BBB Wise Giving Report for
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Educational Fund

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...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Educational Fund
Address: 1413 K Street NW
14th Floor
  Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-628-7700
Web Address: www.rcrc.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1973, District of Columbia
Chapters: 19
Stated Purpose: “to bring moral power of religious communities to ensure reproductive choice through education and advocacy and give a clear voice to the reproductive issues of people of color, those living in poverty, and other underserved populations”

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Educational Fund (RCRC) does not meet the following 4 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.

RCRC does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors held two meetings in the past year.

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.

RCRC 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 9: Fund Raising Expense Ratio - Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.

RCRC does not meet this Standard because:

  • According to its audited financial statements for 2009, the organization's fund raising costs were 44% ($299,732) of related contributions, which totaled $675,914.

Standard 18: Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy - Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

RCRC does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on this website, www.rcrc.org does not indicate:

  • What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Educational Fund (RCRC) meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

RCRC is an interfaith alliance dedicated to preserving reproductive choice. RCRC addresses teen pregnancy and other reproductive health issues through comprehensive sexual education. The organization has a campus youth initiative which aims to empower young adults to support reproductive rights on their campuses. RCRC also keeps supporters up-to-date on developments in reproductive choice and sustains their grassroots activism. The charity conducts field service which provides information on religious freedom policies related to abortion and other reproductive health issues, as well as distributes newsletters and other publications for related pro-choice positions. According to RCRC, they provide training at their annual conference, and information is provided about the needs and issues of communities of color regarding reproductive choice. Through public policy, RCRC analyzes legislative and policy proposals and issues relevant fact sheets.

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

  
Multicultural 957,532
Public policy 401,649
Clergy organizing 394,784
Communications 370,646
Spiritual youth 353,213
Total Program Expenses: $2,477,824
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Reverend Carlton W. Veazey, President and CEO
Compensation*:
$182,680

Chair of the Board: Rev. Dr. Alton B. Pollard, III
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Dean, Howard University School of Divinity

Board Size: 21

Paid Staff Size: 13

*2009 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, telemarketing, grant proposals, Internet appeals, and planned giving.
Fund raising costs were 44% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $675,914, 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 RCRCEF's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Foundation grants 464,244
Contributions 99,610
Bequests 83,164
Investment income 30,027
Miscellaneous 28,896
Total Income $705,941


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 83%  Fund Raising: 10%  Administrative: 7% 

Total income   $705,941
  Program expenses $2,477,824
  Fund raising expenses 299,732
  Administrative expenses 203,643
 
Total expenses   $2,981,199
Expenses in Excess of Income   (2,275,258)
Beginning net assets   7,369,435
Ending net assets   5,094,177
Total liabilities   196,459
Total assets   $5,290,636


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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.

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