BBB Wise Giving Report for
Bibles for the World

BBB Wise Giving Report issued January 2011
BBB Wise Giving Report expires January 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: Bibles for the World
Address: Post Office Box 49759
  Colorado Springs, CO 80949
Phone: 719-630-7733
Web Address: www.bftw.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1958, Illinois
Affiliates: Partnership Mission Society

Stated Purpose: "to share the Good News of God's love in Christ Jesus by ministering to the unreached, to the Church and to Christian leaders in developing nations, with a strong emphasis on India."

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Bibles for the World (BFTW) does not meet the following 5 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.

BFTW does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors held two meetings of the full governing board in the past fiscal year.

Standard 4: Compensated Board Members - Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

BFTW does not meet this Standard because:

  • 2 members out of the 9 member board of directors (22%) are paid staff.

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.

BFTW does not meet this standard because:

  • The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in the past fiscal year.

Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures - Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

BFTW does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.bftw.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • A roster of the board of directors.
  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • End of year net assets.
  • Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.

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.

BFTW does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, www.bftw.org is not:

  • Prominent and does not indicate what security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
BFTW meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

BFTW prints and distributes Bibles, New Testaments, and other scripture portions around the world. In addition, BFTW supports and trains church and missionary workers, provides medical care, and provides education for young people throughout India. BFTW also runs the India Children's Choir, which travels to the United States annually to spread BFTW's message.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, BFTW's program expenses were:

  
Partnership ministries 2,251,545
Bible distribution 474,653
India Children's Choir 382,222
Volunteer services 17,933
Total Program Expenses: $3,126,353
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Rochunga Pudaite, Founder and CEO
Compensation*:
$95,190

Chair of the Board: Louis Pope
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Insurance Salesman, Louis Pope Company

Board Size: 9

Paid Staff Size: 10

*July 1, 2008 -June 30, 2009 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, grant proposals, Internet appeals, and planned giving.
Fund raising costs were 8% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $3,814,651, 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 BFTW's audited financial statements (consolidated with affiliate) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 3,814,651
Tuition and fees 340,801
Other income 47,938
Investment income (loss) -14,799
Change in value of annuities -38,948
Total Income $4,149,643


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 84%  Fund Raising: 8%  Administrative: 8% 

Total income   $4,149,643
  Program expenses $3,126,353
  Fund raising expenses 284,736
  Administrative expenses 289,484
 
Total expenses   $3,700,573
Income in Excess of Expenses   449,070
Beginning net assets   4,239,869
Other Changes in Net Assets 421,346
Ending net assets   5,110,285
Total liabilities   148,567
Total assets   $5,258,852

Note: In the above financial summary, "other changes in net assets" represents a foreign currency translation adjustment.

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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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