Better Business Bureau Report for
Sisters Network Inc. (National Headquarters)

Better Business Bureau Report issued February 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires February 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: Sisters Network Inc. (National Headquarters)
Address: 2922 Rosedale St.
  Houston, TX 77004
Phone: 713-781-0255
Web Address: www.sisternetworkinc.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1995, Texas
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Sisters Network Inc is committed to increasing local and national attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American community.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Sisters Network Inc. (National Headquarters) does not meet the following 7 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 4: Compensated Board Members - Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

Sisters Network, Inc. does not meet this standard because a compensated board member (other than the chief executive officer) serves as the chair of the board.

Standard 6: Board Policy on Effectiveness - Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Sisters Network Inc does not meet this Standard because its board does not have a policy of assessing the organization's performance and effectiveness.

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.

Sisters Network, Inc. does not meet this standard because the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 do not include a functional breakdown for administrative or fundraising expenses.

Standard 13: Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements - Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

Sisters Network, Inc. does not meet this standard because the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 do not include a reported amount spent on fundraising.

Standard 14: Budget - Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

Sisters Network, Inc. does not meet this standard because the organization's budget for the current fiscal year does not include total projected expenses for fundraising.

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.

Sisters Network, Inc. does not meet this standard because its website does not include a link to its IRS Form 990.

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.

Sisters Network, Inc. does not meet this standard because its website's donor privacy policy does not include:

  • what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information provided by visitors.
In addition, the Houston BBB requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s effectiveness measures and annual report and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 2Standards for Charity Accountability: 7 and 16.
Sisters Network Inc. (National Headquarters) meets the remaining 11 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

BREAST CANCER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (B-CAP) - B-CAP provides financial support to women facing financial challenges after diagnosis. The program has been in existence since 2006 and provides financial assistance for mammograms, co-pay, office visits, prescriptions, medical related lodging and transportation. PINK RIBBON AWARENESS INITIATIVE - The pink ribbon is the national symbol for breast cancer awareness. The Pink Ribbon Awareness Campaign is Sisters’ national faith-based educational outreach program that reaches women in church with information on how to access breast care services and resources. The focus of this outreach is to increase the number of women obtaining mammograms and heighten their general knowledge. Sisters Network affiliate chapter members and community volunteers disseminate information on breast cancer to African American churches across the United States. SNI members give testimonies as survivor role models to encourage and inspire. GIFT FOR LIFE BLOCK WALK® - Affiliate chapters of Sisters Network® Inc. collaborate with organizations and community groups to coordinate the promotion of breast health awareness in the African American community through the Gift for Life Block Walk. This unique and innovative program allows breast cancer survivors to partner with volunteers and canvas door-to-door in the African American community to distribute breast health education brochures, resource information, and pink ribbons. The community has an opportunity to meet survivors, hear their stories, and experience their triumph over breast cancer. Individuals are invited to the event site to enjoy refreshments and visit breast cancer related agencies exhibits and learn more about the resources and services available. Free mammograms are also offered by a mobile unit at select Sisters Network® Inc, affiliate chapters.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, Sisters Network Inc. (National Headquarters)'s program expenses were:

  
Total: 782,914
Total Program Expenses: $782,914
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Erie Calloway, Executive Director
Compensation*:
$70,000

Highest Paid Executive: Karen E Jackson,Founder & CEO
Compensation*: $105,910

Chair of the Board: Karen E. Jackson
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Founder & CEO, Sisters Network Inc

Board Size: 8

Paid Staff Size: 5

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:


Fund raising costs were 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $718,204, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

              

This organization 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 Sisters Network Inc. (National Headquarters)'s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 643,204
Government grants 75,000
Program outreach 65,699
Conference revenue 64,653
Other 18,538
Interest income 2,111
Unrealized investment gain 687
Total Income $869,892


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 96%  Fund Raising: 1%  Administrative: 3% 

Total income   $869,892
  Program expenses $782,914
  Fund raising expenses 7,673
  Administrative expenses 26,982
 
Total expenses   $817,569
Income in Excess of Expenses   52,323
Beginning net assets   1,688,684
Ending net assets   1,741,007
Total liabilities   253,715
Total assets   $1,994,722


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Complaints

              

The BBB has processed no complaints about this organization in the past 36 months, our standard reporting period.

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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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