Better Business Bureau Report for
Supports to Encourage Low-income Families

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


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a Seal Holder. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Supports to Encourage Low-income Families
Address: 1790 South Erie Highway, Suites A-C
  Hamilton, OH 45012
Phone: (513) 868-9300
Web Address: www.selfhelps.org
Also known as:SELF
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1995, Ohio
Affiliates: None

Stated Purpose: To enhance the quality of life for county residents by impacting the causes of poverty and empowering individuals to achieve, sustain, and advocate self-sufficiency.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Supports to Encourage Low-income Families meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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BBB Accreditation

              

A BBB Accredited Charity since 09/27/2005.

BBB has determined that in addition to meeting BBB's 20 Standards for Charity Accountability, Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families adheres to the BBB Code of Business Practices, which includes a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any complaints. Charities that display the BBB Accredited Charity Seal pay a fee for review / monitoring and for support of BBB's services to the public.

BBB accreditation does not mean that the charity's programs or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB or that BBB has made a determination as to the charity's competency in performing services.

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Programs

              

Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) has education and employment focused programs called Project 2 Empower and Empower One in Oxford, Ohio. This charity offers a holistic employment and education program promoting self-sufficiency through goal setting and barrier removal. Furthering education in order to obtain more gainful employment helps participants achieve their goals. SELF also offers an Individualized Development Account (IDA) program that helps low to moderate income families achieve home ownership, higher education, or small business ownership through matched savings accounts. Another service SELF provides to clients is utility assistance (Home Energy Assistance Program and Summer Crisis Cooling Program) for those who do not have the money to meet daily needs. SELF provides summer and winter utility help for eligible families to ensure households of the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with younger children have the resources to keep their families’ safe. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Super Site is a free tax preparation available for low income Butler County residents. While clients are getting assistance with filing their taxes, they are also screened and signed up for other SELF services for which they may be eligible for. Getting Ahead has workshops that allow families to build their resources and success by taking a look at their own resources, mindsets, and actions. Ohio Benefit Bank is an online computer program that allows financially struggling Ohioans prepare and file state income taxes as well as check eligibility and sign up for other services for which they may be eligible. Lastly, is the Holiday Adopt-a-Family program. Families actively working toward self-sufficiency have a brighter holiday through SELF’s Adopt-a-Family program.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, Supports to Encourage Low-income Families's program expenses were:

  
Home Energy Assistance 1,185,944
Self Sufficiency Program 688,311
Total Program Expenses: $1,874,255
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Mr. Jeffrey A. Diver, Executive Director
Compensation*:
$73,215

Chair of the Board: Ms. Lori Elliott
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Secretary, Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati

Board Size: 15

Paid Staff Size: 26

*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, invitations to fundraising events, grant proposals, Internet
Fundraising costs were 16% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $102,001, 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 Supports to Encourage Low-income Families's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Grants/Contracts 2,218,858
Contributions 59,618
In-Kind 42,383
Investment Gains (Losses) 4,907
Interest and Dividends 1,217
Other 250
Total Income $2,327,233


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 82%  Fund Raising: 1%  Administrative: 17% 

Total income   $2,327,233
  Program expenses $1,874,255
  Fund raising expenses 16,645
  Administrative expenses 391,837
 
Total expenses   $2,282,737
Income in Excess of Expenses   44,496
Beginning net assets   439,046
Ending net assets   483,543
Total liabilities   524,712
Total assets   $1,008,255


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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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