Pilots to the Rescue
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Pilots to the Rescue does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 13 (Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements)
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.
PTTR does not meet this Standard because, in the BBB Wise Giving Alliance's opinion, the 2023 audit does not provide an accurate presentation of PTTR's fundraising and program services expenses.
PTTR provided a copy of its audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, which included an auditor's opinion that the statements were prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). According to the audit, PTTR incurred joint costs of $840,722 for informational materials and activities that include fundraising expenses. Of this amount, $674,737 was allocated to program expenses, $160,992 was allocated to fundraising expenses, and $4,993 was allocated to administrative expenses.
Based on an evaluation of PTTR appeals, BBB WGA disagrees with the allocation of $674,737 of direct mail appeals to program expenses. BBB WGA is of the opinion that the contents of the direct mail appeals do not substantiate 80% of the cost of direct mail appeals to program expenses. A significant portion of the content of the appeals could be considered fundraising, as it explains why one should donate to PTTR rather than fulfilling a programmatic function. Additionally, the programmatic calls to action identified in each appeal did not qualify as an adequate call to action.
Depending on how one recognizes PTTR's direct mail expenses, its fundraising costs could be higher than the 9% of related contributions reported by PTTR and its program services could be lower than the 80% of total expenses reported by PTTR. Since BBB WGA disagrees with PTTR's joint cost allocations, we are unable to determine whether the organization meets Standards 8 and 9, which address fundraising and program expenses.
Lastly, PTTR allocated premium items sent with appeals, such as calendars and pens, partially as program expenses, though they did not perform a programmatic function and would be more appropriately allocated as fundraising.
Standard 15 (Misleading Appeals)
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.
PTTR does not meet Standard 15 because, in the BBB Wise Giving Alliance's opinion, the organization uses appeals that are misleading in nature and place undue pressure on the recipient to donate.
PTTR has a direct mail sweepstakes appeal that includes an enclosure that looks like a check for $10,791.97 with the following designation “Check ID #1234567A.” The first sentence of the appeal letter states, “A check in the amount of $10,791.97 has been approved for prize payment. You should know that we have selected the winning number and I am very pleased to tell you we issued Check ID #1234567A exclusively to you.” Although the appeal includes a disclosure that, "You have not yet won. Entry is free. Donating will not increase your chances of winning," BBB WGA is of the opinion the appeal provides a misleading impression that the recipient has won the announced prize.
In addition, PTTR utilizes dollar bill and quarter appeals to convince recipients to make a donation. BBB WGA is of the opinion that by mailing an appeal that includes a dollar or quarter with the request to return it to the charity places undue pressure on the donor to return the money to the charity along with a donation.
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: 8, 9
Pilots to the Rescue meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to prevent at-risk animals from being euthanized by transporting them via air and ground transportation to give them the best chance at adoption."
Year, State Incorporated:
2016, NY
Pilots to the Rescue (PTTR) reports that it works to prevent homeless pets from being euthanized and give them the chance at a better life. The organization utilizes air and ground efforts to transport at-risk animals from precarious situations so they can be adopted by new homes. PTTR coordinates with animal rescues and adoption facilities to transport animals to available shelters around the United States. The organization reports that all pilots and drivers volunteer their time. Some ($674,737 or 40%) of PTTR’s program activities are carried out in conjunction with fundraising appeals.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Pilots to the Rescue's program expenses were:
| Program services | $1,690,339 |
| Total Program Expenses | $1,690,339 |
Chief Executive
Michael Schneider, Executive Director
Compensation*
$140,417
Chair of the Board
Brian Orter
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Founder and Chief Designer, BOLD
Board Size
8
Paid Staff Size
1
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
PTTR incurred joint costs of $840,722 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $674,737 was allocated to program expenses, $160,992 was allocated to fundraising expenses, and $4,993 was allocated to administrative expenses.
Fundraising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,312,683, 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 Pilots to the Rescue's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $3,009,917 |
| Sweepstakes campaign | $295,766 |
| Investment return | $62,090 |
| Royalty income | $9,297 |
| In-kind contributions | $7,000 |
| Total Income | $3,384,070 |
Programs: 80% Fundraising: 14% Administrative: 5%
| Total Income | $3,384,070 |
| Total expenses: | $2,107,631 |
| Program expenses | $1,690,339 |
| Fundraising expenses | $304,942 |
| Administrative expenses | $112,350 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $1,276,439 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $1,390,244 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $2,666,683 |
| Total Liabilities | $437,831 |
| Total Assets | $3,104,514 |
Note: According to the organization's 2023 audited financial statements, PTTR received in-kind contributions totaling $7,000 in the form of equipment.
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
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance