Better Business Bureau Report for
Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati

Better Business Bureau Report issued September 2010
Better Business Bureau Report expires September 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: Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati
Address: 4010 Executive Park Drive, Suite 240
  Cincinnati, OH 45241
Phone: (513) 761-3200
Web Address: www.bigbrobigsis.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1910, Ohio
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati promotes the development of youth in the general and Jewish community through quality mentoring relationships.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati 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 charity's most recent annual report does not include expenses by programs, fundraising, and administration and total ending 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 charity's website does not provide access to a privacy policy.

 
In addition, BBB requested but did not receive complete information on the charity's governance and oversight and is unable to verify the charity's compliance with the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability: 1 and 5.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

Community-Based Mentoring Program has, bigs and littles meet in their community to share activities, stories, and a little bit of themselves for as little as an hour a week. School-Based Mentoring Program has bigs and littles meet once a week in selected schools to talk, learn, and have fun. The program is not about being a tutor, it is about being a friend. The charity has a variety of site-based locations including programs that meet at Rockwern Academy, Cincinnati Hebrew Day School, Hillel Jewish Student Center, and at Central and Hilltop Elementary schools in Reading. The Gesher Program provides additional resources and training to volunteers who wish to be matched with children with special needs. The program is designed to “bridge” the gap so these children can also experience the benefits of mentoring

Big Buddies Fitness Program is a collaborative program with the Mayerson JCC, which promotes exercise, wellness, and a positive self image for girls ages 11 - 15.  Each class includes fitness exercises designed for two people working out together and activities such Pilates and yoga or discussions on nutrition, body image, and self-esteem.

All enrolled clients and their families are eligible to receive counseling services through their caseworker.  In addition, the charity provides on-site counseling and discussion groups to identified children at Rockwern Academy and Cincinnati Hebrew Day School. The emphasis is on social, emotional health, peer relations, and classroom adjustment.

Through the Scholarship Programs, littles are eligible to receive up to $150 in financial assistance for summer camp programs.  The agency also provides clients with a resource guide of camp programs offering their scholarships as well.   Through the Bruson/Schwab Grant Program, graduating high school seniors who have been program participants are eligible to apply for up to $1,500 in grants yearly for four years.  Grants are merit based and the applicant must maintain a required GPA.   Through the Kantor/Gutterman Loan Program, graduating high school seniors who have been program participants are eligible to apply for up to $1,000 in interest free loans for four years.  Eligibility is based on need and the student is required to begin repayment within eighteen months following graduation.

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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati's program expenses were:


Counseling Services 212,191
Total Program Expenses: $212,191

 

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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Ms. Jennifer Audt, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $57,154

Chair of the Board: Mr. Michael Kernish
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Brand Manager, Procter & Gamle

Board Size: 10

Paid Staff Size: 4

*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 appeals, invitations to fundraising events, print advertisements, Internet, planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 9% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $304,596, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
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Tax Status

               

This charity 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 Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

Source of Funds  
Contributions and Grants 180,001
United Way Allocation 70,845
Special Events 53,750
Other Income 773
Investment Return -72,402
Total Income $232,967


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 74%  Fund Raising: 10%  Administrative: 16% 

Total income   $232,967
  Program expenses $212,191
  Fund raising expenses 28,445
  Administrative expenses 47,395
 
Total expenses   $288,031
Expenses in Excess of Income   (55,064)
Beginning net assets   480,123
Ending net assets   425,059
Total liabilities   2,914
Total assets   $427,973


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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.

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