Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida does not meet the following 4 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.
DSACF 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.
DSACF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
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.
DSACF does not meet this Standard because the 2020 annual report did not include:
- A roster of the organization's board of directors.
- Total fundraising expenses.
- Total administrative expenses.
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.
DSACF does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://www.dsacf.org/, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
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:
1
15
19
Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida (DSACF) reports that it serves as a voice within its community for those with Down syndrome and their families through advocacy, awareness, and education programs. The organization seeks to be a resource for families to connect them with other families living through and with Down syndrome. DSACF offers education workshops to children and their parents including Music and Baby Basics, Signing Times, Special Reads, and also occupational therapy. The organization operates a pre-kindergarten summer camp and summer learning academy to assist elementary school children with Down syndrome. For teenagers, DSACF offers athletic programs, communication skills classes, and an entrepreneur academy. Together, these programs aim to assist teenagers to be active, learn skill sets, and become gainfully employed. The organization states that it also distributes scholarships and emergency assistance to families. In 2019, DSACF reports that it provided 668 children and their families with free trips during its Family Fun Day, distributed $2,000 each to 160 families to cover emergency needs and medical expenses, and connected more than 70 families to doctors, therapists, and other professionals to assist their needs. In addition, DSACF states that more than 200 children participated in its education programs.
For the year ended July 31, 2019, Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$537,905 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$537,905 |
-
Chief Executive
Heather Barnes, Executive Director
-
Compensation*
$0
-
Chair of the Board
Byron Lawson
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Head of School, Trinity Preparatory School
-
Board Size
7
-
Paid Staff Size
4
*2020 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Heather Barnes assumed the position of Executive Director in July 2020. Her compensation is not available at this time. Amy Drow served as the Interim Executive Director in 2018, receiving $93,932 in compensation,
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 8% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $612,221 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 Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida's audited financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions and grants |
$415,572 |
| Special events, net |
$196,649 |
| Other revenue |
$29,208 |
| Membership dues |
$4,840 |
| Investment income |
($750) |
| Total Income |
$645,519 |
- Programs: 87%
- Fundraising: 7%
- Administrative: 6%
| Total Income |
$645,519 |
| Program expenses |
$537,905 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$49,259 |
| Administrative expenses |
$37,886 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$625,050 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$20,469 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$1,148,445 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$1,168,914 |
| Total Liabilities |
$210,728 |
| Total Assets |
$1,379,642 |
Note: According to DSACF's audited financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2019, the organization received $191,170 in donated admission tickets.