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UPSTATE NEW YORK

GivingGuide

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BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU FOUNDATION OF UPSTATE NEW YORK

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

President’s Message

As the longtime owner of a small business, from time to time I

was asked to give money to various causes. My intention

was always to help, but in the back of my mind there was

always a nagging question - where exactly is the money going?

Better Business Bureau piloted an early version of charity

reporting. Through this I was able to learn more about the

organizations I supported through donations. What I learned

changed the way I looked at philanthropy forever.

With BBB’s information, I was able to give in more meaningful

ways. When I learned the Council of Better Business Bureaus

developed uniform charity evaluation standards and BBB

Foundation of Upstate New York had the option of

providing this service, I jumped at the chance.

I brought this program to Upstate New York

because I truly believe that our communities

want to give but need better information in

order to do it in a meaningful way.

I believe the information in the

Upstate New York Giving Guide will help

both charities and donors as they work

together to create a positive change in

Upstate New York. 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 volunteered and served on boards of several other organizations.

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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 national Wise Giving Alliance.

2015 UPSTATE NEW YORK GIVING GUIDE

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

[email protected]

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

James Dunn Partner Lumsden & McCormick, LLC

Mary Ann Lauricella President / Owner Lauricella Public Relations Co.

David Carr Consulting Engineer DAC Consulting Liro Engineers

Joe Carubba President and CEO Carubba Collision Corporation

Warren E. Clark President and CEO BBB of Upstate New York & BBB Foundation of Upstate New York

Richard Kaplan CEO, Director Torvec Inc.

Norbert Rappl Retired

John Wynne Corporate Mentor, and Business Consultant BCO Industries

Philip Toohey Retired

Richard Wall Vice President for Academic Affairs M&T Distinguished Professor of Economics & Finance Canisius College

Eugene Welch Attorney Partner Harris, Chesworth, O’Brien, Johnstone & Welch LLP

BBB Foundation of Upstate New York Staff

Warren E. Clark President and CEO

Shawn Stover Foundation Director

22 Q & A about the Charity Review Program

2 About BBB Charity ReviewIs it bad if a charity misses a standard?

3 Research Finding: Meeting BBB Standards Is Associated with Greater Fundraising Results

4 2014 Torch Award for Philanthropic Excellence Winner

6 How to read the giving guide

7 List of Charities

24 Complete descriptions of BBB’s 20 Standards

for Charity Accountability

23 Charity Seal Program

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

About BBB Charity Review

BBBCharityReviewprovidesconfirmationof

a charity’s practices in the areas of governance and

oversight,effectiveness,financesandfundraisingby

a highly respected accrediting organization. Meeting

BBBs comprehensive 20 Standards for Charity

Accountability helps position organizations to

successandencouragesconfidentcharitablegiving.

There is no cost for being

reviewed. Completed reports

are valid for two years and

posted on BBB Foundation of

Upstate New York’s website as

well as published in the Upstate

New York Giving Guide. n

Is it bad if a charity misses a Standard? Each donor values individual Standards differently. BBB welcomes you to decide which Standards are most important to you.

As many charities go through BBB’s Charity

Review process, some will miss a standard. BBB

applauds every organization that works to be

evaluated. It means that the organization took

steps to provide BBB with the in-depth information

and supporting materials needed to conduct a

comprehensive evaluation. The organization

made a commitment to disclose information for

the public to consider; even in the event that a

standard was missed.

Some charities use what they learn through the

Charity Review process to take a fresh look at their

organization and the way

it is run. Perhaps some

smallbutsignificant

changes can be made that will allow them to meet

missed Standard in the future.

Many factors determine whether or not an

organization will earn your support. BBB encourages

donors to use an organization’s Charity Review

as a research tool. BBB simply presents factual

information in an effort to help provide donors with

the information they need to determine whether or

not a charity is worthy of their resources. n

Looking at how a charity spends money is just one piece

of the puzzle. BBB also looks into their board oversight,

policies for evaluating the effectiveness of their work, and

transparency to the public—the critical infrastructure that

underlies the way they conduct themselves.

Research Finding: Meeting BBB Standards Is Associated with Greater Fundraising Results

A study by the Baruch College School of Public

Affairs found that “meeting BBB Standards for

Charity Accountability is positively associated with

increased levels of public support as measured by

fundraising revenue.”

The study showed that that meeting all BBB

Charity Standards was associated with a 13.5%

increase in fundraising revenue for the Metro

New York charity sample and an 8% increase in

fundraising revenue for the national charity

sample, controlling for key documented variables.

A complete copy of this latest research report can

be accessed at: bbb.org/new-york-city/charity-

study-paper.

“This fresh evidence is an important

confirmationthatbothnationallyandlocally

soliciting charities demonstrate greater success with

their fundraising efforts when they meet all BBB

Standards for Charity Accountability,” said Claire

Rosenzweig, president and CEO of both BBB Serving

Metropolitan New York and the NY BBB Education

and Research Foundation.

Professor Greg Chen from Baruch College

School of Public Affairs, City University of New

York, conducted the research. He studied multiple

datasets, including data from nationally soliciting

charities that are reported on by BBB Wise Giving

Alliance and regionally soliciting charities that

are reported on by the Metro New York BBB’s

Education and Research Foundation. These two

Better Business Bureau organizations are legally

separate and independently staffed, but use the same

standards and implementation guidelines in their

charity review programs. Both national and Metro

New York BBB Charity Reports are completed at no

charge to charities, and BBB Charity Reports are

available online for free public access.

Thestudyreinforcesthefindingsofaprevious

2009 academic study by Professor Chen that used

a previous dataset from the Metro New York BBB

Foundation’s Charity Review Program. In that

study Professor Chen also found “that meeting BBB

standards is associated with higher levels of

public support.”

“As the charitable sector struggles to increase

fundraising revenues year after year, this is an

indicator that trust can be a game-changer when it

comes to giving decisions,” said Warren E. Clark,

president and CEO of both Better Business Bureau

of Upstate New York and Better Business Bureau

Foundation of Upstate New York. “This trend is

encouraging and we are excited to offer the BBB

CharityReviewprogramtononprofitorganizations

in Upstate New York.” n

The study findings were released in September of

2013. This research project was jointly funded by BBB

Wise Giving Alliance and the Education and Research

Foundation of the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan

New York.

Intoday’senvironmentofintensemediaandregulatoryscrutinyofthenon-profitsector,

it is important for charities to distinguish themselves as organizations that are committed to

transparent and accountable practices.


Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York awards Roswell Park Alliance Foundation winner of 2014 Torch Award for Philanthropic Excellence

It is with great pride that we announce Roswell Park

Alliance Foundation as our winner for the 2014 Torch

Award for Philanthropic Excellence!

The Torch Award for Philanthropic Excellence brings

attentiontothepracticesthatnonprofitsemployto

generate a high level of trust among employees, donors

and communities. An independent committee of judges

selected Roswell Park

Alliance Foundation

as our winner in

2014. This award

provides recognition

from Better Business

Bureau Foundation

of Upstate New York

to charities that

are leading the way

in philanthropy in

Upstate New York.

“What an

exciting time for

charities in Upstate

New York. We’re

thrilled for Roswell

Park Alliance Foundation,” said Shawn Stover, BBB

Foundation director. “Charities often

ask for an example of an organization

that is really getting it right within

our community. The Torch Award for

Philanthropic Excellence allows us to

show them what an organization that is

leading the way really looks like.”

“We are humbled and honored to

receive this award for philanthropic

excellence and celebrate with staff

and volunteers who work tirelessly

to ensure that the dollars raised are

done so cost-effectively,” said Lee

Wortham, chair, Roswell Park Alliance

Foundation Board of Directors.

“Everyone is touched by cancer and donors have a right to

know that their funds are then rapidly applied to the most

promising research and wide reaching quality-of-life

programs for those individuals whose lives will never be

thesameafteracancerdiagnosis.Itisextremelyfulfilling

to be recognized by such a prestigious organization as the

Better Business Bureau and is validation to the team that

our efforts for

cancer patients

are among the

best practices in

the country.”

The Roswell

Park Alliance

Foundation

raises and

accepts all

contributions on

behalf of Roswell Park Cancer Institute. These funds

are put to immediate use to increase the

pace of research and enhance the patient

experience to improve clinical care and

quality of life for its patients. Donors of the

Roswell Park Alliance Foundation know

they support the promising and impactful

initiatives of Roswell Park, the only

comprehensive cancer center in Western

and Upstate New York.

