How is the state Budget Crisis affecting your ability to operate your nonprofit?

Its been over a month since the CA State Legislators were to have an approved budget in place. SANDAN would like to know how your organization has been affected by this impasse.

SANDAN would like to know about your experience with the BBB Charity Seal of Approval process.

Thank you to the participants in this survey and everyone who has shared information about their experiences with SANDAN staff.

1.	Has your nonprofit organization received a request to complete the BBB Charity Questionaire?	Yes	5		No	1
2.	If you answered yes, did you complete the questionaire and submit to the BBB?	Yes	1		No	5
3.	How long did it take your staff to complete and assemble your supporting documents?	1 - 5 hours 6 - 10 hours 11 - 15 hours 15 hours or more				1 0 0 0
3a.	Your organization's incurred costs to assemble/prepare docs for the BBB review - staff time x hourly rate, copy costs, postage, etc.
3a.	$200 Respondent chose not to share costs			1 0
4.	Do you plan to pay the BBB fee to use the Charity Seal on your materials?	Yes	0		No	4
5.	Upon completing and submitting your questionnaire and supporting documents, what has been your experience to-date? Initial Report indicated we had not met all the standards. In one of the three areas where we did not comply they were in error, and in the other two we have since made very minor changes to comply. We did these yesterday and are just sending them in now.
6.	If you did not complete the questionnaire, please share your reasons and any response you have received from the BBB: We did not reply until we received a call indicating that they had sent the questionnaire twice with no response and that they were getting several inquiries about our organization and were unable to answer them. I felt an implied threat if I did not respond. I was in the process of opening our first facility and making a major move to NTC. I did not have the time, staff, or resources to complete the form in a timely manner. As a result I was listed as "non-compliant" on their website. I think the BBB needs to be better educated, understand and work with non-profits more. They need to change the language they use on their website. The experience was very negative and I question their motives because of this experience. I refuse to fill out the questionnaire now that I have time. We haven't had the time. The BBB has contacted us a couple times to complete the info. Much too lengthy. Ask for too much information and completely unsure as to what would be done with this information. Very questionable all the way around. Our organization does not solicit donations from the general public. Did not receive the BBB Charity Questionaire and do not have the interest in doing this voluntarily. **(refer to final comment below)
7.	Is your organization listed on the San Diego BBB website?	Yes	5		No	1
8.	If yes, are the comments appropriate?	Yes	2		No	3
9.	Final comments: I feel the process more than the content is a problem, but am skeptical about the BBB's authority and competence to do this work. I also question their motives. Much better marketing needs to be done to assure the nonprofit that this is valuable and needed. We are constantly reviewed by our funding sources and must meet a myriad of requirements. We are also on the State Attorney's site with our 990's, financials etc., as well. How is this going to enhance our ability to raise our needed funds? There is a negative undertone to all reports that are not in total compliance based on the BBB review, even though the charity is in compliance with federal, state, and funding sources regulations, requirements and requests? ** BBB web states they in the process of obtaining information from us. To date there has been no communication with me as the CEO. I think this is part of a BBB business plan to force NFP's to become paid members and avoid negative web-posted ratings. The statements posted by the local BBB on NFP's who have not complied or passed the "survey" are injurious to the organizational reputation. We already report via 990's and printed annual reports.

Does your organization has a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) / Continuation of Operations Plan (COOP) in place?

In March, two events were held locally to help prepare businesses for a disaster or pandemic situation. "Ready San Diego" Disaster Preparedness for Small Business, Non-Profits and Faith-Based Organizations was held to provide you with practical tools to create a disaster preparedness plan and to help ensure the continuity of your operations. San Diego County HHSA Public Health Services held a "Pandemic Preparedness Summit" with the business community. The Summit's objectives and goals were to raise awareness of a potential pandemic influenza and the need to prepare, to introduce Public Health Officials and Business Representatives who are key contacts for pandemic preparedness, to inform the business community about the San Diego County preparedness efforts, to provide best practices and guidance for promoting and advancing business planning efforts, and to build community-based business networking models. If your organization is a contracted service provider for the County, you are required in your contract to have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) or Continuation of Operations Plan (COOP) in place.

Results on this poll - 2 Yes responses and 1 Not Sure response were received.

How has your nonprofit organization benefited from the IRA charitable rollover provision of the Pension Protection Act of 2006?

Congress passed the Pension Protection Act of 2006 on August 17, 2006, which provided a number of charitable giving incentives and safeguards including the IRA Charitable Rollover. Many donors have already taken advantage of the IRA Charitable Rollover and we would like to know if your nonprofit organization has benefited from their generosity.

Strong Nonprofits ~ Strong Communities

Working together for the greater good

assuring the viability and effectiveness of the nonprofit sector

Question of the Month Results