Assistance League of Bellingham, Washington
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
-
Board Oversight
-
Board Size
-
Board Meetings
-
Board Compensation
-
Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
-
Effectiveness Policy
-
Effectiveness Report
Finances
-
Program Expenses
-
Fundraising Expenses
-
Accumulating Funds
-
Audit Report
-
Detailed Expense Breakdown
-
Accurate Expense Reporting
-
Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
-
Truthful Materials
-
Annual Report
-
Website Disclosures
-
Donor Privacy
-
Cause Marketing Disclosures
-
Complaints
Assistance League of Bellingham, Washington meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
Assistance League volunteers transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs.
Year, State Incorporated:
1978, WA
Assistance League of Bellingham’s signature program,
Operation School Bell®, provides new school clothing and shoes to students in
need in K through 12 grades. Operation School Bell serves eight local school districts:
Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Meridian, Mt. Baker, Nooksack and Lummi.
Each district is allotted a specific number of “slots” based on enrollment. The
school district homeless liaison coordinators, who work with low income and
homeless families, select the students who participate in Operation School
Bell. Assistance League of Bellingham partners with Target to allow students
and their families to shop together. Each student receives $100 to select
school appropriate clothing and shoes.
Their Teen Team program, operating under Operation
School Bell, is a voucher program for homeless high school students identified
by the homeless high school coordinators. Students are given a $125 voucher to
purchase clothing and shoes at the Lakeway Fred Meyer.
The Enrichment Scholarship Program provides over
$50,000 in summer scholarships to middle and high school public school students
in Whatcom County. Students may apply for summer enrichment camps in a variety
of areas such as: music, science, art, debate, technology, dance, leadership
and many others. These scholarships are
merit based; not based on financial need.
The Care Center Support program has evolved over 18
years serving residents in eight care centers in Bellingham and Whatcom County
without family or friends to remember them on special occasions. Working
through the Activities Directors, Assistance League of Bellingham fulfills
personal Christmas wish lists, sends birthday cards and delivers special
springtime treats to brighten the spirits of these residents.
The Hospital Patient Support program provides new,
comfortable clothing to the Emergency Department at Peace Health St. Joseph
Medical Center. The nursing staff distributes the clothing (t-shirts,
sweatshirts and sweatpants) to patients who, in the event of injury, assault or
trauma, do not have clothing to wear home from the hospital. The program also
provides appropriate new clothing for homeless or disoriented patients who are
brought into the emergency room.
The Eating Healthy Program provides scholarships to
Whatcom County students from preschoolers through 8th grade who wish to
participate in camps and activities designed to encourage growing and eating
organic fruits and vegetables. Assistance League of Bellingham partners with a
local nonprofit, Common Threads Farm, which is dedicated to “growing good
eaters” by exposing young children to the joy of eating fresh produce.
Books and Beyond, Assistance League of Bellingham’s newest philanthropy
program, provides children's books to schools in Whatcom County, as well as reading
volunteers in those local schools. Many of the reading volunteers are former
educators and have an interest in supporting reading and literacy.
The Thrift & Gift Shop is the main source of funding for the organization’s philanthropic programs. It is staffed and managed entirely by member volunteers. Stop in to find furniture, antiques, books, artwork, seasonal items, clothing, jewelry, household and home décor items, linens and more.
For the year ended May 31, 2020, Assistance League of Bellingham, Washington's program expenses were:
| Operation School Bell | $253,279 |
| Enrichment scholarships | $38,837 |
| Other program services | $17,744 |
| Total Program Expenses | $309,860 |
Chief Executive
JJ Oxford, Community Volunteer, President
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Not disclosed
Board Size
12
Paid Staff Size
1
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Thrift Shop
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 Assistance League of Bellingham, Washington's audited financial statements for the year ended May 31, 2020.
Source of Funds
| Sales of donated merchandise | $413,845 |
| Contributions of merchandise | $409,487 |
| Contributions and grants | $33,984 |
| Fundraising events and activities | $9,892 |
| Membership | $9,284 |
| Interest | $3,880 |
| Less: value of merchandise sold | $-413,845 |
| Total Income | $466,527 |
Programs: 65% Fundraising: 30% Administrative: 5%
| Total Income | $466,527 |
| Total expenses: | $473,198 |
| Program expenses | $309,860 |
| Fundraising expenses | $141,757 |
| Administrative expenses | $21,581 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-6,671 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $598,287 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $591,734 |
| Total Liabilities | $6,848 |
| Total Assets | $598,582 |
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
-
Meets Standards
-
Standards Not Met
-
Did Not Disclose
-
Review in Progress
-
Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Great West - Pacific