The Torch Award for Philanthropic

Excellence is the highest recognition given

to area charities by Better Business Bureau

Foundation of Upstate New York and will

be offered annually. n

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“The Torch Award

for Philanthropic

Excellence

allows us to show

them what an

organization that

is leading the way

really looks like.”

Lee Wortham, Chair, Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Board of Directors

Riders at the start of The Ride For Roswell benefiting Roswell Park Cancer Institute In order to apply for the Torch Award for Philanthropic Excellence

a charity must first meet BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

DID YOU KNOW?

Charity Name Location Accredited (Met Standards)

Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose

Better Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 7 – Upstate New York Giving GuideBetter Business Bureau Foundation of Upstate New York – 6 – Upstate New York Giving Guide

100 Club of Buffalo Buffalo

Academy of Christian Leadership Valatie

ACCORD Corp. Belmont

Adirondack Mountain Club Albany

Adirondack Save-A-Stray Corinth

AIDS Community Services of WNY Buffalo

Albany Institute of History and Art Albany

Alcoholism Council in Niagara County Buffalo See - Northpointe Council

Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services Foundation

West Seneca See - Kids Escaping Drugs

Allegany County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Wellsville See - SPCA Serving Allegany County

Alleyway Theatre Buffalo

ALS Association / Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association

Upstate New York ChapterLiverpool

ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Albany

Alzheimer’s Association / Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Northeastern New York Chapter

Albany

Alzheimer’s Association / Alzheimer’s Disease and Related DisordersLeatherstocking Region Office

Cooperstown

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

Adirondack OfficeQueensbury


Rochester and Finger Lakes Region Chapter

Rochester


Western New York ChapterWilliamsville

American Cancer Society Western NY Region Office

Amherst

American Cancer SocietyCentral NY Region

East Syracuse

American Cancer SocietySouthern NY Region

Johnson City

American Cancer SocietyCapital NY Region

Latham

American Cancer SocietyLakes Region Office

Rochester

American Diabetes Association Albany

Albany

American Diabetes AssociationBuffalo

Buffalo

#A

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 have reached the threshold of public

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

have reached out to be reviewed voluntarily, as well as those that have entered into

the process as the result of a complaint.

l There is no charge for charities to be evaluated or for donors to inquire about

a charity

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

donors giving research

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) – Charities have met BBB’s 20 Standards for

Charity Accountability.

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

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

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

whether or not the Standard missed is important to them.

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. BBB encourages charities to disclose

accountabilityinformationbeyondthattypicallyincludedinfinancialstatements

andgovernmentfilingsinordertodemonstratetransparencyandstrengthenpublic

trust in the charitable sector.

The list is current as of March 2015. Please check bbbfoundationupstateny.org for up to date Charity Reviews.



Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


American Diabetes AssociationRochester

Rochester

American Diabetes AssociationSyracuse

Syracuse

American Farmland TrustNew York State Office

Saratoga Springs

American Heart Association / American Stroke Association

Capital RegionAlbany


PlattsburghPlattsburgh


Buffalo/Niagara RegionAmherst


Syracuse RegionEast Syracuse


Rochester RegionRochester


Binghamton RegionSyracuse


Watertown RegionSyracuse

American Heart Association / American Stroke AssociationUtica/Mohawk Valley Region

