Better Business Bureau Report for
Belle Center, Inc.

Better Business Bureau Report issued August 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires August 2012


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a Seal Holder. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Belle Center, Inc.
Address: 1082 Old Des Peres Road
  Saint Louis, MO 63131
Phone: 314-821-5230
Web Address: www.bellecenter.com
Also known as:Belle Center of St. Louis
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:The Belle School, Inc.

Year, State Incorporated: 1984, Missouri
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "exists to promote the rights and expectations of all children to be fully included in the community. The center provides a progressive, family-centered inclusive approach to education and community life that supports children with disabilities and their families."

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Belle Center, Inc. (BC) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

The Belle Center champions the interests of children with disabilities and their families. Each of its three programs has a common goal: to reach every facet of children’s lives so that they may be fully included in their communities. Its Embedded Early Education Program is a full inclusion setting, which means that children with and without disabilities learn and play together all day, everyday. Through Outreach Therapy Program, therapists bring therapies to children with disabilities—from birth to age 13—in their own schools and homes. The organization also supports parents by providing them with important classes, information and resources through the Families as Partners Program. Its three programs serve more than 350 children with disabilities, and about 650 families. In short, Belle’s early intervention services provide a bright start in the young lives of children with disabilities…and enable them to reach their full potential.

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

  
Programs 910,168
Total Program Expenses: $910,168
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Jodi Woessner, Executive Director
Compensation*:
 $75,756

Chair of the Board: Kelli Almond
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Owner, Almonds Restaurant/Latitude 26

Board Size: 13

Paid Staff Size: 25

*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, print advertisements, radio, grant proposals, internet, cause-related marketing, events
Fund raising costs were 13% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $538,351, 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 BC's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Tuition & fees 565,220
Grants 340,440
Special events 148,620
Contributions & donations 49,291
Interest & dividend income 403
Total Income $1,103,974


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 81%  Fund Raising: 6%  Administrative: 13% 

Total income   $1,103,974
  Program expenses $910,168
  Fund raising expenses 69,991
  Administrative expenses 141,710
 
Total expenses   $1,121,869
Expenses in Excess of Income   (17,895)
Beginning net assets   248,048
Ending net assets   230,153
Total liabilities   22,310
Total assets   $252,463


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