Elizabeth Kates Foundation does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
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, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
EKF does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer at least once every two years.
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.
EKF 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.
EKF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
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.
EKF does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, http://theelizabethkatesfoundation.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 2019 IRS Form 990 EZ.
- A summary of the organization's program service accomplishments.
- The organization's 2019 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.
EKF does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, http://theelizabethkatesfoundation.org/, does not:
- Indicate what security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
- Provide prominent access to its privacy policy.
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:
19
Elizabeth Kates Foundation meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Elizabeth Kates Foundation (EKF) reports that it works with incarcerated women in Virginian prisons. The organization states that it provides funding for on-site community college courses and offers scholarships for tuition, textbooks, and supplies for correspondence college courses. Other programs include GED and literary book clubs and clothing for job interviews upon release.
For the year ended March 31, 2020, Elizabeth Kates Foundation's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$42,664 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$42,664 |
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: EKF reports that Ms. Levy volunteers her time with the organization.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $49,084 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 Elizabeth Kates Foundation's Unaudited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2020.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$49,084 |
| Investment income |
$3,606 |
| Other revenue |
$375 |
| Total Income |
$53,065 |
- Programs: 98%
- Fundraising: 2%
- Administrative: Less than 1%
| Total Income |
$53,065 |
| Program expenses |
$42,664 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$618 |
| Administrative expenses |
$412 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$43,694 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$9,371 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$163,850 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$173,221 |
| Total Liabilities |
$0 |
| Total Assets |
$173,221 |