Better Business Bureau Report for
SOTENI, Inc.

Better Business Bureau Report issued October 2010
Better Business Bureau Report expires October 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: SOTENI, Inc.
Address: 2366 Kemper Lane
  Cincinnati, OH 45206
Phone: (513) 961-2100
Web Address: http://www.soteni.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 2003, Ohio
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: All of us, together—working to prevent the spread of AIDS by helping vulnerable people build self-sustaining communities. We cultivate local leadership, educate those most at risk, and share resources from around the world.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

SOTENI, Inc. does not meet the following Standard for Charity Accountability.

Standard 11: Financial Statements - Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $250,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $100,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

Despite gross revenues of $123,672 for the year ended June 30, 2009, the charity did not obtain a review of its financial statements by an independent certified public accountant (CPA).

 
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 Standard for Charity Accountability: 1.
SOTENI, Inc. meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

The four SOTENI Villages of Hope (SVH) draw on indigenous resources and leadership to the break the cycle of disease and poverty by focusing on community development. SOTENI Kenya Programs occur through a network of rural villages. The programs provide these villages access to clean water, improved health services, women’s empowerment training, home-based care for AIDS patients, and community education.

The SOTENI Bridge Program trains volunteers to work in rural and urban settings in Kenya. SOTENI’s goal is to enable interns to be AIDS prevention advocates in Kenya and their home countries. Interns work side-by-side with Kenyans to achieve the goals set by the four Villages and regularly conduct research and complete reports on SOTENI Kenya programs.

SOTENI AIDS Barefoot Doctors (ABDs) Program provides home-based care, support, and disease-prevention messages to person s living with HIV and AIDS and members of their households in SVH-Mituntu, SVH-Mbakalo, and SVH-Ugenya. ABDs receive training in first aid, basic care, household hygiene, community public health, HIV prevention, programmatic reporting, and business practices. According to the charity, in the past thirteen months, the ABDs made 4,210 home visits, conducted 305 group sessions, and reached 142 individuals that are living with HIV/AIDS.

The SOTENI Speaks Tour raises awareness and engages diverse audiences to join SOTENI and achieve its vision and mission through speeches at academic institutions, community organizations, churches, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

SOTENI Student Clubs has students at various high schools work to raise awareness and funds while educating their peers on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

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For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, SOTENI, Inc.'s program expenses were:


SOTENI Kenya 73,377
Sponsorship Program 33,305
AIDS Barefoot Doctors (ABD) 29,985
Bridge Program 26,020
SOTENI Clubs 2,275
Total Program Expenses: $164,962

 

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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Ms. Randie Marsh, Director
Compensation*:
 $34,020

Chair of the Board: Dr. Victoria Wulsin
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Pediatrician, Mid-City Pediatrics, Inc.

Board Size: 12

Paid Staff Size: 1

*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
Fundraising costs were 6% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $174,799, 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 SOTENI, Inc.'s IRS Form 990-EZ for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contributions, Gifts, and Grants 174,799
Investment Income 2,709
Gross Sales of Inventory (Less: Cost of Goods $251) -51
Total Income $177,457


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 88%  Fund Raising: 5%  Administrative: 7% 

Total income   $177,457
  Program expenses $164,962
  Fund raising expenses 10,281
  Administrative expenses 13,512
 
Total expenses   $188,755
Expenses in Excess of Income   (11,298)
Beginning net assets   28,569
Ending net assets   17,272
Total liabilities   268
Total assets   $17,540


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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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