Wider Horizons

What it reported doing in 2024

Member Services: Members do the things that many close-knit families and friends do together: dinners, social events, rides to the doctor or airport when needed, light home repairs, help with gardening and computer issues, and the like. We have fun together; we take care of each other; we learn new things; we have adventures; we feel engaged and worthy. We are especially grateful for our non-member volunteers. All of our services are related to acquiring and serving members, who (once they have joined) are entitled to both community-building activities (social, educational, other) and need-based services (provided by other members, volunteers, and referrals to recommended services). When Wider Horizons opened in June 2015, we had 64 members. We now have 156 members, most of whom live in Central Seattle (Lake Washington to Lake Union and Montlake to I-90 are the boundaries). Members range in age from their 40s to early 90s. They are fascinating, independent people who want to age in community. Many joined as an extension of a lifetime of citizen activism. 75% of our members are actively engaged in one way or another; many of these are engaged in multiple ways. 25% of our current members receive a discount on their dues, which is our goal. 1. Community-building: Community-building is the central principle of our village. We include our volunteers and the wider community in this effort and it is both woven into everything we do and can be teased out as follows from some of our accomplishments: We have a Magazine Group, a Book Group, and a Warm for Winter Group (knitting hats & scarves for homeless people), each of which meets monthly... We have a Men's Coffee Group organized by members who are men and a Women's Wine and Dine Group organized by our women members... . We have regular gatherings, including potlucks and parties... People also meet in smaller, neighborhood groups for social and cultural activities... There are spontaneous, off-the-cuff music, theater, and walking groups. 2. Need-driven Services: Members request services at quite a low level (averaging fewer than 1 person a week making a request); sometimes these requests cover multiple rides-for example, to physical therapy or grocery shopping... Some requests defy categorization or have a great story wrapped around them (for example, a member reading The New Yorker to another member with limited vision)... Most services are provided by members to other members, but we have some very talented home repair and technology volunteers.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 29.5%; rating input score 30
• Program expense ratio: 72%; rating input score 72
• Fundraising efficiency: $59.74 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 90%; rating input score 90; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 4 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 62.5%; rating input score 95; 95th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.22; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 59.2%; rating input score 2; 2nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: 28.6% per year; rating input score 100; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 46.2% per year; rating input score 100; 96th percentile among comparable filings