UPSTATE NEW YORK

GivingGuide

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BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU FOUNDATION OF UPSTATE NEW YORK

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GivingWisely

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The Upstate New York Giving Guide is published once a year to help donors in Upstate New York make informed giving decisions and help charities showcase transparency. This guide includes a compilation of the latest evaluation conclusions completed by Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York. For the benefit of charities and donors alike we have also included local offices of national charities; which are covered by their national evaluation completed by BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance.

2016 UPSTATE NEW YORK GIVING GUIDE

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York100 Bryant Woods SouthAmherst, NY 14228800-828-5000 Ext. 295BBBFoundationUNY.org charity@upstatenybbb.org

Staff members from the affiliated Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York, Inc. provide administrative, personnel, media, accounting, information technology, legal and office services to the Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York.

INSIDE

BBB Foundation of Upstate New York Board of Directors

Steve Abramson President

Pace Window & Door Corporation

David Carr Consulting Engineer

DAC Consulting Liro Engineers

Warren E. Clark President and CEO

BBB of Upstate New York & BBB Foundation of Upstate New York

James Dunn Partner

Lumsden & McCormick, LLC

Cindy Algase Gradl Vice President / M&A Counsel

M&T Bank

Patricia McGrath Attorney

Brian Peek CEO

American Coradius International

Norbert Rappl Retired

Richard Wall Vice President for Academic Affairs

M&T Distinguished Professor of Economics & Finance Canisius College

Eugene Welch Attorney Partner

Harris, Chesworth, Johnstone & Welch, LLP

John Wynne Corporate Mentor,

and Business Consultant BCO Industries

BBB Foundation of Upstate New York Staff

Warren E. Clark President and CEO

Shawn Schofield Foundation Director

27 Q & A about the Charity Review Program

2 About BBB Charity Review & Charity Seal Program

3 Lessons Learned & Approval Achieved

4 2015 Winner -Torch Award for Philanthropic Excellence

6 How to Read the Giving Guide

7 List of Charities

28 Complete Descriptions of BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability

The mission of the Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York is to cultivate informed consumers through training, education and awareness.

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 1 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

President’s Message

I’m proud to present to you the second annual Upstate New York Giving Guide.

Our inaugural guide had a significant impact on our region. It was a giant step

toward our goal of bringing BBB’s Charity Review program to the communities we

serve. It helps foster trust between charities and donors.

The Giving Guide is used as a tool by donors who may not have

access to the Internet, where all of these reports are available.

Additionally, the Giving Guide is an opportunity to start important

conversations about giving for both charities and donors.

I’m also proud to announce Catholic Charities as the winner of

the second annual Torch Award for Philanthropic Excellence. I

applaud Catholic Charities for taking the time to be evaluated and

for entering this rigorous competition. You can read more about this

organization on page 4.

The Foundation is pleased to serve such giving

communities and it is my hope that Upstate

New Yorkers will continue to give wisely in the

coming year! n

About Warren Clark:

Clark is currently president and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Upstate New York and BBB Foundation of Upstate New York. He served on the board of directors for both organizations. A former small business owner for over 30 years, Clark also served on the New York State Assembly Council on Small Business, and was a board member for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. He also volunteers and serves on boards of several other organizations.

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 2 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

About BBB Charity Review

BBB’s Charity Review program provides

confirmation of a charity’s practices in the areas of

governance and oversight, effectiveness, finances

and fundraising. Meeting BBB’s comprehensive 20

Standards for Charity Accountability helps position

organizations to success and encourages confident

charitable giving. There is no cost to an organization

to be reviewed. Completed reports are valid for

two years and posted on give.org, the results are

also published in the Upstate New York Giving

Guide. Organizations meeting all 20 Standards are

considered to be BBB Accredited Charities and have

the option to

license BBB’s

Accredited

Charity Seal. n

In today’s environment of intense media and regulatory scrutiny of the nonprofit sector, it is

important for charities to be distinguished as organizations that are committed to trustworthy,

transparent and accountable practices.

Charity Seal Program

Better Business Bureau

Foundation of Upstate New York

offers each Accredited Charity

the option to participate in our

Charity Seal program. This seal

program gives donors an at-a-

glance look at

a charity to

see it has met

BBB’s comprehensive Standards.

Use of the seal is voluntary.

Charities that choose to license

the seal will sign an agreement

with a small licensing fee.

The fee is calculated on a

sliding scale, based on total

contributions in the last year.

All charities that achieve BBB Charity

Accreditation receive tools they can use to help

share the good news of their accreditation. The

Charity Review program in Upstate New York has

been designed to work for all charities, both those

with a need to advertise with a charity seal and

those that do not.

Charities are reviewed every two

years. Better Business Bureau

Foundation of Upstate New York

recommends checking charity

reviews annually, by visiting

give.org. n

Seal Holders in the Upstate

New York Giving Guide are

indicated by bold type.

Contact us to learn more about BBB’s Charity Review program! charity@upstatenybbb.org n 800-828-5000 Ext. 295

Charities that meet

all 20 Standards

for Charity

Accountability are

considered to be BBB

Accredited Charities.

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 3 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Lessons Learned & Approval AchievedBy: Thomas Guagliardo, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County

With a 45-year history in Western New York,

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County

prides itself on providing quality mentoring

services to children facing adversity, as well as our strong

outcome-based results which indicate that the children in

our program succeed. Our outcomes are regularly shared

in the community with our stakeholders and demonstrate

that we are a wise investment in helping children reach

their full potential. However, beyond our yearly audit

and annual report that we provide as part of our fiscal

stewardship to our valued donors, there are not many

opportunities to quantify and share with the community

as a whole that we are a sound financial investment.

