Charity Report

  • Issued: June 2024
  • Expires: June 2025

Community Renewal International

Standards Not Met

  • 1
  • 3
  • 6
  • 7
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10

318-425-3222

PO Box 4678
Shreveport, LA 71134-0678

318-425-3222

PO Box 4678
Shreveport, LA 71134-0678

Standards Not Met

<p><span>This organization does not meet one or more of the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Click the conclusions section below for more information.</span></p>

Standards Legend

  • Meets Standards
  • Standards Not Met
  • Did Not Disclose
  • Review In Progress
  • Unable to Verify

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight

    Oversight of Operations and Staff: Standard 1

    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, fundraising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:Community Renewal International is an example of a grassroots organization in which the founder has given it strong leadership since its genesis, and in turn, the founder has relied upon a circle of key staff members to ensure its stability and growth. It is fair to say that the strength of its board leadership is still evolving, and there is aspiration to meet this standard in the near future.

  2. Board Size

    Number of Board Members: Standard 2

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

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Board Meetings

    Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings: Standard 3

    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.

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:To meet this standard, future board meetings must be better spaced through the fiscal year, while also maintaining sufficient participation.

  4. Board Compensation

    Compensated Board Members: Standard 4

    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

    Conflict of Interest: Standard 5

    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

    Board Policy on Effectiveness: Standard 6

    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.

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:Because there are already several criteria that CRI has used to evaluate progress, it is anticipated that a formal written policy can be readily authored ahead of the next review cycle.

  2. Effectiveness Report

    Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness: Standard 7

    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.

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:At that point that standard #6 is met, this standard also inherently will become readily achievable.

Finances

  1. Program Expenses

    Program Service Expense Ratio: Standard 8

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

  2. Fundraising Expenses

    Fundraising Expense Ratio: Standard 9

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

  3. Accumulating Funds

    Ending Net Assets: Standard 10

    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.

  4. Audit Report

    Financial Statements: Standard 11

    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 $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, 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.

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:CRI's most recent audit examined FY 2022. It is understood that this standard will be met with the next audit's completion, as long as it is made available within a timely manner congruent with the timing of the next review cycle.

  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown

    Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses: Standard 12

    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, fundraising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:Notably, had the FY 2022 audit been applicable for this review cycle, this standard would have been met.

  6. Accurate Expense Reporting

    Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements: Standard 13

    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 fundraising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fundraising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:Notably, had the FY 2022 audit been applicable for this review cycle, this standard would have been met.

  7. Budget Plan

    Budget: Standard 14

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

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:It is evident that top CRI leadership works closely together to exercise strong financial management, and with that, an appropriate distribution of fiduciary monitoring ensures expenditures are legitimate and congruent with the organization's mission. As the board evolves to become more substantially involved with oversight, it is anticipated that this standard will be met, perhaps as early as the next review cycle.

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials

    Misleading Appeals: Standard 15

    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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Annual Report

    Annual Report: Standard 16

    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, fundraising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:CRI currently publishes a seasonal magazine called Renewal News. This standard can be readily met in a future review cycle if the organization includes in one of those issues the various elements required by the standard, including financial information.

  3. Website Disclosures

    Web Site Disclosures: Standard 17

    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.

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:To meet this standard, CRI will need to modify its Donate page so that it includes a direct link to financial information consistent with the criteria indicated.

  4. Donor Privacy

    Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy: Standard 18

    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.

    Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:While at the time of review, there was a robust privacy policy found, it is that of the third party processor of donations, not CRI itself.

  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures

    Cause Related Marketing: Standard 19

    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).

  6. Complaints

    Complaints: Standard 20

    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 fundraising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.

    The organization meets this standard.

Conclusion

Community Renewal International does not meet the following 11 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 1: Oversight of Operations and Staff - 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, fundraising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:Community Renewal International is an example of a grassroots organization in which the founder has given it strong leadership since its genesis, and in turn, the founder has relied upon a circle of key staff members to ensure its stability and growth. It is fair to say that the strength of its board leadership is still evolving, and there is aspiration to meet this standard in the near future.

