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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: January 2024 Expires: January 2026

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
7 16 18
(608) 782-0710
3710 East Avenue South
La Crosse, WI, 54601
https://cclse.org
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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

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:

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.

CCDLC does not meet this Standard because:

  • Although the organization produced a written effectiveness assessment report March 2022, the report did not include recommendations for future actions.

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.

CCDLC does not meet this Standard because the 2021 annual report did not include:

  • Total fundraising expenses.
  • Total 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.

CCDLC does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://cclse.org, does not indicate:

  • 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: 10, 11

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to proclaim Christ’s Gospel of Life and promote human dignity by alleviating poverty, and strengthening individuals and families."

Year, State Incorporated:
1997, WI

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse (CCDLC) works with individuals, families, and communities to help them meet their needs, address their issues, eliminate oppression, and build a just and compassionate society. The organization reports offering a variety of services, including adoption programs; community homeless facilities; disability services; disaster relief; driftless pass school; fostering connections; immigration; pregnancy support; St. Damien outreach; St. Lawrence community services; and Wisconsin adoption and permanency support program.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse's program expenses were:

Program services $4,820,880
Total Program Expenses $4,820,880

Chief Executive
Roberto Partarrieu, Executive Director

Compensation*
$141,929

Chair of the Board
Very Reverend William Dhein

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Chancellor of the Diocese of La Crosse

Board Size
16

Paid Staff Size
120

*2021 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Telemarketing, Foundation grants, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation

Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $5,669,100, 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 Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Source of Funds
Investment and other income $557,526
Program service fees $1,673,492
Contributions and grants $5,669,100
Total Income $7,900,118

Programs: 82% Fundraising: 5% Administrative: 13%

Total Income $7,900,118
Total expenses: $5,877,738
  Program expenses $4,820,880
  Fundraising expenses $274,015
  Administrative expenses $782,843
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $2,022,380
Beginning Net Assets $9,528,264
Other Changes In Net Assets $463,129
Ending Net Assets $12,013,773
Total Liabilities $1,669,285
Total Assets $13,683,058

Note: In the financial summary above, “other changes in net assets” refers to unrealized gain on investment.

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