SafeHouse Denver
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
SafeHouse Denver does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
SafeHouse Denver does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer at least once every two years.
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.
SafeHouse Denver 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.
SafeHouse Denver 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.
SafeHouse Denver does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2024 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses and did not break these expenses down by major program category (shelter services, counseling and advocacy, children's program, extended stay program).
- 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.
SafeHouse Denver does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://safehouse-denver.org/, does not indicate:
- How to contact the charity to review personal information that is collected and request corrections.
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: 3
SafeHouse Denver meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to assist adults, children and youth in reclaiming their right to a life free from domestic violence."
Year, State Incorporated:
1977, CO
SafeHouse Denver reports that it provides emergency shelter, non-residential counseling, and advocacy services for those experiencing domestic violence. The organization also offers extended stay facilities, safety planning, individual counseling, support groups, case management, court accompaniment, 24-hour crisis and information line, and community education, prevention and engagement activities. In 2022, SafeHouse Denver reported it received 10,721 calls from survivors, reached 2,518 people through community outreach, provided 690 survivors with non-residential support, and served 182 individuals at the emergency shelter.
For the year ended March 31, 2023, SafeHouse Denver's program expenses were:
| Counseling and advocacy | $846,404 |
| Shelter services | $779,355 |
| Extended stay program | $107,591 |
| Children's program | $66,882 |
| Total Program Expenses | $1,800,232 |
Chief Executive
Jennifer Caruso, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$77,817
Chair of the Board
Ramona Gomoll
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Owner, Rock Solid HR Consulting, LLC
Board Size
11
Paid Staff Size
29
*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note 1: Former Chief Executive Officer Victoria McViker received $148,957 in total compensation in 2022.
Note 2: The highest compensated current employee, Shannon Boltz, received $115,240 in total compensation in 2022.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 8% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,575,579, 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 SafeHouse Denver's audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $994,252 |
| Government grants | $750,153 |
| Foundations | $440,500 |
| Special events, net | $368,753 |
| Gain on insurance proceeds | $69,289 |
| In-kind contributions | $12,012 |
| United Way and other agencies | $9,909 |
| Other income | $1,410 |
| Investment loss | $-64,593 |
| Total Income | $2,581,685 |
Programs: 78% Fundraising: 9% Administrative: 13%
| Total Income | $2,581,685 |
| Total expenses: | $2,312,659 |
| Program expenses | $1,800,232 |
| Fundraising expenses | $206,508 |
| Administrative expenses | $305,919 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $269,026 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $5,062,197 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $-4,805 |
| Ending Net Assets | $5,326,418 |
| Total Liabilities | $221,904 |
| Total Assets | $5,548,322 |
Note 1: As noted in the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in beneficial interest from the Community First Foundation.
Note 2: According to SafeHouse Denver's audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2023, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $12,012.
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