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.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:To meet this standard, future board meetings must be better spaced through the fiscal year, while also maintaining sufficient participation.

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.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:Because there are already several criteria that CRI has used to evaluate progress, it is anticipated that a formal written policy can be readily authored ahead of the next review cycle.

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.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:At that point that standard #6 is met, this standard also inherently will become readily achievable.

Standard 11: Financial Statements - Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, 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.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:CRI's most recent audit examined FY 2022. It is understood that this standard will be met with the next audit's completion, as long as it is made available within a timely manner congruent with the timing of the next review cycle.

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, fundraising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:Notably, had the FY 2022 audit been applicable for this review cycle, this standard would have been met.

Standard 13: Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements - 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 fundraising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fundraising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:Notably, had the FY 2022 audit been applicable for this review cycle, this standard would have been met.

Standard 14: Budget - Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fundraising, and administration.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:It is evident that top CRI leadership works closely together to exercise strong financial management, and with that, an appropriate distribution of fiduciary monitoring ensures expenditures are legitimate and congruent with the organization's mission. As the board evolves to become more substantially involved with oversight, it is anticipated that this standard will be met, perhaps as early as the next review cycle.

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, fundraising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:CRI currently publishes a seasonal magazine called Renewal News. This standard can be readily met in a future review cycle if the organization includes in one of those issues the various elements required by the standard, including financial information.

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.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:To meet this standard, CRI will need to modify its Donate page so that it includes a direct link to financial information consistent with the criteria indicated.

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.

Community Renewal International does not meet this standard because:While at the time of review, there was a robust privacy policy found, it is that of the third party processor of donations, not CRI itself.

The following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability were either not in effect or did not apply to the charity at the time of the evaluation:

Standard 19: Cause Related Marketing - 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).

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: 8, 9, 10

Community Renewal International meets the remaining 5 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

  • Stated Purpose

    CRI is changing the world by intentionally building and growing positive caring relationships as the foundation for community transformation


Programs

CRI has actualized, scaled and replicated a model to address problems of societal decay by intentionally growing and nurturing a system of positive relationships. The methodology grows a community-wide caring network and environment of trust, which function as the relational foundation of community. CRI created and continues to develop an intervention methodology based on initiating, growing and nurturing mutually-enhancing relationships delivered through activities in three strategic platform areas: (1) Renewal team aligns caring people community-wide; (2) Haven House connects friendship one block at a time to placing caring in a system; and, (3) Friendship House restores hope in neighborhoods of concentrated disadvantage.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, Community Renewal International program expenses were:

Friendship Houses $977,873
Center for Community Renewal $726,275
Haven House Program $95,550
Emergent Programs $235,046
Renewal Team $220,544
Other Programs $87,613
Program Expenses $2,342,901

Governance & Staff

  • Board Chair

    Burnadine Anderson, Board Chairperson

  • Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

    retired--Caddo Parish School Board

  • Paid Staff Size

    34

Fundraising

Fund raising methods include: Direct Mail Appeals, Invitations to Fund Raising Events, Grant Proposals, and Membership Appeals.

Tax Status


Financial

The following information is based on Community Renewal International's Audited financial statements - consolidated for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022

Source of Funds
Contributions of Financial Assets - Unrestricted $3,213,179
Net Assets Released from Restrictions (per satisfaction of restrictions) $518,619
Contributions of Financial Assets - Restricted $312,500
Contractual Revenue - Grants $41,442
Rent Income $36,580
Miscellaneous Income $12,862
Placeholder ***NEED TO DISCOVER FUNDRAISING REVENUE*** $1
Net Assets Previously Held as Restricted $-518,619
Total Income $3,616,564

Breakdown of Expenses

Total Income $3,616,564
Total Expenses: $3,030,421
Program Expenses $2,342,901
Fundraising Expenses $232,325
Administrative Expenses $455,195
Other Expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $586,143
Beginning Net Assets $780,703
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $1,366,845
Total Liabilities $2,104,665
Total Assets $3,471,510

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the  Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau ® is a registered service mark of International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.