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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: February 2025 Expires: February 2027

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Accredited Charity
Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Accreditation seal
4900 Tuttle Crossing Boulevard
Dublin, OH, 43016

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America's foster care systems."

Year, State Incorporated:
1992, OH

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) focuses exclusively on foster care adoption. Through its signature program, Wendy's Wonderful Kids, the organization provides grants to adoption agencies for hiring recruiters who use an evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model with the aim of finding loving, permanent homes for children waiting in foster care. DTFA reports that it works closely with child welfare advocates and policymakers, provides free resources about foster care adoption, and raises awareness through social media campaigns, public service announcements, and events.

For the year ended June 30, 2023, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's program expenses were:

Program grants and awareness: $33,322,185

Wendy's Wonderful Kids: $28,717,412

Post-adoption: $12,720

Adoption-friendly workplace: $175,307

National Adoption Day/Month: $27,584

Total Program Expenses: $62,255,208

Chief Executive
Rita L. Soronen, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$496,088

Chair of the Board
Robert Geen

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Consultant, Child Welfare Policy, LLC

Board Size
21

Paid Staff Size
71

*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events, Foundation grants, Print advertisements, Corporate solicitation

Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $64,412,935, 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 Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023.

Source of Funds
Contributions $35,026,713
Donated PSA broadcasting $29,386,222
Government contracts $12,571,904
Interest income $480,509
Investment gain, net $3,528,090
Total Income $80,993,438

Programs: 91% Fundraising: 5% Administrative: 4%

Total Income $80,993,438
Total expenses: $68,432,093
  Program expenses $62,255,208
  Fundraising expenses $3,487,509
  Administrative expenses $2,689,376
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $12,561,345
Beginning Net Assets $72,100,350
Other Changes In Net Assets $-118,000
Ending Net Assets $84,543,695
Total Liabilities $9,541,573
Total Assets $94,085,268

Note 1: According to DTFA's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $29,386,222 in the form of donated PSA broadcasting.

Note 2: In the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to a loss on disposal of donated art.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance