Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna 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.
HHS does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Receive a copy of the organization’s IRS Form 990.
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.
HHS does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2020 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected administrative 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.
HHS does not meet this Standard because the 2019 annual report did not include:
- Total expenses for each program in the same categories that appear in the organization’s financial statements including direct services and ReStore.
- A roster of the organization's board of directors.
- Total fundraising expenses.
- Total administrative expenses.
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.
HHS does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://habitatsusq.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, 2019.
- Total fundraising expenses.
- Total 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.
HHS does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's website, https://habitatsusq.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:
15
Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna (HHS) reports that it works to promote God's love through building, renovating, and repairing homes for economically disadvantaged families within its local community. The organization also operates programs for financial literacy, neighborhood revitalization, the elderly community, and veterans. In 2019, HHS states that its financial literacy program served 84 individuals. In addition, the organization reports that it repaired 43 families homes and built three new homes.
For the year ended June 30, 2019, Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna's program expenses were:
| Direct services |
$1,561,562 |
| ReStore |
$1,245,684 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$2,807,246 |
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Chief Executive
Karen Blandford, Execuitive Director
-
Compensation*
$82,997
-
Chair of the Board
Bruce Miller
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Government Employee
-
Board Size
14
-
Paid Staff Size
18
*2017 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Door-to-door appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 21% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,806,903 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 Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended June 30, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Program service revenue |
$1,075,103 |
| In-kind contributions |
$731,314 |
| Grants |
$724,149 |
| Contributions |
$290,598 |
| Special events, net |
$60,842 |
| Other income |
$51,206 |
| Interest and dividend income |
$1,491 |
| Unrealized loss on investments |
($3,400) |
| Total Income |
$2,931,303 |
- Programs: 85%
- Fundraising: 11%
- Administrative: 4%
| Total Income |
$2,931,303 |
| Program expenses |
$2,807,246 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$377,963 |
| Administrative expenses |
$146,613 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$3,331,822 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-400,519 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$764,455 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$363,936 |
| Total Liabilities |
$6,257,404 |
| Total Assets |
$6,621,340 |
Note: According to HHS' audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2019, the organization received $731,314 in contributed goods and services.