Better Business Bureau Report for
The Shield, Inc.

Better Business Bureau Report issued September 2010
Better Business Bureau Report expires September 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: The Shield, Inc.
Address: 7149 Ridge Road
  Cincinnati, OH 45237
Phone: (513) 531-2040
Web Address: www.theshieldohio.com
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 2005, Ohio
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: To provide immediate resources and financial support for the families of officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

The Shield, Inc. does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 10: Ending Net Assets - Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

According to the IRS Form 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2009, the charity's total unrestricted net assets were $94,224, or 9 times the charity's total expenses of $10,853.

 

Standard 12: Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses - Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

Because the IRS Form 990-EZ does not require a detailed functional breakdown of expenses, BBB requested an internal breakdown from the charity. However, BBB did not receive a detailed functional breakdown of expenses by natural classification (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fundraising, and administrative activities.

 

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 the following financial information for the past fiscal year:  total income, total program, fundraising, and administrative expenses, 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.

 

In addition, BBB requested but did not receive complete information on the charity's governance and oversight and finances and is unable to verify the charity's compliance with the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability: 3, 8, 9, and 13.
The Shield, Inc. meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

The Shield was developed as a vision of the Hamilton County Association of Chiefs of Police.  The goal of the Shield is to secure a large fund of money, which through interest and equity, will be able to meet the needs of deserving recipients.  Whether a police officer or a supportive citizen, an individual is presented with the opportunity to become a member of the charity.

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Governance

              

Chief Executive :
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Col. Dennis M. Rees
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired

Board Size: 10

Paid Staff Size: 0

*The charity does not have paid staff members.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

direct mail appeals, Internet, membership appeals
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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 The Shield's IRS Form 990-EZ for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.


Source of Funds  
Contributions, Gifts, and Grants 42,735
Investment Income 1,307
Total Income                $44,042


Total expenses   $10,853
Income in Excess of Expenses   33,189
Beginning net assets   61,035
     
Ending net assets   94,224
Total liabilities    
Total assets   $94,224

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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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