For the Love of Alex
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
For the Love of Alex does not meet the following 8 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.
FTLOA does not meet this Standard because:
- The chair of the board of directors is directly compensated.
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.
FTLOA 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.
FTLOA does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 8 (Program Service Expense Ratio)
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.
FTLOA does not meet this Standard because:
- According to its 2023 IRS Form 990, the organization spent $168,442 or 42% of its total expenses on programs.
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.
FTLOA does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not produce a 2025 budget.
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.
FTLOA 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.
FTLOA does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://fortheloveofalex.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.
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.
FTLOA does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://fortheloveofalex.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: 1, 11, 15
For the Love of Alex meets the remaining 9 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to fund emergency veterinary care for pets of low-income households."
Year, State Incorporated:
2013, PA
For the Love of Alex (FTLOA) raises money to provide urgent and emergency veterinary care for cats and dogs whose owners are low-income and cannot afford it. The organization reports doing its due diligence in vetting applicants to protect donors' interests. Pet owners must provide proof of their financial status through tax returns or other documentation to be approved as beneficiaries. FTLOA pays veterinarians, pharmacies, and pet food distributors directly to ensure the pet receives the necessary veterinary care and prescribed nutrition.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, For the Love of Alex's program expenses were:
| Program services | $168,309 |
| Total Program Expenses | $168,309 |
Chief Executive
Carla Isenberg, Executive Director
Compensation*
$69,056
Chair of the Board
Austin B. Meadows
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Executive Customer Success Manager, Donorbox
Board Size
6
Paid Staff Size
1
*2024 compensation, as reported by the charity, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Corporate solicitation
Fundraising costs were 26% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $437,044,000 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 For the Love of Alex's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Investment income | $31 |
| Contributions | $437,044 |
| Total Income | $437,075 |
Programs: 42% Fundraising: 29% Administrative: 29%
| Total Income | $437,075 |
| Total expenses: | $398,092 |
| Program expenses | $168,309 |
| Fundraising expenses | $114,826 |
| Administrative expenses | $114,957 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $38,983 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $294,060 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $333,043 |
| Total Liabilities | $11,743 |
| Total Assets | $344,786 |
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
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance