Marathon Kids does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 19 (Cause Related Marketing)
Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).
Marathon Kids does not meet this Standard because, in the past year, the organization participated in promotions for the sale of consumer goods or services that indicated that the organization would benefit from these purchases. The promotions, however, did not specify:
- The actual or anticipated amount of the purchase price that would benefit the organization.
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:
7
Marathon Kids meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Marathon Kids works to get kids moving through the organization's run clubs. The organization reports that their run clubs allow kids to set goals and track progress as they complete up to four marathons, or 104.8 miles, over the course of the running season. Children participating in the run clubs are able to work at their own pace to complete the miles. By partnering with schools, community organizations, and families to start run clubs around the country, Marathon Kids states that it sets the course for long-term behavior adoption through effective, customizable, and fun programming.
For the year ended May 31, 2020, Marathon Kids's program expenses were:
| Marathon Kids program |
$1,577,893 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$1,577,893 |
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Television
Fundraising costs were 21% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,425,561, 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 Marathon Kids's audited financial statements for the year ended May 31, 2020.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$1,425,561 |
| Fees for service |
$129,306 |
| Return on investments |
$94,479 |
| Other revenues |
$22,163 |
| Total Income |
$1,671,509 |
- Programs: 78%
- Fundraising: 15%
- Administrative: 7%
| Total Income |
$1,671,509 |
| Program expenses |
$1,577,893 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$302,361 |
| Administrative expenses |
$158,824 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$2,039,078 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-367,569 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$3,278,909 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$2,911,340 |
| Total Liabilities |
$176,810 |
| Total Assets |
$3,088,150 |
Note: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended May 31, 2020, Marathon Kids received in-kind contributions totaling $108,910 in the form of advertising.