Autism Tennessee does not meet the following 6 Standards for Charity Accountability:
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.
Autism Tennessee does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 11 (Financial Statements)
Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $500,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $500,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.
Autism Tennessee does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the organization reported total revenue in the amount of $256,454 for the year ended December 31, 2018, Autism Tennessee states it does not have financial statements that were reviewed by a certified public accountant (CPA).
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.
Autism Tennessee does not meet this Standard because:
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The BBB Wise Giving Alliance disagrees with the organization's allocation of fundraising expenses. According to Autism Tennessee’s IRS Form 990 for the year ended December 31, 2018, the organization did not allocate any expenses toward fundraising.
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.
Autism Tennessee does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not submit its 2019 annual report to the BBB Wise Giving Alliance upon request.
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.
Autism Tennessee does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://autismtennessee.wildapricot.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 2019 IRS Form 990.
- A summary of the organization's 2019 program service accomplishments.
- The organization's 2019 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.
Autism Tennessee does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's website, https://autismtennessee.wildapricot.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:
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Autism Tennessee meets the remaining 12 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
2011, TN
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Also Known As
ASMT
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Stated Purpose
"to enrich the lives and experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and their surrounding community through support, advocacy, and education."
Autism Tennessee reports that it advocates for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. The organization seeks to educate the community through educational events and by providing resources, information, and emotional support. Autism Tennessee also operates an autism helpline that offers referrals to local providers, assistance with children newly diagnosed with autism, and additional information. In 2018, the organization states that it held 15 parent education events serving 140 families, hosted 26 summer exhibitions serving 62 families, and also held law enforcement trainings that served more than 60 police officers.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, Autism Tennessee's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$210,924 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$210,924 |
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Chief Executive
Babs Tierno, Executive Director
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Compensation*
$50,000
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Chair of the Board
Amy Stewart
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Chief Executive Officer, Parallon/HCA
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Board Size
18
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Paid Staff Size
6
*2018 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Telephone appeals
Since the BBB Wise Giving Alliance disagrees with Autism Tennessee's allocation of fundraising expenses, we are unable to verify the ratio of fundraising expenses to related contributions. See the Conclusions section of this report for more information.
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 Autism Tennessee's IRS Form 990 for the year ended December 31, 2018.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$197,588 |
| Special events, net |
$31,968 |
| Program service revenue |
$14,962 |
| Membership dues |
$11,936 |
| Total Income |
$256,454 |
- Programs: 84%
- Administrative: 16%
| Total Income |
$256,454 |
| Program expenses |
$210,924 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$0 |
| Administrative expenses |
$40,516 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$251,440 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$5,014 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$-6,877 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$-1,863 |
| Total Liabilities |
$24,777 |
| Total Assets |
$22,914 |
Note: Since the BBB Wise Giving Alliance disagrees with Autism Tennessee's allocation of fundraising expenses, we are unable to verify the percentage of fundraising expenses. See the Conclusions section of this report for more information.