BBB Wise Giving Report for
National Down Syndrome Society

BBB Wise Giving Report issued March 2010
BBB Wise Giving Report expires April 2012


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a Seal Holder. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: National Down Syndrome Society
Address: 666 Broadway, 8th Floor
  New York, NY 10012
Phone: 800-221-4602
212-460-9330
Web Address: www.ndss.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1979, New York
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome."

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Throughout the year, NDSS produces and disseminates educational materials, including print materials, educational videos and books. Print materials include more than 40 different brochures and resource lists in English and Spanish. NDSS also publishes "Update," a quarterly newsletter featuring information about topics specific to Down Syndrome and NDSS, and "Upbeat," a magazine written by and for teens and adults with Down Syndrome. NDSS supports regional, national, and international conferences on issues from infancy to adulthood in Down Syndrome, including research, education, health care, employment, housing, and social issues. NDSS advocates on behalf of individuals with Down Syndrome and their families on legislative issues. The NDSS policy team provides grassroots and legislative advocacy training for parents, individuals with Down Syndrome and others, through training programs, conference workshops, an online advocacy center, and e-mail advocacy alerts.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, NDSS's program expenses were:

  
Education 605,133
Public awareness 535,930
Research 277,846
Public policy 260,513
Affliates 92,606
Total Program Expenses: $1,772,028
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Jonathan Colman, President
Compensation*:
$149,070

Chair of the Board: Joseph Bockerstette
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Consultant

Board Size: 17

Paid Staff Size: 13

*April 1, 2007 - March 31, 2008 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, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, and cause-related marketing.
Fund raising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,388,440, 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 NDSS's audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2008.

Source of Funds  
Special events (net) 1,223,368
Contributions 985,839
In-kind contributions 179,233
Investment income 55,665
Rental income (net) 36,684
Booklets, films and educational materials 18,043
Miscellaneous income 2,420
Conference income 2,315
Total Income $2,503,567


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 75%  Fund Raising: 15%  Administrative: 10% 

Total income   $2,503,567
  Program expenses $1,772,028
  Fund raising expenses 360,261
  Administrative expenses 240,286
 
Total expenses   $2,372,575
Income in Excess of Expenses   130,992
Beginning net assets   2,736,848
Ending net assets   2,867,840
Total liabilities   200,890
Total assets   $3,068,730

Note: According to NDSS, the organization received $179,233 in in-kind contributions consisting of auction items.

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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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