Western Folklife Center
Western Folklife Center
Elko NV | IRS ruling year: 1981 | EIN: 87-0447025
Organization Mission
The Western Folklife Center uses story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world.
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Elko NV | IRS ruling year: 1981 | EIN: 87-0447025
Organization Mission
The Western Folklife Center uses story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world.
Great
This charity's score is 93%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 85% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 5% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Date Published | Form 990 FYE | Overall Score | Overall Rating |
Rating Version: 2.1 | |||
8/3/2021 | 2020 | 91.88 | |
2/1/2020 | 2019 | 90.60 | |
9/3/2019 | 2018 | 85.01 | |
5/1/2019 | 2018 | 81.43 | |
This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990. | |||
10/1/2018 | 2017 | 75.52 | |
12/22/2017 | 2016 | 77.88 | |
11/1/2016 | 2015 | 86.51 | |
6/1/2016 | 2014 | 84.34 | |
Rating Version: 2.0 | |||
10/1/2015 | 2014 | 85.32 | |
7/1/2014 | 2013 | 86.41 | |
8/1/2013 | 2012 | 83.78 | |
5/1/2012 | 2011 | 75.98 | |
9/20/2011 | 2010 | 73.82 | |
Rating Version: 1.0 | |||
10/1/2010 | 2009 | 79.94 | |
11/1/2009 | 2008 | 82.59 | |
3/1/2009 | 2007 | 77.37 | |
5/1/2007 | 2006 | 88.46 | |
7/1/2006 | 2005 | 90.19 | |
9/1/2005 | 2004 | 82.20 |
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for Western Folklife Center is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Western Folklife Center has earned a 92% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has these governance practices in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990
Independent Voting Board Members ... (More) The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. Our analysts check the Form 990 to determine if the independent Board members are a voting majority and also at least five in number. (Less) | |
No Material Diversion of Assets ... (More) A diversion of assets – any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft – can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We check the charity's last two Forms 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets. If the charity does report a diversion, then we check to see if it complied with the Form 990 instructions by describing what happened and its corrective action. This metric will be assigned to one of the following categories:
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Audited Financials Prepared by Independent Accountant ... (More) Audited financial statements provide important information about financial accountability and accuracy. They should be prepared by an independent accountant with oversight from an audit committee. (It is not necessary that the audit committee be a separate committee. Often at smaller charities, it falls within the responsibilities of the finance committee or the executive committee.) The committee provides an important oversight layer between the management of the organization, which is responsible for the financial information reported, and the independent accountant, who reviews the financials and issues an opinion based on its findings. We check the charity's Form 990 reporting to see if it meets this criteria.
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Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From Related Parties ... (More) Making loans to related parties such as key officers, staff, or Board members, is not standard practice in the sector as it may divert the charity's funds away from its charitable mission and can lead to real and perceived conflict-of-interest problems. This practice is discouraged by sector trade groups which point to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act when they call for charities to refrain from making loans to directors and executives. And the IRS is concerned enough with the practice that it requires charities to disclose on their Form 990 any loans to or from current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and other "disqualified persons." Furthermore, some state laws go so far as to prohibit loans to board members and officers. And although employees and trustees are permitted to make loans to charities, this practice can also result in real and/or perceived conflict of interest problems for the charity. Furthermore, it is problematic because it is an indicator that the organization is not financially secure. (Less) | |
Documents Board Meeting Minutes ... (More) An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference. Charities are not required to make their Board meeting minutes available to the public. As such, we are not able to review and critique their minutes. For this performance metric, we are checking to see if the charity reports on its Form 990 that it does keep those minutes. In the future, we will also track and rate whether or not a charity keeps minutes for its committee meetings. (Less) | |
Distributes 990 to Board Before Filing ... (More) Providing copies of the Form to the governing body in advance of filing is considered a best practice, as it allows for thorough review by the individuals charged with overseeing the organization. The Form 990 asks the charity to disclose whether or not it has followed this best practice. If the charity has not distributed its Form 990 to the board before filing, then we deduct 4 points from its Accountability and Transparency score. (Less) | |
Does not Compensate Board Members ... (More) The IRS requires that any compensation paid to members of the charity's governing body be listed on the Form 990. Furthermore, all members of the governing body need to be listed whether or not they are compensated. It is not unusual for some members of the board to have compensation listed. The executive director of the organization frequently has a seat on the board, for instance, and is compensated for being a full time staff member. However, it is rare for a charity to compensate individuals only for serving on its Board of Directors. Although this sort of board compensation is not illegal, it is not considered a best practice. (Less) |
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization has these policies in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
Conflict of Interest ... (More) Such a policy protects the organization, and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the organization. Charities are not required to share their conflict of interest policies with the public. Although we can not evaluate the substance of its policy, we can tell you if the charity has one in place based on the information it reports on its Form 990. If the charity does not have a Conflict of Interest policy, then we deduct 4 points from its Accountability and Transparency score. (Less) | |
Whistleblower ... (More) This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report any financial mismanagement. Here we are reporting on the existence of a policy as reported by the charity on its Form 990. (Less) | |
Records Retention and Destruction ... (More) Such a policy establishes guidelines for handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promotes data integrity. Here we are reporting on the existence of a policy as reported by the charity on its Form 990. If the charity does not have a Records Retention and Destruction Policy, then we deduct 4 points from its Accountability and Transparency score. (Less) | |
CEO Compensation Process ... (More) This process indicates that the organization has a documented policy that it follows year after year. The policy should indicate that an objective and independent review process of the CEO's compensation has been conducted which includes benchmarking against comparable organizations. We check to be sure that the charity has reported on its Form 990 its process for determining its CEO pay. (Less) | |
Donor Privacy ... (More) Donors can be reluctant to contribute to a charity when their name, address, or other basic information may become part of donor lists that are exchanged or sold, resulting in an influx of charitable solicitations from other organizations. Our analysts check the charity's website to see if the organization has a donor privacy policy in place and what it does and does not cover. Privacy policies are assigned to one of the following categories:
The privacy policy must be specific to donor information. A general website policy which references "visitor" or "user" personal information will not suffice. A policy that refers to donor information collected on the website is also not sufficient as the policy must be comprehensive and applicable to both online and offline donors. The existence of a privacy policy of any type does not prohibit the charity itself from contacting the donor for informational, educational, or solicitation purposes. (Less) |
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization makes this information easily accessible.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
CEO Salary Listed on 990 ... (More) Charities are required to list their CEO's name and compensation on the Form 990. Our analysts check to be sure that the charities complied with the Form 990 instructions and included this information in their filing. (Less) | |
Board of Directors Listed on Website ... (More) Our analysts check to see if the charity lists Board members on its website. Publishing this information enables donors and other stakeholders to ascertain the make up of the charity's governing body. This enables stakeholders to report concerns to the Board. Charity Navigator does not cross-check the Board members listed on the website with that reported on the Form 990, because the latter often isn't available until more than a year after the charity's fiscal year ends. In that time, the charity's Board members may have changed, and the charity typically reflects those more recent changes on the website. (Less) | |
Key Staff Listed on Website ... (More) It is important for donors and other stakeholders to know who runs the organization day-to-day. Charity Navigator does not cross-check the leadership listed on the website with that reported on the Form 990 because the latter often isn't available until more than a year after the charity's fiscal year ends. In that time, the charity's leadership may have changed and the charity typically reflects those more recent changes on the website. In other words, since the Form 990 isn't especially timely, it can not be used to verify the leadership information published on the charity's site. (Less) | |
Audited Financial Statements Listed on Website ... (More) We check the charity's website to see if it has published its audited financial statements for the fiscal year represented by the most recently filed IRS Form 990. It is important for donors to have easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well. We currently rate charities on whether or not they publish their audit on their website. (Less) | |
Form 990 Available on Website ... (More) We check the charity's website to see if it has published its most recently filed IRS Form 990 (a direct link to the charity's 990 on an external site is sufficient). It is important for donors to have easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well. (Less) |
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990).
Part of our goal in rating the financial performance of charities is to help donors assess the financial capacity and sustainability of a charity. As do organizations in other sectors, charities must be mindful of their management of total liabilites in relation to their total assets. This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and or long term sustainability. Dividing a charity's total liabilities by its total assets yields this percentage.
