Unbound

“During 2013, the organization's name was legally changed from christian foundation for children and aging to unbound. The articles of incorporation were amended to reflect this change and have been approved by the state of missouri. Additionally, the irs has been notified and has acknowledged this change prior to the filing of this return.”

“An independent accounting firm prepares the 990. The 990 is then reviewed by the organization's president/ceo and accounting personnel. Any questions and concerns the organization's president/ceo and accounting personnel have are addressed and any corrections or clarifications that need to be made are made. The 990 is then provided to the full board for their review prior to filing the 990. Any questions and concerns the board have are addressed and any corrections or clarifications that need to be made are made prior to filing the 990.”

“All board members annually disclose their involvement with other organizations, communities, employment, staff, vendors or any other associates that might potentially produce a conflict, regardless of the likelihood of an actual conflict arising. New board nominees also complete a disclosure form. When the board is to decide an issue that presents an unavoidable conflict of interest for a member, the member with the conflict abstains from participation in both the deliberation and vote. All employees annually sign a receipt and acknowledgement of unbounds code of conduct which forbids a conflict or the appearance of a conflict between the employees personal interests and those of unbound. The employees signature acknowledges their agreement to adhere to this code and to immediately disclose a suspected conflict of interest to a staff director or a member of the human resources department.”

“Due to the change in officers and directors in 2013 as described in schedule o: 1.) as determined in june 2013 - the compensation of the chief executive officer (ceo) and the president for 2013 was determined at the june 2013 governing board of directors meeting. Prior to this discussion, the ceo, president and the non voting members of the board excused themselves from the board meeting. The voting members met with the director of human resources who provided them the most current salary information for comparable ceo and president positions of other similiar non-profit organizations in the kansas city metropolitan area. The source for that information was provided from onet, the department of labor's (dol) online current salary data source. That information was reviewed by the board along with the ceo and president's performance outlined in unbound's values and policies guidelines. The voting members then passed a resolution regarding the annual salaries for the ceo and president. Substantiation of the decision of the board's determination was maintained by the director of human resources. The board's vote was then recorded in the minutes of the june 2013 meeting. 2.) as determined in november 2013 - subsequent to mr. Hentzen's death in october 2013: mr. Wasserman resigned from the board effective as of their november 16, 2013 meeting. On november 23, 2013; the remaining board members, all independent persons, elected mr. Wasserman as president/ceo, effective november 30, 2013. Those same board members approved his compensation at their november 25, 2013 meeting. All these decisions were recorded in the board's minutes. The board utilized the same process in determining mr. Wasserman's compensation as it had for mr. Henzten (prior president) and mr. Wertin (prior ceo).”

“Unbound's articles of incorporation, audited financial statements, by-laws and conflict of interest policy along with irs forms 1023, 990 and 990-t are available for inspection at our offices. Unbound's audited financial statements and irs forms 990 and 990-t are posted on our website (www.unbound.org). Printed copies are available upon request.”

“Mr. Hentzen served as President (non-voting) until his death in October 2013. Mr. Wertin served as CEO (non-voting) until November 30, 2013. He continues service with Unbound in a non-officer position. Mr. Wasserman served as Chief Governing Officer (CGO)/Director until his resignation from the board on November 16, 2013. On November 23, 2013 the remaining board members, all independent persons, elected Mr. Wasserman as President/CEO, effective November 30, 2013. This newly created position combines the previous two positions of President and CEO. Ms. Ryder, a member of the current Board of Directors, was elected Chief Governing Officer (CGO) on December 11, 2013. Rev. Art Kirwin, O.P. served as Director (non-voting) until he resigned in June 2013 to accept another opportunity in his vocation.”

“Unbound provides financial support, services and encouragement to individuals and their families living on the margins of society in 21 countries around the world. We serve more than 300,000 children, youth and elderly people with the support of more than 266,000 sponsors, mostly from the U.S. The support offered through Unbound helps people break through poverty to create a better future for their families and communities. 1. We provide personal attention and direct benefits to children, youth, the aging and their families so they may live with dignity, achieve their desired potential and participate fully in society. 2. We invite people of good will to live in daily solidarity with the world's poor through one-to-one sponsorship. 3. We build community by fostering relationships of mutual respect, understanding and support that are culturally diverse, empowering and without religious or other prejudice. Grounded in the Gospel call to serve the poor, Unbound works with persons of all faith traditions to create a worldwide community of compassion and service.”

