Connecting Kids to Meals
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
Connecting Kids to Meals 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.
Connecting Kids to Meals does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer at least once every two years.
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.
Connecting Kids to Meals 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 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.
Connecting Kids to Meals 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.
Connecting Kids to Meals does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://connectingkidstomeals.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 most recent IRS Form 990 for the year ended June 30, 2022.
- Financial information for the year ended June 30, 2023.
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.
Connecting Kids to Meals does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://connectingkidstomeals.org/, does not indicate:
- How to contact the charity to review personal information that is collected and request corrections.
- How to inform the charity that the visitor does not want his/her information shared with others.
- 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, 7, 13, 14, 15, 19
Connecting Kids to Meals meets the remaining 9 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to provide hot, nutritious meals throughout the year at no cost to kids ages 18 and under located in low-income and underserved areas of the community."
Year, State Incorporated:
2002, OH
Connecting Kids to Meals provides nutritious meals at no cost to kids ages 18 and under. The organization reports partnering with schools, churches, libraries, parks, community centers and other locations where children gather, including through their summer and after-school programs. Connecting Kids to Meals reports combating hunger and associated side effects, including likelihood of experiencing academic challenges, having behavioral problems and other long term health effects. The organization reports offering nearly 600,000 meals during 2023.
For the year ended September 30, 2023, Connecting Kids to Meals's program expenses were:
| Program services | $2,860,995 |
| Total Program Expenses | $2,860,995 |
Chief Executive
Wendi Huntley, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$139,234
Chair of the Board
Matt Sapara
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Vice President, Business Development and Advocacy, Mercy Health
Board Size
12
Paid Staff Size
86
*2023 compensation, as reported by the charity, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Radio, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Television
Fundraising costs were 3% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,828,616, 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 Connecting Kids to Meals's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Grant revenue | $1,999,318 |
| Contributions | $813,712 |
| Weekender program | $62,438 |
| Miscellaneous income | $18,416 |
| In-kind contributions | $15,586 |
| Food sales | $2,025 |
| Total Income | $2,911,495 |
Programs: 93% Fundraising: 3% Administrative: 5%
| Total Income | $2,911,495 |
| Total expenses: | $3,091,300 |
| Program expenses | $2,860,995 |
| Fundraising expenses | $90,410 |
| Administrative expenses | $139,895 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-179,805 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $3,952,791 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $3,772,986 |
| Total Liabilities | $165,476 |
| Total Assets | $3,938,462 |
Note: According to Connecting Kids to Meals’ audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2023, the organization received in-kind contributions of $15,586 in donated materials.
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