Utica

American Legion of the Empire State Rochester

American Lung Association New York, Albany

Albany

American Red CrossNortheastern New York Region

Albany

American Red CrossCayuga Branch

Auburn

American Red CrossWestern New York Tri-County Chapter

Batavia

American Red CrossServing Erie and Niagara Counties

Buffalo

American Red CrossWest Ontario Office

Canandaigua

American Red CrossOtsego Branch

Cooperstown

American Red CrossGreater Steuben/Sullivan Trail Chapter

Corning

American Red CrossCortland County

Cortland

American Red CrossClara Barton/Livingston Chapter

Dansville

American Red CrossSouthern Tier Chapter

Endicott

American Red CrossService to Military Families: Fort Drum

Fort Drum

American Red CrossAdirondack-Saratoga Chapter

Glens Falls

American Red CrossHerkimer Branch

Herkimer

American Red CrossTompkins County

Ithaca

American Red CrossSouthwestern New York

Jamestown

American Red CrossNorth Country Chapter

Morrisonville

American Red CrossWayne County Chapter

Newark

American Red CrossNiagara Office

Niagara Falls

American Red CrossMadison-Oneida Branch

Oneida

American Red CrossOswego Branch

Oswego

American Red CrossTioga Branch

Owego

American Red CrossYates County Chapter

Penn Yan

American Red CrossPotsdam Branch

Potsdam

American Red CrossGreater Rochester

Rochester

American Red CrossRome Branch

Rome

American Red CrossFinger Lakes

Seneca Falls

American Red CrossDelaware Branch

Sidney

American Red CrossCentral New York

Syracuse

American Red Cross of the Mohawk Valley

Utica

American Red CrossNorthern New York

Watertown

Amvets Thrift Store - Buffalo Buffalo

AnimalKind Hudson

Arthritis FoundationNortheastern New York

Clifton Park

Arthritis FoundationUpstate New York

Rochester

Aspire of Western New York Getzville

Autism Services, Inc Williamsville

Back to Basic Outreach Ministries Buffalo

Be a Friend Program BuffaloSee - Big Brothers Big Sisters

of Erie County

Best Buddies Albany Waterford

B


Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Bethesda House Schenectady

BHSC Foundation BuffaloSee - Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center

Foundation

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie County Buffalo

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Onondaga County

Syracuse

Bishop Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation

Rochester

Boys & Girls Club of Rochester Rochester

Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo Buffalo

Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse Syracuse

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

Brighter Choice Foundation Albany

Broome County Animal Care Council Endicott

Broome County Humane Society Binghamton

BSA-GNFC BuffaloSee - Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy

Scouts of America

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Buffalo

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society

Buffalo

Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society 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 Hearing and Speech Center Foundation

Buffalo

Buffalo Inner City Ballet Buffalo See - Buffalo City Ballet

Buffalo Maritime Center Buffalo

Buffalo Naval & Servicemen BuffaloSee - Buffalo and Erie County Naval and

Military Park

Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Buffalo

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Buffalo

Buffalo Paws & Claws Animal Shelter East Aurora

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Buffalo

Buffalo Place Buffalo

Buffalo Prep Buffalo

Buffalo Pug and Small Breed Rescue Buffalo

Buffalo State College Foundation Buffalo

Buffalo Urban League Buffalo

Buffalo Zoo Buffalo

C.O.P.S. Concerns of Police SurvivorsWestern NY C.O.P.S.

Buffalo

C.O.P.S. Concerns of Police SurvivorsGenesee Valley C.O.P.S.

Rochester

Camp Good Days & Special Times, Inc. Mendon

Canisius High School Buffalo

Catholic Charities of Buffalo Buffalo

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester

Rochester

Catholic Charities of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse NY

Syracuse

Center for Disability Rights Rochester

Center for Disability Services Albany

Champlain Valley Family Center for Drug Treatment & Youth Services

Plattsburg

Chautauqua Opportunities Dunkirk

Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA

Elmira

Child & Family Services of Erie County Buffalo

Children and Adults with Attention Deficity / Hyperactivity Disorder

Capital Region NY Adults with ADHDLatham

Children’s Home of Jefferson County Watertown

Children’s Institute Rochester

CitiHope International Margaretville

City Mission Society Buffalo See - Buffalo City Mission

CNY Services Syracuse

Colonie Senior Service Centers - Albany Albany

Columbia Greene Humane Society Hudson

Community Missions of Niagara Frontier Niagara Falls

Compeer Buffalo Buffalo

Compeer West Buffalo See - Compeer Buffalo

Concerned Ecunemical Ministry Buffalo

Cornerstone Manor Buffalo See - Buffalo City Mission

Cortland Community SPCA Cortland

CP Rochester RochesterSee - United Cerebral Palsy Association of the

Rochester Area

Cradle Beach Camp Angola

Crisis Services Buffalo

C


Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of AmericaUpstate Northeastern New York Chapter

Guilderland

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of AmericaWestern New York Chapter