“Sponsorship Total grants to the sponsorship program were $100.3 million in 2013. Funding to all projects, which consisted of the $100.3 million in sponsorship, $2.5 million for scholarships and nearly $1.2 million for special needs of Unbound projects, totaled $104 million and represented 86.9 percent of total expenses in 2013. At the end of 2013, a total of 312,508 individuals were sponsored through Unbound. They included 286,170 children and youth, 25,995 aging persons and 343 candidates studying for a religious vocation. Sponsored individuals and their families were served through Unbound projects in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, The Philippines, Tanzania, Uganda and Venezuela. Following are examples of achievements in the sponsorship program, the scholarship program and addressing the special needs of Unbound projects as they work with individuals and families striving to be free from poverty. Unbounds sponsorship program helps families in 21 countries break through poverty by connecting them with an individual sponsor and a supportive local community of staff members and other families. Through letters and a monthly financial contribution, sponsors experience another culture, true friendship and a practical way to make a lasting difference in the life of a child or elderly person. Sponsors who travel on Unbound awareness trips may meet their sponsored friends, learn about their lives and see how their contributions are used. In 2013, 645 people visited 628 children and elderly people on awareness trips. Families participating in the sponsorship program utilize financial assistance to help with needs such as education, nutrition, clothing and health care, in addition to leadership and economic development programs (e.g. financial literacy, youth retreats and skill development for parents). Sponsorship requires active participation from families as they take a central role in selecting benefits for their children and building stronger communities. Sponsored members partner with Unbound to make program and benefit decisions that help meet their basic needs and develop their potential over the course of their time in the program, sometimes 18 years or more. Outcomes vary by location and typically include educational attainment, leadership, improved health and nutrition status, dignified housing, skill development and increased income through livelihood opportunities for families. Through Unbounds sponsorship program, families have more choices in their lives and are empowered over time to break through poverty. Monitoring program success On behalf of sponsors and those who are sponsored, the governing board of Unbound rigorously monitors the integrity and accountability of the organization's operations. The board proactively defines the outcomes expected from the organization. Management must then produce verifiable data proving that the expected outcomes have been achieved. Management chooses the means to achieve the boards ends. However, the board sets ethical and prudent limits on which means management may use to achieve the boards ends. The board systematically monitors compliance with these executive limitations. As a result, the board confidently assures donors that their contributions achieve their promised objectives, and that the organization remains transparent and ethical. Unbound conducts program and financial audits, bi-annually and annually respectively, of projects to ensure financial resources provide intended benefits and services and sponsored members are empowered to direct their own development. The organization performs quality checks on letters and photos from sponsored friends to their sponsors, and monitors member retirement rates and sponsor retention rates. Unbound collects educational attendance and performance data and documents the final education level achi”

“Scholarships The Unbound service-scholarship program helps dynamic, talented older students who, because of economic circumstances, are struggling to continue their education. The program is founded on the principles of perseverance, leadership and service to the community. Scholarships are used for secondary and post-secondary tuition, vocational school, transportation, school supplies and books. Recipients are selected by local program staffs based on economic need, commitment to completing their education, demonstrated leadership potential and interest in community service. Scholars perform service projects as a requirement of the program. Scholarships are intended as supplemental assistance, and families contribute what they can toward the student's education. The scholarship program complements the Unbound sponsorship program and has allowed thousands of students in communities around the world to achieve their educational goals and dreams. Students are able to complete their education, follow their chosen career path and be of service to the larger community. In 2013, scholarship grants to Unbound projects totaled more than $2.5 million. The grants funded 6,065 full scholarships at $420 a year. Scholarships were awarded to students in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, the Philippines, Tanzania, Uganda and Venezuela. Projects may award full or partial scholarships, depending on educational costs and the needs and goals of students in their local areas. The majority of scholars are sponsored youth who need extra financial help in addition to sponsorship assistance to complete their education. Non-sponsored older students identified by Unbound projects as being in need of educational assistance and having a desire to serve their communities also are eligible for scholarships. An important component of the program is the service requirement. Unbound scholars are required to perform some type of meaningful service in their community. This may include tutoring, helping children in the sponsorship program write letters to their sponsors in the U.S., translating letters or work related to their field of study. Many former scholars work at Unbound projects as staff members. THEY BRING A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE ON THE PROGRAM AND THEIR COMMUNITIES TO THEIR WORK WITH UNBOUND. Monitoring program success Scholars are required to maintain good grades and perform service projects in their communities. Local Unbound project staffs monitor students to make sure they are fulfilling program requirements, and projects provide annual reports on their scholarship programs. In 2013, Unbound also initiated qualitative evaluation with alumni of the scholarship program, utilizing a group mind-mapping process and individual interviews to explore long-term outcomes. Examples of program success In a 2013 qualitative evaluation of the Unbound sponsorship and scholarship programs in the Philippines, almost all participants achieved a university degree and many also completed graduate-level education. Alumni, on average three years out of the program, are pursuing careers from teaching to nursing and accounting to architectural design. Most are employed on a full-time basis. Former scholar students self-identified the most significant outcomes of the program as education, leadership and spiritual/holistic development. Many former scholars are supporting their own families and providing economic and mentoring support for siblings as they pursue their education. A central theme in the evaluation findings was the significant internal drive toward giving back to their communities. Examples included teaching formation classes for current Unbound sponsored members, preparing supplies for disaster relief, mentoring, and offering computer skills and resources to community youth.”

“Grants for Special Needs Unbound disbursed nearly $1.2 million in grants during 2013 for various special needs. Funding for grants comes primarily from unrestricted donations to Unbound. A large portion of grant funding for 2013 was used for infrastructure needs of Unbound projects and field staff training. In addition, project grants were disbursed from a number of special assistance funds that allow donors to target their contributions toward specific programs. Unbound accepts contributions to funds that provide food assistance, housing, disaster assistance, healthy communities (health and hygiene services and facilities), sponsorship assistance and livelihood programs.”

“In 2013, Unbound continued a fundraising campaign, engaging a direct-response fundraising firm to make personal calls to former and current sponsors asking them to consider sponsoring an older student. Through this campaign, Unbound gained 237 new sponsorships. We expect to receive sponsorship revenue from these sponsorships for several years into the future. On average an Unbound sponsor retains a sponsorship with Unbound for 8.0 years, contributing monthly to Unbound throughout that time. Over those 8.0 years, we project total revenue to Unbound to be $682 thousand. This long-term view demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of the fundraising campaign.”