BBB Wise Giving Report for
Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation

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


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: Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation
Address: 755 Page Mill Road, Suite A-200
  Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-468-1668
Web Address: www.dsrtf.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 2003, California
Affiliates: None

Stated Purpose: "to stimulate biomedical research that will accelerate the development of treatments to significantly improve cognition for individuals with Down syndrome."

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation (DSRTF) does not meet the following 5 Standards 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.

DSRTF does not meet this Standard because:

  • Although the organization held 4 board meetings during the past fiscal year, none of them were held in person.

Standard 6: Board Policy on Effectiveness - Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

DSRTF does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

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.

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

  • Did not identify total projected fund raising expenses.

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.

DSRTF does not meet this standard because:

  • The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in the past year.

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.

DSRTF does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.dsrtf.org, 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, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s effectiveness measures and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard for Charity Accountability: 7.
Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation (DSRTF) meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

DSRTF aims to work towards a world in which people with Down syndrome are fully included in academic/social environments and where they can live independently as adults. The organization funds research that aims to develop treatments which will improve memory, learning and speech in those with Down syndrome. Such treatments can enable individuals with Down syndrome to participate more successfully in school, to lead more active and independent lives, and prevent early cognitive decline.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, DSRTF's program expenses were:

  
Research 1,827,599
Total Program Expenses: $1,827,599
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Michael M. Harpold, Ph.D., Chief Execuive Officer
Compensation*:
$180,000

Chair of the Board: Vince Randazzo
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Government relations

Board Size: 14

Paid Staff Size: 3

*October 1, 2008 - September 30, 2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

Grant proposals, special events, and Internet appeals.
Fund raising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,555,219, 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 DSRTF's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 1,335,823
Special events (net) 219,396
Investment income 15,256
Total Income $1,570,475


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 86%  Fund Raising: 10%  Administrative: 4% 

Total income   $1,570,475
  Program expenses $1,827,599
  Fund raising expenses 213,300
  Administrative expenses 93,467
 
Total expenses   $2,134,366
Expenses in Excess of Income   (563,891)
Beginning net assets   1,428,424
Ending net assets   864,533
Total liabilities   973,618
Total assets   $1,838,151


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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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