Visiting Neighbors Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

During FY25, A record number of 875 seniors (ages 60-107) received services and 1,700 individuals received information and emotional support from Visiting Neighbors. The Organization provides seven core services as follows: Shopping and Escort Provides Shopping, Escorting and Errand Services. Volunteers provided approximately 5,500 units of service (each one-way trip). While some seniors still prefer us to go shopping for them the vast majority want to go with their volunteer. When seniors were not feeling well or in inclement weather, volunteers would shop or do an errand for them, such as pick-up/drop -off from/to a pharmacy or post office. Volunteers also picked-up seniors after medical procedures, accompanied them on walks, helped with errands (such as escorts to/from banks, reading mail, shopping, hair salons, social programs, rehabs and escorting to/from Access-A-Ride renewal application centers). Volunteers have also helped seniors with getting pets to vets. Our staff also encouraged seniors to vote, including helping seniors mail absentee ballots when they couldnt get out. Volunteers escorted seniors who wanted to vote in person and we helped seniors use/mail their absentee ballots. Volunteers also escorted seniors on longer Therapeutic Walks. As the pandemic has continued on for such a long time, it resulted in many seniors expressing to staff that they felt somewhat sad and depressed and having developed cabin fever. They have a strong need to go outside for a safe long walk accompanied by someone who could be by their side. Many seniors are afraid of walking outside alone afraid of tripping on a sidewalk, getting caught in a crosswalk, being knocked down by someone not paying attention while on a cellphone or someone stealing their purse and just fear of falling in general. Some of our more independent seniors just wanted to go outside to get a break from the confines of their apartment and felt more comfortable with someone by their side. We responded by starting a walking program which continued to grow and we also have successfully been able to engage more young volunteers (ages 14-24) to interact with our seniors by taking walks together and having meaningful discussions with them along the way. As more medical professional started seeing patients again and more procedures started to happen again, volunteers escorted seniors to and from those medical appointment and procedures. Friendly Visiting Provides the elderly clients with companion visits. Volunteers provided approximately 7,600 visits. Health Advocacy Provides support during clients hospital stays and follow up at home after hospital stay, emergency preparedness, in-home safety checks, information on free and low-cost health services, liaison between the client and health care providers, providing health education materials on a variety of health concerns and identifying risk factors and emotional support and encouragement, approximately 1400 Hours. Wellness Programs Information and activities, including Therapeutic Walks and small groups and individual discussion on a variety of health and wellness issues, to promote healthy living and wellness, approximately 4,400 contracts hours. Information and Referral Services Staff and Volunteers respond to individuals requesting information and guidance. During the year, 4,000 calls were received and responded to. Telephone Reassurance Seniors received check-in and/or Friendly Calls for Conversation to alleviate loneliness and isolation - Approximately 5,250 hours. Special Occasions provides visits, calls and mailings for birthdays and holidays to provide positive uplifting messages of hope and good cheer.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 89.8%; rating input score 90
• Program expense ratio: 81.7%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: $13.19 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 47; 47th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 91.7%; rating input score 92; 19th 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: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Fail
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -9.9%; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.71; rating input score 32; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.03; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 33%; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 1.5% per year; rating input score 100; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2% per year; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 5.4% per year; rating input score 100; 49th percentile among comparable filings