When I was approached by Better Business Bureau

Foundation to conduct a neutral and comprehensive

evaluation of our finances through the Charity Review,

I viewed it as a great opportunity to take a look at our

strengths and weaknesses as an organization.

Our program is about providing quality mentoring

relationships for children and our outcomes indicate

that we do that well. It only makes sense that we

provide the same level of service to our donors. BBB’s

Charity Review was another step in continuing

to upgrade the strong fiscal stewardship that our

individual, corporate and foundation donors have come

to expect from our organization. This was also a chance

to work with my leadership team to

really assess our process. I am sure my

peers can attest that most organizations

get so busy with the operations that you

don’t often have the time to dissect what

you do.

I felt confident in our ability to complete

the process and the majority of the

materials we were asked to submit were

easily at our fingertips. BBB’s initial

findings had us meeting 17 of the 20

Standards for Charity Accountability. As a group we were

determined to review these items and meet all 20 of the

Standards. The items missing, like a roster of our board

of directors in our annual report, were not things that

would cause a donor alarm in how their investment was

being used, but as donors ourselves, they were items that

we could see having benefit to potential new donors to

our organization.

In another

case, the

missing

item was

something our

organization

had prepared

but was not

clearly reflected

in our final

financial

statements

in a manner that BBB deems as a best practice. This

was a simple fix that allowed us to provide even greater

transparency and accountability to donors. And again,

this allowed our staff to look at our current systems and

make adjustments. At the end of the process we met all

20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Everyone felt

very confident and that is a wonderful feeling to have.

I would encourage any organization on the fence

about participating in the review to take another

look. Throughout the process, BBB

staff were wonderful to work with

and provided professional insight and

reasoning behind all requirements

that essentially provide a donor the

accountability they need to make a

sound donation decision. For our staff

and board of directors, receiving the

green and white checkmark indicating

we are an Accredited Charity and met

all Standards, felt like a confirmation

that our fiscal standards are equal to our high

standards for providing quality mentoring. A win for

our organization, our stakeholders and most of all, the

children we have the privilege of serving. n

Big Brothers & Sisters mentors with their Little Brothers & Sisters enjoying a fun and educational hike at Chestnut Ridge Park during BBBSEC’s Annual Harvest Festival.

“This was also a

chance to work

with my leadership

team to really

assess our process.”

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 4 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Catholic Charities of Buffalo Awarded 2015 Torch Award for Philanthropic Excellence

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New

York is proud to announce Catholic Charities of

Buffalo is the winner of the 2015 Torch Award for

Philanthropic Excellence. BBB Foundation of Upstate NY

developed this award program to recognize nonprofits

that employ practices which generate a high level of trust

among employees, donors and

communities.

Catholic Charities of Buffalo was

selected as the 2015 winner by a

panel of independent judges. This

award shows the commitment

made by its winners to operate at

the highest levels of leadership,

character and commitment to

mission and ethics.

“We are honored to receive

this designation. The Torch Award for Philanthropic

Excellence is a testament to the good work of Catholic

Charities as it reaches out with its multiple services

throughout Western New York,” shared Sister Mary

McCarrick, Diocesan director. “It also serves as an

assurance to our donors of

the quality of our work and

the integrity of our financial

management.”

Catholic Charities of Buffalo

helps thousands of individuals

and families in

need throughout

Western New York,

serving nearly

132,000 last year.

Since its inception in 1923 when a group

of diverse Catholic organizations serving

people in need united to form one non-profit

organization, Catholic Charities of Buffalo

has continued in that collaborative vein,

joining forces for sustainability and to better serve the

community. Today the organization offers comprehensive

services to those in need

and those who are most

vulnerable: children,

adults, older adults

and families - without

regard to religion, race

or age.

“All of us at Catholic

Charities – trustees,

employees, and

volunteers – strive

as a team to live our

mission, adhere to our principles and practice sound

leadership every day,” added Dennis C. Walczyk, chief

executive officer. “This prestigious award is a concrete

affirmation to our supporters, donors, Diocesan partners

and the people we serve that Catholic Charities will

continue to meet and exceed best practice standards as a

quality service and charitable organization.”

BBB Accredited Charities within the 48 county service

area of BBB Foundation serving Upstate New York

were eligible to apply. “This annual award is one way

our organization can honor nonprofits that are leading

the way in philanthropy,” said Warren Clark, President

& CEO. “While judging is done by an independent

committee, it is a completely rewarding process to see the

commitment our charitable organizations

make to serve their constituents, not only

through the programming but the important

management and leadership disciplines.”

The Torch Award for Philanthropic

Excellence began in 2014 with Roswell

Park Alliance Foundation as the inaugural

winner. More information can be found at

BBBFoundationUNY.org. n

Dennis C. Walczyk

Chief Executive Officer

A family is all smiles while participating in the annual WIC (Women Infants and Children) Breastfeeding Walk and Healthy Baby Festival in Delaware Park.

Sister Mary McCarrick

Diocesan Director

Foster Grandparent Wilson Lamar shares a laugh with a student.

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 5 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 6 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

How to read the Giving Guide

Some of the organizations were reviewed by Better Business Bureau Foundation

of Upstate New York; others are covered by a review of the national organization

conducted by BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance, but all are operating within Upstate

New York.

