Better Business Bureau Report for
River Alliance of Wisconsin

Better Business Bureau Report issued July 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires July 2013


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: River Alliance of Wisconsin
Address: 306 East Wilson St. Suite 2W
  Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-257-2424
Web Address: www.wisconsinrivers.org
Also known as:River Alliance
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1994, Wisconsin
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: Our mission is to advocate for the protection, enhancement and restoration of Wisconsin's rivers and watersheds.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

River Alliance of Wisconsin does not meet the following Standard 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.

River Alliance of Wisconsin does not meet this Standard because:

  • River Alliance of Wisconsin does state that 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.  However, the organization does perform an appraisal of the organization's performance and effectiveness, as well as create a strategic plan every two years. Currently they are working to create and implement a formal policy.              
River Alliance of Wisconsin meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

Our priorities and where we focus our efforts change from time to time, mimicking the ever-changing rivers we work to protect. But like a river's steady current, the River Alliance adheres to some core principles that do not change with the times. * We advocate respectfully but assertively for rivers. * We bring people to rivers so they experience their beauty and understand their threats. * We partner with, when appropriate, and challenge, when necessary, the government agencies entrusted with protecting rivers. * We develop the ability of ordinary citizens and grassroots groups to organize their passion for rivers.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, River Alliance of Wisconsin's program expenses were:

  
All programs 672,781
Total Program Expenses: $672,781
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Denny Caneff, Executive Director
Compensation*: 
 $82,408

Chair of the Board: Joe Van Berkel
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Retired Sauk County Conservationist

Board Size: 13

Paid Staff Size: 10

*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, grant proposals, internet, membership, online auction event
Fund raising costs were 13% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $501,595, 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 River Alliance of Wisconsin's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Government Fees for Service 338,631
Membership Contributions 126,477
Special Events 26,296
Investment Return 7,107
In-Kind Contributions 4,238
Miscellaneous Revenue 3,453
Grants 2,500
Total Income $508,702


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 85%  Fund Raising: 9%  Administrative: 6% 

Total income $508,702
Program expenses $672,781
Fund raising expenses 67,245
Administrative expenses 47,805
Total expenses $787,831
Expenses in Excess of Income (279,129)
Beginning net assets 531,021
Ending net assets 457,225
Total liabilities 102,770
Total assets $559,995


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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.

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