Charity Report

  • Issued: July 2024
  • Expires: July 2026

Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio A part of the LSS Network of Hope

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

614-228-5200

1105 Schrock Rd Ste 100
Columbus, OH 43229-1165

https://lssnetworkofhope.org/

614-228-5200

1105 Schrock Rd Ste 100
Columbus, OH 43229-1165

https://lssnetworkofhope.org/

Accredited Charity

Meets Standards

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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

Finances

  1. Program Expenses

    Program Service Expense Ratio: Standard 8

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

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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.

    The organization meets this standard.

  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).

    The organization meets this standard.

  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

Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio A part of the LSS Network of Hope meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

A BBB Accredited Charity since February 2003. BBB accreditation does not mean this charity's programs or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB or that BBB has made a determination as to this charity's competency in performing services.

Purpose

  • Year, State Incorporated

    1914, OH

  • Stated Purpose

    Mission Statement:Creating a better world by serving people in need.


  • Also Known As:

    The Good Shepherd Home, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio, Kensington Place, Faith Mission, Inc., Faith Housing/Fairfield County, LSSCO, Premier Care, LLC

Programs

PROGRAMS & SERVICES:Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio offers a continuum of programs & services to meet the needs in our community, including:* Faith Mission &Faith Mission of Fairfield County -Faith Mission in Columbus and Faith Mission of Fairfield Countyprovide emergency shelter for men and women, case management services, supportive housing and employment resources. The Community Kitchen at Faith Mission provides three meals a day to anyone who is hungry. Faith Mission also offers medical, dental and vision clinic services to clients.* LSS Food Pantries -The pantries offer a source of nourishment to families who are hungry. Through our new innovative online ordering system and multiple mobile pantry and produce distributions, we’re enabling clients in 12 counties around Ohio to focus on other important aspects of life, like paying bills or finding employment.* Health & Senior Citizens -Health care services include The Good Shepherd,a licensed long-term care facility for elderly and disabled individuals requiring skilled nursing care. LSS alsooperates an assisted livingfacility, Lutheran Village of Ashland, whichoffers a residential program for elderly and disabled adults who do not require skilled care but need some assistance to maintain independence in the community. Kensington Place, an independent livingcommunity, assists elderly and disabled people who function independently but prefer a congregate living setting with amenities that include dining services, activities, housekeeping and security. The LSS Affordable Housing Services operates affordable housing for low-income elderly and disabled individuals at 19 locations across central, northeast and southeast Ohio and provides service coordination assistance for residents. Lutheran Social Services also operates LSS Home Health Care.* CHOICES For Victims of Domestic Violence - CHOICES is the only domestic violence safe-haven in Franklin County. It offers 120 beds, a 24-hour crisis and information hotline, counseling services, support groups and, legal and community advocates for those impacted by domestic violence. Annually, CHOICES houses more than 440 individuals and manages more than 3,000 hotline calls.

For the year ended June 30, 2023, Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio A part of the LSS Network of Hope program expenses were:

Program Services - Affordable Housing $7,808,456
Program Services - Health and Senior Care $28,263,172
Program Services - Homeless Services $16,024,167
Program Services - Hunger and Poverty Relief $7,747,137
Program Expenses $59,842,932

Governance & Staff

  • CEO

    Ms. Rachel Lustig, President/CEO

  • Board Chair

    Mr. Andrew Meslow, Board Chairperson

  • Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

    Retired CEO of Bath & Body Works and L Brands

  • Board Size

    16

  • Paid Staff Size

    665

Fundraising

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Television, Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.).

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 9.06%

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 Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio A part of the LSS Network of Hope's Audited financial statements - consolidated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023

Source of Funds
Net Resident Services $21,752,928
Grant Revenue $15,671,774
Other Operating Revenue $12,110,268
Senior Living Rental Revenue $9,638,671
Contribution of Cash and Other Financial Assets $8,456,940
Contributions and Grants of Nonfinancial Assets` $4,715,586
Investment Income (Loss) Net $1,221,729
Partner Contributions $406,098
Net Assets Released from Restrictions $405,188
Total Income $74,379,182

Breakdown of Expenses

Total Income $74,379,182
Total Expenses: $68,399,974
Program Expenses $59,842,932
Fundraising Expenses $2,613,216
Administrative Expenses $5,943,826
Other Expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $5,979,208
Beginning Net Assets $56,911,483
Other Changes In Net Assets $657,577
Ending Net Assets $63,548,268
Total Liabilities $34,200,342
Total Assets $97,748,610

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