Source: IRS Form 990
Determines how long a charity could sustain its level of spending using its net available assets, or working capital, as reported on its most recently filed Form 990. We include in a charity's working capital unrestricted and temporarily restricted net assets, and exclude permanently restricted net assets. Dividing these net available assets in the most recent year by a charity's average total expenses, yields the working capital ratio. We calculate the charity's average total expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
The amount spent to raise $1 in charitable contributions. To calculate a charity's fundraising efficiency, we divide its average fundraising expenses by the average total contributions it receives. We calculate the charity's average expenses and average contributions over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
As reported by charities on their IRS Form 990, this measure reflects what percent of its total budget a charity spends on overhead, administrative staff and associated costs, and organizational meetings. Dividing a charity's average administrative expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
This measure reflects what a charity spends to raise money. Fundraising expenses can include campaign printing, publicity, mailing, and staffing and costs incurred in soliciting donations, memberships, and grants. Dividing a charity's average fundraising expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s).
This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver. Dividing a charity's average program expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Organizations that demonstrate consistent annual growth in program expenses are able to outpace inflation and thus sustain their programs year to year. These organizations also supply givers with greater confidence by maintaining broad public support for their programs. We compute the average annual growth of program expenses using the following formula: [(Yn/Y0)(1/n)]-1, where Y0 is a charity's program expenses in the first year of the interval analyzed, Yn is the charity's program expenses in the most recent year, and n is the interval of years passed between Y0 and Yn.
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are this organizations key compensated staff members as identified by our analysts. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Kristin Windbigler, Executive Director
$149,307 (7.27% of Total Expenses)
Current CEO and Board Chair can be found in the Leadership & Adaptability report below.
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Western Folklife Center) or EIN (870447025) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Western Folklife Center reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Revenue
Staffing
Balance Sheet
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Following the Nevada Governor's mandates/guidelines and phased re-openings, the Western Folklife Center (WFC) gift shop and Wiegand Gallery was closed to the public from March 16 to June 1 resulting in loss of earned income and donations. As a result of COVID-19, we could not do regular year-round programming such as bi-monthly dance classes and monthly concerts and jam sessions that normally result in income. The historic Pioneer Building is a favorite venue for community meetings, celebrations, and special events and all events from March 16, 2020 to June 1, 2021 had to be cancelled. The building committee of the WFC's board of trustees had advised us to not open the facility up for facility rentals until we could safely accommodate larger number of visitors. The revenue from these venue rentals and bar sales is key to covering a percentage of operational costs of the Center. We estimate a loss of $13,600 in venue rentals/bar sales to date.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
As a result of COVID-19, we could not do regular year-round programming such as bi-monthly dance classes and monthly concerts and jam sessions that normally result in income. We will be restarting this program July, 2021. Additionally, because of the COVID-19 health emergency, our board voted to not hold an in-person 2021 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, leaving us without our main earned income producing event for the fiscal year. We are optimistically planning our 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering to take place January 24-29, 2022.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
This CARES Act grants, along with the PPP grants enabled the Western Folklife Center (WFC) to keep all current employees fully employed as they developed new skills needed for operating digitally. Staff who oversaw key parts of our in-person event planning, such as booking travel and hotels were able to transfer to new responsibilities such as overseeing digital media production and social media. This funding was critical to maintaining staff and extending the time-frame before the WFC might need to consider furloughs or layoffs. With these changes, we were able to shift our in-person flagship event, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, to a very successful virtual event. We have been able to reopen the Gift Shop and Exhibition Gallery and retrained staff have been crucial to not only bringing people safely in the see the current exhibit while making the previous exhibit that was cut short due to the statewide shutdown available online.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Western Folklife Center (WFC) staff have remained nimble and creative, with many learning new skills as we had to re-focus public programming and marketing to online platforms. The WFC’s current marketing and online programming efforts continue to bring a significant positive profile of Elko through professionally-produced video vignettes and shows reaching immense worldwide audiences. These efforts demonstrate the long range commitment of our organization to our community, schools, businesses, artists, and visitors. Planning for an in-person 2022 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering has already begun and staff will continue to work on their newly acquired skills, as well as, return to the regular aspects of their job. Due to the success of our virtual event, we are trying to weave in a virtual aspect to our events that will broaden our audience and keep the arts in the minds and hearts of all.
