United Way of Southwest Louisiana does not meet the following 6 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 3 (Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings)
An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.
UW Southwest Louisiana does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors did not hold any meetings during the year ended June 30, 2021.
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.
UW Southwest Louisiana does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's effectiveness assessment policy does not specify that this assessment will take place at least once every two years.
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.
UW Southwest Louisiana does not meet this Standard because, although the organization produced a written effectiveness assessment report in December 2020, the report:
- Did not include recommendations for future actions.
- Was not submitted for approval to the board of directors.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
UW Southwest Louisiana does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2021 budget information, it indicated that the budget did not identify:
- Total projected fundraising expenses.
- Total projected administrative expenses.
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.
UW Southwest Louisiana does not meet this Standard because the 2021 annual report did not include:
- Financial information for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.
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.
UW Southwest Louisiana does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://unitedwayswla.org/, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
United Way of Southwest Louisiana meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
1954, LA
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Stated Purpose
?to recognize, measure and mobilize the resources to target community needs in Southwest Louisiana with a focus on education, economic mobility, health and basic needs.?
United Way of Southwest Louisiana (UW Southwest Louisiana) works to unite the community by funding programs in the areas of education, income, and health. The organization reports aiming to create longlasting change that prevents problems from happening in the first place. UW Southwest Louisiana also reports working with agency partners to ensure that donations are thoughtfully used and fostering cooperation among local, state and national agencies serving the community. As reported by the charity, UW Southwest Louisiana served 111,153 people during 2020.
For the year ended June 30, 2021, United Way of Southwest Louisiana's program expenses were:
| Allocation to agencies and other assistance provided, net |
$2,807,533 |
| Community initiatives |
$637,642 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$3,445,175 |
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Chief Executive
Denise Durel, President and CEO
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Compensation*
$173,445
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Chair of the Board
Barry Brown
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Lake Charles Market Manager, Red River Bank
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Board Size
26
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Paid Staff Size
11
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television
Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $11,126,870, 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 United Way of Southwest Louisiana's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$7,224,565 |
| Disaster relief donations |
$3,392,783 |
| Grant income |
$272,238 |
| Processing fee revenue |
$167,493 |
| Contract income |
$97,978 |
| Insurance recoveries |
$59,268 |
| Investment income |
$59,149 |
| In-kind income |
$47,184 |
| Miscellaneous income |
$6,444 |
| Total Income |
$11,517,202 |
- Programs: 76%
- Fundraising: 14%
- Administrative: 10%
| Total Income |
$11,517,202 |
| Program expenses |
$3,445,175 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$614,411 |
| Administrative expenses |
$496,106 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$4,555,692 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$6,961,510 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$6,334,718 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$13,296,228 |
| Total Liabilities |
$1,071,604 |
| Total Assets |
$14,367,832 |
Note 1: According to the organization’s audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2020, United Way Southwest Louisiana received in-kind contributions of $47,184.