BBB Wise Giving Report for
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

BBB Wise Giving Report issued August 2010
BBB Wise Giving Report expires August 2012


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
Address: 1612 K Street NW, Suite 308
  Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-328-3244
Web Address: www.sldn.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1993, Delaware
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "to end discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", and related forms of intolerance."

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

SLDN provides free legal services to assist service members who are affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and experience harassment based on perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Services include legal counsel, impact litigation, policy advocacy, outreach and education, and watchdog programs aimed at lifting the ban preventing gays, lesbians and bisexuals from serving openly and honestly in the military. SLDN's website offers an action center and informational materials on current legislative actions related to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

For the year ended December 31, 2009, SLDN's program expenses were:

  
Program services 2,389,826
Total Program Expenses: $2,389,826
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Aubrey Sarvis, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $153,623

Chair of the Board: Zoe Dunning
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Business consultant

Co-Chair of the Board : Michael Magee

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Real estate

Board Size: 23

Paid Staff Size: 17

*2009 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, telemarketing, special events, grant proposals, and planned giving.
Fund raising costs were 17% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,218,576, 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 SLDN's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 1,545,580
Grants 839,103
In-Kind contributions 803,813
Charitable bequest 30,080
Interest income 3,920
Other income 3,316
Total Income $3,225,812


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 76%  Fund Raising: 17%  Administrative: 7% 

Total income   $3,225,812
  Program expenses $2,389,826
  Fund raising expenses 553,696
  Administrative expenses 226,335
 
Total expenses   $3,169,857
Income in Excess of Expenses   55,955
Beginning net assets   1,346,033
Ending net assets   1,401,988
Total liabilities   329,917
Total assets   $1,731,905

Note: According to SLDN's 2009 audited financial statements, the organization received $803,813 in in-kind contributions which included legal services ($793,746), advertising ($5,087), and other ($4,980).

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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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