Better Business Bureau Report for
Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc

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: Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc
Address: 1809 East 71st Street
  Chicago, IL 60649-2000
Phone: 773-324-0494
Web Address: bufi.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:Illinois Black United Fund, Inc

Year, State Incorporated: 1985, Illinois
Affiliates: ABJ Community Services, African Women's Organization, Betty Shabazz International Charter School, Big Buddies Youth Services, Inc., Black Ensemble Theatre, Black on Black Love, Cabrini Connections, Clara's House Shelter, Coalition for Improved Education in South Shore, Community Christian Alternative Academy, Concerned Citizens, DuSable Museum of African American History, eta Creative Arts Foundation, Freedom in Holiness Mission, Global Girls, Inc., Grant A Wish, Inc., Institute of Positive Education, Interfaith House Inc., Jackie Robinson West Little League, Link & Options Center, Inc., Matthew House (Chicago), Muntu Dance Theatre, National Black United Front, National Hook-up of Black Women, Inc., Neopolitan Lighthouse, Olive Branch Mission, Southside Community Arts Center, South Shore Drill Team, South Side Help Center
Stated Purpose: The mission of the Black United Fund of Illinois (BUFI) is to improve the quality of life through reliance on self-help at the local community level. Our purpose is to encourage philanthropic support and social change through projects and programs that address the critical needs of African American communities statewide. BUFI provides systematic mechanisms to rally resources (time, money, ideas, supplies, skills, and strategies) and directs them to the communities that need them most.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 1: Oversight of Operations and Staff - Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:

  • Review the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.

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.

Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, bufi.org, 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.

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.
Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

BUFI provides funding, technical assistance, and support services to nonprofit agencies and programs to build their capacity and support their growth and self-sufficiency. Funding is provided in the form of direct contributions or grants, fiscal sponsorship and access to other funding sources. Technical Assistance and Support Services cover a range of issues, such as organizational management, leadership development, finances and fundraising, marketing, program development, assessment and evaluation, and information systems/technology. BUFI also provides training, consultation and referrals to many agency staff and board members to meet a wide range of challenges. It is instrumental in building and coordinating coalitions to maximize resources, share best practices, and work collectively to address community concerns. Instrumental to helping people help themselves, BUFI provides outreach and referral to at risk, high-risk and gang affiliated youth and adults to initiate gang intervention, prevention, and reentry for this target population in South Shore. Staff use consistent and direct personal contact with individuals and their families, through case management and training, to build mutually trusting relationships in order to prevent violence and help individuals build their capacity. Clients participate in life skills, job readiness and vocational training programs where they learn the skills and behavioral modification adjustments necessary for them to be successful in life and be prepared to enter the workforce. We monitor and track clients throughout the process and help them secure employment. In the three years we have operated this program, our placement and jobs retention rate is over 90%.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc's program expenses were:

  
IDHS summer youth program 1,419,799
IDHS safety net connects project 270,650
capacity building initiative 239,586
financial assistance 202,408
other programs 182,961
technical assistance 171,054
IDHS safety net works 165,569
building expense 162,427
IDHS title 157,242
safety net basketball 110,418
support services 108,434
educational 85,508
depreciation 11,417
Total Program Expenses: $3,287,473
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Henry L. English, President/CEO
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Robert T. Starks
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Professor, Northeastern Illinois University

Board Size: 21

Paid Staff Size: 18

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:

invitations to fund raising events, print advertisements, television, radio, grant proposals
Fund raising costs were 2% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,796,873, 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 Black United Fund of Illinois, Inc's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
grant income 2,782,352
current year campaign 799,716
amount for other organizations 126,990
rental 88,150
fundraising 87,815
miscellaneous 3,020
interest income 309
other income
Total Income $3,888,352


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 95%  Fund Raising: 2%  Administrative: 2%  Other Expenses: 1%

Total income   $3,888,352
  Program expenses $3,287,473
  Fund raising expenses 61,115
  Administrative expenses 67,158
  Other Expenses 37,275
Total expenses   $3,453,021
Income in Excess of Expenses   435,331
Beginning net assets   658,785
Other Changes in Net Assets (229,999)
Ending net assets   864,117
Total liabilities   875,897
Total assets   $1,740,014


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