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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: January 2024 Expires: January 2026

Team Rubicon

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
1 3 4 6 7 14
(310) 640-8787
5230 Pacific Concourse Drive, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA, 90045
https://teamrubiconusa.org/
📄 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

Team Rubicon 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.

Team Rubicon 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.
  • Have a voting member of the board who is assigned the responsibility of serving as the treasurer.

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.

Team Rubicon does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors did not hold any board meetings in 2022.

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.

Team Rubicon does not meet this Standard because:

  • The chair of the board 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.

Team Rubicon 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.

Team Rubicon 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.

Team Rubicon does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2023 budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected program service expenses and did not break these expenses down by major program category.
  • Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.

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, 19

Team Rubicon meets the remaining 12 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to provide relief to those affected by disaster or crises, no matter when or where they strike."

Year, State Incorporated:
2010, MN

Team Rubicon reports that it is a veteran-led organization that serves global communities before and after disasters and crises. The organization works to pair the experiences of military veterans with first responders, medical professionals, and technology solutions. Coupled with leadership development and other opportunities, Team Rubicon looks to help veterans transition from military to civilian life through this continued service. In 2021, Team Rubicon reports that it distributed more than eight million items, worked to repair more than 500 homes, and responded to more than 200 disasters.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, Team Rubicon's program expenses were:

Capabilities and training $30,475,361
Disaster operations $25,531,443
Rebuild operations $2,563,140
Other programs $843,383
Total Program Expenses $59,413,327

Chief Executive
Arthur Delacruz, Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$337,417

Chair of the Board
Jacob Wood

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Co-Founder, Team Rubicon

Board Size
11

Paid Staff Size
205

*2021 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Telephone appeals, Radio, Television

Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $71,011,434, 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 Team Rubicon's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Source of Funds
Contributions and grants $34,214,336
In-kind contributions $33,063,251
Special events, net $3,733,847
Licensing and other revenue $1,269,248
Investment income, net $32,528
Total Income $72,313,210

Programs: 88% Fundraising: 6% Administrative: 6%

Total Income $72,313,210
Total expenses: $67,346,794
  Program expenses $59,413,327
  Fundraising expenses $3,790,470
  Administrative expenses $4,142,997
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $4,966,416
Beginning Net Assets $35,167,492
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $40,133,908
Total Liabilities $5,732,830
Total Assets $45,866,738

Note: According to Team Rubicon's 2021 audited financial statements, the organization received $33,063,251 in contributed goods and services including donated media ($10,186,287), advertising ($10,084,756), professional services ($7,645,401), consulting services ($2,862,683), other goods and services ($1,403,328), and legal services ($880,796).

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