Better Business Bureau Report for
Good News Partners

Better Business Bureau Report issued March 2012
Better Business Bureau Report expires March 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: Good News Partners
Address: 1600 W. Jonquil Terrace
  Chicago, IL 60626
Phone: 773-764-4998
773-764-9214
Web Address: www.goodnewspartners.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1980, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Good News Partners mission is to end homelessness, to foster justice, and to build bridges of reconciliation.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Good News Partners does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.

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.

Good News Partners does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected fund raising expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.

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.

Good News Partners does not meet this Standard because:

Good News Partners does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on this website, www.goodnewspartners.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.
In addition, the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight and effectiveness measures and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 4Standards for Charity Accountability: 1, 3, 6, and 7.
Good News Partners meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

GNP believes that everyone should have a place to live at a price they can afford. As the North of Howard neighborhood has gentrified they have made a commitment to be good neighbors and to create a solid anchor to prevent the total displacement of low-income families. Part of GNP’s commitment to the neighborhood is that none need be homeless unless they so choose. New Life Interim Housing Homeless women and children usually join GNP at New Life, their interim housing that is networked with Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services. At New Life each family creates a plan with specific steps that need to be taken each week to accomplish family goals, including long-term affordable housing. The Jonquil Hotel Others begin partnering at the Jonquil, which is the most affordable SRO on the north side of Chicago. It is a community of healing and care. Approximately one-third of the 130+ people living at the Jonquil hope and expect it will be their permanent home. Another one-third live there for two to eight years in order to save money to do something constructive with their lives that they could not otherwise afford to do. Many of the remaining one-third are at the Jonquil for a short respite while they prepare to move on. Rental Apartments When families are ready to move from New Life or the Jonquil SRO, some have the opportunity to move to one of GNP's studio, 1, 2, or 3-bedroom subsidized rental apartments. Cooperative Buildings Most of GNP's housing consists of our co-operatives, where families without enough income or positive credit history to buy a used car are able to begin buying their own house. Over the years they have found this to be their most effective investment to help people work out of poverty. They have partnered with over 160 families who came to them homeless, worked hard, built up equity in one of their co-ops, and used that equity as down payment to buy their own home.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, Good News Partners's program expenses were:

  
Jonquil Hotel 320,963
New Life Interim Housing 298,995
Rental Housing 227,300
Builders and Apprentices 159,973
Ministry 123,787
Education Children and Youth 101,558
Support for Independent Co-ops 37,094
Total Program Expenses: $1,269,670
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Ronald L. Frantz, Director and Executive
Compensation*:
 $10,096

Chair of the Board: David Holly
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:

Co-Chair of the Board : Denis Pierce

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:

Board Size: 11

Paid Staff Size: 27

*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, internet
Fund raising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,219,222, 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 Good News Partners's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 1,219,222
Program service revenue 432,576
Total Income $1,651,798


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 89%  Fund Raising: 4%  Administrative: 7% 

Total income   $1,651,798
  Program expenses $1,269,670
  Fund raising expenses 62,460
  Administrative expenses 104,028
 
Total expenses   $1,436,158
Income in Excess of Expenses   215,640
Beginning net assets   1,032,391
Ending net assets   1,248,031
Total liabilities   4,692,164
Total assets   $5,940,195


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