Better Business Bureau Report for
Be Concerned, Inc.

Better Business Bureau Report issued January 2012
Better Business Bureau Report expires January 2014


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: Be Concerned, Inc.
Address: 714 Washington Street
  Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 291-6789
Web Address: http://www.beconcerned.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated:
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Deeply committed to honoring the dignity and humanity of all people, Be Concerned helps low-income families in Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties obtain food, clothing, and other necessities on an ongoing basis.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Be Concerned, Inc. 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 gross revenues of $300,393 for the year ended December 31, 2009, the charity did not obtain an audit of its financial statements by an independent certified public accountant (CPA).

 

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 a roster of the current members of the board of directors, and 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 provide access 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.

 

In addition, BBB requested but did not receive complete information on the charity's governance and oversight and effectiveness measures and is unable to verify the charity's compliance with the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability: 1, 5, 6, and 7.
Be Concerned, Inc. meets the remaining 12 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Through the charity’s food program, groceries and toiletries are distributed weekly to low-income families at no charge. Customers shop on a rotating basis by scheduled appointments. There is no limit to the amount of time shoppers may stay on the program. The Wheel Power Program provides personal shopping carts to people in the food program. Be Concerned operates thrift clothing and house wares stores, where low-income families can have the opportunity to shop year-round for gently used clothing and accessories. Special efforts are made by the charity to provide children with school supplies and winter coats. The Christmas Store distributes holiday food, grocery items, and health and hygiene products. In addition to the Christmas Food Program, families may participate in receiving New Toys, HUGS (hats, underwear, gloves, socks), Something Special (gift for every family) and Jewelry. The Fan Club supplies box fans to the pantry families each summer.

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

  
Program Services 208,947
Total Program Expenses: $208,947
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Mr. Paul Gottbrath, Director
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Ms. Joyce Russell
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired

Board Size: 19

Paid Staff Size: 3

*Compensation information not provided to BBB.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

direct mail appeals, invitations to fundraising events, grant proposals, Internet, cause-related marketing appeals
Fundraising costs were 21% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $239,368, 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 Be Concerned, Inc.'s unaudited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 97,751
Grants 81,292
Fundraising 60,325
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments 33,994
Customer Revenue 29,346
Interest & Dividends 12,436
Miscellaneous Income 1,315
Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments -16,066
Total Income $300,393


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 74%  Fund Raising: 18%  Administrative: 8% 

Total income   $300,393
  Program expenses $208,947
  Fund raising expenses 49,374
  Administrative expenses 23,486
 
Total expenses   $281,807
Income in Excess of Expenses   18,586
Beginning net assets   526,275
Ending net assets   544,861
Total liabilities   0
Total assets   $544,861


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