Better Business Bureau Report for
Safer Foundation

Better Business Bureau Report issued May 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires May 2013


Does not meet one or more standards
This charity does not meet one or more of the 20 standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Safer Foundation
Address: 571 W. Jackson Blve.
  Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: 312-922-2200
Web Address: www.saferfoundation.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1972, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Safer Foundation's mission is to reduce recidivism by supporting, through a full spectrum of services, the efforts of people with cirminal records to become employed, law-abiding members of the community.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Safer Foundation does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability.

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.

Safer Foundation does not meet this Standard because:

  • It did not produce a written report outlining the results of its most recent effectiveness assessment.

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.

Safer Foundation does not meet this standard because the most recent annual report did not include:

  • A roster of the board of directors
  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total expenses for each program in the same categories that appear in the organization’s financial statements.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • Total end of year net assets.

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.

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.

Safer Foundation does not meet this Standard because:

Safer Foundation does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on this website, www.saferfoundation.org does not indicate:

  • What personal information is being collected and how it will be used.
  • How to contact the charity to review personal information that is collected and request corrections.
  • How to inform the charity that the visitor does not want his/her information shared with others.
  • What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
Safer Foundation meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Employment and employment-related services are the cornerstones of Safer’s services, including job preparedness, placement (transitional employment and long-term placement) and retention services. Last year Safer helped more than 2,900 men and women with criminal records secure employment. To enhance the prospect of securing employment and to increase the marketability of clients, Safer offers GED and ABE programs, and facilitates access to vocational training and higher education. Safer has pioneered innovative educational programs designed specifically for youth and adults with criminal records based on their educational needs, learning styles and past educational experiences. Safer also offers case management, including supportive services, problem solving assistance and prevention education as well as other ancillary services. Safer is the only private agency to administer two secured residential transition centers on behalf of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Safer’s Sheridan Program provides in-prison job readiness and vocational training at Sheridan Correctional Facility followed by job placement and retention services upon release. An alternative to re-incarceration for individuals with minor parole violations is provided by Safer’s Halfway Back program. Our community and faith-based initiatives provide employment, mentoring and reentry services in Chicago neighborhoods most impacted by returning prisoners, such as East Garfield Park and Auburn Gresham. Safer also built and operates a 10-unit transitional apartment complex for persons with criminal records. Safer’s policy and advocacy program strives to remove employment barriers for individuals with criminal records.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, Safer Foundation's program expenses were:

  
Adult Transition/Residential Programs 10,374,533
Employment Services 7,821,301
Pivotal Staffing Services, LLC 3,095,181
Basic Skills Education 1,514,285
Other 1,443,299
Rock Island/ Iowa 555,430
Safer Housing Assistance 83,317
Total Program Expenses: $24,887,346
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : B. Diane Williams , President/CEO
Compensation*: 
$361,612

Chair of the Board: Allen Kanter
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Kanter, Mattenson, Morgan & Gordon Law Firm

Board Size: 20

Paid Staff Size: 310

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, invitations to fund raising events, print advertisements, radio, grant proposals, internet
Fund raising costs were 8% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,735,646, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

              

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.
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Financial

              

The following information is based on Safer Foundation's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Government grants/contracts 22,150,729
Pivotal Staffing Services, LLC revenue 3,561,608
Contributions and grants 3,259,156
United Way allocation- Chicago 437,979
Program service fees 283,328
Rental income 63,157
Investment income 42,405
United Way allocation- Quad Cities 38,511
Other 8,068
Total Income $29,844,941


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 84%  Fund Raising: 1%  Administrative: 15% 

Total income $29,844,941
Program expenses $24,887,346
Fund raising expenses 303,451
Administrative expenses 4,297,098
Total expenses $29,487,895
Income in Excess of Expenses 357,046
Beginning net assets 8,073,583
Ending net assets 8,430,629
Total liabilities 8,593,407
Total assets $17,024,036


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