BBB Wise Giving Report for
ShelterBox USA

BBB Wise Giving Report issued October 2011
BBB Wise Giving Report expires October 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: ShelterBox USA
Address: 8374 Market Street, #203
  Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
Phone: 941-907-6036
Web Address: www.shelterboxusa.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 2004, Florida
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "to provide humanitarian aid in the form of shelter, warmth and dignity to survivors of natural and other disasters worldwide."

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

ShelterBox USA 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.

ShelterBox USA does not meet this Standard because:

  • Although the board of directors did hold 11 board meetings in the year ended June 30, 2010, none of the meetings were held in-person.

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.

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

  • Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected fund raising expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected administrative 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.

ShelterBox USA does not meet this standard because the most recent annual report did not include:

  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • Total end of year net assets.

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.

ShelterBox USA does not meet this Standard because:

In addition, ShelterBox USA does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on this website, www.shelterboxusa.org does not indicate:

  • What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
In addition, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s finances and fundraising disclosures and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 3Standards for Charity Accountability: 12, 13, and 19.
ShelterBox USA meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

ShelterBox USA provides shelter-based disaster relief throughout the world. Each ShelterBox supplies an extended family with a rugged tent, water purification, cook-stove, blankets, children’s activity kit and other tools. The contents of the boxes are tailored to the nature and location of the disaster. Volunteer-based ShelterBox Response Teams (SRT) deliver aid across the world, often partnering with other non-government organizations, local government officials and community leaders to determine those most in need. ShelterBox reports that it has responded to over 140 disasters in more than 70 countries.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, ShelterBox USA's program expenses were:

  
Program services 8,052,145
Total Program Expenses: $8,052,145
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Emily Sperling, President
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: William E. Decker
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: President, The Hub, LLC

Board Size: 10

Paid Staff Size: 5

*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, invitations to fund raising events, grant proposals, internet, planned giving arrangements, cause-related marketing, earned media
Fund raising costs were 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $9,614,115, 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 ShelterBox USA's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contributions and grants 9,553,272
In-kind contributions 60,843
Interest income 1,532
Total Income $9,615,647


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 93%  Fund Raising: 1%  Administrative: 6% 

Total income   $9,615,647
  Program expenses $8,052,145
  Fund raising expenses 125,482
  Administrative expenses 523,712
 
Total expenses   $8,701,339
Income in Excess of Expenses   914,308
Beginning net assets   (55,778)
Ending net assets   858,530
Total liabilities   381,214
Total assets   $1,239,744


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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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