BBB Charity Report for
AIDS OUTREACH CENTER, Inc.


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Reported on Monday, November 23, 2009 4:21 AM

Evaluation Conclusions

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Tax Status 501(c)(3)

This organization has been evaluated in relation to the 20 Better Business Bureau Standards for Charitable Accountability.

This organization does not meet the following standard(s):

Standard 6
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.
AIDS OUTREACH CENTER, Inc. does not meet this standard because It did not provide a board policy stating that the organization's performance and effectivenes will be assessed at least once every two years.
Standard 7
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.
AIDS OUTREACH CENTER, Inc. does not meet this standard because it did not produce a written report outlining the results of the effectiveness assessment.

The organization meets the remaining standards.

Purpose

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AIDS Outreach Center, Inc. states its purpose as the leading organization in Tarrant and eight surrounding rural counties serving men, women and children with HIV and their families, educating the public about HIV prevention, and advocating for sound HIV public policy.

Programs

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CLIENT ADVOCACY PROGRAM: Newly diagnosed clients are matched with HIV-positive individuals that provide mentoring, support, and guidance. These peer advocates are individuals who are living life to the fullest and serve as role models for those struggling with HIV.

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING: AIDS Outreach Center, Inc. provides a full range of outpatient mental health and substance abuse services, including individual, family, relationship and group session with licensed clinicians or graduate interns.

HOUSING ASSISTANCE: Through funding from Housing Opportunities from Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) and Shelter Plus Care (S+C), eligible clients who have emergency housing needs can be assisted with short-term rent, mortgage, and utility assistance.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE: Legal services assists clients in remaining employed, remaining stable in housing, retaining access to private medical benefits, and accessing private medical care. Volunteer attorneys and paralegals accept legal referrals in specialized areas when needed.

INSURANCE CONTINUATION PROGRAM: This program pays insurance premiums to keep individuals and families enrolled in their current private insurance program. The Insurance Continuation Program is designed to prevent lapses in care, allow clients to continue treatment through their private physician, and avoid any disruption in medical adherence.

HOMELESS AND MINORITY OUTREACH: This program allows AOC to reach groups that are hesitant in seeking services. Outreach workers in this program link with medical service providers in order to reach those who have dropped out of medical and/or social services and assist them in re-establishing treatment.

NUTRITION CENTER: AOC's food pantry, known as the Sandy Lanier Nutrition Center, has been serving clients through the Fort Worth office since 1986. This "grocery store" emphasizes the link between good nutrition and living with AIDS. AOC says that any individual who is HIV-positive or living with AIDS and has an annual income of 200% below poverty level, or less, is eligible to use the Nutrition Center as a food source to help establish a healthy eating plan.

MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT: AOC clients are evaluated to find out what their needs are and how best to meet those needs. Case managers act as the coordinator for the care of their clients. They link clients with medical services and provide general support and referrals. AOC case managers can also assist with housing assistance, establishing medical treatment, medication acquisition, adherence, transportation assistance, and mental health and addiction services.

SUPPORT GROUPS: AOC also offers numerous support groups for its clients. Among these support groups are: 10 Steps to Self-Esteem, Latino Group, Positive Recovery, and Support Group for HIV+ Teens.

TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE: AOC offers transportation for clients through various local transportation authorities such as MIT, FW Star, Handitran, and Mission Arlington.

YOUTH SERVICES: Youth Services provide a wide variety of activities for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. These activities include Teen Time, Kids Corner, Camp Firelight, and Courageous Kids Ball.


TOTAL PROGRAM SERVICES EXPENSES: $2,432,006

Fund Raising Methods

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Direct mail appeals, invitations to fund raising events, print advertisements, grant proposals, and Internet appeals.

Financial Summary

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According to the IRS Form 990 for the Fiscal Year ended 8/31/2007:

Total Income $3,083,411
Total Expense $3,074,364
Gain (loss) for the year $9,047

Expense Breakdown
Item Amount % of Expenses
Programs $2,432,006 79.10%
Fund Raising $227,293 7.40%
Administrative $415,065 13.50%
Miscellaneous $0 .00%

Charity Contact and Profile

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Name:
AIDS OUTREACH CENTER, Inc.
Phone:
(817) 335-1994
Address:
400 Beach St., Fort Worth, TX 76111
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eMail:
BBB file opened:
October 01, 1992
Charity started:
January 1986
Charity started locally:
January 1986
Primary Contact:
ALLAN GOULD (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR)
Complaint Contact:
Gary Isaacs (EXEC DIRECTOR)

Additional Locations and Phone Numbers

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(817) 334-0935

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ID: 92100006
Report as of: 11/23/2009

© 2009  BBB/Ft. Worth

Better Business Bureau Standards for Charitable Accountability
1. A board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. 2. A board of directors with a minimum of five voting members. 3. A minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. 4. 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. 5. No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities. 9. Spend 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. 10. 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. 11. Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 12. 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. 13. Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. 14. Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration. 15. Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. 16. 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. 17. 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. 18. 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, and
(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. 19. 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). 20. 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. Copyright © 2003, CBBB

Ten Tips for Better Giving

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Most charities are honest and ethical, but questionable solicitors are counting on the fact that you won't bother to check out the charity before you give. Here is some basic wise giving advice:

  1. Watch out for similar names.
    As there are many charities raising funds for similar causes, some charity names sound the same. Be sure to look at the name carefully, because the charity soliciting you may not be the one you have in mind.
  2. Do not be pressured to make an immediate gift.
    Be wary of solicitors that demand an 'on the spot' donation. Charities should welcome your gift whenever you want to send it.
  3. Question vague appeals.
    Appeals should clearly identify the charity's programs. Watch out for appeals that are strong on identifying a problem, but weak on describing what specifically the charity intends to do about it.
  4. Do not give out personal information to phone solicitors.
    Don't give out credit card numbers, checking account numbers or any other personal information to unknown telephone solicitors.
  5. Do not give cash.
    Write a check out to the charity's full official name, not to an individual or third party that may be collecting the donation.
  6. Keep records of your donations (receipts, canceled checks and bank statements) so you can document your charitable giving at tax time. (Note: The IRS requires donations of $250 or more to be substantiated through a written receipt from the charity.)
  7. If you want a deduction, make sure the organization is a charity.
    There are many different types of soliciting nonprofit organizations. Most appeals will indicate if the organization is eligible to receive gifts deductible as charitable contributions. (To be sure, review the list of organizations in IRS Publication 78 or ask the charity for a copy of its tax exempt status determination letter.)
  8. Don't hesitate to ask the charity for written information on its programs and finances.
    This tip can be particularly helpful in responding to phone appeals from charities that interest you.
  9. To verify if a charity is registered to solicit, contact your state government.
    In most cases, this will be the state's office of the attorney general. Remember that the state registration does not mean 'approval', it means the group has filed the appropriate forms.
  10. Report bad practices.
    Contact your Better Business Bureau and your state's Attorney General office about solicitation problems.
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