La Causa does not meet the following 5 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.
La Causa does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held two meetings in 2020.
Standard 12 (Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses)
Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.
La Causa does not meet this Standard because, in the organization's 2019 audited financial statements, the detailed functional breakdown of expenses:
- Did not include a breakdown of administrative expenses.
- Did not include a breakdown of fundraising expenses.
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.
La Causa 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.
- Did not identify 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.
La Causa does not meet this Standard because the 2019 annual report did not include:
- Total fundraising expenses.
- Total administrative expenses.
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.
La Causa does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://www.lacausa.org/, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
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
La Causa meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
La Causa reports that it provides educational and social services to children and families in Southeastern Wisconsin. Services focus on education, early literacy, child abuse prevention, foster care and adoption services, and family counseling. The organization states that its charter school provides bilingual education for children in K-8th grade, with a focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). The Early Education and Care Center seeks to educate and nurture children aged four weeks to three years old and offers before and after-school programs and summer programs for children aged 12 and under. La Causa reports that its Crisis Nursery and Respite Center is operational 24 hours a day and provides care for children aged 12 and under while their families address transitional or medical emergencies. The organization also offers social services for children and adults to address mental or emotional health needs, especially with regards to foster care services. In 2019, La Causa states that it served more than 4,600 individuals and launched a new mental health therapy group at its outpatient clinic.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, La Causa's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$17,177,749 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$17,177,749 |
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Chief Executive
George A. Torres, President and Chief Executive Officer
-
Compensation*
$340,342
-
Chair of the Board
Lyman Tschanz
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Vice President of Manufacturing, Rockwell Automation
-
Board Size
15
-
Paid Staff Size
250
*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, Planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were less than 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $10,257,876 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 La Causa's IRS Form 990 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Government grants |
$9,607,217 |
| Fees for services |
$7,084,590 |
| Child care and program fees |
$1,583,050 |
| Contributions |
$283,466 |
| In-kind contributions |
$174,213 |
| Miscellaneous income |
$155,403 |
| Special events, net |
$119,670 |
| United Way |
$73,310 |
| Total Income |
$19,080,919 |
- Programs: 98%
- Administrative: 2%
- Fundraising: Less than 1%
| Total Income |
$19,080,919 |
| Program expenses |
$17,177,749 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$47,886 |
| Administrative expenses |
$404,283 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$17,629,918 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$1,451,001 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$5,726,444 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$7,177,445 |
| Total Liabilities |
$7,609,829 |
| Total Assets |
$14,787,274 |
Note: According to La Causa's 2019 IRS Form 990, the organization received $174,213 in donated clothing and household items.