Better Business Bureau Report for
Community Advocates, Inc.

Better Business Bureau Report issued June 2012
Better Business Bureau Report expires June 2014


This BBB Accredited charity meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Community Advocates, Inc.
Address: 728 N James Lovell St
  Milwaukee, WI 53233
Phone: 414-449-4777
Web Address: www.communityadvocates.net
Also known as:Community Advocates
Milwaukee Womens Center
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1976, Wisconsin
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: to provide individuals and families with advocacy and services that meet their basic needs so they may live in dignity

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Community Advocates, Inc. (Comm. Adv.) meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Founded in 1976, Community Advocates serves residents of Milwaukee County at the lowest income levels, the majority of whom are racial and ethnic minorities. Specifically, the agency helps its clients secure safe and affordable housing, adequate health care, and affordable heat and utilities. We also provide case management, advocacy to disabled individuals who are seeking Social Security benefits, and services to assist those who suffer from domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental illness. To reduce barriers for some of Milwaukee’s most underserved and at-risk populations, Community Advocates is one of the few remaining organizations that welcomes walk-in clients five days a week. Community Advocates operates more than 60 programs and is the founder and/or lead agency for several of Milwaukee’s most strategic basic needs coalitions. Additionally, the agency participates in dozens of other task forces, collaborations and partnerships designed to assist in the development of and delivery of human needs services. Within its programming, Community Advocates’ Milwaukee Women’s Center Division provides specialized services for children who are victims of family violence who currently safely reside with their mothers in either our emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence or are living at our Family Support Center, Milwaukee’s largest shelter for families who are homeless.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, Comm. Adv.'s program expenses were:

  
Justice 2000 3,792,282
Basic Needs 3,447,529
Behavioral Health 2,413,270
Milwaukee Women's Center 2,413,270
Community Coalitions 2,068,517
Public Policy Institute 689,506
Other 517,129
Total Program Expenses: $15,341,503
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Joseph L. Volk, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*: 
$135,000

Chair of the Board: Pamela Klein
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Fresh Coast Partners LLC

Board Size: 16

Paid Staff Size: 197

*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
Fund raising costs were 2% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $16,941,637, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
Comm. Adv. incurred joint costs of $13,633 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs , and .
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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 Comm. Adv.'s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

Source of Funds  
State of WI Grants 5,378,152
Milw. Co. Grants 4,155,350
Federal Grants 2,578,452
City of Milw. Grants 2,096,845
Other Grants 1,378,259
Contributions 905,889
United Way 313,190
Miscellaneous 187,977
Foundation Grants 135,500
Gain on Investments 47,492
Kenosha Co. Grants 43,737
Interest and Dividends 16,803
Total Income $17,237,646


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 89%  Fund Raising: 2%  Administrative: 9% 

Total income $17,237,646
Program expenses $15,341,503
Fund raising expenses 273,357
Administrative expenses 1,622,786
Total expenses $17,237,646
Beginning net assets 3,225,498
Ending net assets 3,225,498
Total liabilities 6,418,353
Total assets $9,643,851


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