BBB Wise Giving Report for
Adopt A US Soldier

BBB Wise Giving Report issued April 2010
BBB Wise Giving Report expires April 2012


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: Adopt A US Soldier
Address: 7440 S Blackhawk Street,
Suite 15-106
  Englewood , CO 80112
Phone: 303-627-0236
Web Address: www.adoptaussoldier.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 2005, Colorado
Affiliates: None

Stated Purpose: "to connect supportive Americans with deployed soldiers and offer a channel by which to communicate encouragement and express gratitude to the brave men and women serving the United States."

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Adopt A US Soldier (AAUSS) 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.

AAUSS does not meet this Standard:

  • Since its one board meetings held in the past year did not involve face to face participation.

Standard 11: Financial Statements - Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $250,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $100,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

AAUSS does not meet this Standard because:

  • Although requested, the organization did not provide the Alliance with a copy of its financial statements.

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.

AAUSS does not meet this standard because:

  • The organization has indicated that it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in the past 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.

AAUSS does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.adoptaussoldier.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.

AAUSS does not meet this Standard because:

In addition, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight, effectiveness measures, finances, solicitation materials, and donor privacy and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 12 Standards for Charity Accountability: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15.
AAUSS meets the remaining 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

AAUSS supports veterans and active duty soldier through their “Adopt A US Soldier” program. Through this program, individuals can provide encouragement and support to deployed soldiers by sending them supportive letters, emails, and care packages. Furthermore, upon request, AAUSS provides support to troops when they arrive back to the US by connecting them to resources that will help them to make a smoother transition back to normalcy.
 

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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Ann Johnson, Founder and CEO
Compensation*:
None

Chair of the Board: Not provided
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:

Board Size:

Paid Staff Size: 16

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances. According to AAUSS, no staff is compensated; however the Alliance is unable to verify this as the organization did not provide a copy of its most recent IRS Form 990.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

Internet appeals and direct mail.
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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

              

AAUSS did not provide the Alliance with any financial statements and so as a result, the Alliance is unable to provide a summary of the organization's finances.  Furthermore, the Alliance is also unable to verify  whether or not AAUSS meets the BBB Standards relating to finances (Standards 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13).

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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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