This list includes information on charities that reached the threshold of public

inquiry required to start the review process. The list also includes charities that

reached out to be evaluated voluntarily, as well as those that entered into the

process as the result of a complaint.

The following is an alphabetical listing of the charities within the 48 counties

of Upstate New York that have a BBB Charity Review.

Accredited (Met Standards) – Charity met BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity

Accountability. Accredited Charity Seal Holders are indicated by being

listed in bold type.

Standards Not Met – Charity provided information requested by BBB in order

to be evaluated, but did not meet one or more Standards. BBB encourages donors

to visit our website to view the organization’s full Charity Review and determine

whether or not the Standard or Standards missed are important to them. The

Standards that were missed have been included and you can find a full list of BBB’s

20 Standards for Charity Accountability at the back of this guide. Please remember

to visit give.org to view full charity reviews and find detailed information about

why a Standard was missed.

Did Not Disclose – Charity either did not respond to requests for information

or declined to be evaluated. Participation is voluntary. However, without the

requested information, it is not possible to determine whether these charities

adhere to BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

This list is current as of January 2016, please visit give.org for full reports and up-to-date information.

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 6 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

l Inclusion on or omission from this list should not be interpreted

as approval or disapproval

l The Upstate New York Giving Guide should be used as a research

tool and only as one part of a donor’s giving research

l This list is current as of January 2016. Please visit give.org to find

the most up-to-date information and full reports on charities.

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 7 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

100 Club of Buffalo Buffalo6, 8, 14, 17,

187, 9, 13

15love Albany See - Capital Region Youth Tennis Foundation

A Better Chance Clinton Clinton See - Clinton ABC Program

ACCORD Corp. Belmont

ACE NY Albany See - Alliance for Clean Energy New York

Adirondack Community Action Programs Elizabethtown6, 13, 14, 16,

189

Adirondack Mountain Club Albany

Adirondack Save-A-Stray Corinth

AIDS Community Services Buffalo See - Evergreen Health Services

AIDS Council of Northeastern New York Albany

Akwesasne Boys & Girls Club St Regis Mohawk Tribe

Akwesasne

Al Sigl Foundation Rochester

Albany County Opportunity Albany

Albright-Knox Art Gallery Buffalo 6, 12

Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services Foundation

West Seneca See - Kids Escaping Drugs

Alleyway Theatre Buffalo

Alliance for Clean Energy New York Albany

ALSAC / St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Albany

Alzheimer’s Association / Alzheimer’s Disease and Related

Disorders Central New York ChapterSyracuse

Alzheimer’s Association / Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders

Northeastern New York ChapterCooperstown

Alzheimer’s Association / Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders

Northeastern New York ChapterQueensbury

Alzheimer’s Association / Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Rochester and Finger

Lakes Region Chapter

Rochester

#

A

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 8 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Alzheimer’s Association / Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders

Rochester and Finger Lakes Region Chapter Southern Tier Office

Elmira

Alzheimer’s Association / Alzheimer’s Disease and Related

Disorders Western New York ChapterWilliamsville

Alzheimers Disease And Related Disorders Association

Albany3, 7, 14, 16,

17

American Academy of Pediatrics District ii Delmar

American Cancer Society Capital New York Region Latham

American Cancer Society Central New York Region East Syracuse

American Cancer Society Lakes Region Office Rochester

American Cancer Society Southern New York Region Johnson City

American Cancer Society Western New York Region Office Amherst

American Diabetes Association - Syracuse East Syracuse

American Diabetes Association - Albany Albany

American Diabetes Association - Buffalo Amherst

American Diabetes Association - Rochester Rochester

American Farmland Trust New York State Office Saratoga Springs

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association -

Binghamton RegionSyracuse

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association -

Buffalo/Niagara RegionAmherst

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association -

Capital RegionAlbany

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association - Plattsburgh Albany

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association -

Syracuse RegionSyracuse

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association - Utica/

Mohawk Valley RegionUtica

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 9 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association -

Watertown RegionSyracuse

American Legion of the Empire State Rochester

American Lung Association - Albany Albany

American Lung Association - Rochester Rochester

American Red Cross - Service to Military Families Fort Drum

American Red Cross Mohawk Valley Chapter Utica

American Red Cross North Country Chapter Morrisonville

American Red Cross North Country Chapter Watertown

American Red Cross of Central New York Syracuse

American Red Cross of Greater Rochester Rochester

American Red Cross of Northeastern New York Albany

American Red Cross of Northeastern New York Glens Falls

American Red Cross of the Finger Lakes Corning

American Red Cross of the Southern Tier Endicott

American Red Cross of Western New York Chapter Buffalo

Animal Protective Foundation Scotia

Animal Protective Foundation of Schenectady

Scotia See - Animal Protective Foundation

AnimalKind Hudson

Arc Foundation Of Saratoga County Inc Ballston Spa6, 7, 11, 13,

14, 179

Arthritis Foundation - Albany Albany

Arthritis Foundation - Rochester Rochester

Arts Center And Theater of Schenectady Schenectady

Autism Services Williamsville

AutismUp RochesterSee - Upstate New York Families for Effective Autism

Treatment

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 10 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Avon Free Library Avon

Back to Basic Outreach Ministries Buffalo

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the USA

Schenectady

Bethesda House Schenectady7, 14, 16, 17,

182, 4, 15

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County Buffalo

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Onondaga County

Syracuse

Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park Binghamton See - Southern Tier Zoological Society

Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation

Rochester1, 13, 16, 17,

189

Boys & Girls Club of Rochester Rochester

Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo Buffalo

Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse Syracuse 6, 16

Brian Moorman’s P.U.N.T. Foundation Orchard Park

Broome County Animal Care Council Endicott

Broome County Gang Prevention Binghamton

Broome County Humane Society Binghamton

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Buffalo

Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park

Buffalo

Buffalo Audubon Society North Java

Buffalo City Ballet Buffalo

Buffalo City Mission Buffalo

Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers

Buffalo

Buffalo Inner City Ballet Buffalo See - Buffalo City Ballet

Buffalo Maritime Center Buffalo

Buffalo Naval & Servicemen Buffalo See - Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Buffalo

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Buffalo

B

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 11 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Buffalo Paws & Claws Animal Shelter East Aurora

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Buffalo 6, 16, 17

Buffalo Place Buffalo

Buffalo Prep Buffalo

Buffalo Pug and Small Breed Rescue Buffalo

Buffalo Salvation Army Buffalo See - Salvation Army of Buffalo

Buffalo State College Foundation Buffalo

Buffalo Urban League Buffalo

Buffalo Zoo Buffalo

Camp of the Woods Speculator See - Gospel Volunteers

Camp Smile Rochester

Canisius High School Buffalo

CAP COM Cares Foundation Albany See - Capital Communications Cares Foundation

Capital Communications Cares Foundation

Albany

Capital Region Youth Tennis Foundation Albany

CareFirst Painted Post See - Southern Tier Hospice & Palliative Care

Caring Coalition of Central New York Liverpool See - Hospice of CNY

Carol M Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of Central NY

Warners

Castleton Volunteer Ambulance Service Castleton

Catholic Charities of Buffalo Buffalo

Catholic Charities of Diocese of Albany Albany

Catholic Family Center Rochester

CCRCDA Albany See - Catholic Charities of Diocese of Albany

Center for Disability Rights Rochester

Center for Disability Services Albany

Centralcast Albany

Chautauqua Opportunities Dunkirk

C

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 12 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA

Elmira

Chemung County Performing Arts Elmira

Chenango Arts Council Norwich1, 3, 11, 14,

16, 186, 15

Chenango County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Norwich

Chenango County SPCA NorwichSee - Chenango County Society for the Prevention of

Cruelty to Animals

Child & Family Services of Erie County Buffalo

Child Care Council, Inc. Rochester

Child Haven International -Usa- Inc Massena

Child Program and Family Resource Center

Schenectady

Children Awaiting Parents Inc Rochester 14

Children’s Home of Jefferson County Watertown

City Mission Society Buffalo See - Buffalo City Mission

Clarence Senior Citizens Inc Clarence

Clausson-Raught Community Rescue Squad

Copake

Clean and Healthy New York Albany

Clear Path For Veterans Chittenango

Clinton ABC Program Clinton

Cloverwood Senior Living Pittsford

Cny Arts Inc Syracuse

CNY Services Syracuse

Colonie Senior Service Centers - Albany Albany

Columbia Greene Humane Society Hudson

Community Partners For Youth Rochester

Compeer Buffalo Buffalo1, 13, 14, 17,

183, 9, 15

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca

Cornerstone Manor Buffalo See - Buffalo City Mission

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 13 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Cortland Community SPCA Cortland

Cortland County United Way Cortland

Cortland Repertory Theatre Cortland

Cradle Beach Camp Angola

Crisis Services Buffalo

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America - Rochester / Central NY Chapter

Rochester

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America - Western NY Chapter

Buffalo

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America - Upstate Northeastern NY Chapter

Guilderland

Dangwa Initiative Albany

DAS Buffalo See - Deaf Adult Services of Western New York

Deaf Adult Services of Western New York Buffalo

Delaware County Local Development Corporation

Delhi

Double H - Hole In The Woods Ranch Inc Lake Luzerne

Early Care & Learning Council Albany

Educate The Children Inc Ithaca

EHS Buffalo See - Evergreen Health Services

Elderlife Utica

Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted MD Center for the Visually Impaired

Buffalo See - Olmsted Center for Sight

Elmcrest Childrens Center Syracuse

Empire Animal Rescue Society Salamanca

Empire Center For Public Policy Inc Albany1, 3, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16,

17, 18

4, 5, 6, 9, 15

Empire State College Foundation Saratoga Springs

Epilepsy Association of Greater Rochester Rochester6, 7, 16, 17,

18

Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York

Albany

E

D

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 14 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Equine Advocates Chatham 4

Erie County SPCA Tonawanda See - SPCA Serving Erie County

Everest Foundation For Family Enrichment

Auburn

Evergreen Health Services Buffalo

Experimental Television Center Newark Valley

Family and Child Service of Schenectady Schenectady

Father Peter G Young Jr Foundation Schenectady

Fbh Caring Ministries Foundation Fairport

Finger Lakes Parent Network Bath

Fiscal Policy Institute Latham

Flower City Habitat for Humanity Rochester See - Habitat for Humanity Rochester

Focus Churches of Albany Albany

Food Bank Association of New York State Albany

Food Bank of Central New York Syracuse

Food Bank of the Southern Tier Elmira

Food Bank of Western New York Buffalo

Forest Lawn Heritage Foundation Buffalo

Frank Lloyd Wright Rowing Boat House Buffalo

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fontana Boathouse Buffalo See - Frank Lloyd Wright Rowing Boat House