Rochester

Cuba Community Development Friendship

CURE Childhood Cancer Association Rochester

Cystic Fibrosis FoundationNortheastern New York Chapter

Latham

Cystic Fibrosis FoundationRochester Chapter

Pittsford

Cystic Fibrosis FoundationCentral New York Chapter

Syracuse

Cystic Fibrosis FoundationWestern New York Chapter

Williamsville

D A S BuffaloSee - Deaf Adult Services of Western New

York

Dale Association Lockport

Deaf Adult Services BuffaloSee - Deaf Adult Services of Western New

York

Deaf Adult Services of Western New York Buffalo

Delaware Family YMCA Buffalo See - YMCA Buffalo Niagara Association

Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County

Saratoga Springs See - Wellspring

Down Syndrome Association of Central New York

Manlius

Early Care & Learning Council Albany

ECCPASA BuffaloSee - Erie County Council for the Prevention

of Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Eggertsville Hose Company Eggertsville

EHS Buffalo See - AIDS Community Services of WNY

Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted MD Center for the Visually Impaired

Buffalo See - Olmsted Center for Sight

Empire Animal Rescue Society Salamanca

EPIC - Every Person Influences Children Buffalo

Epilepsy - Pralid RochesterSee - Epilepsy Association of Greater

Rochester

Epilepsy Association of Greater Rochester Rochester

Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York

Albany

Equine Advocates Chatham

Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Buffalo

Evergreen Community Services Buffalo See - AIDS Community Services of WNY

Everson Museum of Art of Syracuse and Onondaga County

Syracuse

Excalibur Leisure Skills Center Buffalo

Faith Family Friends Queensbury

Family Justice Center of Erie County Buffalo

Farm SanctuaryNational Headquarters

Watkins Glen

Feed Our Vets Utica

Firemens Association of the State of New York

Albany

Food Bank of Central New York Syracuse

Food Bank of the Southern Tier Elmira

Food Bank of Western New York Buffalo

FORCE AmherstSee - Foundation for Orthopaedic Research

and Education

Forest Lawn Heritage Foundation Buffalo

Foundation for Orthopaedic Research and Education

Amherst

Frank Lloyd Wright Rowing Boat House Buffalo

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House Complex

Buffalo

Friends of Night People Buffalo

Gateway-Longview Buffalo

Gerard Place Buffalo

Girl Scouts of Western New York Depew

Glen Highland Farm Morris

GLOW YMCA Medina

Gold Summit Martial Arts Institute BuffaloSee - Gold Summit Organization for the

Development of Eastern Culture

Gold Summit Organization for the Development of Eastern Culture

Buffalo

Goodwill Industries of WNY Buffalo

Gowanda United Way Gowanda

Greater Niagara Frontier Council, Boy Scouts of America

Buffalo

Greater Rochester Housing Partnership Rochester

Habitat For Humanity Rochester

Habitat For Humanity Buffalo Buffalo

Harvest House of South Buffalo Buffalo

Hauptman-Woodward Institute Buffalo

E

D

F

G

H


Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


HEART Animal Rescue & Adoption Team Hamburg

Help Orphan Puppies Kinderhook

Heritage Centers Buffalo

Heritage Christian Services East Rochester

Hispanic Heritage Council Buffalo

Hispanics United of Buffalo Buffalo

Holy Childhood Rochester

HOME Buffalo See - Housing Opportunities Made Equal

Homefront Buffalo

Hospice Buffalo Buffalo

Hospice of CNY Liverpool

Housing Opportunities Made Equal Buffalo

Humane Association of Central New York Liverpool

Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County – Lollypop farm

Fairport

Hunter’s Hope Foundation Orchard Park

Huntington’s Disease Society of AmericaAlbany NY / West MA Affiliate

Castleton

Huntington’s Disease Society of AmericaUpstate New York Chapter

Rochester

Independent Living of Genesee Region Buffalo See - Western New York Independent Living

Independent Living of Niagara County Buffalo See - Western New York Independent Living

Independent Health Family Branch YMCA Buffalo See - YMCA Buffalo Niagara Association

