Better Business Bureau Report for
Active Transportation

Better Business Bureau Report issued May 2012
Better Business Bureau Report expires May 2014


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: Active Transportation
Address: 9 W. Hubbard St.
  Chicago, IL 60610-6545
Phone: 312-427-3325
Web Address: www.biketraffic.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:Chicagoland Bicycle Federation

Year, State Incorporated: 1985, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The mission of Active Transportation Alliance is to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. They advocate for transportation that encourages and promotes safety, physical activity, health, recreation, social interaction, equity, environmental stewardship and resource conservation.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Active Transportation does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.

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.

Active Transportation 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.

Active Transportation does not meet this Standard because:

  • It has never completed an 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.

Active Transportation does not meet this standard because the most recent annual report did not include:

  • A roster of the board of directors
  • Total end of year net assets.
In addition, the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight and finances and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 2Standards for Charity Accountability: 1 and 14.
Active Transportation meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

Active Transportation envisions a region with half as many crashes and where half of all trips are made by walking, biking and transit. Their program activities: 1. Increase implementation of infrastructure projects that effectively increase biking, walking and transit use and improve safety. 2. Increase adoption of legislation and policies that support the continued growth and improvement of active transportation. 3. Encourage and assist local governments in the development and implementation of bicycle, pedestrian and transit-oriented development plans. 4. Demonstrate active transportation through fun events and activities. 5. Strengthen and activate their membership and supporter base to effectively advance their mission. 6. Broaden the circle of supporters to better reflect their diverse region and to include more average cyclists and those who identify strongly with walking and transit use. 7. Implement policies, laws and enforcement programs that make active transportation more attractive and safe. 8. Implement programs and services that encourage active transportation by providing incentives, service coordination and information technology. 9. Implement traffic safety education and training for adults, youth and law enforcement officials. 10. Support and assist victims of bicycle and pedestrian crashes.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, Active Transportation's program expenses were:

  
salaries 1,319,798
programs and events 593,298
contract expenses 322,927
employee benefits 106,016
occupancy 100,091
payroll tax 94,488
professional services 87,172
Membership and promotion 45,663
Travel and meetings 38,134
Printing 31,888
supplies and office expenses 27,802
Depreciation 11,869
telephone 10,038
Insurance 6,619
Cost of inventory items sold 4,284
Postage 3,720
Total Program Expenses: $2,803,807
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Ron Burke, Executive Director
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Jane Blew Healy
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:

Board Size: 22

Paid Staff Size: 48

*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, telephone, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals, internet, membership
Fund raising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,729,045, 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 Active Transportation's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contract Revenue 1,272,353
Program Events 1,012,923
Grants and Contributions 473,337
Donated Goods and Services 227,420
Membership Dues 138,350
Sale of Merchandise 37,964
Special Events 15,365
Investment income 5,609
Other 1,688
Total Income $3,185,009


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 88%  Fund Raising: 2%  Administrative: 10% 

Total income   $3,185,009
  Program expenses $2,803,807
  Fund raising expenses 65,423
  Administrative expenses 314,462
 
Total expenses   $3,183,692
Income in Excess of Expenses   1,317
Beginning net assets   1,022,583
Other Changes in Net Assets (1,317)
Ending net assets   1,022,583
Total liabilities   437,315
Total assets   $1,459,898


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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 BBB 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 Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

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