Better Business Bureau Report for
Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center

Better Business Bureau Report issued June 2010
Better Business Bureau Report expires June 2012


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: Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center
Address: 2001 N. Clybourn Ave., 3rd Fl.
  Chicago, IL 60614-4036
Phone: 773-973-7900
847-675-3200
Web Address: www.anixter.org
Also known as:Anixter Center
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:The Center for the Rehabilitiation & Training of People with Disabilities

Year, State Incorporated: 1919, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The mission of Anixter Center is to enhance the ability of individuals living with or at risk for disabilities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center 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.

Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization’s effectiveness assessment did not take place within the past two years. The last assessment was completed September 1, 2006.

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.

Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center does not meet this standard because the most recent annual report did not include:

  • 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.

Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.anixter.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • A roster of the board of directors.
  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • End of year net assets.
  • Electronic access to the organization’s 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.

Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center does not meet this Standard because:

Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on this website, www.anixter.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.
Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Anixter Center's 70 programs operate at 27 locations across greater Chicago and serve more than 5,500 children and adults living with disabilities each year. Programming falls into eight core areas: housing and residential services; vocational and employment services; assistive, supportive and counseling services; primary-care health services; literacy, education, prevention and training services; bilingual prevention, treatment and outreach services for Chicago's Latino community and others affected by HIV/AIDS; comprehensive services for the deaf community including an audiology clinic and interpreter services; and therapeutic play, toys and resources for special-needs children and their families. Services at Anixter Center are individualized, choice-driven, culturally sensitive, and promoting of inclusion in the community. Anixter Center is also a leading advocate at the state and national levels for the rights of persons with disabilities to participate fully and equally in society. Our clients range from 0–85 years old and represent all racial and ethnic backgrounds. All of our clients have at least one disability, and many have more than one disability. Over 90% are low-income, with most living at or below the federal poverty line.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center's program expenses were:

  
Staff salaries 13,113,397
Client wages and benefits 2,340,921
Employee insurance and benefits 1,728,068
Subcontract labor 1,489,591
Payroll taxes 1,143,290
Depreciation and amortization 1,022,916
Rent 846,329
Activity supplies 801,693
Fuel and utilities 555,650
Building maintenance 510,612
Consultants 330,466
Insurance 329,147
Telephone 216,223
Food 168,653
Mortgage interest 150,538
Staff travel 124,139
Vehicle operating expense 121,894
Client travel 101,237
Office supplies 96,054
In-service training 84,321
Security and watch services 76,562
Equipment purchases 70,707
Equipment maintenance 64,275
Scavenger 62,490
Contract coordinating 60,417
Housekeeping supplies 57,757
Public relations costs 46,167
Bad debts 42,417
Data processing service 38,791
Postage and shipping 34,018
Legal and audit 29,666
Employee procurement 26,822
Miscellaneous 22,897
Printing and artwork 13,525
Equipment leasing 9,983
Clerical services 6,900
Organization dues 4,600
Jan-Tech allocation -160,974
Interprogram services -314,782
Total Program Expenses: $25,467,377
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Allan I. Bergman, President & CEO
Compensation*:
$258,347

Chair of the Board: Janet M. Anixter
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Civic Leader

Board Size: 20

Paid Staff Size: 364

*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, grant proposals, internet, planned giving arrangements
Fund raising costs were 29% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,980,920, 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 Lester & Rosalie Anixter Center's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Government fees 12,483,276
Government grants 7,757,928
Contract revenue 5,232,079
Rental revenue 1,415,636
Miscellaneous fees 698,531
Contributions: Foundations and corporations 364,306
Investment dividends and interest 349,483
Contributions: Center Foundation 282,400
Contributions: Individual and miscellaneous 246,664
Contributions: Special events and other 164,710
Miscellaneous revenue 79,304
Contributions: United Way 65,779
Contributions: In-kind contribution 56,513
AIDS Foundation of Chicago 40,832
Contributions from nonaffiliated organization 17,533
Contributions: Bequests 5,180
Realized loss on investments -635,016
Unrealized loss on investments -1,028,501
Total Income $27,596,637


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 84%  Fund Raising: 2%  Administrative: 13%  Other Expenses: 1%

Total income   $27,596,637
  Program expenses $25,467,377
  Fund raising expenses 568,918
  Administrative expenses 3,845,867
  Other Expenses 215,510
Total expenses   $30,097,672
Expenses in Excess of Income   (2,501,035)
Beginning net assets   25,031,100
Ending net assets   22,530,065
Total liabilities   8,597,702
Total assets   $31,127,767


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Future Updates

              

Of request from Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center:

Please note, Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center plans to update the charity report with the Better Business Bureau in the near future and implement changes to meet more standards. Changes are anticipated for Summer and Fall 2010.

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This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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