BBB Wise Giving Report for
Bible League International

BBB Wise Giving Report issued March 2012
BBB Wise Giving Report expires March 2014


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: Bible League International
Address: Post Office Box 28000
  Chicago, IL 60628
Phone: 866-825-4636
Web Address: www.Bibleleague.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1942, Illinois
Affiliates: Bible League Foundation

Stated Purpose: "to provide Scriptures and training worldwide, so that people prepared by the Holy Spirit will be brought into fellowship with Christ and His Church."

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Bible League International (BL) does not meet the following Standard for Charity Accountability.

Standard 12: Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses - Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

BL does not meet this Standard because, in the organization's financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, the detailed functional breakdown of expenses:

  • Was not included. A detailed functional breakdown shows expenses by natural classification (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) and indicates what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities).
In addition, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s solicitation materials and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard for Charity Accountability: 15.
BL meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

BL supplies Bibles, Christian literature and materials to churches and mission organizations around the world for study by individuals, families, and small groups. Bibles, New Testaments, and study booklets are provided free or at subsidized cost. The organization trains Bible study leaders and church planters, using ERV Bible translations, evangelistic literacy programs and digital Bible libraries, working through local partners and programs.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, BL's program expenses were:

  
Financial support of foreign and domestic ministries 18,061,276
Church planter training 722,087
Total Program Expenses: $18,783,363
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Robert T. Frank, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*:
 $161,652

Chair of the Board: James K. Van Drunen
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Private investor/land developer

Board Size: 15

Paid Staff Size: 113

*2011 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 special events, print advertisements, radio, grant proposals, Internet appeals, and planned giving.
Fund raising costs were 23% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $23,895,446, 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 BL's audited financial statements (combined with affiliate) for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 22,305,223
Legacies and bequests 1,325,478
Investment income, net 464,435
Noncash contributions 264,745
Scripture sales 262,190
Change in value of annuities and trusts 175,298
Other income 148,334
Total Income $24,945,703


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 69%  Fund Raising: 20%  Administrative: 11% 

Total income   $24,945,703
  Program expenses $18,783,363
  Fund raising expenses 5,378,255
  Administrative expenses 2,968,137
 
Total expenses   $27,129,755
Expenses in Excess of Income   (2,184,052)
Beginning net assets   21,448,052
Ending net assets   19,264,000
Total liabilities   5,174,623
Total assets   $24,438,623

Note: According to BL, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010, the organization received in-kind contributions in the amount of $264,745 which includes equities ($182,029), commodities ($61,046), consulting ($20,125), and scriptures ($1,545).

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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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