Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	KICKSTART Kids
Address:	3800 N. Shepherd Dr., Ste. 3800B
	Houston, TX 77018
Phone:	713-868-6003
Web Address:	www.kickstartkids.org
Also known as: Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation

KICKSTART Kids meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

The KICKSTART KIDS program is an in-school, life skills, character development program for elementary, and middle school students. In addition to promoting physical fitness, the ultimate goal of the program is to develop character and leadership skills and to enhance resiliency by encouraging students to resolve conflict productively, avoid participating in gangs, choose drug-free lifestyles, and remain in high school until they graduate. The program’s curriculum is based on martial arts practice and is an alternative to the standing Physical Education program in school campuses. The program has expanded since it was first implemented in 1991-92. Currently they have 6,500 students enrolled in 41 schools in the Houston (21 programs), Dallas (12 programs), and the Austin/Central Texas area (8 programs.) Most of their programs are located in an inner-city environment. 90% are listed as Title 1 and/or free and reduced lunch schools. KICKSTART KIDS currently employs 6 former students as full time instructors, and states they have a 60,000 alumni base that has gone on to become productive members of their community.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, KICKSTART Kids's program expenses were:

Total:	4,572,429
Total Program Expenses:	$4,572,429

Chief Executive : Ed Saenz, Exeutive Director

Compensation*:

$98,279

Chair of the Board: Chuck Norris
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Black Belt / Actor

Board Size: 6

Paid Staff Size: 56

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

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals, internet

Fund raising costs were 22% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,976,234, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

KICKSTART Kids incurred joint costs of $24,393 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $ was allocated to program expenses, $19,515 was allocated to fund raising expenses, and $4,878 was allocated to administrative expenses.

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.

The following information is based on KICKSTART Kids's unaudited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

Source of Funds
Service contract fees	2,297,500
Contributions	1,503,212
Fundraising Events	1,473,022
Other	136,364
Interest income	7,514
Cost of direct benefits provided to donors	-200,751
Total Income	$5,216,861

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 78%  Fund Raising: 11%  Administrative: 11%

Total income				$5,216,861
	Program expenses			$4,572,429
	Fund raising expenses			644,422
	Administrative expenses			660,807
Total expenses				$5,877,658
Expenses in Excess of Income				(660,797)
Beginning net assets				2,426,440
Other Changes in Net Assets				30,760
Ending net assets				1,796,403
Total liabilities				560,622
Total assets				$2,357,025