501 Commons
Accredited Charity
Meets Standards
Accredited Charity
Meets Standards
Standards Legend
- Meets Standards
- Standards Not Met
- Did Not Disclose
- Review In Progress
- Unable to Verify
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
501 Commons meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Purpose
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Year, State Incorporated
1988, WA
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Stated Purpose
We all rise when nonprofitsthrive. At 501 Commons, we serve nonprofits as experts, innovators, andpartners. Our passion is to amplify the strengths of nonprofits - so all peopleand communities flourish.
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Also Known As:
Executive Service Corps of Washington
Programs
501 Commons providesexpertise and innovation to nonprofits through a full range of managementconsulting; technology consulting (IT planning and databasedevelopment);outsourced HR, accounting, IT infrastructure, and databasemanagement services; professional development and board training; and freeadvice, information and referral services.501 Commons' services strengthen leaders, build healthy organizations andfosters community engagement.Financial Services: Contract with 501 Commons for bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, Form 990 preparation, and other financial servicesHuman Resources Services: Increasing staff diversity, following laws and regulations that govern all businesses, and providing the training, supervision, and support that team members need to succeed are crucial elements of effective HR management. 501 Commons has HR service options to fit all organizations, including:- HR Quick Consults - Get professional guidance for $25 per 15-minute increment up to two hours.- HR Partner - Your 501 Commons consultant provides year-round support for all of your HR needs.- Project-based nonprofit HR Consulting - Customized training, HR policies and handbooks, compensation studies, succession plans, etc.- HR Tune-up - A comprehensive HR assessment and 8 hours of consultation from a volunteer HR professional.- Staff Development Coalition - Join the coalition to receive discounts on in-depth sessions with top-knotch trainers.Leadership Development: 501 Commons offers several programs and services that help nonprofit board and staff leaders and support the development of emerging leaders.- Leadership Coaching - A leadership coach can help you clarify the leadership skills and behaviors that are important in your job, assess your strengths, and identify areas where you want to improve as a leader. Coaches provide the opportunity to explore issues you are confronting through a relationship that relies upon trust, honesty and dialogue. A coaching relationship allows a leader to set goals for themselves and then be accountable for those goals. When you sign up for Leadership Coaching, 501 Commons will suggest two of their experienced coaches. Choose the one who’s the best fit for you and receive 15 hours of coaching within six months. Most coaching is done over the phone, although initial and final sessions are often in person. You can establish the schedule and meeting time that works for you.- Executive Advising - Executive advising is a flexible and low-stress way to get organizational help. They meet with nonprofit leaders and provide advice based on their experience managing nonprofits. You decide how much time you want to spend with an advisor, whether that's 4 hours total or 4 hours a week for several months. 501 Commons will recommend an advisor from the 50 nonprofit professionals, board chairs and former executive directors in the Service Corps. Through executive advising, you work with an experienced nonprofit professional to work through tough management issues, identify new strategies and make decisions.- Training & Networking - In addition to their services, 501 Commons hosts a variety of events for nonprofit professionals. Whether you're looking to hone your presentation skills in a Mighty Mouth workshop or want to learn about search engine optimization (SEO) at a 501 Talks Tech training, 501 Commons has professional development opportunities to fit your needs.- Management Consulting Services - 501 Commons' nonprofit management consulting services run the gamut, from board development, meeting or retreat facilitation, communications planning, organizational development and more. Some services are provided by 501 Commons staff consultants and others are provided on a sliding-scale fee basis using consultants who are members of their Executive Service Corps.Technology Services: 501 Commons' technology experts want every nonprofit organization to have access to the best technology available and to have the knowledge to put it to good use.- IT Infrastructure Support - Services include network assessment to determine the IT infrastructure you need, installation of new equipment, converting to Office 365 or Google Apps, and making sure you have tech tools that support your success. You can also contract ongoing managed technology services. This means regular visits from technology consultants and quick access to 501 Commons' Help Desk (M-F only) to keep your organization humming.- Salesforce Administration & Database Development - 501 Commons' database experts can help you evaluate your data tracking, management, and reporting needs and work with you to plan, create, and support a system that will work for your organization for years to come.- Intranets, Wikis, & Collaboration Tools - Identify technology solutions that help you share information, organize files and collaborate more easily. New affordable tools simplify staff on-boarding, put operating policies and procedures a click away, and strengthen internal communications and teamwork. Technology can simplify and streamline many internal processes, lowering costs & reducing stress on staff.- Technology Strategy & Planning - Not sure what technology, software, and applications you should be using? Need a technology plan so you can secure the funding and prepare for the future? 501 Commons' consultants bring management expertise and tech know how to help you map out a comprehensive technology plan or figure out your next steps.Washington Gives: Washington Gives is a fundraising platform that hosts two annual events: GiveBIG and Giving Tuesday. During the GiveBIG statewide fundraising campaign, individuals and organizations come together across Washington to invest in our community. When we give, we take a proactive step towards creating the society we want to live in. GiveBIG was started by the Seattle Foundation in 2011 and transferred to 501 Commons in 2018.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, 501 Commons program expenses were:
| Program services | $5,348,178 |
| Program Expenses | $5,348,178 |
Governance & Staff
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CEO
Ms. Nancy Long, Executive Director
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Board Chair
Mr. Reza Khastou, COO
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
The Polytech
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Board Size
14
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Paid Staff Size
72
Fundraising
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.).
% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 0.85%
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 501 Commons's Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020
| Source of Funds | |
|---|---|
| Consulting fees | $2,636,250 |
| In-kind contributed services | $1,606,947 |
| Government grants | $1,079,782 |
| Grants and contributions | $430,900 |
| Interest and other income | $9,293 |
| Total Income | $5,763,172 |
Breakdown of Expenses
| Total Income | $5,763,172 |
| Total Expenses: | $5,793,517 |
| Program Expenses | $5,348,178 |
| Fundraising Expenses | $26,563 |
| Administrative Expenses | $418,776 |
| Other Expenses | $0 |
| Expenses in Excess of Income | $30,345 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $1,603,014 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $1,572,669 |
| Total Liabilities | $703,405 |
| Total Assets | $2,276,074 |
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.