Special Olympics Mississippi does not meet the following 4 Standards for Charity Accountability:
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.
SOMS 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.
SOMS does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not produce a written report outlining the results of its July 2019 effectiveness assessment.
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.
SOMS does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted 2018.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
SOMS does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, http://specialolympicsms.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- Electronic access to the organization’s 2018 IRS Form 990.
- A summary of the organization's 2018 program service accomplishments.
- The organization's 2018 financial information.
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:
3
15
19
Special Olympics Mississippi meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
1977, MS
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Stated Purpose
"to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and their communities."
Special Olympics Mississippi (SOMS) reports that it provides year-round sports for more than 5,000 athletes state-wide and offers 18 sports programs. An athlete is any individual with an intellectual disability, at least 2 years of age, regardless of physical ability. SOMS is divided into 17 multi-county local areas, each run by a volunteer Director. The organization also operates Young Athletes and Unified Champion Schools programs that help provide inclusion through sports between individuals with and without an intellectual disability. SOMS' states that more than 200 competitions are held each year at the state and local levels. In addition, the organization reports that it annually provides approximately 400 health screenings for vision, dental, and hearing to the athletes.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, Special Olympics Mississippi's program expenses were:
| Sports and programs |
$357,213 |
| Area management and programs |
$110,010 |
| Public education and communication |
$47,830 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$515,053 |
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Chief Executive
Monica Daniels, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Compensation*
$87,452
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Chair of the Board
Derek Finely
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Bureau Manager, Mississippi Development Authority
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Board Size
20
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Paid Staff Size
4
*2018 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, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Telephone appeals, Radio, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Television
Fundraising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $597,244 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 Special Olympics Mississippi's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$354,019 |
| Special events, net |
$146,822 |
| Government grants |
$96,403 |
| Interest income |
$28 |
| Total Income |
$597,272 |
- Programs: 73%
- Administrative: 19%
- Fundraising: 8%
| Total Income |
$597,272 |
| Program expenses |
$515,053 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$63,418 |
| Administrative expenses |
$130,029 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$708,500 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-111,228 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$217,259 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$106,031 |
| Total Liabilities |
$227,243 |
| Total Assets |
$333,274 |