Suicide Awareness Voices of Education
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
-
Board Oversight
-
Board Size
-
Board Meetings
-
Board Compensation
-
Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
-
Effectiveness Policy
-
Effectiveness Report
Finances
-
Program Expenses
-
Fundraising Expenses
-
Accumulating Funds
-
Audit Report
-
Detailed Expense Breakdown
-
Accurate Expense Reporting
-
Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
-
Truthful Materials
-
Annual Report
-
Website Disclosures
-
Donor Privacy
-
Cause Marketing Disclosures
-
Complaints
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education does not meet the following 6 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.
SAVE does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Have a voting member of the board who is assigned the responsibility of serving as the treasurer.
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.
SAVE 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.
SAVE 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.
SAVE does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2025 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- 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.
SAVE does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2023.
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.
SAVE does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://save.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 2023 IRS Form 990.
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma and serve as a resource for those touched by suicide."
Year, State Incorporated:
1989, MN
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) reports that it works to prevent suicide and support those affected by suicide loss. The organization works using its four pillars of action: educate, train, advocate, support. SAVE’s programs include public awareness campaigns; educational programs for youth, community organizations, and the general public; training and consultation with teachers, law enforcement, and medical professionals; grief support for individuals and families; and resources on mental illness, depression, and assistance. The organization also creates suicide prevention strategies tailored to social media platforms.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education's program expenses were:
| Program services | $1,110,056 |
| Total Program Expenses | $1,110,056 |
Chief Executive
Erich Mische, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$81,769
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Not disclosed
Board Size
21
Paid Staff Size
7
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Chief Executive Officer Erich Mische began in August 2023. Former Executive Director Daniel Reidenburg was the highest-paid employee at $187,140 until July 2023.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events
Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $934,089, 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 Suicide Awareness Voices of Education's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| In-kind contributions | $5,500 |
| Publication income | $6,861 |
| Merchandise sales, net | $15,106 |
| Education income | $28,007 |
| Investment income | $76,225 |
| Government grants | $95,339 |
| Special events, net | $255,359 |
| Contributions | $577,891 |
| Total Income | $1,060,288 |
Programs: 85% Fundraising: 4% Administrative: 11%
| Total Income | $1,060,288 |
| Total expenses: | $1,299,676 |
| Program expenses | $1,110,056 |
| Fundraising expenses | $45,881 |
| Administrative expenses | $143,739 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-239,388 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $1,486,814 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $1,247,426 |
| Total Liabilities | $145,383 |
| Total Assets | $1,392,809 |
Note: According to the organization's 2023 audited financial statements, SAVE received in-kind contributions totaling $5,500 in the form of accounting services ($3,000) and media services ($2,500).
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
-
Meets Standards
-
Standards Not Met
-
Did Not Disclose
-
Review in Progress
-
Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance