Give.org logo
Support Give.org
Support Give.org
CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: January 2026 Expires: January 2028

Points of Light Foundation

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
1 6 7 14
(404) 979-2900
101 Marietta Street NW, Suite 3100
Atlanta, GA, 30303
https://www.pointsoflight.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

Points of Light Foundation does not meet the following 4 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.

Points of Light does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:

  • Review the performance of the chief executive officer at least once Every 2 Years.
  • Receive a copy of the organization’s IRS Form 990 in the year ended September 30, 2024.
  • Receive a copy of the organization’s financial statements in the year ended September 30, 2024.
  • Have a voting member of the board who is assigned the responsibility of serving as the treasurer.
  • Receive information about the financial arrangements made with outside consultants hired in the year ended September 30, 2024.

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.

Points of Light does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least Every 2 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.

Points of Light does not meet this Standard because:

  • It has not completed an effectiveness assessment in 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.

Points of Light does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2026 budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.

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, 15

Points of Light Foundation meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to inspire, equip and mobilize people to create positive change through volunteering and civic engagement."

Year, State Incorporated:
1990, DE

Points of Light reports that it centers their work on three program areas. The organization invests in creating a global network to advance civic engagement by engaging with individuals, nonprofits/NGOs, and businesses to build local capacity. Points of Light also reports working as an advisor to companies by designing and implementing employee volunteering and community impact strategies for companies to help mobilize skills and resources to address community needs. Additionally, the organization aims to increase rates of civic engagement through data and storytelling, publishing research and stories to promote community service and volunteering that lead to positive community impacts.

For the year ended September 29, 2024, Points of Light Foundation's program expenses were:

Corporate programs $15,126,022
Convenings $3,253,290
Program evaluation, network and non-governmental organizations $2,378,781
Other program expenses $529,449
Total Program Expenses $21,287,542

Chief Executive
Jennifer Sirangelo, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$188,766

Chair of the Board
Neil Bush

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Chief Executive Officer, Neil Bush Global Advisers

Board Size
21

Paid Staff Size
70

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Membership appeals

Fundraising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $24,954,692, 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 Points of Light Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended September 29, 2024.

Source of Funds
Contributions $11,877,021
Corporate partnership revenue $8,323,558
Special events revenue $3,196,150
Investment return, net $2,294,364
Annual conference revenue $1,823,089
Program service revenue $1,711,245
Membership dues $1,073,875
In-kind contributions $484,088
Other revenue $26,377
Total Income $30,809,767

Programs: 71% Fundraising: 7% Administrative: 22%

Total Income $30,809,767
Total expenses: $30,116,033
  Program expenses $21,287,542
  Fundraising expenses $2,193,274
  Administrative expenses $6,635,217
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $693,734
Beginning Net Assets $11,826,681
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $12,520,415
Total Liabilities $7,564,673
Total Assets $20,085,088

Note: According to Points of Light's audited financials for the year ended September 30, 2024, the organization received in-kind contributions of $484,088, including event support ($253,287), marketing and media advertisements ($106,194), airfare and hotel accomodations ($67,187), and professional services ($57,420).

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

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance