Shepherds College does not meet the following 7 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 3 (Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings)
An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.
Shepherds College does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held two meetings during the year ended June 30, 2020.
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.
Shepherds College 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.
Shepherds College does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the organization produced a written effectiveness assessment report in December 2020, the report was not submitted for approval to the board of directors.
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.
Shepherds College does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2022 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service 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.
Shepherds College does not meet this Standard because the 2019 annual report did not include:
- Total program expenses.
- Total fundraising expenses.
- Total administrative expenses.
- Total end of year 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.
Shepherds College does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, http://www.shepherdsministries.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 IRS Form 990 for the year ended June 30, 2020.
- The organization's financial information for the year ended June 30, 2020.
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.
Shepherds College does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, http://www.shepherdsministries.org/, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
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:
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Shepherds College meets the remaining 12 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
1965, WI
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Also Known As
Shepherds Baptist Ministries
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Stated Purpose
"to educate and train students with intellectual and developmental disabilities by equipping them to reach Appropriate Independence? through the development of vocational, social, and life skills while inspiring a lasting awareness of God?s plan for their lives."
Shepherds College reports that it operates a three-year post-secondary educational program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization's accredited educational program coupled with a residential experience focuses on the development of life skills, vocational skills, and spiritual growth, which aims to equip and empower students with the skills necessary to be successful adults. Shepherds College offers vocational training in culinary arts, horticulture, and technology. In 2019, the organization states that it had 37 new student enrollments, renovated a residential area, and added classroom and work areas to the Miter Center for technology students.
For the year ended June 30, 2019, Shepherds College's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$4,271,518 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$4,271,518 |
*2018 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Telephone appeals, Radio, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,096,506 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 Shepherds College's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$3,096,506 |
| Shepherds College tuition and fees, net |
$2,780,699 |
| Resident care, net |
$197,910 |
| Investment income |
$82,962 |
| Other income |
$64,951 |
| Total Income |
$6,223,028 |
- Programs: 73%
- Administrative: 21%
- Fundraising: 6%
| Total Income |
$6,223,028 |
| Program expenses |
$4,271,518 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$385,164 |
| Administrative expenses |
$1,274,683 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$5,931,365 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$291,663 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$9,295,225 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-106,436 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$9,480,452 |
| Total Liabilities |
$4,587,141 |
| Total Assets |
$14,067,593 |
Note: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in value of trusts ($7,480), change in value of annuities (-$1,610), net loss on beneficial interest in trust (-$12,657), gain on sale of other assets (-$18,703), and discontinued operations (-$80,946).