2024-08-08T15:26:10-04:00 2024-03-31 030325875 DAVIS & HODGDON ASSOCIATES CPAS PLC 33 BLAIR PARK RD STE 201 WILLISTON VT 05495 990 2023-04-01 030347288 LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC LEAH 8028641848 1 COLLEGE STREET BURLINGTON VT 054015215 EDWARD LAWSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8028641848 2024-08-07 true false BRET HODGDON P00497283 8028781963 2024-08-08 2023 2024-08-08 14:25:15Z ECHO LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE EDWARD LAWSON 1 COLLEGE STREET BURLINGTON VT 05401 7704606 false X WWW.ECHOVERMONT.ORG X 1994 VT ECHO'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE FAMILIES IN THE JOY OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, WONDER OF NATURE, AND CARE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 17 17 100 75 192589 4007914 2126423 1328915 1290011 316641 514730 756345 847948 6409815 4779112 0 0 2212473 2876029 0 291477 2429829 2457177 4642302 5333206 1767513 -554094 21107945 21491198 426198 676274 20681747 20814924 X ECHO'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE FAMILIES IN THE JOY OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, WONDER OF NATURE, AND CARE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. false false 4271406 1752450 THE PUBLIC FACE OF THE LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC. (DBA ECHO, LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN OR ECHO) IS AN INNOVATIVE SCIENCE AND NATURE MUSEUM LOCATED ON THE BURLINGTON WATERFRONT. OPEN DAILY, ECHO ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO VIEW THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AS PART OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND TO EXPLORE, LEARN ABOUT, AND CONSIDER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STEWARDSHIP. SINCE 1995, WE HAVE TAUGHT MORE THAN 3 MILLION VISITORS ABOUT THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN OUR CULTURE AND LIVES. ECHO LEVERAGES ITS UNIQUE SETTING TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE FAMILIES IN THE JOY OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, WONDER OF NATURE, AND CARE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. VISITORS EXPLORE OVER 100 INTERACTIVE FAMILY EXPERIENCES, 70 LIVE SPECIES, SEASONAL CHANGING EXHIBITS, AND OUR NORTHFIELD SAVINGS BANK IMMERSIVE 3D THEATER. IN OUR HIGHLY INTERACTIVE SCIENCE EXHIBITS, AWESOME FORCES AND ENGINEER IT, VISITORS OF ALL AGES TACKLE DAILY ENGINEERING CHALLENGES AT OUR TINKERING BENCH AND TEST ZONES AS WELL AS DELIGHT IN DISCOVERING THE AMAZING PROCESSES THAT HAVE SHAPED THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN AND OUR EARTH. TO LEARN MORE VISIT: HTTPS://WWW.ECHOVERMONT.ORG/ THE NONPROFIT IS GOVERNED BY AN 18-MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHO RETAINS RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFINING ECHO'S OVERALL STRATEGIC DIRECTION, ENSURING THE INSTITUTION REMAINS ON TRACK AND ACHIEVES ITS GOALS. THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ECHO BOARD FALL IN THE AREAS OF FINANCE, FUNDRAISING, STRATEGY, AND POLICY. AS A GENERAL MATTER, BOARD MEMBERS ARE NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN ECHO'S DAILY OPERATIONS, AS THESE DUTIES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGEMENT. BOARD MEMBERS SIT ON ONE OF FOUR COMMITTEES THAT MEET MULTIPLE TIMES ANNUALLY: POLICY & GOVERNANCE, PLANNING & FINANCE, AUDIT & ETHICS, INVESTMENT, AND STEWARDSHIP. THE ENTIRE BOARD MEETS QUARTERLY WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR. PRINCIPAL PROGRAMS & ANNUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: SUPPORTED BY MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS AND AN INFORMED UNDERSTANDING OF AUDIENCE NEED, ECHO PROVIDES HIGH-IMPACT SCIENCE-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN AND OUTSIDE OUR WALLS. PUBLIC MUSEUM: 160,000 ANNUAL VISITORS INCLUDING 75,000 CHILDREN, 5,500 MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS, 15,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN. ECHO IS DEDICATED TO BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS SO THAT ALL VISITORS CAN EXPERIENCE THE MUSEUM. ANIMAL CARE PROGRAM: PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND ECOLOGY BY CONNECTING THE PUBLIC TO MORE THAN 70 NATIVE SPECIES OF FISH, AMPHIBIANS, AND REPTILES WITH TWICE DAILY ANIMAL CARE DEMOS AND BACK OF HOUSE TOURS. TURTLE HEADSTART PROGRAM: ECHO PARTNERS WITH THE VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE CARE FOR NEONATE SPINY SOFTSHELL AND MAP TURTLES THROUGHOUT THE WINTER. THE BIGGER TURTLES ARE RELEASED INTO LAKE CHAMPLAIN IN THE SUMMER, GIVING THEM A BETTER CHANCE OF SURVIVAL. ECHO EARLY LEARNING: EEL IS A FREE, ACADEMIC YEAR-LONG, CAREGIVER-CHILD PROGRAM TRAINING CAREGIVERS AND SUPPORTING HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS FOR EARLY LEARNERS OUTSIDE THE FORMAL CARE SYSTEM. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS PLAY-BASED LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AND CAREGIVERS TOGETHER, READING-READINESS, AND CAREGIVER LEARNING, AS WELL AS RESOURCES TO FOSTER SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, AND ENRICHING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN AT HOME. STATEWIDE STEM OUTREACH: WE DELIVER HANDS-ON STEM PROGRAMS AND TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO RURAL, UNDERSERVED EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS, WHILE CREATING A NEW CAREER AWARENESS CURRICULUM AND TAKE-HOME, STEM ACTIVITY KITS. EACH YEAR, ECHO EDUCATORS WORK WITH OVER 60 EDUCATORS AND 900 STUDENTS. TEACHER INSTITUTE: TEACHERS FROM AROUND VERMONT PARTICIPATE IN AN ECHO-LED, YEAR-LONG COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE WHILE WORKING TO INTEGRATE ENGINEERING DESIGN INTO THEIR CLASSROOM CURRICULUMS. TRAVELING STEM FESTIVALS: STEM FESTIVALS TRAVEL IN OUR STEM IN MOTION BOX TRUCK AND INCLUDE ENOUGH ACTIVITIES AND ENGINEERING CHALLENGES TO FILL A GYM. E-TEAM: OUR TEEN INTERN TEAM MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, GO ON MONTHLY CAREER EXPLORATION FIELD TRIPS, AND WORK IN THE ENGINEER IT PROGRAM SPACE FOUR HOURS PER WEEK. COLLEGE INTERN AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: ANNUALLY, 75 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS GAIN CAREER-RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN ANIMAL CARE, SCIENCE EDUCATION, IT, DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, AND EVENT MANAGEMENT. ECHO'S OPEN DOOR PROGRAM: A YEARLY COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM PARTNERING WITH MORE THAN 70 SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO PROVIDE 33,000+ FREE OR SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ADMISSION RECIPIENTS AND 3,500 COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIPS - STRIVES TO MAKE THE SCIENCE CENTER ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL. CREATED TO BREAK DOWN FINANCIAL, GEOGRAPHIC, AND CULTURAL BARRIERS SPECIFICALLY, ECHO FINDS AFFORDABLE AND EQUITABLE WAYS TO ALLOW ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR SERVICES AND RESOURCES. SENSORY-FRIENDLY SUNDAY EVENT SERIES: ECHO UNDERSTANDS THAT MANY OF OUR EXHIBITS AND PUBLIC SPACES CAN BE OVERWHELMING TO THOSE WITH SENSORY PROCESSING DIFFERENCES, ESPECIALLY WHEN CROWDED. UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE BARRIERS THAT FAMILIES WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER FACE IN PUBLIC SPACES, ECHO HAS CREATED SENSORY-FRIENDLY EVENTS THAT OPEN EARLY FOR FAMILIES WITH SENSORY PROCESSING DIFFERENCES, AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO EXPLORE IN A MORE CALM AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. A CRUCIAL PART OF ACHIEVING THIS GOAL IS OFFERING FREE ADMISSION AND ONGOING TRAINING FOR OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. MASKS