Administration & Finance
New Office
GPF moved into its new office space across from the UN in December 1997. During most of 1998, we worked to make the space fully operational and equipped to handle our present needs. During the year we purchased five new computers as well as many desks and other pieces of furniture - all on a tight budget. A lot of time and thought went into this process. But in the end, we created a functional, efficient and attractive office space that accomodates 5-6 workers normally and up to 8 in high-traffic moments, as well as space for small meetings. It was time and money well spent!
Internship Program
During 1998, GPF took advantage of its new office to expand its internship program. Altogether, eighteen qualified young people worked as interns during the year. Some worked part-time, while others were on a full-time basis. The internships ranged from two to seven months in length.
GPF interns came from Canada, Britain, Germany, Jamaica and Japan as well as the United States. Some interns were students at the graduate level or had just completed graduate degrees. All had outstanding qualifications. Many had considerable knowledge and experience of the UN system. The popular summer internship program attracted fifty excellent applicants for just four full-time openings. GPF is especially grateful to the Institute for Leadership Development of Toronto, Canada, for providing three full-time funded interns during the year.
In many cases, interns assumed considerable program responsibilities. Two interns, Devaleena Das and Kevin Baumert, spoke at UN meetings. Two others, Natalie Reid and Scott Midgley, were responsible for many successes in the Security Council program. Brent Calverly and Kevin Baumert set up the local area network for the office computers. Liz Sullivan, Anja Kallmeyer and Simone Koring organized the worldwide vigil, while Senwan Akhtar, Natalie Reid and Kevin Baumert wrote major research papers. Kudos are due to them and to a number of others as well.
Many interns will go on to careers with international organizations or in international law. The internship with GPF is an important milestone for them, enabling them to gain unique insight and experience and to have important responsibility directly in their field of interest. GPF also supports its interns through letters of recommendation and help with career networking. Of course, GPF benefits greatly as well. Without the work of its many talented and enthusiastic interns, GPF could not have succeeded as it did in 1998.
In 1999, GPF hopes to establish a funded internship, providing a modest living stipend to enable a qualified intern to work all year long. This would greatly ease the financial pressure on potential intern applicants and it would provide GPF with more intern continuity as well. We would hope to find income of $18,000 to fund this new position.
Federal Tax-Exempt Status
In 1998, GPF's advance ruling as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the US federal tax code came up for review by the Internal Revenue Service. The review process required considerable attention and the submission of carefully-prepared financial documentation. In April, we were informed that our review had been completed and that we were accorded full and ongoing tax-exempt status.
Finances
GPF's annual budget in 1998 came to approximately $120,000. Of that sum, about $40,000 represents the income of our fiscal sponsorship partner, Global Action on Aging. The balance is GPF's own budget, which was a considerable increase from 1997. This sum was spent on rent, capital equipment, office operations and staff. The income came primarily from individual donors, but also from foundations, churches and partner organizations. Nearly all of GPF's budget went directly into its program activities, with less than 10% being spent on general administration and fundraising.
The Board of Directors has decided to make a major effort to increase GPF's income in 1999. It is hoped that funds can be used to hire additional staff and to underwrite an internship. These new program costs are essential if GPF is to solidify its important recent gains and strengthen its program work for 1999 and beyond.
Global Policy Forum is supported primarily by contributions from generous individuals who join as members. GPF also receives grants from foundations and partner institutions. GPF is incorporated in the State of New York, registered as a charitable organization and recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the revenue code.
