Better Business Bureau Report for
Northwest Assistance Ministries

Better Business Bureau Report issued February 2013
Better Business Bureau Report expires February 2014


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: Northwest Assistance Ministries
Address: 15555 Kuykendahl
  Houston, TX 77090
Phone: 281-885-4555
Web Address: www.namonline.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1983, Texas
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The mission of Northwest Assistance Ministries is to strive to meet basic human needs through Neighbors helping Neighbors.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Northwest Assistance Ministries meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

NAM provides a comprehensive array of social services aimed at leading people to independence. For 2011-2012, their programs included: The Assistance Program served 16,648 people last year. Emergency assistance addressed basic needs including; shelter, clothing, transportation, prescription medicines and referrals. The Back to School Project provided 2,326 children with school supplies, enabling the students to return to school ready to learn. The 2011 Holiday Project provided toys and gifts for 2,453 children and teens. In addition, 290 clients were interviewed for SNAP (food stamp) benefits through collaborative efforts. The Children’s Clinic offers primary health care for children from infancy to age 18 and completed 8,549 patient visits and case management for 4,816 children. On average patients visited the Clinic 3 or 4 times during the year. The Clinic’s annual Shot Blitz provided 1,128 immunizations to 246 children. Through a collaborative partnership 544 children were connected to health insurance benefits. The Clinic’s Reach out and Read Program has provided 1,300 age appropriate books for each new well child visit. The Family Violence Center (FVC) provided crisis intervention, support groups, safety planning, adult and children’s counseling, emergency shelter, legal advocacy and education to 16,028 individuals. This total includes 14,582 FVC Hotline calls from victims in crisis or individuals seeking assistance. In addition, the Youth Education Program presented anti-violence programs to 13,314 middle and high school students. The FVC collaborates with area universities to provide opportunities for graduate students seeking to fulfill internships. Through the Fifty Plus program, 186 senior members visited the center on average 25 times each for a total of 6,322 activities. These activities are designed to enhance socialization, physical fitness, and mental capacities. In addition, through Senior Wheels and NAM transport, volunteers provided 532 rides to seniors needing transportation to address their basic needs such as medical appointments or to the local grocery store. The Food Pantry provided 14,521 grocery orders for well-balanced meals to over 14,737 people. As part of the Senior Food Program, 91 low income seniors received supplemental groceries every month. The Interfaith Hospitality Network provided 2,828 shelter nights to 66 adults and children transitioning from homelessness. Volunteers gave 18,503 hours to assist families with shelter, meals and activities for children. Through the Learning Center, 35,000 hours of instruction were provided to 130 students in Adult Basic Education and GED, English as a Second Language, English Literacy, Civics, Computer Training, and Career Development & Training. The Learning Center served approximately 153 students each month through ongoing classes. Meals on Wheels provided 121,841 nutritious meals to 550 homebound seniors and disabled adults each weekday and 76 individuals on Saturdays. In addition, 96 low income senior clients received monthly grocery deliveries to supplement their food budget. The Shelter and Energy Assistance Program distributed nearly $1.2 million in assistance to 1,636 people. Funded by government grants, this program is geared to prevent homelessness and to help homeless families become self-sufficient. In addition, $150,000 was distributed to help pay energy bills for 315 seniors, disabled adults and families.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, Northwest Assistance Ministries's program expenses were:

  
Total: 7,246,529
Total Program Expenses: $7,246,529
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Carole Little, President & CEO
Compensation*: 
$152,246

Chair of the Board: John Carson
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: President, Brookstone L.P.

Board Size: 15

Paid Staff Size: 85

*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, cause-related marketing
Fund raising costs were 7% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $6,345,062, 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 Northwest Assistance Ministries's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 2,310,040
Government grants 1,890,851
Donated goods and services 1,481,237
Sales 1,181,402
Special events 662,934
Program service fees 491,455
Net assets released from restrictions 347,224
Miscellaneous income 52,657
Rental income 36,530
Investment return 422
Total Income $8,454,752


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 88%  Fund Raising: 5%  Administrative: 7% 

Total income $8,454,752
Program expenses $7,246,529
Fund raising expenses 415,825
Administrative expenses 554,370
Total expenses $8,216,724
Income in Excess of Expenses 238,028
Beginning net assets 4,010,577
Ending net assets 4,305,211
Total liabilities 1,203,913
Total assets $5,509,124


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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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