Worthwhile Wear
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
Worthwhile Wear does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have 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, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
WW does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Have a voting member of the board who is assigned the responsibility of serving as the treasurer.
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.
WW does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's 2023 audited financial statements were not prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
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.
WW does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2023.
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.
WW does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, http://worthwhilewear.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.
WW does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, http://worthwhilewear.org, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
Worthwhile Wear meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to reach and restore women that have been affected by human trafficking, both labor and sex trafficking, by providing them with comprehensive care."
Year, State Incorporated:
2012, PA
Worthwhile Wear (WW) reports that it connects with survivors of human trafficking through comprehensive programs and to help them sustain financial independence. The organization offers housing, community outreach, and employment programs to survivors. WW’s The Well provides long-term secure housing, education, counseling, and other services free of charge. Meleny’s House offers apartment-style living for women in the leadership phase of The Well, to give more independence and autonomy. The organization’s Worth It program facilitates a series of classroom experiences designed for women who have experienced sexual trauma from exploitation, trafficking, or prostitution. Worthwhile Thrift provides vocational training and employment for the women of The Well, while also providing financial support for WW’s programs.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Worthwhile Wear's program expenses were:
| Thrift Store and product sales | $1,532,517 |
| The Well | $476,189 |
| Worth It | $188,708 |
| Total Program Expenses | $2,197,414 |
Chief Executive
Daniel Emr, Executive Director
Compensation*
$137,973
Chair of the Board
John Wahlers
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President, Summit Investment Advisory Group
Board Size
8
Paid Staff Size
85
*2023 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, Print advertisements
Fundraising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,285,473, 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 Worthwhile Wear's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Other income | $18,160 |
| Program services revenue | $18,680 |
| Family First Coronavirus Response Act revenue | $277,285 |
| Special events, net | $390,844 |
| Contributions and grants | $617,344 |
| Thrift Store and product sales | $1,873,513 |
| Total Income | $3,195,826 |
Programs: 83% Fundraising: 7% Administrative: 10%
| Total Income | $3,195,826 |
| Total expenses: | $2,653,653 |
| Program expenses | $2,197,414 |
| Fundraising expenses | $191,701 |
| Administrative expenses | $264,538 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $542,173 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $854,922 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $1,397,095 |
| Total Liabilities | $27,127 |
| Total Assets | $1,424,222 |
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