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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: December 2023 Expires: December 2025

First Stop, Inc.

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
16 17 18
(256) 348-6137
206 Stokes St NW
Huntsville, AL, 35805-2928
https://firststop.org/
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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

First Stop, Inc. does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:

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.

First Stop, Inc. does not meet this standard because:

Annual report is missing total revenue, total expenses, and ending net assets.

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.

First Stop, Inc. does not meet this standard because:

Organization's Form 990 is not posted to its website.

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.

First Stop, Inc. does not meet this standard because:

Organization's website does not have a privacy policy.

First Stop, Inc. meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
First Stop encounters the homeless where they are, connects them to critical services and support and empowers them toward independent, sustainable living.

Year, State Incorporated:
, AL

Street outreach
Day center with meals, showers and laundry
Case management

For the year ended December 31, 2021, First Stop, Inc.'s program expenses were:

Program services $548,642
Total Program Expenses $548,642

Chief Executive
Jennifer Geist, Executive Director

Chair of the Board
Tim Davis, Board President

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

Board Size
10

Paid Staff Size
10

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Door-to-door solicitation, Grant proposals, Internet

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 1.48%

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 First Stop, Inc.'s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Source of Funds
Interest income $6,333
COVID relief $13,855
Garden income $15,777
PPP loan forgiveness $41,184
Capital Campaign $77,640
Fund raising $104,928
Contributions $137,901
Grants $172,688
Total Income $570,306

Programs: 95% Fundraising: 1% Administrative: 3%

Total Income $570,306
Total expenses: $574,865
  Program expenses $548,642
  Fundraising expenses $7,278
  Administrative expenses $18,945
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $-4,559
Beginning Net Assets $381,949
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $377,390
Total Liabilities $9,179
Total Assets $386,569

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 Serving North Alabama