Charity Review

  • Issued: March 2021
  • Expires: March 2023

Real Life Center

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

770-631-9334

975 Highway 74 North
Tyrone, GA 30290

https://reallifecenter.org/

770-631-9334

975 Highway 74 North Tyrone, GA 30290

https://reallifecenter.org/

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight

    Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Board Size

    Standard 2 (Number of Board Members)

    Description
    Soliciting organizations shall have a board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Board Meetings

    Standard 3 (Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings)

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Board Compensation

    Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Conflict of Interest

    Standard 5 (Conflict of Interest)

    Description
    No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors that will be considered when concluding whether or not a related party transaction constitutes a conflict of interest and if such a conflict is material, include, but are not limited to: any arm's length procedures established by the charity; the size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity; whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction; if competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time, recurring or ongoing.

    The organization meets this standard.

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy

    Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Effectiveness Report

    Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

Finances

  1. Program Expenses

    Standard 8 (Program Service Expense Ratio)

    Description
    Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Program Expenses

    Standard 8 (Program Service Expense Ratio)

    Description
    Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Fundraising Expenses

    Standard 9 (Fund Raising Expense Ratio)

    Description
    Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Fundraising Expenses

    Standard 9 (Fund Raising Expense Ratio)

    Description
    Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Accumulating Funds

    Standard 10 (Ending Net Assets)

    Description
    Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Accumulating Funds

    Standard 10 (Ending Net Assets)

    Description
    Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

    The organization meets this standard.

  7. Audit Report

    Standard 11 (Financial Statements)

    Description
    Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $500,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $500,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

    The organization meets this standard.

Fundraising & Info

  1. Audit Report

    Standard 11 (Financial Statements)

    Description
    Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $500,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $500,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Detailed Expense Breakdown

    Standard 12 (Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses)

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Detailed Expense Breakdown

    Standard 12 (Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses)

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Accurate Expense Reporting

    Standard 13 (Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements)

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Accurate Expense Reporting

    Standard 13 (Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements)

    Description
    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Budget Plan

    Standard 14 (Budget)

    Description
    Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

    The organization meets this standard.

Conclusion

Real Life Center meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

  • Year, State Incorporated

    1999, GA

  • Stated Purpose

    "to walk with those who are hurting in Fayette and Coweta Counties by providing a safe environment, sharing the love of Christ, and promoting long-term change."

Programs

Real Life Center (RLC) reports that it operates in Fayette and Coweta counties in the state of Georgia and seeks to provide holistic care for the local population by helping them meet their physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, and financial needs. Programs include financial assistance, financial planning and counseling, food pantry including fresh produce, clothing and household items, educational classes, and senior programs. The organization also operates children's programs that include the distribution of school supplies and backpacks. RLC partners with other local churches, community organizations, and businesses. In 2019, the organization states that it distributed more than 616,258 pounds of food to nearly 5,000 local individuals and families, provided over $120,000 in financial assistance for rent and utilities, had 589 individuals attend educational and spiritual classes, and delivered 571 backpacks to children in need.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, Real Life Center's program expenses were:

Program services $1,883,740
Total Program Expenses: $1,883,740

Governance & Staff

  • Chief Executive

    Cathy Berggren, Executive Director

  • Compensation*

    $98,000

  • Chair of the Board

    Pastor Moore

  • Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

    Senior Pastor, Dogwood Church

  • Board Size

    7

  • Paid Staff Size

    9

*2019 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Fundraising

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)

Fundraising costs were 10% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,325,012 are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)



Tax Status

Financial

The following information is based on Real Life Center's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Source of Funds
Donated food $1,024,699
Contributions $566,445
Donated goods and services $243,809
Thrift store revenue $239,067
Thrift store revenue $239,067
Donated facilities $166,826
Special events, net $73,507
Special events, net $73,507
Grants $10,659
Other $1,231
Other $1,231
Interest income $866
Interest income $866
Total Income $2,327,109
  • Programs: 83%
  • Fundraising: 11%
  • Administrative: 6%
Total Income $2,327,109
Program expenses $1,883,740
Fundraising expenses $236,051
Administrative expenses $153,786
Other expenses $0
Total expenses: $2,273,577
Income in Excess of Expenses $53,532
Beginning Net Assets $681,018
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $734,550
Total Liabilities $21,627
Total Assets $756,177

Note: According to RLC's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, the organization received $1,435,334 in contributed goods and services including food ($1,024,699), clothing and household items ($196,420), rent ($130,633), miscellaneous ($29,911), insurance ($19,124), utilities ($18,096), occupancy ($11,195), and IT services ($5,256).

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