Nonprofit Review Booklet 2014

Align your

nonprofit with one of the most

recognized symbols of trust across North America!

2014 Denver/Boulder

denver.bbb.org becomeaccredited.org

Marketplace trust is paramount to nonprofits, so being a BBB Accredited Charity shows the community that our commitment to accountability and ethical practices is real. Our BBB Accreditation differentiates us and confirms that integrity is at our core.

Dave Ryan, CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado BBB Accredited Charity Since 2004

TRUST

in the Marketplace

BBB VISION AND MISSION BBB began reviewing national charities in the 1920s and we continue to be one of the most experienced charity evaluators. Our evaluations involve the most comprehensive set of standards among all major charity monitoring groups. BBB Standards for Charity Accountability address the following areas: • Governance and Oversight Ensure that the volunteer board is active, independent and free of self-dealing.

Our Vision An ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.

• Measuring Effectiveness Organization has defined, measurable goals and objectives in place and a defined process.

• Finances Ensure that the charity spends its funds honestly and prudently.

• Fund Raising and Informational Materials Ensure that a charity’s representations to the public are accurate, complete and respectful.

Our Mission To be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.

BBB accomplishes this mission by: • Creating a community of trustworthy businesses and charities • Setting standards for marketplace trust • Encouraging and supporting best practices • Celebrating marketplace role models • Denouncing substandard marketplace behavior

As the ultimate socially responsible retailer, we always strive to provide the best customer care to our supporters, which is why we value our partnership and Accreditation through the Better Business Bureau of Denver/Boulder.

Stuart Davie, President & CEO, Goodwill Industries of Denver

1

LEADER

in the Community

LOCAL IMPACT OF BBB IN 2013 LOCAL CHARITY REVIEWS READ

28,185 CHARITY REVIEWS R E A D N AT I O N A L LY

5.3 MILLION

Accredited Businesses and Charities

BBB DENVER/BOULDER SE RVES 12 COU NTIES , MORE THAN 100,000 BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS, MILLIONS OF CONSU ME RS AND DONORS .

TWO KEY REASONS WHY NONPROFITS BECOME BBB ACCREDITED • For customer trust and confidence • For enhancement of an organization’s

reputation

4,030,695

3,373,095

Total website visitors in 2013

Total unique website visitors in 2013

*December 31, 2013: 7,723 Accredited Businesses and Charities Data collected from the Nielsen Company (2012), Alexa (2013), CBBB (2013), and MGA Communications (2013)

2

PROMOTE

your BBB Accreditation

ADVANTAGES OF ACCREDITATION BALANCE VISIBILITY Our Logo...Your Credibility When you join as a BBB Accredited Charity, you will be granted use of the BBB torch logo. The widely recognized and respected logo demonstrates that your organization has met comprehensive BBB standards. You will have access to the electronic BBB logo, plaque, stickers, window decals, posters, and more to highlight your accreditation. The logo can be used on your website and in print materials. When seeing this logo in connection with your organization, donors can trust that your nonprofit is operating responsibly.

BBBs Powerful SEO Impact!

Your organization’s website will join a network of more than 800,000,000 links—making it more trustworthy and higher ranking in the eyes of search engines.

112 BBBs Across the U.S. and Canada + 400,000 BBB Accredited Businesses = More than 800 Million SEO Links ENHANCE VISIBILITY BBB Online Directory • 25,000 Visitors per Month in 2013.

Your organization will be listed on our websites online directory as an Accredited Charity and under one additional nonprofit industry category. In 2013 alone, our website saw more than four million visitors, and more than 25,000 individuals utilized the directory each month.

E-NEWSLETTER AND E-BLAST You will receive BBB e-newsletters and e-blasts which include useful articles, information about upcoming events and other strategies to help your nonprofit thrive. We will use this avenue to highlight our Accredited Charity program and participants, and our e-newsletters and e-blasts are sent to more than 60 thousand individuals weekly.

3

GROW

your Organization

HIGHLIGHT YOUR NONPROFIT NONPROFIT EVENTS CALENDAR Highlight your upcoming fundraiser or events in our online calendar which will be promoted in our website, e-newsletter, and e-blasts.

BBB CO-BRANDING We want your organization to thrive! We will highlight your organization in various media outlets including the BBB’s social media pages, e-newsletter, e-blasts, and in the BBB Community Guide reaching 75,000 each quarter.

ACCREDITED CHARITY REFERRAL PROGRAM When individuals request a roster of industry-specific nonprofits, your organization will be included in those lists in which your services/programs are relevant.

APPLY FOR THE TORCH AWARD FOR MARKETPLACE TRUST Get noticed for the exceptional work your organization is doing by applying for one of the nonprofit-specific Torch Awards. These awards not only highlight your status as an Accredited Charity, but also show that your organization is the best of the best.

ACCREDITED CHARITY AND EMPLOYEE HOTLINE We’ll provide your nonprofit with an exclusive BBB phone number for reviews of business and nonprofits as well as helpful tips to protect and assist your employees in purchasing decisions.

BBB AFFINITY PROGRAM PINNACOL WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SAFETY GROUP 4% discount on workers’ compensation insurance for qualifying Accredited Charities.

MOUNTAIN STATES EMPLOYERS COUNCIL 49% discount on membership to nonprofits with 10 or fewer employees.

PERFECT PROCESSING & TRANSFIRST Credit card processing services from our partner companies that may reduce your costs for accepting credit cards.

PUBLIC SERVICE CREDIT UNION Pre-approved credit union benefits for employees (and their family members) of BBB Accredited Charities.

4

ENHANCE

your Reputation

START WITH TRUST

®

BBB’s history dates back to 1912 making it one of the most successful nonprofit organizations across North America.

BBB charity reporting is one of the oldest continuing programs of BBB and dates back to appeals for war relief efforts after World War I. BBB’s charity review program was developed to help donors make informed giving decisions and to promote high standards of conduct among organizations that solicit contributions from the public.

Today, there are 112 Better Business Bureaus in the U.S. and Canada.

Boulder

Broomfield Denver

Gilpin on

Adams Jeff ers

Clear Creek

Douglas

Arapahoe

Yuma Washington

Elbert

BBB DENVER/BOULDER 12-COUNTY SERVICE AREA

When you are an Accredited Charity with the BBB, your BBB logo demonstrates to potential donors that your organization: • meets the strong and comprehensive standards of the BBB • addresses accountability issues like donor privacy and charity effectiveness that go beyond what government regulators require • works to increase donor confidence and strengthen public trust in philanthropy Let the Accredited Charity logo publicize your organization’s commitment to accountability and ethical practices.

5

ALIGN

with Innovation WHAT COMES NEXT?

To begin the application process, please contact Adriana Carmona, Nonprofit Program Director, at acarmona@denver.bbb.org or 303.996.3987. Our staff will walk you through the steps for gathering the required materials.

After submitting your application, your organization will be reviewed to determine if it meets BBB standards.

If your organization meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability, we will notify you that you are now eligible to participate in the BBB Accredited Charity Program.

If your organization does not meet standards, we outline exactly where you fall short, so that you can take action to improve and so donors can factor that information into their decision. We want to help your organization succeed!

Remember, our standards are voluntary—nonprofits are not obligated by law to meet them, but becoming a BBB Accredited Charity shows that your organization is committed to being the best of the best.

At Family Tree, integrity and accountability are core values of our organization and our brand. As a BBB Accredited Charity we are able to communicate these values to the community in a manner that is both visible and highly recognizable.

Scott Shields, CEO Family Tree, Inc. BBB Accredited Charity since 2007

FEE SCALE Nonprofit’s Annual Revenue

Annual Fee

Up to $99,999 ........................................ $150 $100,000 to $999,999.........................$300 $1 million to $2.5 million.. ......................$375 $2.5 million to $5 million. . ................... $400 $5 million to $10 million.......................$500 $10 million and above...........................$600 6

NETWORKING AND EDUCATION ADVANTAGES OF ACCREDITATION Through the year, we host education and networking events that are aimed at helping you grow your organization. The events cover a wide variety of topics, including webinars and others designed only for nonprofits. Visit Denver.bbb.org/events for a complete list.

BUSINES S•

R

I• O

OWTH GR SS SINE • EMP OW BU GROW NT • TH ME ER

ESS • BREAK FA SIN S BU T ‘N ES • GRO W BYT TH

SINESS • GO BU VE R

BBB ROI Series Results of Integrity

BBB Empowerment Series BBB & Mountain States Employers Council Partnership

BBB Breakfast ‘N Bytes Software Training Program

T EN NM • GROWTH

BBB Government Program Education and Business Opportunities

Conventionally, ROI stands for “return on investment.” However, integrity may be the single most important practice in which a nonprofit can invest.

Topics Include: Social Media: It’s Not a Fad, Business Identity Theft Tickets are discounted for BBB Accredited Businesses and Charities

Employees are key to the growth and success of any business. An organization with satisfied employees demonstrates employee retention and a sense of community.

Topics/Presentations Include: Affordable Care Act, Instilling Company Standards and Expectations Tickets are exclusively offered to BBB Accredited Businesses & Charities

Learn Microsoft Office, one of the world’s most widely used office platforms.

Training Includes: Outlook Training, Excel Training Tickets are exclusively offered to BBB Accredited Businesses & Charities

Learn about the legislative issues that impact your nonprofit.

Topics/Presentations Include: Attorney General’s Office, Procurement Panel, Identity Theft and Cyber Security Tickets are discounted for BBB Accredited Businesses and Charities

Adriana Carmona Nonprofit Program Director BBB Serving Denver/Boulder 1020 Cherokee Street Denver, CO 80204 303.996.3987 • acarmona@denver.bbb.org denver.bbb.org • becomeaccredited.org • tomorrowsmarketplace.org

April 16, 2014

This publication created and co-designed by Vickie Denham, Graphic Designer, BBB Serving Denver/Boulder.