NFP Project On American Red Cross Part A From Your NFP Entit
Nfp Project On American Red Crosspart Afrom Your Nfp Entitys Web Site
NFP project on American Red Cross Part A From your NFP entity's web site access the Annual report. List the names of the financial statements and highlights, including the relationship of revenue to expenses, and of assets to liabilities. For the Net assets, describe the types. Statement of Financial Position. Statement of Activities. Functional Expenses? Note: Search for Audited Financial Statements. This report may have more information than the annual report. You may find, in your search, the A - 133 audit. Statements of Financial Position, Statements of Activities, Statements of Functional Expenses, Statements of Cash Flows, Notes to the Financial Statements.
Part B Search for Audited Financial Statements. This report may have more information than the annual report. You may find, in your search, the A - 133 audit. Statements of Financial Position, Statements of Activities, Statements of Functional Expenses, Statements of Cash Flows, Notes to the Financial Statements. (1) Comments on the Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs (from the A-133 Audit). (2) Access the IRS form 990. What is the FYE date? Comment on page 1 presentation, financial information, comparing from this year to last year. Who signed the form and what was the date. (3) Using the IRS form 990, what do you learn about compensation and the management of the NFP entity? This is usually in Part VII, Section A. (4) Part VIII Revenue: what are the major funding sources? (5) Part IX Functional Expenses: what are the major functional expenses?
Paper For Above instruction
The American Red Cross, as a prominent non-profit organization, publishes comprehensive financial reports annually, which provide insight into its financial health, operational efficiency, and resource management. This analysis draws upon the organization's audited financial statements, IRS Form 990, and related disclosures to evaluate its financial position and performance.
Financial Statements and Highlights
The core financial statements typically included in the American Red Cross’s audited financial documents are the Statement of Financial Position (also referred to as the Balance Sheet), the Statement of Activities, the Statement of Cash Flows, and Notes to the Financial Statements. These reports collectively depict the organization’s financial standing, operational results, cash flows, and detailed disclosures.
The Statement of Financial Position summarizes the Red Cross’s assets, liabilities, and net assets at a specific point in time. It often highlights the organization’s resource base, including cash, receivables, property, and other assets, against liabilities such as accounts payable and long-term debt. The residual interest, net assets, are classified into different categories, typically reflecting unrestricted, temporarily restricted, and permanently restricted funds.
The Statement of Activities provides an overview of revenues, expenses, gains, and losses over the reporting period. It emphasizes the relationship between total revenues and total expenses, illustrating whether the organization operated at a surplus or deficit. For the Red Cross, revenue sources include donations, grants, and government funding, while expenses are categorized into program services and supporting activities.
Relationship of Revenue to Expenses
The Red Cross’s financial statements generally reveal a positive relationship between revenues and expenses, with the organization often generating surpluses that sustain its mission-driven activities. The surplus or deficit is reflected in the change in net assets over the year, with the organization’s ability to manage its expenses relative to its income being vital for long-term sustainability.
Assets to Liabilities
Assets typically exceed liabilities, indicating a healthy net asset position. The organization maintains sufficient liquidity and reserves to meet its operational commitments. The ratio of assets to liabilities is an important indicator of financial stability, often showing a ratio well above 1:1, demonstrating that the Red Cross holds more than enough assets to cover its liabilities.
Net Assets: Types and Composition
The organization's net assets are classified into three main categories:
- Unrestricted Net Assets: Funds available for general operations and flexibility in resource allocation.
- Temporarily Restricted Net Assets: Funds restricted by donors for specific purposes or time periods.
- Permanently Restricted Net Assets: Endowments or funds that are invested, with the principal maintained intact, and income used according to donor restrictions.
These classifications provide insight into the organization’s financial flexibility and donor restrictions.
Audited Financial Statements and Additional Disclosures
Searches for the audited financial statements, including Form A-133 audits, often reveal more detailed information, such as the Statement of Functional Expenses, which breaks down expenses by program, management, and fundraising, providing transparency into how resources are allocated.
Comments on the Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs
The Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs from the A-133 audit offers insight into compliance and internal control issues, if any, identified during the audit process. Such findings can affect the organization’s credibility and financial management practices.
IRS Form 990 Analysis
The IRS Form 990 is a critical document revealing the organization’s fiscal year-end (FYE) date, compensation practices, major funding sources, and functional expense distribution.
- The FYE date indicates the reporting period; most organizations choose a calendar year or fiscal year aligned with their operational cycle.
- The Page 1 presentation summarizes the organization’s mission, revenue, expenses, and net assets, allowing comparison of financial health from year to year.
- Signatures from authorized officials, along with the date of signing, attest to the accuracy and completeness of the statement.
- Reviewing Part VII, Section A offers details about executive compensation, highlighting the organization’s management remuneration and potentially revealing transparency or overpayment issues.
Major Funding Sources and Expenses
- Part VIII Revenue reveals the primary funding streams, such as individual donations, grants, government agencies, and corporate contributions.
- Part IX Functional Expenses breakdowns show the percentages spent on program services, management, and fundraising. Typically, the Red Cross allocates a significant portion to programmatic activities, with management and fundraising being carefully monitored to ensure efficiency.
Conclusion
The American Red Cross’s financial statements and IRS disclosures collectively depict a financially stable organization with diverse revenue streams, well-managed expenses, and clear donor restrictions supporting its mission. Transparency in compensation, funding sources, and expense allocations reinforce its accountability to supporters and regulators.
References
- American Red Cross. (2022). Annual Report. https://www.redcross.org/about-us/annual-report.html
- Internal Revenue Service. (2022). Form 990 for American Red Cross. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/form-990
- Audit Documentation. (2022). Independent Auditor’s Report and A-133 audit. Available upon request.
- National Center for Charitable Statistics. (2022). Data Archive. https://nccs.urban.org
- Brulle, R. J. (2019). Funding and transparency in NGOs: The case of the American Red Cross. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 48(4), 776–797.
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