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Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Mental Health America of Southwest Ohio
Address:	2400 Reading Road, Suite 412
	Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone:	(513) 721-2910
Web Address:	www.mhaswoh.org

Mental Health America of Southwest Ohio does not meet the following Standard for Charity Accountability.

Standard 13: Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements - Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard. Despite evidence of fundraising efforts, the charity reported zero fundraising expenses in its audited financial statemetns for the year ended December 31, 2008.

In addition, your BBB requested but did not receive complete information on the charity's finances and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard for Charity Accountability: 9.

Mental Health America of Southwest Ohio meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.

The charity provides individual and systemic advocacy at the local, state, and national level. Staff provides information and referral services, respond to emerging issues, and as necessary promote wellness legislation. In addition, Mental Health America provides advocacy training for consumers of mental health services, family members, and professionals. The charity offers community education programs on mental health and mental illness for businesses, civic groups, faith communities, and the community at large either through workshops, professional training, and presentations throughout Southwest Ohio. Topics include an overview of mental illness or specific disorders, myths and facts about mental illness, personal safety, de-escalation skills, and suicide prevention. The charity specializes suicide prevention and intervention and in the areas of law enforcement training with programs for law enforcement officers about safe and effective interaction with persons who are mentally ill and in crisis. Mental Health America of Southwest Ohio offers mental health information and referrals to individuals, families, and professionals through resource directories and through the support group, Clearinghouse, which offers a central data base of community support groups and provides assistance and training to the support group leaders. The charity offers the national Compeer program, which provides supportive friendships for adults recovering from mental illness through volunteers with one-to-one matches, phone friends, skill building, enrichment, and social recreation activities.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, Mental Health America of Southwest Ohio's program expenses were:

Police Training	81,961
Community Resources	77,053
Children's Mental Health	65,434
Warren County Compeer	64,381
Education	59,166
Clinton County Compeer	40,214
Total Program Expenses:	$388,209

Chief Executive : Ms. Elizabeth Atwell, Executive Director

Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Rev. Anne J. Wrider
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Indian Hill Episcopal-Presbyterian Church

Board Size: 13

Paid Staff Size: 6

*Compensation information not provided to your BBB.

Method(s) Used:

direct mail appeals, grant proposals, Internet, membership appeals

Because the charity did not provide sufficient financial information, your BBB is unable to determine what percentage of related contributions was spent on fundraising. (Related contributions, which totaled $199,324, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

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.

The following information is based on Mental Health America of Southwest Ohio's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

Source of Funds
Support Group - Clearinghouse and Education	101,104
United Way of Greater Cincinnati	98,400
Warren & Clinton County Recovery Services	60,430
Foundations - Contributions	46,900
United Way of Warren County	37,750
RMM Spring Event	26,179
City of Cincinnati	24,203
Program Service Fees	17,478
Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) Grant	9,860
United Way of Clinton County	6,500
Talbert House	3,052
Special Events	2,970
Other United Ways	2,140
City of Blue Ash	2,000
Miscellaneous Income	1,662
Contributions	1,612
Investment Income (Loss)	-73,069
Total Income	$369,171

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 89%    Administrative: 11%

Total income				$369,171
	Program expenses			$388,209
	Fund raising expenses			0
	Administrative expenses			46,569
Total expenses				$434,855
Expenses in Excess of Income				(65,684)
Beginning net assets				414,835
Ending net assets				349,151
Total liabilities				6,884
Total assets				$356,035