ON SUNDAYS EVENT SERIES: ECHO IS SUPPORTING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED. MONTHLY, ECHO OPENS FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO FIND A SAFE, FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT WITH THEIR PARENTS, SIBLINGS, AND OTHER CHILDREN. THIS IS A FREE AND EXCLUSIVE EVENT, DEVELOPED TO SERVE FAMILIES WITH A FAMILY MEMBER WHOSE HEALTH HAS BEEN COMPROMISED DUE TO COVID, BY A MEDICAL CONDITION, SPECIALIZED SURGICAL PROCEDURES, OR MEDICAL TREATMENTS THAT OTHERWISE PREVENT THEM FROM PLAYING TOGETHER IN OUR FACILITY. A CRUCIAL PART OF ACHIEVING THIS GOAL IS OFFERING FREE ADMISSION AND ONGOING TRAINING FOR OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. 4271406 true true false false false false false true false true true false false false true true true false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false true 25 0 100 true true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 17 17 false true false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X DAVID BARDAGLIO 8028641848 1 COLLEGE STREET BURLINGTON VT 05401 KRISTIN CARLSON CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 IAN DAVIS VICE CHAIR 2.00 X X 0 0 0 LARRY WILLIAMS TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 SHIREEN HART SECRETARY 2.00 X X 0 0 0 GRACE AMAO BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DR REBECCA BELL BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 JANE CLIFFORD BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DOUG GOLDSMITH BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREW HANSON BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 HEATHER LOVEJOY BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL METZ BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 JULIE MOORE BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 KIM NIQUETTE BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DON RENDALL BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 BILLY ST LOUIS BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 LYDIA ODE SLAUSON BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 JULIE WON BOARD MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DR PHELAN FRETZ FORMER EXEC 0.00 X 110972 0 0 EDWARD LAWSON EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 101479 0 6101 DAVID BARDAGLIO DIRECTOR OF 40.00 X 105263 0 12018 CHARLES SMITH FORMER INTER 10.00 X 0 67500 0 317714 67500 18119 3 true false false 478413 1648010 2126423 ADMISSIONS 713990 1209421 1209421 PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE 713990 78470 78470 OTHER PROGRAM REVENUE 713990 2120 2120 1290011 305245 305245 403005 403005 403005 600 402405 2757023 2547538 209485 209485 209485 822899 377956 444943 252954 191989 4779112 1752450 192589 707650 167023 125684 25068 16271 2252788 1692686 339645 220457 25626 19531 3696 2399 226217 172494 32576 21147 204375 153791 30674 19910 5696 5696 20625 20625 131023 131023 193912 139807 54105 145496 141066 4430 1382 487 706 189 89045 88039 766 240 19086 19086 227807 225233 1959 615 19464 19251 213 19012 13475 4203 1334 309 309 940527 929899 8089 2539 57440 57440 MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES 177644 148278 29188 178 TEMPORARY EXHIBITS 97678 97678 BANK FEES 85223 82284 2886 53 SUPPLIES AND EQUIP. RENT 68505 68505 157303 134132 21669 1502 5333206 4271406 770323 291477 31110 60959 437243 825193 298745 305341 10382 5829 140007 230898 120024 191723 19568866 12592452 7683579 6976414 11868471 11839093 518384 1055748 21107945 21491198 216468 174231 133318 175017 76412 327026 426198 676274 X 16016186 16816224 4665561 3998700 20681747 20814924 21107945 21491198 X -554094 687271 X false true X true false X 3468080 2808003 3354101 4007914 2126423 15764521 3468080 2808003 3354101 4007914 2126423 15764521 506511 15258010 366953 131438 367169 586700 707650 2159910 17924431 6493689 0.85120 0.87010 