Charity Report

  • Issued: April 2022
  • Expires: April 2024

Easter Seals Greater Houston

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

713-838-9050

4888 Loop Central Drive, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77081

http://www.eastersealshouston.org/

713-838-9050

4888 Loop Central Drive, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77081

http://www.eastersealshouston.org/

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight

    Oversight of Operations and Staff: Standard 1

    Description
    Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fundraising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Board Size

    Number of Board Members: Standard 2

    Description
    Soliciting organizations shall have a board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Board Meetings

    Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings: Standard 3

    Description
    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 meets this standard.

  4. Board Compensation

    Compensated Board Members: Standard 4

    Description
    Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Conflict of Interest

    Conflict of Interest: Standard 5

    Description
    No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors that will be considered when concluding whether or not a related party transaction constitutes a conflict of interest and if such a conflict is material, include, but are not limited to: any arm's length procedures established by the charity; the size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity; whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction; if competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time, recurring or ongoing.

    The organization meets this standard.

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy

    Board Policy on Effectiveness: Standard 6

    Description
    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 meets this standard.

  2. Effectiveness Report

    Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness: Standard 7

    Description
    Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

    The organization meets this standard.

Finances

  1. Program Expenses

    Program Service Expense Ratio: Standard 8

    Description
    Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Fundraising Expenses

    Fundraising Expense Ratio: Standard 9

    Description
    Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fundraising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fundraising efforts.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Accumulating Funds

    Ending Net Assets: Standard 10

    Description
    Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Audit Report

    Financial Statements: Standard 11

    Description
    Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown

    Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses: Standard 12

    Description
    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, fundraising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Accurate Expense Reporting

    Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements: Standard 13

    Description
    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 fundraising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fundraising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

    The organization meets this standard.

  7. Budget Plan

    Budget: Standard 14

    Description
    Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fundraising, and administration.

    The organization meets this standard.

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials

    Misleading Appeals: Standard 15

    Description
    Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard. A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity's solicitations.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Annual Report

    Annual Report: Standard 16

    Description
    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, fundraising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Website Disclosures

    Web Site Disclosures: Standard 17

    Description
    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 meets this standard.

  4. Donor Privacy

    Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy: Standard 18

    Description
    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 meets this standard.

  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures

    Cause Related Marketing: Standard 19

    Description
    Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Complaints

    Complaints: Standard 20

    Description
    Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local Better Business Bureaus about fundraising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.

    The organization meets this standard.

Conclusion

Easter Seals Greater Houston meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

  • Year, State Incorporated

    1951, TX

  • Stated Purpose

    Help, hope, answers.Providing multiple life-changing services to babies, children and adults with disabilities and their families, as well as veterans and their families, so they can live, learn, work and play in our community.


Programs

Easter Seals Greater Houston served more than 11,000 families in 2017 through multiple life-changing programs as follows: Adult Services offers recreational opportunities to older adults/seniors and younger adults with disabilities through bi-weekly meetings, bowling, field trips, education, self-advocacy, skills training and touch based technology training. This program offers many of its clients their only opportunity for socializing and provides respite for the adult participant’s caregivers.BridgingApps is a community of parents, therapists, doctors, teachers and people with disabilities who share information on how apps and mobile devices can help people of all abilities reach their highest levels of physical, social, and cognitive development. Available locally, in the Rio Grande Valley, Fort Worth and Austin or through the website, www.BridgingApps.org.Camps and Case Management includes Camp Buckaroo (day camp), Camp Smiles (overnight camp) and Camp MOST for teens (overnight camp) as well as Family Day Out (Houston, Fort Bend and Woodlands) which provide recreation and socialization for the child as well as respite for the caregiver. Case management provides community connection, referral to resources and emotional support for people with disabilities, their caregivers and siblings. Other connections include limited emergency assistance, CLASS Case Management & Official Food Bank Pantry.Children’s Therapy Services are physical, occupational and speech therapy for children birth to eighteen including intensive therapy for potentially life-changing results as well as AAC/AT assessments and evaluations. Houston Clinic.ECI/Infant Program provides comprehensive Early Childhood Intervention Services for children 0 to age thirty-six months including physical, occupational, speech and vision therapy as well as case management services, community resource referral services in Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Liberty, Walker, Grimes, Washington, Madison, Brazos, Burleson, Leon and Robertson Counties.High School/High Tech is a community-based partnership of parents, educators, rehabilitation professionals and business representatives working together to encourage high school students with disabilities to explore the fields of science, engineering and technology. This program is 1 of 5 in the United States to offer Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) with mentoring, job skills, transition and internships for at-risk teens with disabilities. Includes campus meetings, company tours and internships.Housing Initiative / Financial Coaching assists low-income adults with disabilities or a family with a child with a disability realize the dream of owning their first home through financial coaching, credit boot camp, home buyers education, down payment assistance. The program is a proud partner of THRIVE which works to break the cycle of poverty through collaboration. Harris, Fort Bend, Liberty and Montgomery counties.Respite Services provides relief options to parents who provide ongoing care of their family member who has a disability, through vouchers for in-home respite care, Lifespan, Parent Night Out and Respitality to reduce stress, prevent divorce, abuse, and institutionalization of individuals with disabilities.The Caroline School is an option for parents of children with significant disabilities who are seeking availability of a private alternative to existing public school special education programs. The focus is on meeting the physical, cognitive and social needs of the child including available physical, occupational, speech therapy, touch based technology and music/dance therapy on site.Toy/Tech and Play Therapy offers a lending library of specially adapted toys and AT&T Assistive Technology Lab, Karate, dance, art, adapted PlayAPalooza, yoga, pet therapy, play groups, counseling, and other educational experiences to help the development and integration of children with disabilities into their families, school and the community.Transition/Employment Services offering a full range of services for youth with autism and co-occurring mental illness; vocational training through Texas Workforce Solutions for people with all types of disabilities.Veteran Services is a program offering service and companion dogs for veterans with disabilities; case management and referral to other needed services for active service, veterans and their families. Texas Veterans Family Alliance Collaborative includes outreach and direct services to veterans and their families through counseling, case management, technology, telemedicine, and other supports that will increase access to mental health services and provide a consistent, trusted place where the veteran/family members can turn when issues arise.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, Easter Seals Greater Houston program expenses were:

Total Program Services $22,233,974
Program Expenses $22,233,974

Governance & Staff

  • CEO

    Ms. Elise Coleman Hough, CEO

  • Board Chair

    Mrs. Elizabeth Deluca, Volunteer, mother of child with disability, advocate

  • Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

  • Board Size

    17

  • Paid Staff Size

    220

Fundraising

Method(s) Used:
Invitations to fundraising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television, Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.).

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 5.51%

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

The following information is based on Easter Seals Greater Houston's Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022

Source of Funds
Government grants $10,294,693
Program service fees/third party reimbursement $9,792,873
Contributions $1,338,798
Net Assets Released from Restrictions $685,370
Special events $568,341
In-kind contributions $93,687
Other (loss) income $-260,368
Total Income $22,513,394

Breakdown of Expenses

Total Income $22,513,394
Total Expenses: $23,264,308
Program Expenses $22,233,974
Fundraising Expenses $672,702
Administrative Expenses $357,632
Other Expenses $0
Expenses in Excess of Income $750,914
Beginning Net Assets $8,718,825
Other Changes In Net Assets $328,800
Ending Net Assets $8,296,711
Total Liabilities $4,630,660
Total Assets $12,927,371

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