Associated Charities of Lenawee County, MI
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
Associated Charities of Lenawee County, MI does not meet the following 6 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.
Associated Charities of Lenawee does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's effectiveness assessment policy does not specify that this assessment will take place at least once every two years.
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.
Associated Charities of Lenawee does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not produce a written report outlining the results of its February 2024 effectiveness assessment.
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.
Associated Charities of Lenawee does not meet this Standard because its audited financial statements for the year ended 12/31/2023:
- Reports the organization had no administrative 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.
Associated Charities of Lenawee does not meet this Standard because the 2023 annual report did not include:
- 2023 financial information.
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.
Associated Charities of Lenawee does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://thecharities.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 2023 IRS Form 990.
- 2023 Financial information.
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.
Associated Charities of Lenawee does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's website, https://thecharities.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: 14, 15
Associated Charities of Lenawee County, MI meets the remaining 12 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to enhance the quality of life for Lenawee County residents by respectfully offering items generously provided by the community."
Year, State Incorporated:
1912, MI
Associated Charities of Lenawee County (Associated Charities of Lenawee) provides clothing and household items to low-income families free of charge. The organization's Daily Distribution program is the day to day operation of receiving and distributing items such as clothing, furniture, shoes, appliances, and other household items. The organization reports an average of 50 to 60 families are seen each day. Associated Charities Lenawee also reports distributing food and toys during Christmas, coats to keep Lenawee residents warm, assistance for families facing emergencies, and back to school materials.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Associated Charities of Lenawee County, MI's program expenses were:
| Program services | $210,677 |
| Total Program Expenses | $210,677 |
Chief Executive
Delight Creech, Executive Director
Compensation*
$45,000
Chair of the Board
Dusty Thomas
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Owner, Thomas Custom Builders
Board Size
17
Paid Staff Size
5
*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, Internet, Direct mail appeals
Fundraising costs were 3% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $221,141, 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 Associated Charities of Lenawee County, MI's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $176,239 |
| Fundraising | $44,770 |
| Realized and unrealized gains on investments | $12,268 |
| Insurance proceeds | $10,000 |
| Interest income and dividends | $7,275 |
| Other income | $493 |
| United Way contributions | $132 |
| Total Income | $251,177 |
Programs: 97% Fundraising: 3% Administrative: 0%
| Total Income | $251,177 |
| Total expenses: | $217,342 |
| Program expenses | $210,677 |
| Fundraising expenses | $6,665 |
| Administrative expenses | $0 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $33,835 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $608,428 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $642,263 |
| Total Liabilities | $3,432 |
| Total Assets | $645,695 |
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