Better Business Bureau Report for
Northeast Independent Living Services

Better Business Bureau Report issued February 2009
Better Business Bureau Report expires February 2011


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: Northeast Independent Living Services
Address: 909 Broadway, Suite 350
  Hannibal, MO 63401
Phone: 573-221-8282
Web Address: www.neilscenter.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1994, Missouri
Affiliates: Quality In-Home Care
Stated Purpose: exists to assist persons with disabilities of all ages to live as independently as they choose within their community. Philosophy: The Independent Living motto, CHOICE, CONTROL, and CHANGE sums up our philosophy: “Control over one’s life by making choices that in turn bring about change.” NEILS’ activities and programs are based on these three guiding principles: CHOICE: Many persons with disabilities are not aware of options that might allow them to live more independently. NEILS educates persons with disabilities about available opportunities. They can then choose to use what they have learned to set new goals. Through community advocacy, NEILS works to expand the available range of choices and solutions for persons with disabilities. CONTROL: Once persons with disabilities have chosen the goals they wish to pursue, NEILS assists them in accomplishing their goals. In this way, they are in control, deciding what needs to be done and how to achieve it. NEILS’ policies are strongly influenced by persons with disabilities’ needs and interests. Advocacy activities are controlled by persons with disabilities’ needs and interests, as well. CHANGE: By learning to make sound and independent choices and taking control of the decisions made regarding their lives, persons with disabilities, with NEILS’ support and assistance, move away from unnecessary dependency. NEILS, through community education and advocacy, works to encourage removal of institutional barriers for the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in community life.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Northeast Independent Living Services (NEILS) does not meet the following 6 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 6: Board Policy on Effectiveness - Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

The organization does not meet this Standard because the board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.  The organization has informed the BBB that it is working to comply with this Standard. 

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.

The organization does not meet this Standard because it did not have a detailed functional breakdown of expenses in its audited financial statements.  The organization has informed the BBB that it is working to comply with this Standard.   

Standard 13: Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements - Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

This organization does not meet this Standard because its audited financial statements and IRS Form 990 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008 reports the organization had no fund raising or administrative expenses.  The organization has informed the BBB that it is working to comply with this Standard.     

 

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.

This organization does not meet this Standard because the budget provided by the organization does not clearly identify the projected amounts to be spent on program, fundraising, and administrative activities.  The organization has informed the BBB that it is working to comply with this Standard.     

 

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 does not meet this Standard because it states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in the past year.  The organization has informed the BBB that it is working to comply with this Standard.     

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 online 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.  The organization has informed the BBB that it is working to comply with this Standard.     

In addition, the St. Louis Better Business Bureau requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s effectiveness measures and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard for Charity Accountability: 7.
Northeast Independent Living Services (NEILS) meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Centers for Independent Living Core Programs: Advocacy NEILS is available to help persons with disabilities learn how to speak for themselves to become better self-advocates with obtaining benefits, legislative issues, etc. Information and Referral Information about disability related issues, resources and services is provided to persons with disabilities, family members, professionals, and the general public. Staff members are available to listen and assist with locating resources and developing strategies for persons with disabilities to resolve problems. Peer Support One on one support is available from trained volunteers and staff to assist persons with disabilities in learning the coping skills for today’s world. Independent Living Skills Training Individualized training is available to persons with disabilities to learn daily living activities that are essential to living independently, safely, effectively and successfully.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, NEILS's program expenses were:

  
Payroll Processing 1,284,274
Wages 744,012
Travel 70,796
Payroll Tax 70,571
Depreciation 46,449
Client Assistance 42,772
Program Supplies 14,115
Dues & Journals 4,423
Total Program Expenses: $2,277,412
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Polly Nicholson, Executive Director
Compensation*:
$52,000

Chair of the Board: Garret Lawrence
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Volunteer

Co-Chair of the Board : Marjorie Seigler

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Volunteer

Board Size: 10

Paid Staff Size: 35

*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, print advertisements, television, grant proposals, internet, Newsletter
Fund raising costs were % of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $57,562, 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 NEILS's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Source of Funds  
Program Revenues 2,639,340
Other Revenue 57,562
Total Income $2,696,902


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 93%    Administrative: 0  Other Expenses: 7%

Total income   $2,696,902
  Program expenses $2,277,412
  Fund raising expenses
  Administrative expenses
  Other Expenses 167,059
Total expenses   $2,444,471
Income in Excess of Expenses   252,431
Beginning net assets   693,121
Ending net assets   945,552
Total liabilities   672,083
Total assets   $1,617,635


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