Freedom House Ministries
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
-
Board Oversight
-
Board Size
-
Board Meetings
-
Board Compensation
-
Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
-
Effectiveness Policy
-
Effectiveness Report
Finances
-
Program Expenses
-
Fundraising Expenses
-
Accumulating Funds
-
Audit Report
-
Detailed Expense Breakdown
-
Accurate Expense Reporting
-
Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
-
Truthful Materials
-
Annual Report
-
Website Disclosures
-
Donor Privacy
-
Cause Marketing Disclosures
-
Complaints
Freedom House Ministries does not meet the following 7 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
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.
FHM does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least Every 2 Years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
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.
FHM does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 11 (Financial Statements)
Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, 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.
FHM does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have financial statements that were reviewed by a certified public accountant (CPA).
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
FHM does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2025 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
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.
FHM does not meet this Standard because the 2024 annual report did not include:
- A roster of the board of directors.
- A 2024 financial summary.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
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.
FHM does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://freedomhousegb.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- Electronic access to the organization’s 2023 IRS Form 990.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
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, (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.
FHM does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://freedomhousegb.org, does not indicate:
- How to contact the charity to review personal information that is collected and request corrections.
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 3, 15
Freedom House Ministries meets the remaining 11 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to shelter families so they can embrace self-worth and obtain stable housing, through faith and dignity."
Year, State Incorporated:
1992, WI
Freedom House Ministries (FHM) reports that it operates an emergency shelter for families with dependent children experiencing homelessness in Brown County, Wisconsin. The organization reports that it provides 24/7 shelter services for up to 16 families simultaneously. FHM provides basic needs support, including meals, clothing, hygiene products, and transportation assistance. Through partner organizations, residents can access medical, dental, and mental health services. The organization also operates The Bridge, a low-income apartment complex that houses nine families transitioning from shelter to independence while continuing to receive case management support. Other FHM services include case management and educational programming, such as financial literacy, workforce development training, and housing education. In 2024, the organization reports it served 57,614 meals, provided 21,321 nights of shelter, and dispersed 13,040 hygiene products.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Freedom House Ministries's program expenses were:
| Program services | $979,141 |
| Total Program Expenses | $979,141 |
Chief Executive
Jennifer Schmohe, Executive Director
Compensation*
$80,596
Chair of the Board
Karen Lancelle
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Schreiber Foods
Board Size
11
Paid Staff Size
29
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 19% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $790,578, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Freedom House Ministries's IRS Form 990 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $577,389 |
| Government grants | $156,469 |
| Investment income | $70,014 |
| In-kind contributions | $65,425 |
| Program service revenue | $11,525 |
| Total Income | $841,059 |
Programs: 68% Fundraising: 10% Administrative: 21%
| Total Income | $841,059 |
| Total expenses: | $1,433,345 |
| Program expenses | $979,141 |
| Fundraising expenses | $147,497 |
| Administrative expenses | $306,707 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-592,286 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $7,645,035 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $2,217 |
| Ending Net Assets | $7,240,404 |
| Total Liabilities | $26,794 |
| Total Assets | $7,267,198 |
Note 1: In the above financial statement, “changes in net assets” refers to a change in cash surrender value.
Note 2: According to the organization's 2023 IRS Form 990, FHM received in-kind contributions totaling $65,425 in the form of food ($26,220), clothing and household goods ($25,255), and furniture ($13,950).
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Meets Standards
-
Standards Not Met
-
Did Not Disclose
-
Review in Progress
-
Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Serving Wisconsin