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex

Buffalo

Freedom Guide Dogs For The Blind Cassville

Friends Of Bristol Valley Playhouse Foundation Inc

Naples6, 7, 16, 17,

18

Friends of Night People Buffalo

Fulmont College Association Johnstown

Gateway-Longview Buffalo

Gerard Place Buffalo

F

G

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 15 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Geva Theatre Center Rochester

Girl Scouts of Western New York Depew

Glen Highland Farm Morris

Global Outreach Mission Inc Buffalo

GLOW YMCA Medina

Gospel Volunteers Speculator

Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America

Buffalo 14, 16, 17

GRHS Foundation Rochester

Habitat For Humanity Buffalo Buffalo

Habitat For Humanity Rochester Rochester

Hancock Partners Hancock

Handicapped Childrens Association of Southern New York

Johnson City

Hauptman-Woodward Institute Buffalo

HCA Johnson CitySee - Handicapped Childrens Association of Southern

New York

Health Research Incorporated Menands

Health Science Center Foundation at Syracuse

Syracuse1, 3, 7, 12,

14, 176, 19

Healthy Capital District Initiative Albany

Hearing and Speech Center of Rochester Rochester

HEART Adoption Center North Hamburg See - HEART Animal Rescue & Adoption Team

HEART Animal Rescue & Adoption Team Hamburg

Heart of the City Neighborhoods Buffalo 13 9

Help Orphan Puppies, Inc. Kinderhook

Heritage Christian Services East Rochester

Herkimer County Humane Society Mohawk

Hispanics United of Buffalo Buffalo

Hispanos Unidos de Buffalo Buffalo See - Hispanics United of Buffalo

H

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 16 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Holy Childhood Rochester

Homefront Buffalo

Honor Flight Rochester Rochester

Hoosick Area Partnership For Parents And Youth

Hoosick Falls

Hope Before Heaven Niagara Falls

Hope House Albany

Hospice Buffalo Cheektowaga

Hospice of Central New York Liverpool See - Hospice of CNY

Hospice of CNY Liverpool

Hospice of Niagara Lockport See - Niagara Hospice

Housing Opportunities Made Equal Buffalo 7, 13, 16 6, 9

Humane Association of Central New York Liverpool

Humane Association of CNY Liverpool See - Humane Association of Central New York

Humane CNY Liverpool See - Humane Association of Central New York

Hunger Action Network of New York Albany

Hunter’s Hope Foundation Orchard Park

Huntington’s Disease Society of America - Upstate New York Chapter Rochester

Huther-Doyle Memorial Institute Rochester

I Am Not My Hair Project Rochester

Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless Albany

International Institute of Buffalo Buffalo

Intervol Rochester

Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat of Albany

Guilderland

Jack & Jill of America Latham

JCC Center Stage Rochester See - Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester

JDRF Central New York Chapter Liverpool

J

I

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 17 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

JDRF Northeastern New York Chapter Latham

JDRF Rochester Foundation Rochester

JDRF Western New York Chapter Amherst

Jewish Community Center of Greater Rochester

Rochester

Jewish Family Service of Buffalo and Erie County

Buffalo1, 3, 14, 16,

17, 186, 7, 15, 19

Jewish Home of Central New York Residential Living Incorporated

Syracuse

John Paul II Center For Women Inc Syracuse

Joyful Rescues, Inc Cuba1, 3, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16,

17, 189

Junior Achievement of Western New York Buffalo

Karen And Gary Duke Foundation For Children

Saratoga Springs

Kee to Independent Growth Ballston Spa1, 11, 13, 14,

16, 17, 184, 9, 15

Kevin Guest House Buffalo7, 12, 13, 14,

16, 17, 183, 9

Kiantone Independent Fire Dept Jamestown

Kids Escaping Drugs West Seneca

Kipp Tech Valley Charter School Albany

Knights of Vartan Latham

Lamplighter Foundation Albany

Lancaster New York Opera House Lancaster

Learning Disabilities Association Of The Genesee Valley

Rochester

Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo Buffalo

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - Upstate New York / Vermont Chapter Albany

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - Western & Central New York Chapter Amherst

Liberty House Foundation Glens Falls

L

K

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 18 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Literacy New York Buffalo-Niagara, Inc. Buffalo

Literacy Volunteers of Rochester Rochester

Little Theatre Film Society Rochester

Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County

Fairport

Loretto Independent Living Services N Syracuse

Love And Hope Animal Sanctuary Franklin

Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York Cheektowaga

Lupus Foundation of America New York Office Albany

Lutheran Church Home of Buffalo Buffalo

Luzerne Music Center Lake Luzerne

LVR Rochester See - Literacy Volunteers of Rochester

Make a Change WNY West Seneca See - Kids Escaping Drugs

Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York Lake Success

March of Dimes Foundation Central New York Division Syracuse

March of Dimes Foundation Genesee Valley Finger Lakes Division Rochester

March of Dimes Foundation Western New York Division Buffalo

March of Dimes Northeastern New York Division Albany

Matthew 25:35 Foundation TR UA Clarence Center

Mayan Hands Foundation Albany

Meals on Wheels Foundation of Western New York

Buffalo 18

Meals On Wheels of Syracuse New York Syracuse

Measures For Justice Institute Rochester 4, 6, 16, 17

Mental Health Association of Erie County Buffalo13, 14, 16,

17, 189, 15

Mercy Community Services Inc Rochester

Mercy Flight Buffalo

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Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 19 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Mercy Hospital Foundation Buffalo

