Better Business Bureau Report for
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago

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...


Find out more about this charity:

Back To Top

Charity Contact Information

Name: AIDS Legal Council of Chicago
Address: 180 N Michigan Ave Ste 2110
  Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-427-8990
Web Address: www.aidslegal.com
Also known as:ALCC
Legal Council of Chicago
Back To Top

Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1987, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The AIDS Legal Council of Chicago exists to preserve, promote and protect the legal rights of men, women and children in the metropolitan Chicago area impacted by HIV.

Back To Top

Evaluation Conclusions

              

AIDS Legal Council of Chicago does not meet the following 6 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 3: Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings - An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

AIDS Legal Council of Chicago does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors did not hold a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings in the past fiscal year.

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.

AIDS Legal Council of Chicago 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.

AIDS Legal Council of Chicago does not meet this Standard because:

  • It has never completed an effectiveness assessment.

Standard 9: Fund Raising Expense Ratio - Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.

AIDS Legal Council of Chicago does not meet this Standard because:

  • According to its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, the organization's fund raising costs were 40% ($104,347) of related contributions, which totaled $262,958.

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.

AIDS Legal Council of Chicago does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
  • 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.

AIDS Legal Council of Chicago does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.aidslegal.com, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Back To Top

Programs

              

The Council provides direct legal services to people in need, educates the public about HIV-related legal issues, and advocates for social policies that ensure fair treatment for all people affected by HIV/AIDS.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, AIDS Legal Council of Chicago's program expenses were:

  
Personnel 601,908
Professional Services 142,640
Occupancy 72,777
Equipment Rental and Maintenance 10,280
Telecommunications 8,777
Depreciation 8,279
Supplies 8,097
Insurance 7,619
Medical Records 4,976
Postage 3,899
Printing 3,676
Conferences 3,302
Dues and Subscriptions 2,130
Psychological Screening 1,400
Travel and Meetings 1,148
Client Services 1,136
Miscellaneous 623
Advertising 256
Total Program Expenses: $882,923
Back To Top

Governance

              

Chief Executive : Ann H Fisher, Executive Director
Compensation*:
$88,500

Chair of the Board: Charles H Wintersteen
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Attorney

Board Size: 20

Paid Staff Size: 12

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Back To Top

Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals, internet, planned giving arrangements
Fund raising costs were 40% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $262,958, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
Back To Top

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.
Back To Top

Financial

              

The following information is based on AIDS Legal Council of Chicago's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Grants from government agencies 545,073
Grants and contributions 262,958
In-kind professional services 141,605
Cy Pres distributions 114,192
Gross proceeds 71,425
Program service fees 13,102
Investment income 1,447
Direct expenses -32,710
Total Income $1,117,092


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 84%  Fund Raising: 10%  Administrative: 6% 

Total income   $1,117,092
  Program expenses $882,923
  Fund raising expenses 104,347
  Administrative expenses 66,576
 
Total expenses   $1,053,846
Income in Excess of Expenses   63,246
Beginning net assets   1,046,957
Ending net assets   1,110,203
Total liabilities   3,195
Total assets   $1,113,398


Back To Top

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.

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

Send to:



What is an Accredited Charity