We look at donations in a different way.
We look at donations in a different way.
We do not like the word DONATE. We feel that your donation should be an INVESTMENT. An investment that keeps growing and giving back value. Cargo2Casa has a business mindset, which includes thinking about the best way to build a low-cost home. We believe that money to run Cargo2Casa should be done by selling our low-cost container homes. This “profit” is
used to support the operating cost of Cargo2Casa. This belief seems contrary to the premise of a nonprofit.
The assumptions are all there in the name: Nonprofits offer social services unhindered by market forces or “greed” (as some might say) associated with making money. A nonprofit’s mission is purely to help. But depending on generosity has always been a precarious model, and in this time of perceived economic instability, charitable giving is in a downward spiral.
The money that you INVEST in Cargo2Casa goes directly into the start up cost to build our container homes. This includes the cost to design the units, insurance, state certification of the units, and basic tools used to construct the homes.
Once we start to build the homes the “profit” allows us to keep building homes.
Cargo2Casa is also a partnership that follows the following steps:
- Reaching out to a homeowner that has a large back yard.
- Go over the Government grants and financing that the homeowner can get.
- Once everything is agreed we start to build the container home.
- Our homes are affordable as we use labor of volunteers and efficient building methods to turn the containers into homes.
- The profit that Cargo2Casa makes on the homes goes back to support the organization.
Cargo2Casa core believe is to open and transparent with every thing that we do. We believe in governance and over site.
The following our beliefs
The governing board of Cargo2Casa has the ultimate oversight authority for any charitable organization. This section of the standard seeks to ensure that the volunteer board is active, independent and free of self-dealing. To meet these standards, Cargo2Casa shall have:
1. Board Oversight
A board of directors that provides adequate oversight of Cargo2Casa charity’s operations and its staff. Cargo2Casa believes that an 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, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard Cargo2Casa’s finances.
2. Implementation
Board Size – Cargo2Casa has a board of directors with a minimum of four voting members. More will be added as Cargo2Casa grows.
3. Board Meetings
Cargo2Casa has 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.
4. Board Compensation
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.
5. Conflict of Interest
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.
MEASURING EFFECTIVENESS
Standards 6 – 7
The effectiveness of a Cargo2Casa in achieving its mission is of the utmost importance. It’s key that potential donors know that when they give to a charity, their money is going to have an impact. This is why a section of our standards require that charities set defined, measurable goals and objectives, put a process in place to evaluate the success and impact of its programming, and report on the organization’s progress.
6. Effectiveness Policy
Cargo2Casa has 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.
7. Effectiveness Report
The management of Cargo2Casa will 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
FINANCES
Standards 8 – 14
While Cargo2Casa believe that a charity’s finances only tell part of the story of how we are performing. To prevent poor financial management and/or questionable accounting practices. Cargo2Casa has several standards in place that establish minimum financial thresholds we feel are necessary for any charitable organization. Through these standards, Cargo2Casa seek to ensure that we are financially transparent and spends its funds in accordance with its mission and donor expectations.
8. Program Expenses
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.
9. Fund Raising Expenses
Spend no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.
10. Accumulating Funds
Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, Cargo2Casa 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.
11. Audit Report
Cargo2Casa will 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. If Cargo2Casa has annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. If Cargo2Casa has a annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.
12. Detailed Expense Breakdown
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, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.
13. Accurate Expense Reporting
Cargo2Casa will 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 fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.
14. Budget Plan
Cargo2Casa will have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
SOLICITATIONS AND INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS
Standards 15 – 20
Cargo2Casa understands that a fundraising appeal is often the only contact a donor has with a charity and may be the sole impetus for giving. This section of the standards seeks to ensure that a charity’s representations to the public are accurate, complete and respectful.
15. Accurate Materials
Cargo2Casa will have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Cargo2Casa bereaves that appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard. At Cargo2Casa we believe that 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.
16. Annual Report
Cargo2Casa will 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, and d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
17. Website Disclosures
Cargo2Casa will include on our 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.
18. Donor Privacy
Cargo2Casa 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, and 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 Cargo2Casa to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the Cargo2Casa (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 Cargo2Casa has in place to protect personal information.
19. Cause Marketing Disclosures
Cargo2Casa will 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
20. Complaints
Cargo2Casa will respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention about fund raising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.
