Charity Review

Issued: February 2020 Expires: February 2022

Down Syndrome Association of Houston

Accredited Charity
Meets Standards
 
(713) 682-7237 7115 W Tidwell Rd Bldg K, Ste 106, Houston TX 77092-2059 www.dsah.org
  1. Conclusions
  2. Purpose
  3. Programs
  4. Governance & Staff
  5. Fund Raising
  6. Tax Status
  7. Financial
  8. BBB Comment
Conclusions

Down Syndrome Association of Houston meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

 
The mission of Down Syndrome Association of Houston (DSAH) is to provide lifelong education, support, and resources to individuals with Down Syndrome, their families and the communities they live within.
 
 
 
 

Incorporated: 1974 in TX

Programs

 
Programs were reorganized to focus on value, inclusion and empowerment:
Coffee and Confidence
This community group program provides support to families who have a child under the age of three with Ds (this includes families with a prenatal diagnosis). Each session is hosted by a seasoned parent who has navigated the road to raising a child with Ds.
Community Groups provide local support, resources, and events for individuals with Ds and their families.
Community Support
DSAH is offers our expertise and services to schools, companies, and other nonprofit organizations. DSAH helps improve understanding of intellectual disabilities, increases inclusion rates, or provides Down syndrome-related support.
“Congratulations!” Program
The purpose of the “Congratulations!” Program is to congratulate parents of newborn babies with Down syndrome. In a world where others often express sorrow for the birth of a child with Down syndrome, they offer reassurance and passion.
Education for Life
The Education for Life Day Program nurtures lifelong learning in adults with Down syndrome through a flexible, person-centered curriculum-based program.
"Meaningful Day" curriculum creates engaging activities and opportunities for program participants by: providing opportunities to actively participate in and integrate into the community, providing continued learning opportunities, encouraging self-advocacy, and fostering self-sufficiency through participant-centered activities.

Additionally the Education for Life program offers after-hours activities including Bloom Fitness cycle, dance, and weightlifting classes, a pantomime troupe that performs at events across Houston, and a theater arts program designed specifically for adults with intellectual disabilities. Participants also have the opportunity to apply and train for DSAH internships. Contact us for more information.
Empowerment through Education Workshops
These workshops provide individuals with Ds, their family members, and the community that serves them access to high-quality, relevant information in the form of short 1-2 hour presentations. Topics vary widely, but focus on empowering stakeholders to value and include individuals with Ds more. Past sessions have included topics on IEP support, potty training, long-term planning, and technology supports. 
Resource Center
As a mission-driven nonprofit, DSAH prides itself on being able to provide information and referrals to any individual with Ds, their family members, and the community members that support them. Staff and volunteers are available for support. 
Skill Builders
Skill Builders are activities designed to empower individuals with Down syndrome by building self-confidence and self-determination skills. Latest offerings include Adapted Ballet in collaboration with the Houston Ballet and Special Olympics Panther Pack Bowling.
 
 
 

Governance & Staff

Board Chair/CEO: Mr. Jake Bates, Director of Distribution Center Operations & Logistics Business Affiliation: DXP

CEO: Ms. Kimberly Torres

Board Size: 5

Staff: 8

 
 
 

Fund Raising
Method(s) used: Grant Proposals Internet Appeals

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 15.17%

Tax Status

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.

Financial

The following information is based on Down Syndrome Association of Houston's Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending Thursday, August 31, 2017.

Source of Funds
Contributions and Grants $265,283
Program Service Revenue $139,191
Investment Income $814
Other Revenue $38,388
Total Income: $443,676
 
Fusion Chart
 
Program Expenses: $291,449
Fundraising Expenses: $40,248
Administrative Expenses: $95,547
Total Expenses: $427,244
 
Income in Excess of Expenses: $16,432
 
Beginning Net Assets: $118,094
Ending Net Assets: $134,526
Total Liabilities: $6,992
Total Assets: $141,518

BBB Comment

 
 
 
 
 


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Standards Legend

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  • Standards Not Met IconStandards Not Met
  • Did Not Disclose IconDid Not Disclose
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Standard 1: Board Oversight


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.

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Standard 2: Board Size


Description:

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

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Standard 3: 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.

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Standard 4: Board Compensation


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.

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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.

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Standard 6: Effectiveness Policy


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.

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Standard 7: Effectiveness Report


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.

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Standard 8: Program Expenses


Description:

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

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Standard 9: Fund Raising Expenses


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.

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Standard 10: Accumulating Funds


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.

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Standard 11: Audit Report


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.

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Standard 12: Detailed Expense Breakdown


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.

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Standard 13: Accurate Expense Reporting


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.

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Standard 14: Budget Plan


Description:

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

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Standard 15: Truthful Materials


Description:

Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard. A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity's solicitations.

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Standard 16: Annual Report


Description:

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.

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Standard 17: Website Disclosures


Description:

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.

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Standard 18: Donor Privacy


Description:

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.

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Standard 19: Cause Marketing Disclosures


Description:

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).

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Standard 20: Complaints


Description:

Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local Better Business Bureaus about fund raising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.