Bay Area Rescue Mission

Conclusion

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, 16

Bay Area Rescue Mission meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

Stated Purpose:
Fighting homelessness. Changing lives.

Year, State Incorporated:
1965, CA

Programs

Founded in 1965, the Bay Area Rescue Mission ('BARM') exists to love its homeless and hungry neighbors without limits—all while valuing their dignity and intrinsic worth, regardless of their life circumstances. Despite 58 years of concerted efforts, the problem remains staggering: California continues to host the largest percentage of the unsheltered homeless population in the USA. (1) On any night in the Bay Area, 38,000 men, women, and children live on the streets, where a third will experience physical or sexual violence. (2) Committed to its mission of "Fighting Homelessness and Changing Lives," BARM's programs have grown in response to the needs of those it serves. As the community's largest privately funded provider of integrated services, BARM cares for the whole person. Those who are houseless access daily meals, a food pantry, clothing, supplies, emergency and long-term shelter, transitional housing, mental health, drug and alcohol counseling, plus more. BARM refuses to surrender to the idea that homelessness is here to stay. With the help of 27 local partners, it's committed to empowering the community to bend the curve with specialized services for those with criminal histories and wraparound services, including job training, GED preparation, life skills training, and assistance with legal issues. Each year, our hungry neighbors receive more than 1,606,178 total meals, nearly 60,000 nights of shelter, and over 80,000 hours of classes and counseling at BARM. From desperation to restoration, BARM's programs communicate their commitment to providing practical, innovative, and effective services and solutions.  EMERGENCY SERVICES Food Distribution Program Many in Contra Costa County struggled to survive in a good economy. Facing increasing unemployment rates and housing insecurity, 87,000 of its residents navigate overwhelming odds to obtain basic needs such as food for themselves and their families. (Feeding America) As the Bay Area struggles to address the continual economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands rely on BARM's hot meals and Food Distribution Warehouse to stretch their budgets and prioritize necessities, such as medicine or rent. Providing over 1.6M meals in 2022, hungry neighbors can access a daily hot community meal at 6:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. Its Food Distribution Warehouse is also open from Monday to Saturday with two food trucks delivering produce to those most in need. Serving as a distribution point for smaller food pantries, BARM’s Warehouse is committed to empowering like-minded community partners in the greater Contra Costa County. Emergency Shelter While California is on track to become the fourth-largest economy in the world, it also hosts half of the unsheltered homeless population in the United States. (Public Policy Institute of California) On any night, 38,000 individuals in the Bay Area are homeless—families making up a shocking 37.2%. (8 News) It's a crisis that 70% of San Francisco residents cite as among the top three problems in the city. (San Fransisco Chronicle) Offering a warm bed, protection from the elements, and refuge from the dangers of street life, men, women, and children experiencing homelessness took advantage of 60,000 total bed nights at BARM's emergency shelters—a 340% increase from 2021. With an average stay of 69 nights, over 1,000 men sought refuge at the Men's Shelter and program and another 550 women and children at BARM's new state-of-the-art facility, the Bridge of Hope Center, and programs. One of the Bridge of Hope's residents, Nneka, found herself battling homelessness after her landlord evicted her from her apartment. Battling a drug addiction, she called everywhere. No one would take her—no one but BARM. "My biggest struggle before coming here was not just using drugs it was pride. I never wanted to accept anyone's help with anything. When we walked through these doors in June 2022, they opened their arms to us [and] rained encouragement on us. They helped me overcome my addiction and regain my focus. I thank God and all the donors of the Bay Area Rescue Mission. They opened their arms to me and believed in me—and that means a lot."  LIFE TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM Through its extensive one-year wraparound program, BARM empowers men, women, and children to develop self- onfidence and establish self-sufficiency. Offering over 80,000 hours of classes and counseling in 2022, those experiencing homelessness can identify and address the root causes of poverty, substance abuse, and hopelessness—breaking the cycle forever. BARM's Life Transformation Program cares for the "whole person." For the body: food, shelter, warm showers, fresh clothes, and medical services. For the hands: job skills training in culinary arts, warehousing, administration, construction, janitorial services, and more. For the mind: computer training, GED classes and certification, financial literacy education, skills to break drug and alcohol dependency, and legal assistance. For the heart: parenting classes, anger management classes, spiritual guidance, counseling, and, most importantly, compassion. Program graduates leave healed and restored, sober and clean, with access to transitional housing and employment. COMMUNITY OUTREACH Committed to cultivating a healthy and thriving community, residents of Contra Costa County benefitted from BARM’s Community Outreach program. Tens of thousands of neighbors received clothing, hygiene kits, blankets, and necessary household goods; school supplies for children; cookouts and block parties; and thousands of turkey dinners for those struggling feed their families during the holidays. 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, Bay Area Rescue Mission's program expenses were:

Programs	$9,112,142
Total Program Expenses	$9,112,142

Governance & Staff

Chief Executive
Bram Begonia, President/CEO

Compensation*
$190,269

Chair of the Board
Mr. Michael Lubcyik, Community Volunteer

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

Board Size
9

Paid Staff Size
43

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

Fundraising

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.)

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 21.57%

Tax Status

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.

Financial

The following information is based on Bay Area Rescue Mission's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Source of Funds

Contributions and Grants	$8,052,789
Contributed Clothing and Goods	$6,081,995
Special Events	$374,915
Contributed Services	$65,491
Social Enterprise	$42,930
Other Revenue	$1,684
Total Income	$14,619,804

Programs: 77% Fundraising: 16% Administrative: 7%

Total Income	$14,619,804
Total expenses:	$11,805,691
Program expenses	$9,112,142
Fundraising expenses	$1,841,056
Administrative expenses	$852,493
Other expenses	$0
Income in Excess of Expenses	$2,814,113
Beginning Net Assets	$7,159,284
Other Changes In Net Assets	$0
Ending Net Assets	$9,973,397
Total Liabilities	$1,585,610
Total Assets	$11,559,007