Better Business Bureau Report for
Rebuilding Together Houston

Better Business Bureau Report issued December 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires December 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: Rebuilding Together Houston
Address: 811 Rusk, Ste. 1730
  Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-659-2511
Web Address: www.rebuildingtogetherhouston.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1982, Texas
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Bringing volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners in need.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Rebuilding Together Houston does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 3: Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings - An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

Rebuilding Together Houston does not meet this standard because it did not provide proof of at least 3 board meeting minutes with a majority of voting members in attendance.

Standard 7: Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness - Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

Rebuilding Together Houston does not meet this standard because it does not complete written report with recommendations for future actions along with the organizational effectiveness assessment.

Standard 11: Financial Statements - Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $250,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $100,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

Rebuilding Together Houston does not meet this Standard because:

  • Its audited financial statements were not prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

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.

Rebuilding Together Houston does not meet this standard because it did not provide a current board approved budget.

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.

Rebuilding Together Houston does not meet this standard because its website does not provide a link to its most recent IRS Form 990.

In addition, the Houston BBB requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s solicitation materials and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard for Charity Accountability: 15.
Rebuilding Together Houston meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Rebuilding Together Houston promotes private sector involvement in improving the quality of life for low-income seniors and disabled homeowners in Houston and Harris County. RTH's focus is the delivery of essential home repairs to improve the overall condition of the home, eliminate health and safety hazards in the home, and improve its energy efficiency. Exterior home repair is provided by volunteer crews sponsored by corporations, churches, schools and community organizations and is the core of RTH's mission. Low-income neighborhoods served by RTH include Acres Homes, North Side, Fifth Ward, Kashmere Gardens, Settegast, Third Ward, Sunnyside and communities outside loop 610 in east Harris County. In 2009, RTH repaired or increased the energy efficiency of 1,375 homes in communities throughout greater Houston.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, Rebuilding Together Houston's program expenses were:

  
Roof and interior repair 2,010,312
Energy efficiency 811,104
Volunteer home repair 387,724
Safer home 25,453
Total Program Expenses: $3,234,593
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Jennifer Touchet, Executive Director
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: Randolph M. Henry
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: President, The Randolph Henry Company

Board Size: 22

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 3% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,349,035, 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 Rebuilding Together Houston's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Grants 2,721,921
Contributions 627,114
Interest 13,015
Rental and other income 820
Total Income $3,362,870


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 93%  Fund Raising: 3%  Administrative: 4% 

Total income   $3,362,870
  Program expenses $3,234,593
  Fund raising expenses 103,986
  Administrative expenses 130,816
 
Total expenses   $3,469,395
Expenses in Excess of Income   (106,525)
Beginning net assets   946,895
Ending net assets   840,370
Total liabilities   215,041
Total assets   $1,055,411


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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.

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

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