Not Currently Scored
Western Folklife Center cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
Learn More
Western Folklife Center reported its three largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
National Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
Cultural Programs and Events
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
Merchandise Sales
Western Folklife Center has earned a 100% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
100% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
From our headquarters in rural northeastern Nevada, the Western Folklife Center works closely with diverse artists and rural communities throughout the American West to bring their stories and cultural expressions to local, regional and global audiences. Elko County citizens benefit most directly from our year-round programs and our major event the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. This event brings thousands of artists and visitors to the community with an estimated 8 million economic impact. Our educational programs serve over 8,000 K-12 students annually.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Suggestion box/email
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, Other means
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them?
Soliciting feedback has allowed us to get better acquainted with people, often leading to a deeper investment in our organization and its future. Through surveys and other year-round feedback solicitation we have met valued individuals that have become volunteers, ad hoc advisors, board members, staff, and ambassadors for the Western Folklife Center.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, The people we serve tell us they find data collection burdensome, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
Recent survey feedback regarding how we deliver information (ticket sales and event promo brochure, event schedule, program book) has guided us to make changes in what information is offered only online, what is printed and mailed, and what is printed as an educational keepsake. Our constituents represent a wide range of ages with varying degrees of technical abilities and broadband access and we continue to try to design programs and communications that are mindful of these differences.
This organization has not provided information regarding the Equity Practices it is presently implementing. As such, the organization has not earned a score on this metric. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Western Folklife Center has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
The Western Folklife Center uses story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world.
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Explore and give voice to traditional and dynamic cultures of the American West.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Establish a broad channel of distribution for our content and archives through an aggressive media development strategy.
Goal Type: Focus on core programs to achieve mission and scale back on programs not seen as core.
Goal Two: Determine the highest and best use of our current facilities to include potential earned revenue generating opportunities.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: Generate revenue in the amount of $2,117,303 from both earned and contributed sources sufficient to sustain the activity and needs determined within this plan.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
COVID-19 has affected all dimensions of our organization - financial, operational, programmatic, and community relations. The financial impact of COVID-19 in the past year was significant. Western Folklife Center (WFC) leadership and board have managed through the financial losses to this point. WFC is fiscally sound with controls in place including independent financial audits, oversight from an active finance committee, and a responsible budget for the current fiscal year. In 2020, staff transitioned to work remotely, while exhibitions, facility rentals, and other programs, including our flagship event the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, were closed and reopened in phases according to public safety guidelines. Staff pivoted to serve our far flung audiences and artists through online programming strategies. To accomplish this staff has taken on new roles, learned new skills, and adapted to remote work.
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Raising Awareness
Based in Elko, NV, the Western Folklife Center (WFC) is a local and regional cultural center with an exhibition gallery, 300-seat multi-use theater, 20-seat black box theater, historic saloon, gift shop, and archives preserving our over 40-year history of fieldwork and documentation. Governed by a Board of Trustees and a National Advisory Council made up of leaders in Western cultural life, the 8 full-time, 4 part-time, and 2 contract staff work year-round in Elko and around the West, assisted by a cadre of seasonal staff, members, stakeholders and volunteers. As part of efforts to serve and engage underrepresented rural communities, the WFC regularly contracts with community scholars and cultural specialists to serve as fieldworkers, consultants, guest curators, program hosts, and media producers, most recently in programs sharing the artistry of Black, Shoshone/Paiute, veteran, and Basque communities in the region.
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
With COVID, staff transitioned to work remotely, while exhibitions, facility rentals, and other programs, including our flagship event the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering (NCPG), were closed and reopened in phases according to public safety guidelines, resulting in significant loss in earned and contributed income and draw down in cash reserves. Staff pivoted to serve our far flung audiences and artists through online programming strategies, such as a 10-hour virtual NCPG, online exhibitions, making 12 full shows from previous NCPG's available for streaming by Western Folklife Center members, and 2 to 3 performances per week available to the public via Facebook, Vimeo, and YouTube. We are still recovering from the wave created by COVID and hope to reestablish some of our regular programming soon, including our week long NCPG.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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