Better Business Bureau Report for
The Night Ministry

Better Business Bureau Report issued October 2010
Better Business Bureau Report expires October 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: The Night Ministry
Address: 4711 N. Ravenswood Avenue
  Chicago, IL 60640-4407
Phone: 773-784-9000
Web Address: http://www.thenightministry.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:The Northside Ecumenical Night Ministry

Year, State Incorporated: 1982, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The Night Ministry was created out of diverse religious traditions to build relationships with vulnerable youth and adults on the nighttime streets. Today, we build relationships in a variety of settings. Through these relationships and the provision of housing, health, spiritual, and social services, we seek to empower people of all ages to meet their own needs. By recognizing the uniqueness, dignity, and value of each person, we accept individuals as they are, in an affirming and compassionate manner. We call the larger community to the same mission.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

The Night Ministry does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability.

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.

The Night Ministry does not meet this standard because the most recent annual report did not include:

  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total end of year net assets.

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.

The Night Ministry does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on this website, http://www.thenightministry.org does not indicate:

  • What personal information is being collected and how it will be used.
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.
The Night Ministry meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

Youth Services The Night Ministry offers many services for Chicago’s homeless youth. • Our Youth Outreach Team conducts active outreach and individualized services on the street and various locations throughout the city • Our youth housing programs provide housing and supportive services for homeless youth, including pregnant and parenting minors and their infants and toddlers. • The 120-Day Interim Housing Program serves youth ages 14-20 • The Transitional Living Program helps youth ages 16-20 work toward independence • The Pregnant and Parenting Program serves teen mothers, ages 14-18, with shelter and community-based services • Our Continuing Care Coordinator provides continuing encouragement and resources to help former residents maintain stable housing Outreach and Health Ministry Our Outreach staff and volunteers build affirming and compassionate relationships with vulnerable adults and youth from our 38-foot, customized Health Outreach Bus. Our bus makes regularly scheduled visits to six Chicago neighborhoods with vulnerable populations, three times a week each, year-round. • Health Care Staff offer free health care and education to thousands of bus visitors every year • Rapid HIV Testing Counselors provide prevention supplies, educations, counseling, and testing for HIV, STIs and Hepatitis C • Outreach Professionals provide compassionate listening and referrals for social services • Trained Volunteers develop supportive relationships through hospitality Annually, The Night Ministry serves approximately 5,500 individuals on the streets and serves over 2,000 youth through outreach and housing programs.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, The Night Ministry's program expenses were:

  
Salaries 2,697,172
Employee Benefits 431,409
Depreciation and Amortization 322,873
Payroll Taxes 189,110
Occupancy 141,584
Professional fees 131,628
Insurance 108,734
Kitchen Supplies 96,845
Grants to Other Organizations 68,391
Repairs and Maintenance 66,282
Vehicle Expenses 44,795
Dues, Books, and Subscriptions 36,566
Program and Medical Supplies Expense 34,761
Specific Assistance 31,164
Printing 28,535
Consulting Fees 21,350
Telephone 20,467
Staff/Volunteer Street Expenses 18,873
Travel 18,248
Office Supplies 16,722
Equipment Leasing 11,667
Postage and Shipping 9,582
Miscellaneous Expense 6,458
Public Relations 965
Bank Charges 520
Total Program Expenses: $4,554,701
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Paul Hamann, President
Compensation*:
 $132,311

Chair of the Board: William A. Goldstein
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Chairman and Managing Director, Lodestar

Board Size: 22

Paid Staff Size: 97

*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, planned giving arrangements
Fund raising costs were 7% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,593,993, 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 The Night Ministry's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Grants, Contributions, and Bequests 1,781,089
Grants from Government Agencies 1,656,962
Board Designated Grants and Contributions 1,000,000
Special Events 155,942
Investment income 87,415
Unrealized Gain/(Loss) Investments 4,496
Fee Income 3,922
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments -117
Total Income $4,689,709


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 81%  Fund Raising: 5%  Administrative: 14% 

Total income   $4,689,709
  Program expenses $4,554,701
  Fund raising expenses 305,573
  Administrative expenses 811,501
 
Total expenses   $5,671,775
Expenses in Excess of Income   (982,066)
Beginning net assets   7,616,323
Ending net assets   6,634,257
Total liabilities   363,341
Total assets   $6,997,598


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