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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: January 2025 Expires: January 2027

Urban Sustainability Directors Network

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
3 6 7 14 18
(510) 326-3316
500 Westover Drive, #14973
Sanford, NC, 27330
https://www.usdn.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Urban Sustainability Directors Network does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 3 (Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings)
An organization shall have 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.

USDN does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors held one meeting in 2023.

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.

USDN does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two 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.

USDN does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization did not perform an effectiveness assessment within the last two years.

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.

USDN does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 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 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.

USDN does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization's website, https://www.usdn.org/, does not provide access to a privacy policy.

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: 1

Urban Sustainability Directors Network meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to connect local government leaders in the United States, Canada, and abroad to accelerate sustainability practices."

Year, State Incorporated:
2018, IL

Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) reports that it assists cities, counties, and towns to address climate challenges and sustainable practices by equipping them with knowledge, resources, and partnerships. The organization offers capacity building to help practitioners develop skills and processes to accelerate equitable and impactful action, along with direct support and field leadership that includes technical assistance and information sharing.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, Urban Sustainability Directors Network's program expenses were:

Urban Sustainability Directors Network $3,907,244
Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance $2,251,455
Southeast Sustainability Directors Network $909,917
Nature-based Climate Solutions Initiative $216,857
Green Cities California $31,202
Total Program Expenses $7,316,675

Chief Executive
Deneine Christa Powell, Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$226,000

Chair of the Board
Jesse King

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Founder and Managing Director, Fulcrum Advisors LLC

Board Size
10

Paid Staff Size
26

*2023 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Direct mail appeals

Fundraising costs were 6% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $5,598,299, 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 Urban Sustainability Directors Network's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Source of Funds
Grants $5,545,299
Membership dues $1,106,678
Fees for service $136,635
Participant fees $116,351
Sponsorship fees $53,000
Investment income $1,092
Total Income $6,959,055

Programs: 82% Fundraising: 4% Administrative: 14%

Total Income $6,959,055
Total expenses: $8,925,526
  Program expenses $7,316,675
  Fundraising expenses $314,757
  Administrative expenses $1,294,094
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-1,966,471
Beginning Net Assets $13,508,975
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $11,542,504
Total Liabilities $1,812,178
Total Assets $13,354,682

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.

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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance