Better Business Bureau Report for
Information Referral Resource Assistance, Inc.

Better Business Bureau Report issued April 2012
Better Business Bureau Report expires April 2013


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: Information Referral Resource Assistance, Inc.
Address: 4701 South Sugar Rd., Ste D
  Edinburg, TX 78539
Phone: 956-393-2227
Web Address: www.irra.org
Also known as:IRRA, INC. (Information,Referral,Resource, Assistance)
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1987, Texas
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: To empower individuals to become competent, confident, productive, and responsible citizens who will possess the competencies, skills, and attitudes to succeed in higher education and the workforce for the twenty-first century.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Information Referral Resource Assistance, Inc. does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.

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.

Information Referral Resources Assistance, Inc. does not meet this Standard because, in the organization's financial statements, the detailed functional breakdown of expenses:

  • Was not included. A detailed functional breakdown shows expenses by natural classification (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) and indicates what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, 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.

Information Referral Resources Assistance, 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.

Information Referral Resources Assistance, Inc. does not meet this Standard because its website does not include an internet privacy policy.
Information Referral Resource Assistance, Inc. meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

Since its founding, IRRA, Inc., advocates and professes that it "will advance the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of the populations of the Rio Grande Valley". The vision of IRRA is to meet the needs of its learners through non-traditional approaches so that the learners will be empowered to succeed through academic, career, and social services. "One size does not fit all" and IRRA offers a Holistic approach to education known as "whole school reform". The academic centers are organized around the development of relationships between and among learners, staff, and the community. Social and emotional learning is emphasized as much as academic learning. Values such as fairness, respect, and honesty are a part of everyday lessons in and out of the classroom. Learners are encouraged to do service projects in the community. Lesson plans and classroom management concentrate on problem-solving rather than rewards and punishment. IRRA has implemented a positive, active partnership with parents, community, and businesses to promote the model of inclusion with its staff and learners. IRRA, the one-stop multi-service agency, has been and will continue to serve at-risk youth to help them become successful productive citizens.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011, Information Referral Resource Assistance, Inc.'s program expenses were:

  
Instruction and instructional related services 4,602,327
Instructional and school leadership 955,027
Support services - student (pupil) 888,050
Total Program Expenses: $6,445,404
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Aguie Pena, CEO/President
Compensation*: 
 $125,000

Chair of the Board: Elizabeth S. Lopez
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Licensed Social Worker

Board Size: 6

Paid Staff Size: 142

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

               

Method(s) Used:

telephone, television, internet, door to door
Fund raising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $241,715, 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 Information Referral Resources Assistance, Inc.'s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

Source of Funds  
State Program/Foundation Revenue 4,751,773
Federal Grants 3,696,396
State Revenue 706,596
Other Local Sources 466,141
Local Sources 241,715
Total Income $9,862,621


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 67%  Fund Raising: Less than 1%  Administrative: 6%  Other Expenses: 27%

Total income $9,862,621
Program expenses $6,445,404
Fund raising expenses 10,800
Administrative expenses 629,490
Other Expenses 2,630,866
Total expenses $9,716,560
Income in Excess of Expenses 146,061
Beginning net assets 2,418,972
Other Changes in Net Assets 645,324
Ending net assets 3,210,357
Total liabilities 2,310,004
Total assets $5,520,361


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Complaints

               

BBB has processed no customer complaints on this company in its three year 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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