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society Menands

Mohawk Valley Library System Schenectady3, 6, 11, 13,

14, 16, 17, 189

Montgomery County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Amsterdam

Montgomery County SPCA AmsterdamSee - Montgomery County Society for the Prevention

of Cruelty to Animals

Morse Hill Foundation Albany

Mothers Against Drunk Driving - Albany Affiliate Schenectady

Mothers Against Drunk Driving - Erie Chapter Buffalo

Mothers Against Drunk Driving - Western New York Affiliate Oswego

MS - Upstate NY Chapter Rochester See - National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Muscular Dystrophy Association - Albany Albany

Muscular Dystrophy Association - Rochester Rochester

Muscular Dystrophy Association - Syracuse East Syracuse

Music is Art Buffalo

Music Mobile Albany

NACS WNY BuffaloSee - Native American Community Services of Erie and

Niagara Counties

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Rochester

National Sports Academy Lake Placid

Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties

Buffalo

Native American Cultural Center Rochester

NCCC Foundation Sanborn

Near East Foundation Syracuse

New York Association Of Black And Puerto Rican Legislators

Albany

New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Albany

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Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 20 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

New York State Industries for the Disabled

Albany

New York State Stop DWI Foundation Albany

New York State Trooper Foundation Latham See - Trooper Foundation State of New York

Niagara Community Action Program Niagara Falls

Niagara County Community College Foundation

Sanborn See - NCCC Foundation

Niagara Hospice Lockport

NNY Cerebral Palsy Association Watertown See - Northern New York Cerebral Palsy Association

NNY Reads Watertown

North Country Prenatal-Perinatal Council Watertown

North Country SPCA Elizabethtown

Northeast Christian Conference Center Martville

Northern New York Cerebral Palsy Association

Watertown

Northern New York Reads Watertown See - NNY Reads

NYOH Community Cancer Foundation Clifton Park

Nysarc Inc - Schenectady Schenectady

NYSID Albany See - New York State Industries for the Disabled

Olmsted Center for Sight Buffalo

Open Door Mission, Inc Rochester3, 7, 8, 11, 14, 16, 18

6, 15

Operation PETS Buffalo

Orleans County United Way Albion

Oswego County Humane Society Oswego

Our Lady Of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers

Syracuse

Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity Lackawanna

Parks & Trails New York Albany

Pathways Corning

O

P

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 21 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

PCANY Albany See - Prevent Child Abuse New York

People Inc. Williamsville 16, 17, 18 5, 19

Pibbles & More Animal Rescue Binghamton

Police Conference of New York Albany

Prevent Child Abuse New York Albany

Project C.U.R.E. - Cortland Collection Center

Cortland 1, 4, 6, 7, 12

Queensbury SPCA Queensbury See - SPCA of Upstate New York

Read to Succeed Buffalo Buffalo

Rensselaer County Housing Resources Troy

Rescued Treasures Pet Adoptions Rochester

Restore the Earth Foundation Ithaca

Resurrection Ministries Albany

Rise-NY Endicott

Road Less Traveled Productions Amherst

Robert V Winspear UW FBO Salvation Army & Blind Association

Buffalo See - Salvation Army of Buffalo

Rochester Education Foundation Rochester

Rochester Hearing and Speech Center Rochester See - Hearing and Speech Center of Rochester

Rochester Museum and Science Center Rochester

Rochester School of the Holy Childhood Rochester See - Holy Childhood

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester NY

Rochester

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western New York

Buffalo8, 10, 16, 17,

18

Rosspark Zoo Binghamton See - Southern Tier Zoological Society

Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Buffalo

SABAH Buffalo

Salvation Army of Buffalo Buffalo

R

S

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Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 22 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Saratoga Warhorse Foundation Saratoga Springs

Saved by Grace Ministry East Aurora

SCAP Schenectady See - Schenectady Community Action Program

Schenectady Community Action Program Schenectady

Schenectady County Community College Foundation

Schenectady

Schenectady County Historical Schenectady

Schenectady Patrolmens Benevolent Association

Schenectady

Schenectady Symphony Orchestra Association

Schenectady

Schoharie Area Long Term Schoharie

Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter Howes Cave

School of the Holy Childhood Rochester See - Holy Childhood

Scleroderma Foundation Tri State Chapter

Binghamton

Sculpture Space Inc Utica2, 6, 16, 17,

18

Security Mutual Life Insurance Company Flood Relief Charitable Tr

Binghamton

Seneca Park Zoo Rochester See - Seneca Zoological Society

Seneca Zoological Society Rochester

Sisters of Charity Hospital Foundation Buffalo

Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped

Buffalo See - SABAH

Skating Athletes Bold at Heart Buffalo See - SABAH

Society of St Vincent de Paul Buffalo See - St. Vincent de Paul Society

Somos El Futuro Albany

SOMOS New York Albany See - Somos El Futuro

SOS Shelter Endicott See - Rise-NY

Southern Tier Animal Rescue Network Vestal

Southern Tier Hospice & Palliative Care Painted Post

Southern Tier Zoological Society Binghamton

SPCA - Watertown Watertown

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 23 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

