Better Business Bureau Report for
Milestones Inc.

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...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Milestones Inc.
Address: 12372 Riggs Road
  Independence, KY 41051
Phone: (859) 694-7669
Web Address: www.milestonesinc.org
Also known as:Therapeutic Equestrian Achievement Program
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1999, Kentucky
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: To improve cognitive, physical, and psychological function as well as nurture the emotional health of members of our community through therapeutic horseback riding activities.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Milestones Inc. does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability.

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.

The charity's effectiveness assessment policy does not specify that an assessment of the charity's programs will take place at least once every two years.

 

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 states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in the past year.

 

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.

The charity has a website that requests contributions, but the website does not include financial information for the past fiscal year, which includes total income, expenses by programs, fundraising, and administration, and total ending net assets. Additionally, the website does not include a link to the charity’s most recent IRS Form 990, the annual financial form filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

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.

 

Milestones Inc. meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Milestones, Inc. teaches basic grooming and horsemanship skills to individuals with diagnoses such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injury, Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome, and other genetic disorders. The program involves a structured riding program that is tailored to a child’s needs. Riding instruction is offered at different levels, including beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels. A leader and up to sidewalkers are present at all levels. At the beginning level, students will learn the basic horsemanship skills including horse grooming, and will only ride with a leader and two sidewalkers. Students who participate in the intermediate and advanced levels rely more on their developing skills with a leader and sidewalkers still present. At each level, students will complete exercises to enhance riding skills as well as to improve balance, flexibility, and overall body movement.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, Milestones Inc.'s program expenses were:

  
Riding Program 45,078
Total Program Expenses: $45,078
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Ms. Mary Lunn, Program Director
Compensation*:
$

Chair of the Board: Mr. Dan Feldmann
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Not Provided

Board Size: 13

Paid Staff Size:

*According to the charity, Ms. Lunn is an unpaid staff member.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

invitations to fundraising events, Internet
Fundraising costs were 3% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $41,038, 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 Milestones Inc.'s IRS Form 990-EZ for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Program Service Revenue 26,840
Special Events Income (Less Direct Expenses $9,417) 22,647
Contributions, Gifts, and Grants 18,391
Investment Income 2,101
Total Income $69,979


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 82%  Fund Raising: 3%  Administrative: 3%  Other Expenses: 12%

Total income   $69,979
  Program expenses $45,078
  Fund raising expenses 1,368
  Administrative expenses 1,404
  Other Expenses 6,591
Total expenses   $54,441
Income in Excess of Expenses   15,538
Beginning net assets   153,222
Ending net assets   168,760
Total liabilities  
Total assets   $168,760


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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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