BBB Wise Giving Report for
Camp Fire USA

BBB Wise Giving Report issued October 2011
BBB Wise Giving Report expires October 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: Camp Fire USA
Address: 1100 Walnut Street, Suite 1900
  Kansas City, MO
Phone: 816-285-2010
800-669-6884
Web Address: www.campfireusa.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1912, District of Columbia
Affiliates: None

Stated Purpose: "to build caring, confident youth and future leaders."

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Camp Fire USA (CFUSA) does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.

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.

CFUSA does not meet this Standard because:

  • It did not produce a written report outlining the results of its most recent effectiveness assessment.

 

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.

CFUSA does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2011 budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected fund raising expenses.
  • Did not break down expenses by major program category (i.e. programs for youths, services to councils, etc.)

Standard 16: Annual Report - Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

CFUSA does not meet this standard because:

  • The organization did not provide a copy of its annual report covering activities conducted in 2010.
CFUSA meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

CFUSA offers girls and boys, from birth through the age of 21, opportunities to learn and play together in comfortable settings. Through the girls and boys interaction and involvement with the organization, they are able to build confidence and independence and develop an awareness of who they are and who they can become. Through discovery, curiosity, compassion, and concern for the environment, the kids learn to protect nature. CFUSA works to continue to strengthen youth and families, and the organization reports that the benefits can be seen in local communities. Furthermore, CFUSA offers coeducational programs and reports providing nearly 30 million program hours each year in hundreds of communities across the United States.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, CFUSA's program expenses were:

  
Services to councils 1,386,311
Programs for youth 762,408
Community relations 241,791
Total Program Expenses: $2,390,510
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Cathy Tisdale, National President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*:
$199,971

Chair of the Board: Deborah Curras
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Raley's Family of Fine Food

Board Size: 9

Paid Staff Size: 14

*July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010 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, grant proposals, Internet appeals, and planned giving.
Fund raising costs were 17% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,072,925, 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 CFUSA's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Charter, community partner, and fire tender fees 1,709,108
Contributions of net assets 1,235,346
Contributions and grants 810,359
Unrealized gain on investments and trust 114,994
Sales of inventory, net 91,239
Realized investment gain 85,107
Rental income 57,223
Contracts 45,113
Conferences and program services 44,300
Contributed rent, goods, services, and travel 27,220
Royalties and license fees 24,963
Other -318
Total Income $4,244,654


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 74%  Fund Raising: 11%  Administrative: 15% 

Total income   $4,244,654
  Program expenses $2,390,510
  Fund raising expenses 342,313
  Administrative expenses 496,288
 
Total expenses   $3,229,111
Income in Excess of Expenses   1,015,543
Beginning net assets   2,064,401
Ending net assets   3,079,944
Total liabilities   781,596
Total assets   $3,861,540

Note: According to CFUSA's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, the organization received in-kind contributions in the amount of $27,220 which includes advertising ($10,346), professional services ($10,302), travel expenses ($4,811), other donated goods/services ($1,739), and computers ($22).

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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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