SPCA of Upstate New York Queensbury

SPCA of Wyoming County Attica See - Wyoming County SPCA

SPCA Serving Allegany County Wellsville

SPCA Serving Erie County Tonawanda

SPCA Tompkins County Ithaca See - Tompkins County SPCA

Speak Society for the Promotion of Education in Animal Kindness

Apalachin

Special Olympics of New York Schenectady

Spiedie Fest Balloon Rally Expo Binghamton

Spina Bifida Association of America Scotia

St Camillus Foundation Syracuse

St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy Buffalo

St. Vincent de Paul Society Buffalo

Stepping Stones Learning Center Irondequoit

Stop the Violence Albany

Stray Haven Waverly

Sunnyview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Foundation

Schenectady

Susan G Komen Northeastern New York Albany

Syracuse Chorale Syracuse

Syracuse Health Science Center Medical Alumni Foundation

Syracuse

Syracuse International Film Festival Inc Dewitt 1, 14, 16, 17 6, 7

T Franklin Williams Md. Foundation Rochester 14, 16, 17

Ten Lives Club North Boston

The Center for Family and Youth- Project Strive

Albany

The Chapel at Crosspoint Getzville

The Corning Museum of Glass Corning

The Depot Theatre Inc Westport

The Empire State American Legion Rochester See - American Legion of the Empire State

T

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 24 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

The Family & Childrens Society Binghamton

The Kaleida Health Foundation Buffalo

The Linden Exchange c/oTrinity Church Geneva

The Northeast Kidney Foundation Albany

The Riders Mills Historical Association Malden Bridge

The William George Agency Freeville

Thea Bowman House Utica

Things Of My Very Own Scotia

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Saratoga Springs

Time And Space Limited Theatre Co Inc Hudson

Tompkins County SPCA Ithaca

TRE & Associates BuffaloSee - Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports

Programs

Tri-Lakes Humane Society Saranac Lake

Trinity Montessori School Rochester

Trooper Foundation State of New York Latham

True Community Development Corporation

Buffalo

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Albany

Ugandan Water Project Bloomfield

United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York

Albany

United Way of Buffalo and Erie County Buffalo

United Way of Cattaraugus County Olean

United Way of Greater Niagara Sanborn

United Way of Greater Oneida Oneida3, 6, 7, 14,

17, 18

United Way of Greater Rochester Rochester

United Way of Montgomery County Amsterdam

U

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 25 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

United Way of Northern Chautauqua County

Dunkirk

United Way of Seneca County Waterloo

United Way of Sidney New York Sidney

United Way of Southern Chautauqua County

Jamestown

United Way of the Greater Capital Region Albany

United Way of the Valley & Greater Utica Area

Utica

UNYTS Buffalo See - Upstate New York Transplant Services

Upstate Cerebral Palsy Utica

Upstate New York Families For Effective Autism Treatment

Rochester

Upstate New York Transplant Services Buffalo

Variety Club of Buffalo Lancaster

Vascular Birthmarks Foundation Latham

Vesta Community Housing Development Board Inc

Schenectady

Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of New York

AlbanySee - Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Department of New York

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Department of New York

Albany

Veterans One-Stop Center of WNY Buffalo

Veterans Outreach Center Rochester

VFW New York AlbanySee - Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

Department of New York

VOC of Rochester Rochester See - Veterans Outreach Center

Volunteers of America Rochester

WAMC Albany

Wanderers Rest Humane Association Canastota

Water For South Sudan Rochester

Watertown SPCA Watertown See - SPCA - Watertown

V

W

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 26 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Unable to Verify

Did Not Disclose

Wayne County Humane Society Lyons

Welfare Research Albany

West Side Rowing Club Buffalo

Western New York Independent Living Buffalo 12

Western New York Veterans Housing Coalition

Buffalo

Whiskers Albany

Whiskers Animal Benevolent League Albany See - Whiskers

Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports Programs

Buffalo

Wings Of Eagles Discovery Center Horseheads

WNY Heroes Buffalo

Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation

Buffalo

Woodland Hill Montessori School Rensselaer

Wyoming County SPCA Attica

YMCA of Greater Rochester Rochester

YMCA of the Capital District Albany

Young Women Christian Association of the Tonawandas

North Tonawanda See - YWCA of the Tonawandas

YWCA - Elmira Elmira See - YWCA of Elmira and the Twin Tiers

YWCA of Elmira and the Twin Tiers Elmira

YWCA of the Mohawk Valley Utica

YWCA of the Tonawandas North Tonawanda

Zoological Society of Buffalo Buffalo See - Buffalo Zoo

Charity Reviews can serve your organization and your donors with transparent information. For more information please contact us at: charity@upstatenybbb.org or call 800-828-500 Ext. 295. Up-to-date Charity Reviews can be found at Give.org.

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Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 27 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Q & A about the Charity Review Program

Q. What does Charity Review mean for nonprofit organizations in our community?

A. BBB’s Charity Review program provides information to the public about charities operating within the Upstate New York region. In doing so, Charity Review helps organizations communicate information about mission and programs to the community as well as promote ethical practices within the nonprofit sector.

BBB’s Charity Review program encourages all organizations to participate in the evaluation process to provide donors with the valuable information they need to make informed giving decisions.

Q. What is involved in the review process?

A. BBB works with charities to complete the review process, which is done through a questionnaire within BBB’s online portal. In order to determine if a charity meets Standards, BBB reviews financial statements, tax filings, annual reports, solicitations, direct mail pieces and special event information that is provided by the organizations. Once the questionnaire is submitted, BBB prepares a draft Charity Review and works with the charity to help it meet any Standards that may be missed. When no more Standards can be met, the report is published.