International Institute of Buffalo Buffalo

International Veterinary Information Service

Ithaca

JDRFWestern New York Chapter

Amherst

JDRFNortheastern New York Chapter

Latham

JDRFCentral New York Chapter

Liverpool

JDRFRochester Chapter

Rochester

Jewish Community Center - Buffalo Buffalo

Jewish Family Services of Buffalo and Erie County

Buffalo

Jewish Home of Rochester Senior Housing Rochester

Joyful Rescues Cuba

Junior Achievement of Western New York Buffalo

Ken-Ton Family YMCA Buffalo See - YMCA Buffalo Niagara Association

Ken-Ton Meals on Wheels Tonawanda

Kevin Guest House Buffalo

Kids Escaping Drugs West Seneca

Lancaster Family YMCA Buffalo See - YMCA Buffalo Niagara Association

Lancaster New York Opera House Lancaster

Land Trust Alliance Northeast

Saratoga Springs

Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo Buffalo

Literacy Volunteers of Buffalo Buffalo

Living Resources Albany

Local Initiatives Support CorporationBuffalo NY Office

Buffalo

Lollypop Farm – Humane Society of Greater Rochester

Fairport

Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York Cheektowaga

Make a Change WNY West Seneca See - Kids Escaping Drugs

March of Dimes FoundationNortheastern New York Division

Albany

March of Dimes FoundationWestern New York Division

Buffalo

March of Dimes FoundationGenesee Valley Finger Lakes Division

Rochester

March of Dimes FoundationCentral New York Division

Syracuse

Matthew 25:35 Foundation TR UA Clarence Center

MCH Foundation Rochester See - T Franklin Williams Md. Foundation

Meals on Wheels Foundation of Western New York

Buffalo

Mental Health Association of Erie County Buffalo

Mental Health Peer Connection Buffalo See - Western New York Independent Living

Mercy Flight Buffalo

Mercy Hospital Foundation Buffalo

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society Menands

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)New York State Office

Latham

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)Western New York Affiliate

Oswego

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)New York, Erie Chapter

Williamsville

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)Albany

Albany

I

J

K

M

L


Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Syracuse

East Syracuse

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)Rochester

Rochester

MUSE Buffalo See - Musicians United for Superior Education

Music is Art Buffalo

Musicians United for Superior Education Buffalo

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA)

Upstate New York ChapterDelmar

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Rochester

Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties

Buffalo

NCCC Foundation Sanborn

Near East Foundation Syracuse

New York State Industries for the Disabled Albany

Niagara Community Action Program Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls Family YMCA Buffalo See - YMCA Buffalo Niagara Association

Niagara Hospice Lockport

NNY Reads Watertown See - Northern New York Reads

North Country SPCA Elizabethtown

Northern New York Reads Watertown

Northpointe Council Niagara Falls

OAHIIO Buffalo See - Western New York Independent Living

Olmsted Center for Sight Buffalo

Open Door Mission Rochester

Operation PETS Buffalo

Orphan Grain Train New York

Glen Falls

Our Lady of Victory Homes of Charity Lackawanna

Pajama ProjectNY - Buffalo

Buffalo

Pajama ProjectNY - Rochester

Rochester

Pajama ProjectNY - Syracuse

Syracuse

Parks & Trails New York Albany

People Inc. Williamsville

People Rebuilding and Living in Dignity RochesterSee - Epilepsy Association of Greater

Rochester

People to People InternationalBuffalo-Niagara Falls Area

Buffalo

Pet Emergency Fund Buffalo

Pets Alive WNY Amherst

PKD FoundationWestern New York Chapter

Rochester

Police Athletic League of Buffalo Buffalo

Police Conference of New York Albany

Pralid Home Services RochesterSee - Epilepsy Association of Greater

Rochester

ProLiteracy Syracuse

Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse NY Syracuse

Restore the Earth Foundation Ithaca

Road Less Traveled Productions Buffalo

Robert V Winspear UW FBO Salvation Army & Blind Association

Buffalo See - Salvation Army of Buffalo

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Rochester

Rochester Presbyterian Home Rochester

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester NY

Rochester

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western New York

Buffalo

Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Buffalo

SABAH Buffalo

SALT Recovery Schoharie See - Schoharie Area Long Term

Salvation Army of Buffalo Buffalo

SCAPSee - Schenectady Community Action

Program

Schenectady Community Action Program Schenectady

Schoharie Area Long Term Schoharie

Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter Schoharie

Second Chance Sheltering Network Inc Spring Brook

Senior Services of Albany Albany

Sisters Hospital Foundation Buffalo See - Sisters of Charity Hospital Foundation

Sisters of Charity Hospital Foundation Buffalo

Skating Association for the Blind and Handicapped

Buffalo See - SABAH

Skating Athletes Bold at Heart Buffalo See - SABAH

Southern Tier Hospice & Palliative Care Corning

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Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Southtowns Family YMCA Buffalo See - YMCA Buffalo Niagara Association

