Zaferia Business Association

What it reported doing in 2024

1.sponsorships and community partnerships the zba proudly sponsored the happy sundays music festival, the open studio art tour, and the live at the shell concert series. For each event, we provided extensive marketing and promotional support across our platforms, helping to drive more people to the events. 2.mixers & community events we hosted a series of "hello zaferia" mixers at member businesses including the barre, port city tavern, house no23, and compound. We also hosted a "coffee with the commander" at the long beach play house. These events provided opportunities for our members and the community at large to explore a business in the district, meet their business and residential neighbors, and connect with local resources. 3.annual meeting and mixer our annual meeting was held at compound, featuring council district 2 and council district 3 representatives. Compound also catered small bites and drinks, funded by the zba. 4.via zaferia events we continued our via zaferia events, a new district-wide event that happens three times a year, offering free rides on the big red bus double-decker throughout the district to a variety of businesses. Participating businesses received complimentary promotion for their specials and deals through zba's marketing channels. Via zaferia was held in spring, summer, and fall, generating strong attendance and increased visibility for local businesses. 5.district branding and beautification we replaced our 97 light pole banners with artwork featured from the district's own murals. A portion of annual revenue is allocated to savings to ensure the timely replacement of banners as needed, preserving a cohesive and welcoming streetscape. 6.clean and safe initiatives zba continued its cleaning contract with the downtown long beach alliance for sidewalk power washing, trash removal, weed abatement, and minor graffiti removal. All areas of the district were serviced according to published route maps and schedules, available on our website under resources. 7.placemaking we planted three drought tolerant palo verde trees along coronado ave., replacing the three that had been taken down due to vandalism. The landscaping on this block is now complete. 8.business support and outreach throughout the year, we regularly updated and engaged our membership with no-cost opportunities such as workshops, training sessions, and grant programs offered through the city of long beach and other agencies. Our ongoing communication ensures members stay informed and connected to valuable resources. We also provide no cost notary services for no trespassing signage, and help businesses file that with the city's police department annually. Our outreach coordinator also visits businesses and surveys the district weekly, reporting graffiti, encampments, trash, and other issues in the district.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 69.7%; rating input score 70
• Program expense ratio: 90.9%; rating input score 91
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 4 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 57
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • 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: 23.2%; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.89; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.3; rating input score 16; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -8.3% per year; rating input score 0; 12th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.4% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 8.4% per year; rating input score 100; 60th percentile among comparable filings