Servicios de La Raza
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
Servicios de La Raza meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Purpose
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Year, State Incorporated
1972, CO
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Stated Purpose
To provide and advocate for culturally responsive, essential human services and opportunities.
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Also Known As:
La Raza Services, Inc.
Programs
Servicios de La Raza, Inc. provides services that assist low-income members of the community in the range of problems that result in a lack of resources and contribute to the perpetuation of the cycle of poverty. The organization serves the Latino community in Metro Denver as a community resource linked with Metro Denver’s schools and churches. Servicios de La Raza is also a referral channel for many human services agencies as they encounter Latino clientele.The organization’s programs include:Adult Re-Entry: WAGEES (Work and Gain Education and Employment Skills) offers supportive services and mentoring to adult men and women who are reintegrating into society after incarceration. WAGEES offers a variety of resources across the community to help parolees complete parole successfully and gain the skills necessary to not return to prison. WAGEES staff attends parole orientation at the Denver and Englewood parole offices to meet with potential participants the first week of being released.Basic Emergency Services (BES) staff assists vulnerable individuals and families out of crisis to achieve self-sufficiency, greater security and stability in their lives. BES serves diverse client populations including those who are homeless, victims of domestic violence, low & moderate-income families, veterans, people re-entering society from incarceration, LGBTQ community, senior citizens, mixed-status households and anyone who is having trouble making ends meet. BES helps families not have to choose between paying rent or having food in their cupboard or keeping their children safe by having the appropriate child safety seat. The BES program is a dynamic and malleable program that adjusts to the needs of the community.The Behavioral Health Program is a specialized clinic providing culturally and linguistically responsive English and Spanish outpatient mental health and substance use services to underserved and uninsured populations. The goal is to support a thriving community in which all members have the opportunities and support to achieve self-sufficiency and lead a healthy quality of life, regardless of ability to pay.The Colorado Spirit Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) was formed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Servicios de La Raza’s Behavioral Health Department is working with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to provide community-based crisis counseling and support to individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19 and may be experiencing distress, anxiety, worry, hopelessness or need additional support to cope with current pandemic. Colorado Spirit’s program consists of bilingual (English & Spanish) support line specialists, a crisis counselor, a child Specialist and Senior Specialist who are trained to support and engage community members in enhancing social and emotional connections to others in the community and promote effective methods of coping and resilience.The Employment Growth Program’s (EGP) goal is to reduce the barriers that many of our clients face in the workforce, including clients involved in the judicial system. They help job seekers by identifying appropriate career prospects using online assessment tools identify appropriate occupations for clients. EGP assists clients with any application process, which includes updating or building resumes, filling out and sending in applications. If there is any testing required by an employer to help the client prepare to ensure success, EGP also helps find educational opportunities that might help clients retain higher-paying employment or a preferable position. This can be through a union, apprenticeship, or trade school.Health Enrollment, Literacy and Promotions (HELP) works to provide culturally and linguistically relevant appropriate services in the Health Enrollment area, through presentations, education and enrollment to the English and Spanish-Speaking communities throughout the Denver Metro area, Adams County and Glendale. HELP does not have boundaries to assist the community, everyone is welcome. HELP works in a variety of health areas through community engagement, media, enrollment, navigations and education.La Gente is a bilingual program specializing in providing client-centered services to people living with HIV (PLHIV) who reside in Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties. The program assists its participants to understand their diagnosis, gain and maintain access to medical care, treatment, emotional support and other resources that meet their needs so they may thrive with HIV. La Gente serves a wide range of PLHIV including straight and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) men, women and youth. The program offers Medical Case Management, Psychosocial Support Services, Medical Transportation Assistance, Free STI Testing Services and Free Safer-Sex Materials.La Raza Youth Leadership Institute is comprised of the La Raza Youth Leadership Conference and the La Raza Youth Leadership Program. The Institute’s annual conference exposes Colorado’s Chicax/Latinx youth to the endless opportunities in their future by promoting the importance of higher education, career planning, self-esteem building, cultural identity and developing leadership skills. Students are also exposed to a college campus environment, to Chicanx/Latinx professionals and community leaders. The conference includes three workshop sessions, a keynote address, a youth keynote address, an education/resource fair and lunchtime entertainment. The LRYLI conference is unique because it caters to 12 – 18-year-old Colorado Chicanxs/Latinxs by offering culturally sensitive programming to enhance their social, educational and personal growth. La Raza Youth Leadership Program will provide Chicanx/Latinx* high school students, grades 9 -12, an opportunity to achieve their full leadership potential by participating in an intensive leadership program.Transition from Jail to Community Collaborative (TJCC) is dedicated to serving low-income, marginalized individuals whose lives often intersect with the criminal justice system. A collaborative effort between Servicios de la Raza, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and Urban League of Metro Denver, this team will implement the Transition from Jail to Community Collaborative (TJC) model, providing services, resources and supportive relationships for medium-to-high risk offenders entering jail and continuing through their reentry process back to the community. The TJC model connects participants to services prior to their release from detention or jail, with continued services upon reentry into the community. Reduced recidivism, or likelihood of a person returning to jail and increased public safety in metro Denver are the long-term goals of the TJCC.Victims in Safe Transition and Self-Sufficiency (VISTAS) provides culturally responsive services to English and Spanish-speaking victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence and general crime. Through our service model, the following resources are available for victims: 24-hour crisis hot line, case management, mental health, legal/victim advocacy, education, referrals and legal representation to victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault and general crime victims. The VISTAS program serves victims from across Colorado.WAGEES19 – Work and Gain Education & Employment Skills provides case management and re-entry services for justice involved adults ages 18-24. The WAGEES19 project is an equal opportunity program funded 100% by the US Department of Labor and Employment and Training Administration.Servicios de la Raza is expanding outside of the Denver metro area, offering their services and programs statewide to provide culturally and linguistically relevant information through presentations, education, training and case management to Spanish-speaking Latino communities throughout Northwest Aurora, Montbello, Green Valley Ranch, Southern Colorado and the Western Slope. They work in a variety of health areas through community engagement, navigations and education in various topics through a Promotora led model.
For the year ended June 30, 2020, Servicios de La Raza program expenses were:
| Program services | $2,946,940 |
| Program Expenses | $2,946,940 |
Governance & Staff
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CEO
Mr. Rudolph Rudy Gonzales, Executive Director
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Board Chair
Mr. Armando L Martin, CEO
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Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
XL Edge/XL Alliance
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Board Size
9
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Paid Staff Size
38
Fundraising
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fundraising events, Internet, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.).
% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 5.38%
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 Servicios de La Raza's Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020
| Source of Funds | |
|---|---|
| Contributions and grants | $4,113,126 |
| Paycheck Protection Program grant | $342,600 |
| Other income | $2,969 |
| Interest income | $117 |
| Total Income | $4,458,812 |
Breakdown of Expenses
| Total Income | $4,458,812 |
| Total Expenses: | $3,554,115 |
| Program Expenses | $2,946,940 |
| Fundraising Expenses | $239,843 |
| Administrative Expenses | $367,332 |
| Other Expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $904,697 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $1,459,143 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $2,363,840 |
| Total Liabilities | $736,967 |
| Total Assets | $3,100,807 |
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