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Reported on Monday, November 23, 2009 12:56 PM
Evaluation Conclusions
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Tax Status 501(c)(3)
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This organization has been evaluated in relation to the 20 Better Business Bureau Standards for Charitable Accountability.
This organization does not meet the following standard(s):
Standard 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.
CHRIST'S HAVEN FOR CHILDREN does not meet this standard because it's board of directors does not have a board policy stating that the organization's performance and effectiveness will be assessed at least once every two years.
Standard 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.
CHRIST'S HAVEN FOR CHILDREN does not meet this standard because it did not produce a written report outlining the results of the effectiveness assessment.
Standard 8
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.
Standard 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.
CHRIST'S HAVEN FOR CHILDREN does not meet this standard because it's unrestricted net assets were more than 3x the past year's expenses.
Standard 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.
CHRIST'S HAVEN FOR CHILDREN does not meet this standard because it did not provide an annual report
Standard 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.
CHRIST'S HAVEN FOR CHILDREN does not meet this standard because its website, www.christshaven.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it did not include any financial information or electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
Standard 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.
CHRIST'S HAVEN FOR CHILDREN does not meet this standard because it does not meet provision (a) or (b) of this standard since the organization does not address privacy concerns of donors.
The organization meets the remaining standards.
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Purpose
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Christ's Haven states its purpose is to provide a warm, loving, Christian environment in which children in need of basic care can grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually to become productive citizens in society.
Programs
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Christ's Haven for Children is a foster child-care facility licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, that serves abused, neglected, and homeless children of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, who require a change to a safe and caring environment to grow up safely in mind and body.
Christ's Haven has residential on-campus care for children ages 5-17 and off-site foster parents for younger children.
Christ's Haven provides long-term care for a minimum of 6 months. The average stay is approximately 24 months, but some may stay many years.
TOTAL PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES: $1,848,755
Fund Raising Methods
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Direct mail appeals, invitations to fund raising events, print advertisements, grant proposal, planned giving, and newsletters
Financial Summary
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According to the IRS Form 990 for the Fiscal Year ended 8/31/2007:
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Total Income |
$3,444,733 |
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Total Expense |
$1,848,755 |
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Gain (loss) for the year |
$1,591,156 |
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Expense Breakdown |
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Item |
Amount |
% of Expenses |
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Programs |
$1,188,927 |
64.30% |
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Fund Raising |
$457,170 |
24.70% |
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Administrative |
$202,658 |
11.00% |
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Miscellaneous |
$0 |
.00% |
Charity Contact and Profile
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Name: |
CHRIST'S HAVEN FOR CHILDREN |
Phone: |
(817) 431-1544 |
Address: |
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eMail: |
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BBB file opened: |
September 03, 1998 |
Charity started: |
January 1971 |
Charity started locally: |
January 1971 |
Primary Contact: |
Scott Strother |
Complaint Contact: |
Kelly Moore (CEO) |
Additional Locations and Phone Numbers
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As a matter of policy, the BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.
BBB Charity Reports are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information in this BBB Charity Report is
believed reliable, but not guaranteed as to accuracy.
BBB Charity Reports generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Charity Reports are subject to change at any time.
If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted the BBB for a BBB Charity Report.
ID: 98090159
Report as of: 11/23/2009
© 2009 BBB/Ft. Worth
Better Business Bureau Standards for Charitable Accountability
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1. A board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the
charity's operations and its staff.
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2. A board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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8. Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program
activities.
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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.
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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.
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11. Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
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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.
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13. Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint
cost allocations, in its financial statements.
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14. Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal
year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities,
fund raising, and administration.
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15. Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed
by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading,
both in whole and in part.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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20. Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its
attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local Better
Business Bureaus about fund raising practices, privacy policy
violations and/or other issues.
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| Copyright © 2003, CBBB |
Ten Tips for Better Giving
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Most charities are honest and ethical, but questionable solicitors are counting on the fact
that you won't bother to check out the charity before you give. Here is some basic wise
giving advice:
- Watch out for similar names.
As there are many charities raising funds for similar causes,
some charity names sound the same. Be sure to look at the name
carefully, because the charity soliciting you may not be the one
you have in mind.
- Do not be pressured to make an immediate gift.
Be wary of solicitors that demand an 'on the spot' donation.
Charities should welcome your gift whenever you want to send it.
- Question vague appeals.
Appeals should clearly identify the charity's programs. Watch
out for appeals that are strong on identifying a problem, but
weak on describing what specifically the charity intends to do
about it.
- Do not give out personal information to phone solicitors.
Don't give out credit card numbers, checking account numbers or
any other personal information to unknown telephone solicitors.
- Do not give cash.
Write a check out to the charity's full
official name, not to an individual or third party that may be
collecting the donation.
- Keep records of your donations
(receipts, canceled checks and
bank statements) so you can document your charitable giving at
tax time. (Note: The IRS requires donations of $250 or more to
be substantiated through a written receipt from the charity.)
- If you want a deduction, make sure the organization is a charity.
There are many different types of soliciting nonprofit
organizations. Most appeals will indicate if the organization is
eligible to receive gifts deductible as charitable contributions.
(To be sure, review the list of organizations in IRS Publication
78 or ask the charity for a copy of its tax exempt status
determination letter.)
- Don't hesitate to ask the charity for written information on its programs and finances.
This tip can be particularly helpful
in responding to phone appeals from charities that interest you.
- To verify if a charity is registered to solicit, contact your state government.
In most cases, this will be the state's office
of the attorney general. Remember that the state registration
does not mean 'approval', it means the group has filed the
appropriate forms.
- Report bad practices.
Contact your Better Business Bureau and your state's Attorney
General office about solicitation problems.