SPCA - Watertown Watertown

SPCA of Upstate New York Queensbury

SPCA Olean Olean

SPCA Serving Allegany County Wellsville

SPCA Serving Erie County Tonawanda

Special OlympicsNew York

Schenectady

Spina Bifida Association of AmericaSBA of Northeastern New York

Scotia

St. Anne Institute Albany

St. Vincent de Paul Society Buffalo

Stop the Violence Albany

Stray Haven Waverly

Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service Buffalo See - Crisis Services

Susan G. Komen for the CureNortheastern New York Affiliate

Albany

Susan G. Komen for the CureWestern New York Affiliate

Buffalo

Susan G. Komen for the CureCentral New York Affiliate

East Syracuse

Susan G. Komen for the CureTwin Tiers Region Affiliate

Elmira

Susquehanna SPCA, Inc. Cooperstown

Syracuse Health Science Center Medical Alumni Foundation

Syracuse

T Franklin Williams Md. Foundation Rochester

Teach for AmericaBuffalo

Buffalo

Ten Lives Club North Boston

The Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier

North Tonawanda

The Chapel at Crosspoint Getzville

The Glens Falls Home Glens Falls

The Kaleida Health Foundation Buffalo

The Linden Exchange c/oTrinity Church Geneva

The Northeast Kidney Foundation East Greenbush

The Young Womens Christian Association of Niagara

Lockport See - YWCA of Niagara

Thea Bowman House Utica

Thrifty Shopper Syracuse

Trooper Foundation State of New York Latham

True Community Development Corporation Buffalo

United Cerebral Palsy & Handicapped Children’s Association of Syracuse

Syracuse

United Cerebral Palsy Association of the Rochester Area

Rochester

United Way of Cattaraugus County Olean

United Way of Cayuga County Owasco

United Way of Greater Rochester Rochester

United Way of Rome and Western Oneida County

Rome

United Way of Seneca County Waterloo

United Way of the Greater Capital Region Albany

United Way of Greater Niagara Sanborn

United Way of the Southern Tier Corning

United Way of Tompkins County Ithaca

University at Buffalo Foundation Amherst

UNYTS Buffalo See - Upstate New York Transplant Services

Upstate Cerebral Palsy Utica

Upstate New York Transplant Services Buffalo

Utica Zoo Utica

Variety Club of Buffalo Buffalo

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

Albany

Veterans One-Stop Center of WNY Buffalo

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

States Department of New York

VIVE Buffalo

Volunteers of AmericaBinghamton Offices

Binghamton

Volunteers of America Rochester

Volunteers of AmericaVolunteers of America Upstate New York

Rochester

Water For South Sudan Rochester

WCHOB BuffaloSee - Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo

Foundation

We Can Row Buffalo Depew

Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo and Western New York

Buffalo

T

U

V

W



Standards Not Met

Did Not Disclose


Wellspring Saratoga Springs

West Side Rowing Club Buffalo

Western New York Chapter of Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

North Tonawanda

Western New York Independent Living Buffalo

Western New York Safe Kids Coalition Williamsville See - People Inc.

Western New York Veterans Housing Coalition

Buffalo

Whiskers Animal Benevolent League Albany See - Whiskers Inc.

Whiskers Inc. Albany

Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports Programs

Buffalo

WNED Foundation Buffalo

WNY Chapter of FSMA North TonawandaSee - Western New York Chapter of Families

of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

WNY Heroes Buffalo

WNY Ovarian Cancer Project Lockport

Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation

Buffalo

Wyoming County SPCA Attica

YMCA Buffalo Niagara Association Buffalo

YMCA Camp Weona Buffalo See - YMCA Buffalo Niagara Association

YMCA Corning Corning

YMCA Day Camp Tahigua Buffalo See - YMCA Buffalo Niagara Association

YMCA of Greater Rochester Rochester

YMCA of Lockport NY Lockport

Young LifeCAMP Saranac Village

Saranac Lake

YWCA - Elmira Elmira

YWCA of Niagara LockportSee - The Young Womens Christian

Association of Niagara

YWCA of the Tonawandas North Tonawanda

Fiances are a poor single-measure of a charity.

Next time you donate, look for a BBB Charity Review

first.BBBCharityReviews’evaluatecharitiesagainst

holistic,rigorousstandards-notonlyfiances,but

ethics, reporting of results and more. See the whole

picture, and then give with trust.

Y

Charity Reviews can serve your organization and your donors with transparent information. If you are interested in having your charity reviewed or need BBB to conduct a Charity Review please contact us at: [email protected] or call 716-881-5222 Ext. 295. Up-to-date Charity Reviews can be found at bbbfoundationupstateny.org.

®

Reach • Strive • AchieveBetter Business Bureau of Upstate New York, Inc. congratulates each charitable organization that reached for charity accreditation and succeeded! We’re proud of every organization that strives toward charity accountability.

Our Accredited Business community stands by BBB’s vision of an ethical marketplace. We thank them for their support of Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York, Inc. which allows our 501(c)(3) Foundation to offer Charity Review, Stop Shoplifting Education Program, Torch Award for Philanthropic Excellence and publish this inaugural 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 BBB Upstate New York region. In doing so, Charity Review’s help charities communicate information about their mission and programstothecommunityaswellaspromotetheirethicalpracticeswithinthenonprofitsector.

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.InordertodetermineifacharitymeetsStandards,BBBreviewsfinancialstatements,taxfilings,annualreports, 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.

Q. Is every organization required to be reviewed?

A. BBB’s Charity Review program is voluntary and BBB only reviews an organization after public inquiry. 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 bbbfoundationupstateny.org, by email [email protected] or by calling800-828-5000Ext.295.ThefinalevaluationofCharityReviewswithinBBBFoundationofUpstateNewYorkwill also be made available annually through the Upstate New York Giving Guide.

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 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, grantmakingfoundations,corporatecontributionsofficers,regulatoryagencies,researchorganizationsandBBBs.BBBWiseGivingAlliancealsocommissionedsignificantindependentresearchondonorexpectationstoensurethattheviewsofthegeneralpublicwerereflectedinthestandards.WGAisanaffiliateoftheCouncilofBetterBusinessBureausthatreviewsandreportsonnationalnonprofits.

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.


Charity Seal Program

Better Business

Bureau Foundation

of Upstate New

York offers each

Accredited Charity

that has met BBB’s

20 Standards

for Charity

Accountability 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.

The Charity Seal can

only be licensed by BBB

Accredited Charities

that have met BBB’s 20

Standards for Charity

Accountability. Use of the

seal is voluntary.

Charities that choose to license the seal will

sign an agreement with a small licensing

payment. The fee is calculated on a sliding

scale, based on total contributions in the

last year.

All charities that achieve BBB Charity

Accreditation receive an “Accredited

Charity Toolkit” with statements that

can be used to share the good news of

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. n

If you would like to learn more about BBB Foundation of Upstate New York’s Charity Seal

program contact us at 800-828-5000 Ext. 295 or by email at [email protected].

“All charities that

achieve BBB Charity

Accreditation receive

an “Accredited

Charity Toolkit” with

statements that can

be used to share the

good news

of accreditation.”


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, fundraisingpractices,establishmentofaconflictofinterestpolicy,andestablishmentofaccountingproceduressufficienttosafeguardcharityfinances.

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 whetherornotarelatedpartytransactionconstitutesaconflictofinterestandifsuchaconflictismaterial,include,butarenot 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 arereasonablealthoughtheydonotmeetthefinancialmeasurescited in these standards.

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,areviewbyacertifiedpublicaccountantissufficientto meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income islessthan$250,000,aninternallyproduced,completefinancialstatementissufficienttomeetthisstandard.

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.


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 [email protected] 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 the Foundation please contact Shawn Stover,

Foundation director at [email protected].

You can contact us to schedule a BBB speaker for your next meeting or event.

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

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