BBB Wise Giving Report for
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

BBB Wise Giving Report issued February 2012
BBB Wise Giving Report expires February 2014


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: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Address: 120 Wall Street,
29th Floor
  New York, NY 10005
Phone: 212-363-3500
Web Address: www.afsp.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1987, Delaware
Affiliates: 49 chapters

Stated Purpose: "to understand and prevent suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reach out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide."

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) does not meet the following Standard 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.

AFSP does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors held two meetings of the full governing board in 2011.
AFSP meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

AFSP supports research to improve the public’s understanding of suicide and its prevention. The organization provides education and information about depression and suicide to professionals, the media and the public through workshops, trainings, the AFSP website, videos, publications, brochures and public service announcements. The organization also promotes policies and legislation that impact suicide prevention. Furthermore, AFSP offers programs for survivors of suicide loss that can be of assistance and involves survivors in suicide prevention. AFSP survivor initiatives include the National Survivors of Suicide Day program and the Survivor e-Network

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

  
Prevention and education 2,255,022
Research 1,927,028
Survivors' programs 1,212,278
Total Program Expenses: $5,394,328
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Robert T. Gebbia, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $264,875

Highest Paid Executive: Paula Clayton, Medical Director
Compensation*: $275,517

Chair of the Board: David Norton
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired Executive

Board Size: 35

Paid Staff Size: 51

*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, special events, print advertisements, radio, grant proposals, Internet appeals, and planned giving.
Fund raising costs were 10% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $6,558,008, 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 AFSP's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Special events, net 5,408,401
Donations 1,149,607
Other revenues 461,565
Investment income 211,170
Total Income $7,230,743


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 84%  Fund Raising: 10%  Administrative: 6% 

Total income   $7,230,743
  Program expenses $5,394,328
  Fund raising expenses 625,805
  Administrative expenses 372,291
 
Total expenses   $6,392,424
Income in Excess of Expenses   838,319
Beginning net assets   471,740
Ending net assets   1,310,059
Total liabilities   2,905,037
Total assets   $4,215,096


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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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