Better Business Bureau Report for
Memorial Assistance Ministries

Better Business Bureau Report issued September 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires September 2012


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: Memorial Assistance Ministries
Address: 1625 Blalock Rd.
  Houston, TX 77080-7320
Phone: 713-468-4516
713-574-7543
Web Address: www.helpherehelpnow.org
Also known as:MAM
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1983, Texas
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The purpose of Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) is to help families and individuals who find themselves in temporary crisis and in need of assistance to maintain self-sufficiency and avoid homelessness. As a tax-deductible Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, MAM provides emergency and financial assistance and other services designed to put clients back on their feet, largely the working poor faced with immediate and critical personal and family situations. Our mission is to assure that families have the means to meet their basic needs. To carry out our mission, we assist families facing financial crisis to avoid homelessness, offer programs enabling long-term financial self-sufficiency, assure children an improved school experience, facilitate client access to other support networks, and provide value to our member congregations and the community. As responsible stewards, we are grounded in faith, offering hope, preserving dignity, and open to all.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

This organization is a Charity Partner of the Better Business Bureau of Houston and South Texas.
Memorial Assistance Ministries meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

To carry out its mission Memorial Assistance Ministries assists families facing financial crisis to avoid homelessness, offers programs enabling long-term financial self-sufficiency, assures children an improved school experience, facilitates clients access to other support networks, and enhances MAM's value to its member congregations and the community. Rent and utilities assistance prevents eviction. In 2010, 4,657 families were served. 212 students completed ESL classes. Lights, water and gas stayed on for 806 families. 3641 children went back to school with new uniforms and/or supplies. 1277 families avoided eviction and remained in their homes. 500 individuals saw a doctor and received prescriptions. 585 people improved their employment options.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, Memorial Assistance Ministries's program expenses were:

  
Emergency assistance 1,857,541
Resale store 437,513
Total Program Expenses: $2,295,054
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Martha Macris, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $115,000

Chair of the Board: Gregory Nelson
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Baker Botts, Attorney

Board Size: 12

Paid Staff Size: 23

*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 fund raising events, print advertisements, grant proposals, internet, planned giving arrangements
Fund raising costs were 10% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,021,015, 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 Memorial Assistance Ministries' audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Property improvement contributions 1,159,800
Other contributions 1,022,860
Resale store sales 906,081
Government contracts 861,215
Special event 164,665
Other income 852
Direct donor benefit costs of special events -35,743
Total Income $4,079,730


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 86%  Fund Raising: 8%  Administrative: 6% 

Total income   $4,079,730
  Program expenses $2,295,054
  Fund raising expenses 201,272
  Administrative expenses 156,223
 
Total expenses   $2,652,549
Income in Excess of Expenses   1,427,181
Beginning net assets   4,668,046
Ending net assets   6,095,227
Total liabilities   90,715
Total assets   $6,185,942

MAM initiated a $4 million capital campaign in 2010. $1,159,800 of its Total assets is restricted to the campaign.

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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.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.

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