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1209421 615159 X X X false 11868471 1198302 -1096657 -131023 11839093 9393242 3109700 -427419 -55012 -152040 11868471 8597804 669199 335616 -55640 -153737 9393242 6220116 2530669 -39743 -113328 8597804 6960815 156000 -793109 -103590 6220116 0.85360 0.14640 true false 12191879 6135126 6056753 6990511 6169558 820953 386476 287768 98708 6976414 LEASE LIABILITIES 327026 327026 X 5335052 687272 -131023 556249 4778803 309 309 4779112 5201874 -131023 -131023 5332897 309 309 5333206 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X ECHO ANNUALLY FILES AN IRS FORM 990, RETURN OF ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX, TAX RETURN IN THE U.S. FEDERAL JURISDICTION. ECHO IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX EXAMINATION BY TAX AUTHORITIES FOR THE YEARS PRIOR TO MARCH 31, 2021. IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS, ECHO IS SUBJECT TO EXAMINATION BY VARIOUS TAXING AUTHORITIES. ALTHOUGH THE OUTCOME OF TAX AUDITS IS ALWAYS UNCERTAIN, THE MANAGEMENT OF ECHO BELIEVES THAT THERE ARE NO SIGNIFICANT UNRECOGNIZED TAX LIABILITIES AT MARCH 31, 2024 AND 2023. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XI, LINE 2D INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES -131,023 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XII, LINE 2D INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES -131,023 X X true false false false false false false false false DR PHELAN FRETZ FORMER EXEC DIRECTOR 110972 110972 SCHEDULE J, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 4 DR. PHELAN FRETZ 110,972 0 0 CHARLES P SMITH MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC CONSULTING CONSULTANT 32400 PROVIDED INTERIM ED false SCHEDULE L, PART V CHARLIE SMITH, THE INTERIM ED THROUGH JUNE 2023, WAS THE PRINCIPAL OWNER OF CHARLES P. SMITH MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC CONSULTING, USED TO PROVIDE INTERIM ED SERVICES. FORM 990, PAGE 1, ITEM C ECHO, LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A THE PUBLIC FACE OF THE LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC. (DBA ECHO, LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN OR ECHO) IS AN INNOVATIVE SCIENCE AND NATURE MUSEUM LOCATED ON THE BURLINGTON WATERFRONT. OPEN DAILY, ECHO ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO VIEW THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AS PART OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND TO EXPLORE, LEARN ABOUT, AND CONSIDER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STEWARDSHIP. SINCE 1995, WE HAVE TAUGHT MORE THAN 3 MILLION VISITORS ABOUT THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN OUR CULTURE AND LIVES. ECHO LEVERAGES ITS UNIQUE SETTING TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE FAMILIES IN THE JOY OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, WONDER OF NATURE, AND CARE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. VISITORS EXPLORE OVER 100 INTERACTIVE FAMILY EXPERIENCES, 70 LIVE SPECIES, SEASONAL CHANGING EXHIBITS, AND OUR NORTHFIELD SAVINGS BANK IMMERSIVE 3D THEATER. IN OUR HIGHLY INTERACTIVE SCIENCE EXHIBITS, AWESOME FORCES AND ENGINEER IT, VISITORS OF ALL AGES TACKLE DAILY ENGINEERING CHALLENGES AT OUR TINKERING BENCH AND TEST ZONES AS WELL AS DELIGHT IN DISCOVERING THE AMAZING PROCESSES THAT HAVE SHAPED THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN AND OUR EARTH. TO LEARN MORE VISIT: HTTPS://WWW.ECHOVERMONT.ORG/ THE NONPROFIT IS GOVERNED BY AN 18-MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHO RETAINS RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFINING ECHO'S OVERALL STRATEGIC DIRECTION, ENSURING THE INSTITUTION REMAINS ON TRACK AND ACHIEVES ITS GOALS. THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ECHO BOARD FALL IN THE AREAS OF FINANCE, FUNDRAISING, STRATEGY, AND POLICY. AS A GENERAL MATTER, BOARD MEMBERS ARE NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN ECHO'S DAILY OPERATIONS, AS THESE DUTIES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGEMENT. BOARD MEMBERS SIT ON ONE OF FOUR COMMITTEES THAT MEET MULTIPLE TIMES ANNUALLY: POLICY & GOVERNANCE, PLANNING & FINANCE, AUDIT & ETHICS, INVESTMENT, AND STEWARDSHIP. THE ENTIRE BOARD MEETS QUARTERLY WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR. PRINCIPAL PROGRAMS & ANNUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: SUPPORTED BY MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS AND AN INFORMED UNDERSTANDING OF AUDIENCE NEED, ECHO PROVIDES HIGH-IMPACT SCIENCE-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN AND OUTSIDE OUR WALLS. PUBLIC MUSEUM: 160,000 ANNUAL VISITORS INCLUDING 75,000 CHILDREN, 5,500 MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS, 15,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN. ECHO IS DEDICATED TO BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS SO THAT ALL VISITORS CAN EXPERIENCE THE MUSEUM. ANIMAL CARE PROGRAM: PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND ECOLOGY BY CONNECTING THE PUBLIC TO MORE THAN 70 NATIVE SPECIES OF FISH, AMPHIBIANS, AND REPTILES WITH TWICE DAILY ANIMAL CARE DEMOS AND BACK OF HOUSE TOURS. TURTLE HEADSTART PROGRAM: ECHO PARTNERS WITH THE VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE CARE FOR NEONATE SPINY SOFTSHELL AND MAP TURTLES THROUGHOUT THE WINTER. THE BIGGER TURTLES ARE RELEASED INTO LAKE CHAMPLAIN IN THE SUMMER, GIVING THEM A BETTER CHANCE OF SURVIVAL. ECHO EARLY LEARNING: EEL IS A FREE, ACADEMIC YEAR-LONG, CAREGIVER-CHILD PROGRAM TRAINING CAREGIVERS AND SUPPORTING HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS FOR EARLY LEARNERS OUTSIDE THE FORMAL CARE SYSTEM. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS PLAY-BASED LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AND CAREGIVERS TOGETHER, READING-READINESS, AND CAREGIVER LEARNING, AS WELL AS RESOURCES TO FOSTER SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, AND ENRICHING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN AT HOME. STATEWIDE STEM OUTREACH: WE DELIVER HANDS-ON STEM PROGRAMS AND TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO RURAL, UNDERSERVED EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS, WHILE CREATING A NEW CAREER AWARENESS CURRICULUM AND TAKE-HOME, STEM ACTIVITY KITS. EACH YEAR, ECHO EDUCATORS WORK WITH OVER 60 EDUCATORS AND 900 STUDENTS. TEACHER INSTITUTE: TEACHERS FROM AROUND VERMONT PARTICIPATE IN AN ECHO-LED, YEAR-LONG COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE WHILE WORKING TO INTEGRATE ENGINEERING DESIGN INTO THEIR CLASSROOM CURRICULUMS. TRAVELING STEM FESTIVALS: STEM FESTIVALS TRAVEL IN OUR STEM IN MOTION BOX TRUCK AND INCLUDE ENOUGH ACTIVITIES AND ENGINEERING CHALLENGES TO FILL A GYM. E-TEAM: OUR TEEN INTERN TEAM MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, GO ON MONTHLY CAREER EXPLORATION FIELD TRIPS, AND WORK IN THE ENGINEER IT PROGRAM SPACE FOUR HOURS PER WEEK. COLLEGE INTERN AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: ANNUALLY, 75 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS GAIN CAREER-RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN ANIMAL CARE, SCIENCE EDUCATION, IT, DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, AND EVENT MANAGEMENT. ECHO'S OPEN DOOR PROGRAM: A YEARLY COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM PARTNERING WITH MORE THAN 70 SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO PROVIDE 33,000+ FREE OR SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ADMISSION RECIPIENTS AND 3,500 COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIPS - STRIVES TO MAKE THE SCIENCE CENTER ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL. CREATED TO BREAK DOWN FINANCIAL, GEOGRAPHIC, AND CULTURAL BARRIERS SPECIFICALLY, ECHO FINDS AFFORDABLE AND EQUITABLE WAYS TO ALLOW ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR SERVICES AND RESOURCES. SENSORY-FRIENDLY SUNDAY EVENT SERIES: ECHO UNDERSTANDS THAT MANY OF OUR EXHIBITS AND PUBLIC SPACES CAN BE OVERWHELMING TO THOSE WITH SENSORY PROCESSING DIFFERENCES, ESPECIALLY WHEN CROWDED. UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE BARRIERS THAT FAMILIES WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER FACE IN PUBLIC SPACES, ECHO HAS CREATED SENSORY-FRIENDLY EVENTS THAT OPEN EARLY FOR FAMILIES WITH SENSORY PROCESSING DIFFERENCES, AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO EXPLORE IN A MORE CALM AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. A CRUCIAL PART OF ACHIEVING THIS GOAL IS OFFERING FREE ADMISSION AND ONGOING TRAINING FOR OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. MASKS ON SUNDAYS EVENT SERIES: ECHO IS SUPPORTING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED. MONTHLY, ECHO OPENS FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO FIND A SAFE, FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT WITH THEIR PARENTS, SIBLINGS, AND OTHER CHILDREN. THIS IS A FREE AND EXCLUSIVE EVENT, DEVELOPED TO SERVE FAMILIES WITH A FAMILY MEMBER WHOSE HEALTH HAS BEEN COMPROMISED DUE TO COVID, BY A MEDICAL CONDITION, SPECIALIZED SURGICAL PROCEDURES, OR MEDICAL TREATMENTS THAT OTHERWISE PREVENT THEM FROM PLAYING TOGETHER IN OUR FACILITY. A CRUCIAL PART OF ACHIEVING THIS GOAL IS OFFERING FREE ADMISSION AND ONGOING TRAINING FOR OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 3 THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION WAS HELD BY CHARLIE SMITH OF CHARLES P. SMITH MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC CONSULTING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN PERFORMS A DETAILED REVIEW OF A DRAFT OF THE 990 WITH THE PREPARER, AND THEN MAKES A RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL BOARD TO ACCEPT THE DRAFT AND MOVE FORWARD WITH FILING. IN ADDITION, THE 990 IS MADE AVAILABLE FOR ALL BOARD MEMBERS TO REVIEW PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS GIVEN TO EACH NEW RESPONSIBLE PERSON AND IS REQUIRED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IN WRITING THAT HE OR SHE HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THIS POLICY. EACH RESPONSIBLE PERSON MUST ANNUALLY COMPLETE AN INFORMATION FORM REGARDING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THE POLICY SHALL BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY AND ANY CHANGES TO THE POLICY MUST BE COMMUNICATED TO ALL RESPONSIBLE PERSONS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE COMPENSATION OF ECHO'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS DEFINED IN A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN, INC. AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE COMPENSATION IS NEGOTIATED AND REFLECTS WHAT THE BOARD PERCEIVES IS THE NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION TO OBTAIN AND RETAIN A QUALIFIED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE BURLINGTON MARKET. ANY BONUS COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS GOAL BASED. ANNUAL GOALS ARE MUTUALLY ESTABLISHED AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SUCCESS IN MEETING THESE ANNUAL GOALS IS ASSESSED BY THE BOARD. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REVIEWS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S PERFORMANCE EACH FISCAL YEAR AND DETERMINES WHETHER BONUS COMPENSATION IS APPROPRIATE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B DIRECTORS ARE BROUGHT IN AT AROUND 60,000 WITH A TYPICAL 3% CPI ANUALLY DEPENDING ON CASH FLOW. IF THERE ARE FINANCIAL CONTRAINTS DURING THE YEAR, IN LIEU OF PERMANENT SALARY ADJUSTMENTS, SMALLER BONUSES MAY BE PAID. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 COPIES ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES -131,023 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES 131,023