Better Business Bureau Report for
Financial Fitness Services

Better Business Bureau Report issued May 2009
Better Business Bureau Report expires May 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...


Find out more about this charity:

Back To Top

Charity Contact Information

Name: Financial Fitness Services
Address: 1226 Linn Street, Suite C
  Sikeston, MO 63801
Phone: 573-347-19737
Web Address: www.financialfitnessservices.com
Back To Top

Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 2001, Missouri
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: exists to provide financial counseling, housing counseling, conduct community outreach activities, and provide debtor education.

Back To Top

Evaluation Conclusions

              

Financial Fitness Services (FFS) does not meet the following 4 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 organization had one board meeting last fiscal year. 

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 organization's budget did not show total projected program, fundraising, and administrative expenses. 

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's annual report does not include a board roster or a fund balance. 

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. 

Financial Fitness Services (FFS) meets the remaining 16 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Back To Top

Programs

              

Senior Adult Counseling Program, Family Caregiver Program, Bankruptcy Counseling, and Personal Financial Management/Debtor Education Classes.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, FFS's program expenses were:

  
Programs 41,269
Total Program Expenses: $41,269
Back To Top

Governance

              

Chief Executive : Donna Taylor , Executive Director
Compensation*:
$8,527

Chair of the Board:
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:

Board Size: 2

Paid Staff Size: 3

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Back To Top

Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

direct mail, grant proposals
Fund raising costs were 20% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,245, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
Back To Top

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.
Back To Top

Financial

              

The following information is based on FFS's audited financial statements for the year ended December, 31 2007.

Source of Funds  
Program Service Revenue 38,336
Other Revenue 8,790
Contributions 1,245
Total Income $48,371


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 88%  Fund Raising: 1%  Administrative: 11% 

Total income   $48,371
  Program expenses $41,269
  Fund raising expenses 250
  Administrative expenses 5,000
 
Total expenses   $46,519
Income in Excess of Expenses   1,852
Beginning net assets   1,229
Ending net assets   3,484
Total liabilities   381
Total assets   $3,865


Back To Top

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.