Dismas Ministry does not meet the following 7 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.
Dismas Ministry 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 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.
Dismas Ministry does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the board of directors held four meetings during the year ended June 30, 2020, only one meeting was held in person.
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.
Dismas Ministry 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.
Dismas Ministry does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 13 (Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements)
Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.
Dismas Ministry does not meet this Standard because:
- The BBB Wise Giving Alliance disagrees with the organization's allocation of fundraising expenses. According to the Dismas Ministry's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2019, the organization did not allocate any expenses toward fundraising.
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.
Dismas Ministry does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2020.
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.
Dismas Ministry does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://dismasministry.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 most recent IRS Form 990 for the year ended June 30, 2020.
- The organization's financial information for the year ended June 30, 2020.
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:
15
19
Dismas Ministry meets the remaining 11 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
2001, WI
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Also Known As
Dismas Ministry Incorporated
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Stated Purpose
"to renew and strengthen the faith of the imprisoned by providing them with free Catholic scripture, faith and prayer resources."
Dismas Ministry reports that it is a Catholic organization providing outreach services to federal and state inmates and their families. The organization distributes Bibles and Catholic publications and offers Bible study, prayer study materials, correctional training, and specialized materials designed for women inmates. In 2019, Dismas Ministry states that it launched its electronic issue of its quarterly newsletter, Remember Me, and published, Understanding Trauma, a training resource for Catholics involved in prison ministry.
For the year ended June 30, 2019, Dismas Ministry's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$233,076 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$233,076 |
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Chief Executive
Mary Tyler Curtis, Executive Director
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Compensation*
$65,000
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Chair of the Board
Sister Weidman
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Chaplain, Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes
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Board Size
11
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Paid Staff Size
2
*2018 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Membership appeals, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Since the BBB Wise Giving Alliance disagrees with Dismas Ministry's allocation of fundraising expenses, we are unable to verify the ratio of fundraising expenses to related contributions. See the Conclusions section of the report for more information.
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 Dismas Ministry's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$230,845 |
| Grants |
$128,079 |
| Investment income |
$1,318 |
| Rebates |
$286 |
| Total Income |
$360,528 |
- Programs: 72%
- Administrative: 28%
| Total Income |
$360,528 |
| Program expenses |
$233,076 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$0 |
| Administrative expenses |
$91,783 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$324,859 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$35,669 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$251,576 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$287,245 |
| Total Liabilities |
$0 |
| Total Assets |
$287,245 |
Note: Since the BBB Wise Giving Alliance disagrees with the organization's allocation of fundraising expenses, we are unable to verify the percentage of fundraising expenses. See the Conclusion section of the report for more information.