Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	United Cerebral Palsy
Address:	1660 L. Street, NW Suite 700
	Washington, DC 20036-5602
Phone:	202-776-0406 800-872-5827
Web Address:	www.ucp.org

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

UCP provides training and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities and their families accessing assistive technology to increase their independence. Grant programs cover employment, AmeriCorps, training residential providers and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. UCP seeks to increase awareness about cerebral palsy and disability issues, the needs and rights of persons with disabilities, and the services provided by UCP, its affiliates and other agencies, and provides information to individuals and families affected by disabilities. Information about disability issues and UCP programs and affiliates are provided on UCP's website. UCP supports its local affiliates in all facets of operations, such as management, program services, communications/community education and fund raising. The affiliates provide direct services such as therapy and programs in assistive technology, employment, community living, early intervention, family support, and social and recreation programs to children and adults with disabilities and their families. UCP's affiliate, the UCP Research & Educational Foundation, sponsors research aimed at preventing cerebral palsy and improving the quality of life of persons with cerebral palsy. UCP advocates the passage of congressional acts which benefit persons with disabilities. Some ($1,270,000 or 22%) of UCP’s program activities are carried out in conjunction with fund raising appeals.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, UCP's program expenses were:

Support to affiliates	2,231,969
Public education	1,582,995
Public policy analysis/advocacy	988,684
Life Without Limits	768,263
Non-federal grants	255,613
Total Program Expenses:	$5,827,524

Chief Executive : Stephen Bennett, President and CEO

Compensation*:

$396,040

Chair of the Board: Bruce Fried
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Attorney

Board Size: 18

Paid Staff Size: 24

*October 1, 2005 - September 30, 2006 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, special events, print advertisements, television, radio, grant proposals, Internet appeals, and cause-related marketing.

Fund raising costs were 36% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,986,098, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.) In reaching the conclusion that UCPA meets the Standard for fundraising expenses, the Alliance considered the fact that, according to its audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2008, the organization received an additional $1,271,898 in revenue that was directed to local affiliates pursuant to sharing agreements with corporate sponsors. When this revenue is included, fundraising costs are 29% of related contributions.

UCP incurred joint costs of $2,930,000 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $1,660,000 was allocated to fund raising expenses and $1,270,000 was allocated to program expenses.

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.

The following information is based on UCP's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September, 30 2008.

Source of Funds
Affiliate membership fees	2,322,736
Contributions	2,246,546
Life Without Limits revenue	1,150,000
Other revenue	639,025
Gala	416,816
Change in beneficial interest in trusts	-36,962
Investment return	-2,209,791
Total Income	$4,528,370

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 71%  Fund Raising: 22%  Administrative: 7%

Total income				$4,528,370
	Program expenses			$5,827,524
	Fund raising expenses			1,794,923
	Administrative expenses			552,344
Total expenses				$8,174,791
Expenses in Excess of Income				(3,646,421)
Beginning net assets				13,157,686
Ending net assets				9,511,265
Total liabilities				2,146,900
Total assets				$11,658,165