Clean Lakes Alliance
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
Clean Lakes Alliance does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:
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.
CLA 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 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.
CLA does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization 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.
CLA does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2023 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses broken down by major program category (education programs and watershed programs).
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.
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.
CLA does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's website, https://cleanlakesalliance.org/, does not provide access to a privacy policy.
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: 4, 15, 19
Clean Lakes Alliance meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
“to champion our lakes and watershed stewardship for the benefit of all.”
Year, State Incorporated:
2010, WI
Clear Lakes Alliance (CLA) is a partnership of diverse stakeholders who are building on and expanding upon decades of ongoing efforts to preserve and restore the Yahara River watershed. The organization engages governmental agencies, citizens, businesses, and other community-based organizations to advocate and protect the welfare of the area’s lakes.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, Clean Lakes Alliance's program expenses were:
Education programming | $434,594 |
Watershed programming | $504,816 |
Total Program Expenses | $939,410 |
Chief Executive
J. James Tye III, Executive Director and Founder
Compensation*
$169,219
Chair of the Board
Linda Nedelcoff
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Chief Strategy and Human Resources Officer, TruStage
Board Size
8
Paid Staff Size
13
*2021 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, Special events, Foundation grants, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation
Fundraising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,575,727, 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 Clean Lakes Alliance's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Source of Funds
Investment income | $1,155 |
In-kind contributions | $105,388 |
Employee Retention Credit | $162,202 |
Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness | $162,975 |
Grants | $172,427 |
Programs and sponsorships | $239,985 |
Contributions | $732,750 |
Total Income | $1,576,882 |
Programs: 73% Fundraising: 17% Administrative: 10%
Total Income | $1,576,882 |
Total expenses: | $1,289,328 |
Program expenses | $939,410 |
Fundraising expenses | $222,558 |
Administrative expenses | $127,360 |
Other expenses | $0 |
Income in Excess of Expenses | $287,554 |
Beginning Net Assets | $671,191 |
Other Changes In Net Assets | $4,894 |
Ending Net Assets | $963,639 |
Total Liabilities | $74,816 |
Total Assets | $1,038,455 |
Note 1: As noted in the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to change in beneficial interest in assets held at Madison Community Foundation.
Note 2: According to CLA’s audited financial statements for 2021, the organization received in-kind contributions of $105,388 in rent ($66,582), program supplies and services ($22,973), and professional services ($15,833).
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.