Society of Saint Vincent De Paul Council of Los Angeles

What it reported doing in 2024

Vincentian services/conference development - svdpla's vincentian services program provides immediate, vital help to those most vulnerable in our communities. Through 115 catholic parish-based volunteer groups called conferences of charity, the society provides direct, emergency assistance as well as ongoing connection with community resources to increase resourcefulness and sustainability of those the society serves. The program serves over 107,394 people in immediate need a year, providing food, clothing and rental and utility assistance, preventing families from becoming homeless, and maintaining heat, electricity and other services. The staff in our vincentian services program supports our 1,672 members with training, mentoring, and guidance in spiritual formation as well as providing referrals to other services in the community so our members can continue their work in their local area, preventing homelessness, giving our neighbors a hand up during their moment of extreme duress, and working to teach life skills to those most in need. As part of this program, the society launched a new initiatve providing direct financial assistance to individuals and families affected by disasters, including assistance with housing, utilities, and other essential living expenses. The society also provides in-kind assistance, including household goods through its "house in a box" initiative, clothing, food, hygiene supplies, and gift cards to help meet basic needs. Individuals and families are connected with partner agencies that provide a broad range of support services, including mental health services and other community-based resources. During the year, the society provided $751,151 in disaster relief for 373 individuals affected by the eaton and palisades wildfires. Form 990 part iii line 4d - other program services ================================================= circle v ranch camp - for more than 80 years, svdpla has operated a residential summer camp for underserved children ages 7-13. Located in the los padres national forest near lake cachuma, circle v ranch camp hosts an average of five one week resident camps (five nights and six days) that provide innovative and enriching outdoor experiences through a variety of programs. Circle v serves approximately 454 southern California youth each summer. About 95% of these children receive scholarship support to attend camp. Three nutritious meals are served daily. The camp aims to increase self-esteem, expand knowledge and learning, encourage respect for others and the earth, build morale and character, foster supportive relationships and fellowship and empower low-income youth. Due to the pandemic, circle v reduced the number of children attending each week to ensure covid safety protocols were met. In the off-season from september-june, circle v rents out the facility to other non-profit groups such as churches, youth groups, and high school retreats providing lodging, food service all in a natural outdoor environment.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 89.7%; rating input score 90
• Program expense ratio: 83.8%; rating input score 84
• Fundraising efficiency: $9.26 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 1 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 17
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -14.3%; rating input score 7; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 7.96; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3.8%; rating input score 62; 62nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 1.6% per year; rating input score 100; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.8% per year; rating input score 100; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 8.1% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings