Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	Trickle Up Program
Address:	104 West 27th Street, 12th Floor
	New York, NY 10001
Phone:	212-255-9980 866-246-9980
Web Address:	www.trickleup.org

Trickle Up meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

In partnership with local agencies, Trickle Up provides people living in poverty with business training and seed capital to launch or expand a microenterprise, and savings support to build assets. Trickle Up trains local non-profit agencies to deliver basic business training to the poor. The organization's partner agencies train participants in marketing, balancing accounts, and reinvesting profits in their businesses. Trickle Up connects micro entrepreneurs with savings groups for sustainability. These savings groups are self-governing groups that enable poor people to build capital, increase their financial management skills, gain social status, and become positive forces for grassroots development in their communities. Savings group funds may be used for essential household needs, medical emergencies, to expand a business, pay for school, or cushion against natural disasters. The organization reports that it currently works in five countries and partners with 58 community-based organizations to implement its poverty alleviation programs.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, Trickle Up's program expenses were:

Africa program	1,739,311
Asia program	860,652
Americas program	671,583
Public education	265,695
USA program	51,250
Total Program Expenses:	$3,588,491

Chief Executive : William M. Abrams, President

Compensation*:

$175,985

Chair of the Board: Penelope D. Foley
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Managing Director, Trust Company of the West

Board Size: 18

Paid Staff Size: 35

*September 1, 2008 - August 31, 2009 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, telemarketing, special events, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, and cause-related marketing.

Fund raising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $4,149,221, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

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 Trickle Up's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.

Source of Funds
Contributions	2,067,371
Government grants and contracts	1,120,796
Fundraising event income, net	896,998
Donated services	64,056
Other income	24,395
Interest income	2,347
Total Income	$4,175,963

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 80%  Fund Raising: 14%  Administrative: 6%

Total income				$4,175,963
	Program expenses			$3,588,491
	Fund raising expenses			607,995
	Administrative expenses			259,489
Total expenses				$4,455,975
Expenses in Excess of Income				(280,012)
Beginning net assets				2,852,508
Other Changes in Net Assets				(66,657)
Ending net assets				2,505,839
Total liabilities				183,628
Total assets				$2,689,467

Note 1: In the above financial summary, "other changes in net assets" represents Trickle Up's net investment loss.

Note 2: According to Trickle Up's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, the organization received $64,056 in in-kind dontations including legal services ($36,578) and advertising ($27,478).