Horizon operates almost entirely within the “gift” economy; donors make much of the programming possible, especially the faith-based programs; board members donate their time, treasure and talent; volunteers make a gift of themselves, their time and often their treasure also. These gifts are received with an abundance of gratitude, by board members who are responsible for this trust, by inmates who are the final recipients of these gifts, and by the staff whose efforts put the gifts to work.

Transparency in program reporting and in financial reporting is vital to the health and well-being of a non-profit organization, and Horizon invites inquiries at any time. A formal financial review was conducted by Parks, DeFilippo & Associates, P.A., Certified Public Accountants of Maitland, FL, according to Standards for Accounting and Review Services issued by the American Institute of Certified Pubic Accountants, and published June 28, 2006. Horizon’s IRS 990 returns are posted on www.GuideStar.org for each year 2003 through 2006 and are available for viewing.

The ratio of program to administrative expenses Horizon Communities has consistently maintained is in the range of 85% for program to 15% administrative or less. Fundraising costs have never exceeded 3% and in some years are even lower.

Ten employees or contract positions are filled at the current time to oversee five Horizon program sites and the administrative offices. The latter and a few others are filled on a part-time basis.

Earned income, that is, contractual income, in 2006 was $267,579 or 56% of the ministry’s total income of $473,311, and contributions totaled $200,936, or 43%. Other income of $4,796 accounted for the balance. Of contributions received, grants and gifts were provided by foundations at 59%, by individuals, 32%, and by corporations and churches at 9%. A first-time golf scramble was held in Wichita Falls, Texas in support of Horizon at the Allred Unit of TDCJ in the fall of 2006 and raised just under $5,000. A summary of the income and expense for 2006 is shown below.

The contribution of volunteers over the past three years is actually beyond quantifying. But reports from the field do tally the hours, and they average over 4,000 hours per Horizon community per year, or 20,000 hours annually. A monetary equivalent of $16.05/hour for volunteering is federally established. This would amount to an annual contribution of $321,000 or over a million dollars in three years.