Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM)

Stated Purpose

Mission: DenUM nourishes the spirit of community and cultivates awareness of urban life. DenUM provides resources for persons in crisis and creates opportunities for individuals and community growth and service.

Evaluation Conclusions

This organization has been evaluated according to the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.This organization meets all those Standards and is a BBB accredited charity.

BBB Charity Seal Participation

Charities that meet the Standards for Charity Accountability are eligible to participate in BBB Wise Giving Alliance Charity Seal program. This seal, which can be displayed on the charity's web site and in printed materials, helps inform the public that the charity meets these standards. This organization participates in this program.

Programs

DenUM provides services in three program areas.
-Outreach Services is the crisis center and often the point of entry for those who have emergency needs.
-Job Services specializes in helping those with the most difficult employment barriers to overcome, such as criminal records, affordable childcare, insufficient education, addictions, mental illness, and more.
-Community Services focuses on ways concerned citizens can help to improve the lives of low income people.

In 2007, DenUM provided the following services to low-income residents of the metro Denver area: Food packages for 7,998 families (that served at least 21,595 men, women, and children); homeless lunches for 906; weekly produce that served 4,425; Share Colorado Food distribution averaging 20 families per month (July-Dec); clothing for 10,287; infant supplies for 754; legal counseling for 123; notary services for 103; health screenings for 141; job services totaling 11,194; identification and/or birth certificates for 1,470 U.S. citizens; rental assistance that served 228; utility assistance that served 511; urban education experiences for 1,224 individuals-all of whom donated volunteer time totaling 6,964 hours; and volunteer experiences for community volunteers totaling 9,996 hours of service.

Governance

Fund Raising

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.

Financial

According to Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM)'s Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2006:

* Excess for the year indicates the portion of income remaining after expenses.

Charity Licensing

All charitable organizations soliciting contributions in Colorado -- with a few specific exceptions listed in the Charitable Solicitations Act at 6-16-104(6)(a)-(c), C.R.S. -- must submit an initial registration statement with the Secretary of State and receive a registration number. After the initial registration, annual registration statements must be renewed each year by the 5th day of the fifth month after the close of the organization’s fiscal year. In addition, all solicitation campaigns utilizing paid solicitors as defined at 6-16-103(7), C.R.S. must be listed on separate Solicitation Notices, which should be filed online by the paid solicitor.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. Please understand that a BBB report is furnished solely to assist donors in making their own judgment. This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes. Copyright 2006, BBB.

Industry Tips

Charitable Giving Tips

Whether charitable organizations use their employees, volunteers or professional fund- raisers to solicit donations by phone, mail, or in person, consider the following precautions to ensure that your donation dollars benefit the people and programs you want to help.

-Ask for written information, including the charity's name, address, and telephone number. A legitimate charity or fund- raiser will give you materials outlining the charity's mission, how your donation will be used, and proof that your contribution is tax deductible.

-Ask for identification. Many states require paid fund-raisers to identify themselves as such and to name the charity for which they're soliciting. If the solicitor refuses, hang up and report it to local law enforcement officials.

-Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. If not, you may be dealing with a fraudulent solicitor.

-Watch out for similar sounding names. Some phony charities use names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations.

-Know the difference between "tax exempt" and "tax deductible." Tax exempt means the organization doesn't have to pay taxes. Tax deductible means you can deduct your contribution on your federal income tax return. Even though an organization is tax exempt, your contribution may not be tax deductible. If deductibility is important to you, ask for a receipt showing the amount of your contribution and stating that it is tax deductible.

-Be skeptical if someone thanks you for a pledge you don't remember making. If you have any doubt whether you've made a pledge or previously contributed, check your records. Be on the alert for invoices claiming you've made a pledge when you know you haven't. Some unscrupulous solicitors use this approach to get your money.

-Ask how your donation will be distributed. How much will go to the program you want to support, and how much will cover the charity's administrative costs? If a professional fund-raiser is used, ask how much it will keep.

-Refuse high pressure appeals. Legitimate fund-raisers won't push you to give on the spot.

-Be wary of charities offering to send a courier to collect your donation immediately.

-Consider the costs. When buying merchandise or tickets for special events, or when receiving free goods in exchange for giving, remember that these items cost money and generally are paid for out of your contribution. Although this can be an effective fund-raising tool, less money may be available for the charity.

-Be wary of guaranteed sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a contribution. You never have to donate anything to be eligible to win.

-Avoid cash gifts that can be lost or stolen. For security and tax record purposes, it's best to pay by check. Use the official full name of the charity - not initials - on your check. Avoid solicitors who want to send a courier or use an overnight delivery service to pick up your donation.

More information:
Philanthropic Advisory Service/ BBB Wise Giving Alliance Council of BBBs
4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203-1838
(703) 276-0100
http://www.bbb.org

American Institute of Philanthropy
4905 Del Ray Avenue, Suite 300
(301) 913-5200


(Source of info: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm)

ID: 3003413
Report as of November 21, 2009 00:04
Copyright^© 2009 Better Business Bureau

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. Donors must decide for themselves the significance of any variation from BBB Standards, taking into account the relative importance of the practice in question in the context of the organization's total performance.

This report reflects the results of an evaluation of informational materials provided voluntarily by the organization. The report is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgement.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.