BBB Wise Giving Report for
Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service

BBB Wise Giving Report issued February 2011
BBB Wise Giving Report expires February 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: Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service
Address: Post Office Box 339
  Spring Valley, WI 54767
Phone: 715-778-5775
Web Address: http://www.mosesorganic.org
Back To Top

BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1999, Wisconsin
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "to help agriculture make the transition to a sustainable and organic system of farming that is ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just, through information, education, outreach, and integrating the broader community into this effort."

Back To Top

Evaluation Conclusions

               

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 4: Compensated Board Members - Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

MOSES does not meet this Standard because:

  • Three members (30%) of the ten member board of directors, including the treasurer, are directly compensated.

In response to this finding, MOSES stated that:

"Three members of the Board of Directors are paid at a minimal rate because their service to the organization extends far beyond their duties as members of the Board of Directors.  They work on specific projects as needed because of the expertise they can provide for the organization."

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.

MOSES does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, http://www.mosesorganic.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.
Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Back To Top

Programs

               

MOSES organizes the Organic Farming Conference, held annually in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The organization reported that in 2010, it attracted more than 2,700 people and featured 10 intensive pre-conference courses, 65 workshops, 150 exhibitors, an organic farming research forum, and the opportunity to network with organic farmers and supporters. Additionally, MOSES provides educational opportunities for farmers, including a farmer helpline, organic field days and trainings, mentoring programs, and a bookstore of organic and agricultural resources online and at events. MOSES produces a bi-monthly newspaper with organic farmer-oriented news, and a resource directory, updated annually.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, MOSES's program expenses were:

  
Program Services 840,759
Total Program Expenses: $840,759
Back To Top

Governance

               

Chief Executive : Faye Jones, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $64,971

Chair of the Board: Linda Halley
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Farm Manager, Gardens of Eagan (certified organic farm)

Board Size: 9

Paid Staff Size: 10

*September 1, 2008 - August 31, 2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Back To Top

Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, print advertisements, grant proposals, and Internet appeals.
Fund raising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $948,459, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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 MOSES's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 463,342
Special events 454,514
Program service fees 97,285
Government grants 30,603
Miscellaneous 12,891
Interest 8,598
Rental income 3,825
Total Income $1,071,058


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 74%  Fund Raising: 10%  Administrative: 15%  Other Expenses: 1%

Total income   $1,071,058
  Program expenses $840,759
  Fund raising expenses 118,385
  Administrative expenses 172,098
  Other Expenses 11,193
Total expenses   $1,142,435
Expenses in Excess of Income   (71,377)
Beginning net assets   705,440
Ending net assets   634,063
Total liabilities   83,825
Total assets   $717,888

Note: In the financial section above, "other expenses" refers to a loss from disposal of assets.

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