Better Business Bureau Report for
American Red Cross, Ohio River Valley Chapter

Better Business Bureau Report issued September 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires September 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: American Red Cross, Ohio River Valley Chapter
Address: 1801 Robinson Avenue
  Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: (740) 354-3293
Web Address: www.ohiorivervalley.redcross.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated:
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

American Red Cross, Ohio River Valley Chapter does not meet the following 4 Standards 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 written requests, the charity did not provide BBB with its most recent financial statements and IRS Form 990.

 

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.

Despite written requests, BBB was not provided with the charity's most recent annual report.

 

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.

 

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, effectiveness measures, finances, and solicitation materials and is unable to verify the charity's compliance with the following 11 Standards for Charity Accountability: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 15.
American Red Cross, Ohio River Valley Chapter meets the remaining 5 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

The charity provides disaster relief by offering temporary shelter, food, clothing, basic personal necessities, and coordinating counseling services to individuals and families affected by a disaster. Additionally, the charity offers health and safety services, which include First Aid / CPR / AED, babysitting, lifeguarding, and disaster preparedness. The International Tracing Program helps local families find relatives with whom they have lost contact because of a natural disaster, war, or internal conflict. The charity provides communication between those in the Armed Forces and their families.  American Red Cross have a worldwide network that reaches service members wherever they are to communicate a birth, death, or illness.  In addition, individuals may contact the charity to schedule or volunteer for a local blood drive.

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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Ms. Mary Arnzen, Executive Director
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Mr. Marty Redden
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Emergency Management Director, United States Enrichment Corporation

Board Size: 15

Paid Staff Size: 4

*Compensation information was not provided to BBB.
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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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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.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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