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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: October 2024 Expires: October 2026

Community Advocates

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards
(414) 449-4777
728 North James Lovell Street
Milwaukee, WI, 53233
https://communityadvocates.net
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

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

Community Advocates meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to provide individuals and families with advocacy and services that meet their basic needs so they may live in dignity."

Year, State Incorporated:
1976, WI

Community Advocates works to provide advocacy and fundamental assistance to Milwaukee’s low-income and disadvantaged populations. Through its grassroots approach, the organization reports working with clients and the community to identify problems and needs, and then find and design solutions to meet those needs. Community Advocates reports that it identifies gaps in programs and services, pinpoints systemic barriers to accessing those programs and services, and effects change to better serve clients and the community as a whole. Examples of needs addressed by the organization include safe affordable housing, money management services for chronically mentally ill individuals, and quality health care for all. The organization also reports advocating for individuals and families facing health care, heat/utilities, housing, and other basic needs challenges. The strategies used include one-on-one advocacy, case management, representation, information and referral, crisis intervention, education, systems advocacy and coalition building. The organization reports that programs are focused on serving Milwaukee’s low-income population but are available to any person or family in need regardless of their income level.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Community Advocates's program expenses were:

Housing $16,346,219
Public policy $2,935,437
Utility $1,596,972
Case management $1,379,640
FSET $1,162,117
Women's Center Shelter $1,161,456
Brighter Futures $1,069,223
Family Support Center $761,500
Autumn West $703,456
Other $417,025
HONC $312,439
Disability $121,413
Total Program Expenses $27,966,897

Chief Executive
Andi Elliott, Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$198,824

Chair of the Board
Bryan House

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP

Board Size
12

Paid Staff Size
252

*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.)

Fundraising costs were less than 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $29,208,920, 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 Community Advocates's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
Milwaukee County grants $17,053,451
State of Wisconsin grants $3,770,178
Federal grants $3,519,161
Waukesha County grants $1,496,312
Foundation grants $1,099,766
City of Milwaukee grants $1,001,967
Other grants and revenue $608,596
United Way $404,069
Rental revenue $344,736
Contributions $255,420
Miscellaneous revenue $197,792
Investment gain $11,420
Total Income $29,762,868

Programs: 96% Fundraising: 0% Administrative: 4%

Total Income $29,762,868
Total expenses: $29,150,958
  Program expenses $27,966,897
  Fundraising expenses $51,556
  Administrative expenses $1,132,505
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $611,910
Beginning Net Assets $6,702,038
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $7,313,948
Total Liabilities $6,417,233
Total Assets $13,731,181

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 Wise Giving Alliance