Unbound previously Christian Foundation for Children and Aging/ CFCA 
The information on this page was last updated 2/7/2022. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Unbound is an international nonprofit founded by lay Catholics grounded in the Gospel call to put the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable first. We build relationships of mutual respect and support that bridge cultural, religious and economic divides. We invite all people of goodwill to join us.
Working side by side with people of diverse faith traditions in 19 countries, we bring people together to challenge poverty in new and innovative ways.
We inspire confidence and offer opportunity and encouragement to children and families living on the margins of society. We create practical and trustworthy means for people to help others and nurture human connections that uplift us all.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Unbound
PO Box 219114
Kansas City, MO 64121-9114
Website: www.unbound.org
Phone: (800) 875-6564
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 431243999
CEO/President: Mr. Scott Wasserman
Chairman: David Herbison
Board size: 12
Founder: Hentzen siblings & Jerry Tolle
Ruling year: 1981
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
We believe in strong families.
Unbound sponsorship goes beyond distributing material goods and empowers families to become self-sufficient. Families-those with both parents in the home and those headed by one parent or a guardian-are the pillars of a strong, supportive community.
We believe in the wisdom of mothers.
Mothers are often the primary caregivers and know what their families need most to succeed. Our programs are designed in true partnership with the mothers, encouraging them to participate in defining benefits and services for their children.
We believe in the power of friendships.
We provide the opportunity for the sponsor and sponsored friend to make a real connection that gives hope and meaning to both. This connection opens a window between the two worlds and reveals the bonds that tie us together as one human family.
We believe in the dignity of all human beings.
We recognize the inherent dignity of all human beings. When we create a true exchange of cultures, understanding and love as equals, we are doing more than alleviating material poverty. We are also creating the bonds of lasting peace and unity among people of diverse faiths and backgrounds.
We believe in hope.
Because the families we serve are active participants in the program and in their own struggle, hope is a powerful gift that can help them overcome tremendous odds. Their courage in the face of poverty brings hope to their sponsors as well.
Mission statement
Unbound uses the following to express its mission:
Unbound's mission is to walk with the poor and marginalized of the world.
- We provide personal attention and direct benefits to children, youth, aging and their families so they may live with dignity, achieve their desired potential and participate fully in society.
- We invite people of good will to live in daily solidarity with the world's poor through one-to-one sponsorship.
- We build community by fostering relationships of mutual respect, understanding and support that are culturally diverse, empowering and without religious or other prejudice.
Statement of faith
Unbound uses the following to express its Statement of Faith:
Unbound is a lay Catholic organization working with persons of all faith traditions to create a worldwide community of compassion and service.
Unbound is grounded in the Gospel call to serve the poor. We recognize Christ embodied in each person and prayerfully strive to apply the preferential option for the poor expressed in Catholic social doctrine.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 157 of 1033 | 20 of 85 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 286 of 1035 | 30 of 85 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 158 of 1035 | 15 of 85 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 448 of 1033 | 37 of 85 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 98% | 97% | 100% | 98% | 99% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 2% | 3% | 0% | 2% | 1% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 85% | 93% | 93% | 93% | 93% | 92% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 93% | 94% | 94% | 97% | 94% | 97% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 87% | 87% | 90% | 87% | 89% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 7% | 6% | 6% | 3% | 6% | 3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 14% | 12% | 13% | 7% | 15% | 9% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.49 | 1.71 | 2.00 | 2.23 | 2.37 | 2.72 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.22 | 1.04 | 1.05 | 1.06 | 1.07 | 1.09 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.13 | 1.78 | 2.10 | 2.36 | 2.54 | 2.98 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 9.59 | 16.09 | 26.97 | 25.24 | 26.84 | 23.51 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.10 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.59 | 6.31 | 5.50 | 4.88 | 4.55 | 3.86 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 11% | 7% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 4% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 54% | 54% | 48% | 43% | 41% | 35% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $17,426,373 | $13,894,735 | $12,586,057 | $11,931,578 | $11,945,391 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $1,666,596 | $1,033,994 | $1,040,671 | $1,221,540 | $1,267,919 |
| Short-term investments | $55,915,365 | $48,499,148 | $41,435,131 | $37,274,287 | $28,719,695 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $75,008,334 | $63,427,877 | $55,061,859 | $50,427,405 | $41,933,005 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $3,089,208 | $3,204,050 | $3,348,367 | $3,510,097 | $3,931,275 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $3,089,208 | $3,204,050 | $3,348,367 | $3,510,097 | $3,931,275 |
| Total assets | $78,097,542 | $66,631,927 | $58,410,226 | $53,937,502 | $45,864,280 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $4,661,094 | $1,780,407 | $1,598,912 | $1,416,811 | $1,303,144 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $571,238 | $582,919 | $461,733 | $480,850 |
| Total current liabilities | $4,661,094 | $2,351,645 | $2,181,831 | $1,878,544 | $1,783,994 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $636,619 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $636,619 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $5,297,713 | $2,351,645 | $2,181,831 | $1,878,544 | $1,783,994 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $40,146,228 | $31,597,985 | $23,958,747 | $20,284,746 | $14,778,421 |
| With donor restrictions | $32,653,601 | $32,682,297 | $32,269,648 | $31,774,212 | $29,301,865 |
| Net assets | $72,799,829 | $64,280,282 | $56,228,395 | $52,058,958 | $44,080,286 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $139,403,527 | $137,342,201 | $133,867,369 | $133,688,878 | $127,376,954 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $771,782 | $1,870,542 | ($1,481,759) | $1,000,913 | $524,049 |
| Other revenue | $2,028,855 | $2,009,176 | $1,857,164 | $1,330,244 | $1,144,428 |
| Total other revenue | $2,800,637 | $3,879,718 | $375,405 | $2,331,157 | $1,668,477 |
| Total revenue | $142,204,164 | $141,221,919 | $134,242,774 | $136,020,035 | $129,045,431 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $123,811,020 | $123,379,605 | $121,140,867 | $118,674,860 | $115,148,019 |
| Management and general | $4,525,212 | $4,640,952 | $4,460,908 | $4,409,871 | $4,290,741 |
| Fundraising | $5,348,385 | $5,149,475 | $4,471,562 | $4,956,632 | $5,436,664 |
| Total expenses | $133,684,617 | $133,170,032 | $130,073,337 | $128,041,363 | $124,875,424 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $8,519,547 | $8,051,887 | $4,169,437 | $7,978,672 | $4,170,007 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $8,519,547 | $8,051,887 | $4,169,437 | $7,978,672 | $4,170,007 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Scott Wasserman | President/Ceo (non-Voting) | $286,213 |
| Rob McElroy | Lead Software Architect | $181,046 |
| Steve McClain | Director of Outreach | $171,907 |
| Martin Kraus | Treasurer (non-Voting)/Dir Fin | $171,503 |
| Mary Geisz | Director of Sponsor Experience | $160,601 |
| John Dougherty | Director of Technology Service | $153,847 |
| Donna Hatchette | Lead Software Architect | $128,630 |
| William Hansen | Secretary (non-Voting)/Fin Mgr | $103,340 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2020
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 2/7/2022. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
The vision of Unbound began in 1981 with Bob, Bud and Jim Hentzen, their sister Nadine Pearce and their friend Jerry Tolle. Bob and Jerry were former missionaries who witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of poverty while working in Latin America.
They met hard-working families struggling heroically to make better lives for their children. The founders envisioned a program that would invite people to partner with these families to support and encourage them.
Guided by their faith and inspired by the principles of Catholic social teaching, the group created an innovative, highly-personalized sponsorship program.
Their goal was to empower families and connect the world not only with their struggles, but also with their incredible gifts.
"We really didn't know what we were doing, but we were doing it anyway," said Nadine.
In 1981, the group pooled their Christmas card lists and asked a couple hundred friends and relatives to get involved. And they called their effort the Christian Foundation for Children. As Bud later described it, "The letter fell flat on its face."
But the group persevered, gaining one sponsor a day, then a few more. After four years, there were a 1000.
Christian Foundation for Children became Christian Foundation for Children and Aging and then, in 2014, Unbound.
Over the years, the organization has served more than 800,000 children, students and aging adults and currently works with more than 300,000 people supported by 260,000 sponsors.
Families around the world contribute to Unbound. Sponsors, volunteers and the families we serve all bring their gifts, initiative and potential to bear on creating connections and lifting each other up in the face of life's challenges.
The organization has grown, but the dream of families working together remains. The founders' commitment to the people we serve and their passionate and dedicated example continues to inspire us today.
Program accomplishments
In the Unbound program...
51% of sponsored children stay in school more than a year longer than their peers.
77% of sponsored children participate in the program through organized small groups.
90% of mothers believe they have the power to change the lives of their families.
Needs
Your donation in support of our work helps us address the most urgent needs of the families we serve.