2016 NONPROFIT ACCREDITATION denver.bbb.org
TRUST
in the Marketplace
VALUE PROPOSITION “Our purpose is to show nonprofits the value that trust and credibility can bring to them. The BBB will continue to be an expert advisor and evaluator providing valuable counsel and accreditation based on robust accountability standards so that nonprofits can better differentiate their cause and cultivate donor confidence.”
BBB provides nonprofit evaluations free to the public. Our review methodology is one of the most widely trusted evaluation processes in the industry. Our holistic approach measures organizations on 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
OUR VISION
An ethical marketplace where buyers and sellers can trust each other.
OUR MISSION
To be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.
These standards address: • Governance and Oversight Ensure the board is active, independent and free of self-dealing. • 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.
POSITIONING STATEMENT “What we provide is more relevant today than ever before. We help nonprofits give back to society by offering credible ways to assure donors of their integrity and good practices.”
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 BBB Accredited Charity Since 2010 2
LEADER
in the Community
LOCAL CHARITY REVIEWS READ
BBB DENVER/BOULDER SE RVES 12 COU NTIES ,
28,832
MORE THAN 100,000
CHARITY REVIEWS R E A D N AT I O N A L LY
BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS, MILLIONS OF
2,031,571*
CONSU ME RS AND DONORS .
*2014 Data
7,207
TWO KEY REASONS WHY NONPROFITS BECOME BBB ACCREDITED
Accredited Businesses and Charities (7,871 locations)
• For customer trust and confidence • For enhancement of an organization’s
7,038,484
reputation
1,026,223
Total website page views in 2015
Total Face Book impressions in 2015
Data collected from the Nielsen Company (2012), Alexa (2013), CBBB (2015)
3
PROMOTE
your BBB Accreditation
BALANCE VISIBILITY Our Logo...Your Credibility As a BBB Accredited Seal Holding Charity, you will be granted use of the BBB torch logo. The widely-recognized and respected logo demonstrates that your organization has met BBB’s comprehensive 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.
ENHANCE VISIBILITY BBB Online Directory • 520,807 Page Views per Month in 2015. Your organization will be listed on our website’s online directory as Charity Local and under any additional nonprofit industry categories in which you serve. When individuals request a roster of industry-specific nonprofits, your organization will be included in those lists in which your services/programs are relevant.
E-BLASTS You will receive BBB e-blasts which include useful articles, information about upcoming events, and other strategies to help your nonprofit thrive. We use this avenue to highlight our Seal Holder participants, and our e-blasts are sent to more than 60,000 individuals weekly. 4
GROW
your Organization
BBB CO-MARKETING We want your organization to thrive! We will highlight your organization in various media outlets including the BBB’s social media pages, e-blasts, in the BBB Community Guide reaching 75,000 consumers each quarter, and more.
NONPROFIT INTELLIGENCE REPORT Our Nonprofit Intelligence Report gives you insight on how many individuals are looking at you on our website. It also shows Google searches with your organization as the keyword, as well as the locations of inquiries. This information can help you target new donor bases as well as help you identify key words to increase your SEO.
MEETING BBB CHARITY STANDARDS IS ASSOCIATED WITH GREATER FUNDRAISING RESULTS
13.5% increase in fundraising results among charities that meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability as compared to those that did not. (Metro New York) *Baruch College, City University of New York, 2013
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 5
ENHANCE
your Reputation
With the growth of online giving, it is important that your donors know you are a trustworthy organization. The BBB Accredited Charity Seal is a great way to show your trustworthiness to your donors.
WHICH RATINGS SEALS IMPACT GIVING DECISIONS?
A recent Software Advice survey found that the seal is, upon first impression, most likely to influence a person’s decision to donate. The BBB Accredited Charity seal received the highest rating of five stars.
BBB WISE GIVING ALLIANCE 5 STARS
GREAT NONPROFITS
INDEPENDENT CHARITIES OF AMERICA
3.75 STARS
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
3.75 STARS
• addresses accountability issues like donor privacy and charity effectiveness that go beyond what government regulators require
CHARITY WATCH CHARITIES REVIEW COUNCIL SMART GIVERS NETWORK 2.25
3 STARS
• works to increase donor confidence and strengthen public trust in philanthropy
STARS
Let the Accredited Charity logo publicize your organization’s commitment to accountability and ethical practices.
CHARITY NAVIGATOR 1.75 STARS
GUIDESTAR EXCHANGE 1 STAR
Participating in the BBB’s Charity Review Program and meeting all BBB Standards is demonstrably associated with stronger fundraising results and is therefore recommended as a consideration for charities that seek to increase revenue from donative sources. Greg Chen, Ph.D., Baruch College
6
ALIGN
with Innovation
To begin the application process, please contact Nathan Ressler-Aragon, Nonprofit Development Coordinator, at nressler@denver.bbb.org or 303.996.3996. 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 Seal 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.
FEE SCALE Nonprofit’s Annual Revenue
Annual Fee
Up to $99,999 .. ...................................... $150 $100,000 to $499,999.............................$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 7
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY 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., Canada and Mexico.
Boulder
Broomfield Denver
Gilpin on
Adams Arapahoe
Jeff ers
Clear Creek
Douglas
Yuma Washington
Elbert
BBB DENVER/BOULDER 12-COUNTY SERVICE AREA
Adriana Carmona Nonprofit Program Director 303.996.3987 acarmona@denver.bbb.org
Nathan Ressler-Aragon Nonprofit Development Coordinator 303.996.3996 nressler@denver.bbb.org
BBB Serving Denver/Boulder 3801 E. Florida Avenue, Suite 350 Denver, Colorado 80210 denver.bbb.org • bbbdenvernonprofits.org
G BLO
March 17, 2016
This publication created and co-designed by Vickie Denham, Graphic Designer, BBB Serving Denver/Boulder.