Children's Cancer Connection does not meet the following 6 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
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.
CCC does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
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.
CCC does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 11 (Financial Statements)
Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $500,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $500,000, 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.
CCC does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the organization reported total revenue in the amount of $1,126,548 for the year ended December 31, 2018, CCC states that it does not have audited financial statements.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
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, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
CCC does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2018.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
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.
CCC does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://childrenscancerconnection.org/, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- Electronic access to the organization’s 2018 IRS Form 990.
- The organization's 2018 financial information.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
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.
CCC does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://childrenscancerconnection.org/, does not indicate:
- How to contact the charity to review personal information that is collected and request corrections.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
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Children's Cancer Connection meets the remaining 12 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Children's Cancer Connection (CCC) reports that it strives to provide care for children and families following a cancer diagnosis. The organization operates Hansen Home for Hope where families may take breaks away from the hospital to do laundry, shower, take naps, and cook meals. CCC's Camp Heart Connection consists of two one-week long camps: one for oncology patients and one for siblings. Camp activities include rock wall climbing, horseback riding, arts and crafts, and more. The organization also offers weekend family camps and day camps. In addition, CCC provides book reimbursement and tuition assistance scholarships to individuals who were directly affected by cancer before the age of 18 and live in Iowa.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, Children's Cancer Connection's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$775,524 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$775,524 |
-
Chief Executive
Jennifer Hines, Chief Executive Officer
-
Compensation*
$57,867
-
Chair of the Board
Michael Currie
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Attorney, Grefe & Sidney, P.L.C.
-
Board Size
9
-
Paid Staff Size
12
*2019 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Ms. Hines began her tenure as Chief Executive Officer on June 1, 2019.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Radio
Fundraising costs were 24% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,185,934 are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
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.
The following information is based on Children's Cancer Connection's IRS Form 990 for the year ended December 31, 2018.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$1,124,391 |
| Federated campaigns |
$48,166 |
| Program service revenue |
$12,219 |
| Special events, net |
$6,989 |
| Sale of inventory, net |
$6,388 |
| Sale of securities, net |
($2,505) |
| Investment income, net |
($69,100) |
| Total Income |
$1,126,548 |
- Programs: 67%
- Fundraising: 24%
- Administrative: 9%
| Total Income |
$1,126,548 |
| Program expenses |
$775,524 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$278,736 |
| Administrative expenses |
$113,059 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$1,167,319 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-40,771 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$2,019,879 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$1,979,108 |
| Total Liabilities |
$29,754 |
| Total Assets |
$2,008,862 |
Note: In 2018, CCC reports that it received $27,433 in contributed goods and services including gift cards ($22,622) and legal services ($4,811).