Better Business Bureau Report for
Harris House Foundation

Better Business Bureau Report issued December 2006
Better Business Bureau Report expires December 2008


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: Harris House Foundation
Address: 8327 South Broadway
  St. Louis, MO 63111
Phone: 314-631-4299
Web Address: www.harrishouse.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1945, Missouri
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Harris House is a charitable, not-for-profit corporation whose primary purpose is to help alcoholic and chemically dependent men and women achieve sobriety and become useful, healthy and productive individuals.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Harris House Foundation (HHF) 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.

The average number of directors attending the Harris House Board of Directors meetings was less than 50% of the total board.

Standard 14: Budget - Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

The budget provided by the organization does not clearly identify the projected amounts to be spent on fund raising and administrative activities.

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.

The organization states 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.

The organization solicits donations via its website; however, it does not have its annual report information or a link to its most recent IRS Form 990 on the site. 

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.

The organization does not have an online privacy policy. 

Harris House Foundation (HHF) meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Harris House offers a unique, long-term residential program for men and women with alcohol and chemical dependency. It is the only long-term residential facility for recovery from addictions in the St. Louis area. Licensed and certified professional substance abuse counselors lead the programs. Harris House provides a continuum of residential care: • STAIRS -- 28 days of comprehensive recovery programming. It includes 4-5 small group meetings each day, individual counseling, independent study, case management, and exposure to the 12-step recovery community. (Capacity 6 men and 4 women) • Primary Program – A minimum of 120 days. Men and women who enter the Primary program are required to obtain fulltime work during the day. They receive group and individual counseling during the evenings. Residents pay a nominal rent from their earnings. Residents may stay up to 12 months. (Capacity 17 women and 31 men) • Transition Program – Men and women who complete the Primary Program may enter the Transition House for up to 12 additional months. Residents continue to receive supportive professional counseling and case management services as they learn to live in a less-structured environment. They serve as mentors for men and women in the Primary and STAIRS programs. (Capacity 6 men and 4 women) Harris House helps from 250 to 300 men and women each year.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, HHF's program expenses were:

  
Alcoholism treatment 574,385
Total Program Expenses: $574,385
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : John M. Aliperti, Executive Director
Compensation*:
$66,612

Chair of the Board: Kathleen Connors
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: T&P Incentives

Board Size: 36

Paid Staff Size: 14

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:


Fund raising costs were 12% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $637,185, 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 HHF's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 269,787
Program rents 264,360
United Way 187,731
Grants 102,685
Special Events 76,982
Interest/other 5,346
Total Income $906,891


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 79%  Fund Raising: 11%  Administrative: 10% 

Total income   $906,891
  Program expenses $574,385
  Fund raising expenses 79,588
  Administrative expenses 71,379
 
Total expenses   $725,352
Income in Excess of Expenses   181,539
Beginning net assets   548,281
Ending net assets   729,820
Total liabilities   275,011
Total assets   $1,004,831


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