an impact on USET's funding. While this organization has not felt severe impacts from reductions in federal spending or sequestration, it has experienced some challenges to its programs and can be very vulnerable to financial instability if federal budgets are reduced or eliminated. USET is developing for-profit business ventures and for the first time in its history, seeking non-federal philanthropic and charitable funds. It is also working on other fundraising activities including event sponsorship, evaluating membership dues and fees, and working to develop revenue generating activities and consulting work for Indian Tribes (in and outside of the USET membership). The organization continues to explore new funding opportunities to achieve greater sustainability for current activities as well as funding to support the organization's vision for continued growth; including grant expansion, examining for profit opportunities under the sister organization Calumet Development Corporation, planned giving, individual donors, corporate donors, sponsorship development, and other fundraising efforts. Bottom line, the goal of the organization is to continue to strengthen and grow the capacity infrastructure of USET to meet the current and long term needs of its Tribal membership. GivingMatters.com Financial Comments Financial figures taken from the Form 990.Financial documents prepared by Midwest Professionals, PLLC.Comments provided by Laurel Fisher 3/4/14. Created Copyright 2018 The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee 16