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Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 237441289 ✦ Sonoma, CA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc?

Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc is a nonprofit organization located in Sonoma, California, specifically at PO Box 507. Their primary mission is to aid financially distressed individuals and families within the Sonoma Valley area by addressing their immediate basic needs. This encompasses providing food through various programs, assisting with utility bills, offering medical transportation, distributing bus and Paratransit tickets, supplying medical equipment, and offering clothing. In 2022, they assisted 2,259 families with food and 202 families with utility bills. During the year, they received over 20,000 contacts and helped 6,750 individuals and families through grants and other assistance. In essence, Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc serves as a safety net for the community, ensuring that essential needs are met and providing a helping hand when needed.


Official website here: www.friendsinsonomahelping.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 100% (Four-Star out of Four Star rating)

Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc (F.I.S.H) has achieved a perfect rating of 100% from Charity Navigator, indicating exceptional performance in accountability and finance. The organization boasts an independent board structure, with 100% of its members being independent, and has maintained a healthy liabilities to assets ratio of just 0.06%. The program expense ratio is impressive at 95.03%, underscoring its commitment to effectively utilizing funds for its charitable activities.

User reviews reflect a mixed experience, highlighting both commendable service and areas needing improvement. Many volunteers praise F.I.S.H for its dedicated efforts in providing essential services to the Sonoma community, including food, clothing, and transportation, all operated by a fully volunteer staff. The spirit of neighborly support is emphasized, with long-standing contributions to the community over four decades.

However, some clients have reported negative experiences, particularly regarding service accessibility and the treatment received at the clothes closet. One review describes a distressing incident involving a pregnant mother who felt discriminated against while seeking assistance. This feedback suggests that while the organization is well-intentioned and largely effective, there may be challenges in client interactions that could benefit from further attention and sensitivity training for volunteers.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator and Great Nonprofits.

Is Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc legitimate?

Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $0
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $0

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.friendsinsonomahelping.org

What is the mission statement of Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc?

Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc's mission is centered around assisting neighbors in need within Sonoma Valley. They aim to provide essential safety net services during times of financial distress. Their activities involve responding to immediate basic needs, such as food, clothing, utility payments, and prescription drugs, through various programs like the food pantry, home delivery, and Holiday Food Basket. They also offer assistance with medical transportation, medical equipment, and bus tickets. During 2022, they provided aid to over 2,259 families and 202 families with utility bills. In addition, they offer rides to medical appointments and other forms of basic necessities to those in need, handling over 20,000 contacts via phone or computer and helping 6,750 individuals or families throughout the year.


Official website here: www.friendsinsonomahelping.org

Who is the CEO of Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc?

Sandy Piotter is the Executive Dir. of Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc.


Official website here: www.friendsinsonomahelping.org

What is the revenue of Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc?

Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc's revenue in 2022 was $484,755.


Official website here: www.friendsinsonomahelping.org

Who are the executives of Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc and what are their salaries?

There 135 volunteers at Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc.


Here are 7 key members and their salaries:


Joanne Brown (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Maria Lounibos (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Thomas A Haeuser (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Phyllis Anderson (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Arlene Holt (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Nadine Yenni (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Sandy Piotter (Executive Dir.)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.friendsinsonomahelping.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc?

Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.friendsinsonomahelping.org

Learn more at the official website: www.friendsinsonomahelping.org

Mission Statement of Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc

Friends in Sonoma Helping Inc, a dedicated nonprofit organization, is committed to supporting neighbors within the Sonoma Valley community by addressing their critical basic needs. The organization's primary mission is to extend a safety net to financially distressed individuals, providing essential services such as food, used clothing, infant diapers, and assistance with rent and utility payments. During 2022 alone, the nonprofit served 2,259 families through various programs, including food pantries, home deliveries, and holiday food baskets. Furthermore, they aided 202 families with utility bill payments.

Beyond these immediate necessities, Friends in Sonoma Helping Inc also offers additional support services. They provide medical transportation, bus and Paratransit tickets, medical equipment, and clothing to those in need. In addition, the organization handled over 20,000 contacts via phone or computer during the year, and extended grants and other assistance to 6,750 individuals and families. This comprehensive approach highlights Friends in Sonoma Helping Inc's dedication to uplifting their community members and helping them navigate through challenging times.

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Impact




July, 2024

Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc has made a significant impact in providing critical safety net services to neighbors in Sonoma Valley. In 2022 alone, the organization assisted 2,259 families with food through various programs, including the food pantry, home delivery, and the Holiday Food Basket program. Additionally, 202 families received help with utility bills, demonstrating the organization's commitment to addressing immediate basic needs of the financially distressed. Beyond food and utilities, Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc also provided essential support such as medical transportation, prescription drugs, and clothing to those in need. The organization's reach extended to over 6,750 individuals and families who received grants and assistance, showing their dedication to supporting the community in times of hardship. Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc's impact is truly significant, exemplifying their mission of helping neighbors and providing vital services in Sonoma Valley.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Friends In Sonoma Helping Inc. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$484,755 (2022)
Expenses
$484,637 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $8,524
  • Gross Receipts: $895,724

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $2,692,112
  • Total Liabilities: $1,751
  • Net Assets: $2,690,361

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Organization Details

Founding Year

1971

Principal Officer

Sandy Piotter

Main Address

PO Box 507, Sonoma, CA, 95476

NTEE Category

Code: P58Z - Human services

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