Q. Is every organization required to be reviewed?

A. BBB’s Charity Review program is voluntary and BBB only reviews organizations that the public asks us about. In the event a charity does not wish to participate, it has the option not to, however BBB will notify the charity this decision will be on their Charity Review. BBB reports when a charity chooses not to participate with a red exclamation mark signaling non-disclosure. If a charity has non-disclosure language it is not necessarily negative; but rather an indicator that donors will need to conduct thorough research on their own.

Q. Where are the Charity Reviews and who can see them?

A. BBB Charity Reviews are available online at give.org, by emailing charity@upstatenybbb.org or by calling 800-828-5000 Ext. 295. Evaluation conclusions are also shared annually through the Upstate New York Giving Guide which is available in print and online at BBBFoundationUNY.org.

Q. How long has BBB been reviewing charities?

A. BBB’s Charity Review program expanded into Upstate New York in 2013, but the program is not new. In fact, it has been around through BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance since the 1920s. The Charity Review program has been available to national charities within Upstate New York for a number of years and now covers local charities.

Q. Where did criteria for the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability come from?

A. The 20 Standards for Charity Accountability were developed by BBB Wise Giving Alliance (WGA) with professional and technical assistance from representatives of small and large charitable organizations, the accounting profession, grant making foundations, corporate contributions officers, regulatory agencies, research organizations and BBBs. BBB Wise Giving Alliance also commissioned significant independent research on donor expectations to ensure that the views of the general public were reflected in the standards. WGA is an affiliate of the Council of Better Business Bureaus that reviews and reports on national nonprofits.

Q. What is the mission of the Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York?

A. The mission of the Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York is to cultivate informed consumers through training, education and awareness.

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 27 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 28 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

BBB’s 20 Standards For Charity Accountability

GOVERNANCE AND OVERSIGHT

The governing board has the ultimate oversight authority for any charitable organization. This section of the standards seeks to ensure that the volunteer board is active, independent and free of self-dealing. To meet these standards, the organization shall have:

1. A board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity’s operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO’s performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

2. A board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.

3. A minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

4. Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board’s chair or treasurer.

[Publicly soliciting churches and other houses of worship: see the Implementation Guide available at bbb.org for further information about the application of this standard.]

5. No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors that will be considered when concluding whether or not a related party transaction constitutes a conflict of interest and if such a conflict is material, include, but are not limited to: any arm’s length procedures established by the charity; the size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity; whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction; if competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time, recurring or ongoing.

MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS

An organization should regularly assess its effectiveness in achieving its mission. This section seeks to ensure that an organization has defined, measurable goals and objectives in place and a defined process in place to evaluate the success and impact of its program(s) in fulfilling the goals and objectives of the organization and that also identifies ways to address any deficiencies. To meet these standards, a charitable organization shall:

6. Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization’s performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

7. Submit to the organization’s governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

FINANCES

This section of the standards seeks to ensure that the charity spends its funds honestly, prudently and in accordance with statements made in fund raising appeals. To meet these standards, the charitable organization shall:

Please note that standards 8 and 9 have different denominators.

8. Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

Formula for Standard 8:

Total Program Service Expenses should be at least 65% Total Expenses

9. Spend no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.

Formula for Standard 9:

Total Fund Raising Expenses should be at least 35% Total Related Contributions

10. Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity’s unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year’s expenses or three times the size of the current year’s budget, whichever is higher.

[Meeting certain public disclosure requirements described in the Implementation Guide available online at bbb.org may enable a charity to satisfy this standard.]

An organization that does not meet Standards 8, 9 and/or 10 may provide evidence to demonstrate that its use of funds is reasonable. The higher fund raising and administrative costs of a newly created organization, donor restrictions on the use of funds, exceptional bequests, a stigma associated with a cause and environmental or political events beyond an organization’s control are among factors which may result in expenditures that are reasonable although they do not meet the financial measures cited in these standards.

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 28 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 29 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

11. Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $500,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $500,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

12. Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

13. Accurately report the charity’s expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

14. Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

FUND RAISING AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

A fund raising appeal is often the only contact a donor has with a charity and may be the sole impetus for giving. This section of the standards seeks to ensure that a charity’s representations to the public are accurate, complete and respectful. To meet these standards, the charitable organization shall:

15. Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard.

A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity’s solicitations.

16. Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes:

a. the organization’s mission statement,

b. a summary of the past year’s program service accomplishments,

c. a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors,

d. financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

17. Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

18. Address privacy concerns of donors by

a. providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, and

b. providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

19. Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation:

a. the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold),

b. the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October),

c. any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).

20. Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local BBBs about fund raising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.

Copyright 2003, BBB Wise Giving Alliance

Please note: BBBs 20 Standards for Charity Accountability along with the Implementation Guide are available online at bbb.org.

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 29 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

Are you a charity or do you know a charity within BBB Foundation of Upstate New York’s service area?

Do you want to be accredited?

Contact us at charity@upstatenybbb.org or call 800-828-5000 Ext. 295.

Key support for Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York comes from individuals like you! If you would like to subscribe to receive Giving Guides or learn more about other ways you can help support the work of BBB Foundation of Upstate New York, please contact

Shawn Schofield, at sschofield@upstatenybbb.org.Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York’s Service Area Represented in Blue

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York100 Bryant Woods SouthAmherst, NY 14228