Mercy Unlimited
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
Mercy Unlimited does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
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.
Mercy Unlimited does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the organization's IRS Form 990 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 reported $2,925,423 in revenue, the organization does not produce audited financial statements.
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.
Mercy Unlimited does not meet this Standard because the organization's IRS Form 990 for the year ended September 30, 2023:
- Reports the organization had no fundraising expenses although the organization indicates it engages in fundraising activities, including grant proposals and internet appeals.
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.
Mercy Unlimited does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2024 budget information, it indicated that the budget did not identify:
- Total projected fundraising expenses.
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.
Mercy Unlimited does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2022.
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.
Mercy Unlimited does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, https://www.mercyunlimited.org, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect donor information.
Mercy Unlimited meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to reflect the love of Christ by ministering unto those who are hungry, thirsty, in need of clothing, sick, or imprisoned."
Year, State Incorporated:
1995, OH
Mercy Unlimited offers emergency services in Wapakoneta, Ohio, including food, clothing, prescription assistance, utility assistance, and housing. The organization operates a choice food pantry where individuals or families can shop for food, hygiene items, and cleaning supplies. Mery Unlimited also offers pantries through schools and provides food to homebound seniors. The organization helps meet the basic needs of homeless, and supports a jail ministry program.
For the year ended September 30, 2023, Mercy Unlimited's program expenses were:
| Program services | $2,802,615 |
| Total Program Expenses | $2,802,615 |
Chief Executive
Bernadine Rohdes, Executive Director
Compensation*
$44,720
Chair of the Board
Betty Elsass
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, United States Postal Services
Board Size
6
Paid Staff Size
26
*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet
Since BBB Wise Giving Alliance disagrees with Mercy Unlimited's allocation of fundraising expenses, we are unable to verify the ratio of fundraising expenses to related contributions. See the Conclusions section of this report for more information.
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 Mercy Unlimited's IRS Form 990 for the year ended September 30, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $2,567,400 |
| Inventory sales | $357,857 |
| Investment income | $166 |
| Total Income | $2,925,423 |
Programs: 95% Fundraising: 0% Administrative: 5%
| Total Income | $2,925,423 |
| Total expenses: | $2,963,589 |
| Program expenses | $2,802,615 |
| Fundraising expenses | $0 |
| Administrative expenses | $160,974 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-38,166 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $638,503 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $603,537 |
| Total Liabilities | $4,663 |
| Total Assets | $603,538 |
Note: Since BBB Wise Giving Alliance disagrees with Mercy Unlimited's allocation of fundraising expenses, we are unable to verify the ratio of fundraising expenses to related contributions. See the Conclusions section of this report for more information.
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