BBB Wise Giving Report for
Partners of the Americas

BBB Wise Giving Report issued January 2011
BBB Wise Giving Report expires January 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...


Find out more about this charity:

Back To Top

Charity Contact Information

Name: Partners of the Americas
Address: 1424 K Street NW, Suite 700
  Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 800-322-7844
Web Address: www.partners.net
Back To Top

BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1963, District of Columbia
Affiliates: Partners of the Americas Foundation, and 90 chapters

Stated Purpose: "to work together as citizen volunteers from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States to improve the lives of people across the hemisphere."

Back To Top

Evaluation Conclusions

              

Partners of the Americas (POA) does not meet the following 4 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.

POA does not meet this Standard because:

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

Standard 13: Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements - Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

POA does not meet this Standard because:

  • The Alliance does not agree with POA's allocation of fund raising expenses, which does not include expenses associated for salaries and other related costs for generating grant revenue.   

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.

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

  • Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected fund raising expenses.

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.

POA does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.partners.net, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • End of year net assets.
  • Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.
In addition, since the BBB Wise Giving Alliance disagrees with POA's allocation of expenses, we are unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability: 8 and 9.
Partners of the Americas (POA) meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Back To Top

Programs

              

POA's programs work to mobilize volunteers and resources, create alliances, implement development projects, and build the capacity of grassroots organizations. POA works together on issues of common concern, as diverse as delivering health services, enhancing local governance, protecting the region specific natural resources, safeguarding the rights of women and children, providing training for at-risk youth, encouraging resolution of conflict, and fostering cultural understanding. Each chapter reaches out to its respective community, state, or country to leverage in-kind and financial contributions to support this work.

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

  
Youth and Education 2,741,029
Civil Society and Governance 2,352,547
Exchanges and Fellowships 2,160,930
Agriculture and Environment 1,925,086
Partners of the Americas Foundation 28,026
Total Program Expenses: $9,207,618
Back To Top

Governance

              

Chief Executive : Steve Vetter, President and CEO
Compensation*:
$176,800

Chair of the Board: Mr. Tasso de Castro Lugon
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired Judge

Board Size: 11

Paid Staff Size: 25

*2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Back To Top

Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

Internet appeals, grant proposals, and membership appeals.
Since the Alliance disagrees with POA's allocation of fundraising expenses, we are unable to determine the fund raising percentage of related contributions.
Back To Top

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.
Back To Top

Financial

              

The following information is based on POA's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
U.S. government grants 6,377,930
In-kind contributions 2,040,603
Corporate/ foundation grants 522,725
U.S. government contracts 224,667
Interest and investment income 152,445
Individual contributions 90,425
Other income 82,519
Membership dues 18,000
Total Income $9,509,314


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 81%  Fund Raising: 0  Administrative: 19% 

Total income   $9,509,314
  Program expenses $9,207,618
  Fund raising expenses 360
  Administrative expenses 2,204,825
 
Total expenses   $11,412,803
Expenses in Excess of Income   (1,903,489)
Beginning net assets   11,445,040
Other Changes in Net Assets 14,865
Ending net assets   9,556,416
Total liabilities   1,578,458
Total assets   $11,134,874

Note: According to audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, Other Changes in Net Assets includes all net changes from CAC microcredit loan funds.

Back To Top

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.

Send to:



What is an Accredited Charity