Sandy Hook Promise Foundation does not meet the following 6 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.
SHPF 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.
SHPF does not meet this Standard because:
- While the board of directors held four board meetings during the year ended June 30, 2020, none of the meetings were held in person.
Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.
SHPF does not meet this Standard because:
- Three members out of the nine member board of directors (33%) are directly and indirectly compensated. Two voting board members are directly compensated as employees of the organization. One board member is indirectly compensated as a spouse of an employee.
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.
SHPF 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.
SHPF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not performed an effectiveness assessment within the past two years.
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.
SHPF does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/, does not indicate:
- How to inform the charity that the visitor does not want his/her information shared with others.
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:
13
Sandy Hook Promise Foundation meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Sandy Hook Promise Foundation (SHPF) reports that it works to prevent gun violence and other forms of violence and victimization. The organization's Know the Signs prevention programs serve to educate youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and how to get help for those who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. Each program offers 30 to 40 minutes of student training that can be delivered in-person or online. These programs also align with Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) competencies including relationship skills, social awareness, responsible decision-making, and self-awareness. SHPF states that all training and resource materials are provided at no cost. The organization also supports policy solutions that address gun violence and school safety. In 2020, SHPF reports that 7,400 volunteer Promise Leaders operate 2,300 Students Against Violence Everywhere Promise clubs across the United States.
For the year ended June 30, 2020, Sandy Hook Promise Foundation's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$11,121,400 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$11,121,400 |
-
Chief Executive
Nicole Hockley, Co-Founder and Managing Director
-
Compensation*
$223,129
-
Chair of the Board
Bill Sherlach
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Senior Vice President, The IST Group
-
Board Size
9
-
Paid Staff Size
70
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Timothy Makris, Co-Founder and Managing Director, is the highest compensated employee, receiving $254,459 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Radio, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Television
SHPF incurred joint costs of $2,299,223 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $1,630,613 was allocated to program expenses and $668,610 was allocated to fundraising expenses.
Fundraising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $16,511,483 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 Sandy Hook Promise Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2020.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions and grants |
$14,140,305 |
| Paycheck Protection program |
$1,028,404 |
| Program services |
$890,283 |
| Government grants |
$819,150 |
| Special events, net |
$341,192 |
| In-kind contributions |
$128,205 |
| Investment income |
$58,455 |
| Merchandise sales, net |
$54,227 |
| Total Income |
$17,460,221 |
- Programs: 72%
- Fundraising: 15%
- Administrative: 13%
| Total Income |
$17,460,221 |
| Program expenses |
$11,121,400 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$2,300,145 |
| Administrative expenses |
$2,027,873 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$15,449,418 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$2,010,803 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$6,135,886 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$8,146,689 |
| Total Liabilities |
$1,201,493 |
| Total Assets |
$9,348,182 |
Note: According to SHPF's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2020, the organization received $128,205 in contributed goods and services.