Cierra Sisters

What it reported doing in 2024

Cierra Sisters works to increase breast cancer knowledge, awareness, and access to care in African-American and underserved communities. We do this by hosting culturally tailored support groups, holding educational and wellness events, providing direct support to women and families navigating cancer, and partnering with medical institutions and researchers to build stronger connections between science and community. Cierra Sisters has been built and directed by the very community we serve - rooted in oral traditions and deep relationships. We know the difference we're making, and with our limited resources and capacity, our focus has been on delivering services and being responsive to community needs. As we build organizational capacity and long-term stability, we are also developing the resources, tools, and expertise to better evaluate our impact, report to external audiences, and use data to sharpen our program and advocacy focus. In 2024, Cierra Sisters served more than 3,900 people through our programs, outreach, and advocacy efforts. Highlights include: -Support Groups: 200 participants annually; providing culturally responsive spaces for healing, support, and connection. -Navigation Services: Guided newly diagnosed women through a complex healthcare system, ensuring awareness of treatment options and access to clinical trials. -Lay Advocate Volunteers: 18 women supported annually with transportation, meals, home care, and companionship. -World Mammography Day Conference: 240 attendees engaged in powerful discussions around prevention, power, policy, and wellness. -World Cancer Day Conference: 150 participants gathered to share knowledge, resources, and solidarity. -Wellness Festival / Block Walk: 1,000 doors knocked, 2,500 community members reached in a single day, 500 people engaged at the festival. -Community Empowerment Program (CEP): Expanded to three cohorts, educating 500 community members through evidence-based strategies. CEPs have been featured in the Journal of Community Health. -Research & Advocacy: In partnership with Fred Hutch Cancer Center, co-created the Anti-Racism in Oncology video series featuring Black women survivors, caregivers, and leaders. This project exposed systemic inequities in cancer care, one of the greatest reasons why Black women die from breast cancer at higher rates than their white counterparts.... Cierra Sisters is not only saving lives - we are dismantling barriers, building trust, and reshaping the way breast cancer care meets our community.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 74.4%; rating input score 74
• Program expense ratio: 72.6%; rating input score 73
• Fundraising efficiency: $15.58 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 51; 51st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -2.5%; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.79; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 44.2%; rating input score 5; 5th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 44.2% per year; rating input score 100; 94th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 18.7% per year; rating input score 100; 83rd percentile among comparable filings