Refugees International
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
Refugees International 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.
Refugees International does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer at least once every two years.
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.
Refugees International does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held two meetings in 2023.
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.
Refugees International 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.
Refugees International 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.
Refugees International does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2024 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses nor break the expenses down by major program category.
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected 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.
Refugees International does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://www.refugeesinternational.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: 15
Refugees International meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to advocate for lifesaving assistance, human rights, and protection for displaced people and promote solutions to displacement crisis."
Year, State Incorporated:
1980, DC
Refugees International reports that it advocates for individuals forced to flee their homes due to conflict and crisis. The organization works to develop policy solutions and mobilization efforts to expand refugee assistance, the right of refugees to work, and increase the numbers of refugees who may seek passage.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, Refugees International's program expenses were:
| Advocacy | $2,623,999 |
| Strategic outreach | $1,571,657 |
| Total Program Expenses | $4,195,656 |
Chief Executive
Jeremy Konyndyk, President
Compensation*
$241,270
Chair of the Board
Jeffrey Tindell
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Lawyer
Board Size
18
Paid Staff Size
20
*2023 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Telemarketing
Fundraising costs were 13% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,110,303, 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 Refugees International's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Source of Funds
| Investment income, net | $-723,398 |
| In-kind contributions | $164,040 |
| Contract revenue | $362,553 |
| Foundation contributions | $1,899,361 |
| Contributions | $2,046,902 |
| Total Income | $3,749,458 |
Programs: 85% Fundraising: 11% Administrative: 4%
| Total Income | $3,749,458 |
| Total expenses: | $4,920,273 |
| Program expenses | $4,195,656 |
| Fundraising expenses | $536,726 |
| Administrative expenses | $187,891 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-1,170,815 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $6,058,658 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $-94,422 |
| Ending Net Assets | $4,793,421 |
| Total Liabilities | $2,714,629 |
| Total Assets | $7,508,050 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to pension expenses.
Noted 2: According to Refugees International's 2022 audited financial statements the organization received $164,040 in contributed goods and services including legal services ($89,387) and advertising ($74,653).
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