BBB Wise Giving Report for
National Down Syndrome Society

BBB Wise Giving Report issued August 2007
BBB Wise Giving Report expires January 2010


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: More than 200 nationwide

Stated Purpose: "to benefit people with Down syndrome and their families through national leadership in education, research and advocacy."

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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 email advocacy alerts.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, NDSS's program expenses were:

  
Education 646,329
National conference 456,352
Public awareness 414,861
Advocacy 403,086
Research 363,110
Affiliates 147,851
Website 133,172
Update 90,918
Upbeat 60,854
Katrina relief 38,889
Total Program Expenses: $2,755,422
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Jonathan Colman, Chief Operating Officer
Compensation*:
$115,000

Chair of the Board: Pamela van der Lee
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Former Vice President

Co-Chair of the Board : Stephen Riggio

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: CEO

Co-Chair of the Board : William Halle

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Attorney

Board Size: 22

Paid Staff Size: 11

*April 1, 2005 - March 31, 2006 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, radio, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, cause-related marketing, and membership appeals.
Fund raising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,837,082, 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 fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.

Source of Funds  
Special events (net) 1,316,457
Contributions 1,238,773
In-kind contributions 281,852
Conference income 180,290
Investment income 148,421
Booklets, films and educational materials 54,809
Rental income 23,679
Total Income $3,244,281


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 76%  Fund Raising: 12%  Administrative: 12% 

Total income   $3,244,281
  Program expenses $2,755,422
  Fund raising expenses 420,905
  Administrative expenses 453,970
 
Total expenses   $3,630,297
Expenses in Excess of Income   (386,016)
Beginning net assets   3,029,185
Ending net assets   2,643,169
Total liabilities   185,918
Total assets   $2,829,087

Note 1: According to NDSS, the organization received $281,852.38 in in-kind donations including the following: items for gift bags at special events ($122,006.82), miscellaneous ($50,592.39), auction goods ($45,766) auction services ($42,724), food and beverages for special events ($11,218.17), video production ($7,000.00) and programs for events ($2,545.00).

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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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