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Nonprofiteer
← BETTER TOGETHER STRENGTHENING FAMILIES INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by BETTER TOGETHER STRENGTHENING FAMILIES INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$20,364,256
Total expenses
$6,639,384
Contributions and grants received
$19,173,782
Grants paid
$41,801
Program service revenue
$3,006
Investment income
$1,200,137
Other revenue
-$12,669
Total assets, end of year
$34,799,802
Total liabilities, end of year
$176,181
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$34,623,621
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$5,738,993
Management and general expenses
$632,486
Fundraising expenses
$267,905
Program service expenses (Part III)
$5,738,993

Program services were 86.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $67,677

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $19,106,105

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $47,541

  • 2a · Program service revenue: JOB FAIR INCOME

    total $3,006 · related or exempt $3,006

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,023,802 · excluded $1,023,802

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $176,335

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $176,335

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $176,335 · excluded $176,335

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $10,378

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $67,677

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $28,464

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$18,086 · excluded -$18,086

  • 11a · Other revenue: OTHER INCOME

    total $5,417 · excluded $5,417

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $5,417

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $41,801 · program services $41,801

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $459,712 · program services $406,188 · management and general $22,381 · fundraising $31,143

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $3,784,080 · program services $3,517,510 · management and general $82,182 · fundraising $184,388

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $316,724 · program services $290,696 · management and general $10,167 · fundraising $15,861

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $44,794 · management and general $44,794

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $26,856 · management and general $26,856

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $79,599 · management and general $79,599

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $48,794 · management and general $48,794

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $87,255 · management and general $87,255

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $26,429 · program services $16,250 · management and general $9,772 · fundraising $407

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $358,583 · program services $325,130 · management and general $10,133 · fundraising $23,320

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $86,213 · program services $56,423 · management and general $27,852 · fundraising $1,938

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $174,408 · program services $114,143 · management and general $56,344 · fundraising $3,921

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $29,804 · program services $19,506 · management and general $9,628 · fundraising $670

  • 17 · Travel

    total $434,059 · program services $399,890 · management and general $31,914 · fundraising $2,255

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $79,305 · program services $77,319 · management and general $1,986

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $27,858 · management and general $27,858

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $57,607 · program services $37,702 · management and general $18,610 · fundraising $1,295

  • 24a · Other expenses: OUTREACH

    total $259,582 · program services $257,937 · management and general $1,145 · fundraising $500

  • 24b · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

    total $116,270 · program services $82,516 · management and general $31,556 · fundraising $2,198

  • 24c · Other expenses: DIRECT PROGRAM EXPENSES

    total $99,255 · program services $95,723 · management and general $3,532

  • 24d · Other expenses: TAXES & LICENSES

    total $396 · program services $259 · management and general $128 · fundraising $9

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,547,726 · end of year $1,984,396

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $3,706,758 · end of year $6,132,538

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $62,184 · end of year $170,912

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $200,388

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $49,345

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $63,199 · end of year $151,043

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $15,579,055 · end of year $26,180,313

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $63,474 · end of year $180,600

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $126,757 · end of year $176,181

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $38,878

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $5,215,470 · end of year $11,077,388

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $15,641,291 · end of year $23,546,233

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

BETTER TOGETHER HELPS AT-RISK FAMILIES BY EMPOWERING PARENTS AND SURROUNDING THEM WITH COMMUNITY, MEANINGFUL WORK OPPORTUNITIES, AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT. OUR VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED MODEL PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICES SO THAT NO FAMILY STRUGGLES ALONE. THIS APPROACH PREVENTS THE NEED FOR FOSTER CARE AND BREAKS THE CYCLE OF GOVERNMENT DEPENDENCY. BETTER TOGETHER IS ENTIRELY FUNDED BY PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS. BETTER TOGETHER SERVES AT-RISK FAMILIES THAT ARE ISOLATED AND ON THE VERGE OF FAMILY BREAKDOWN DUE TO ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, NATURAL DISASTERS, OR PERSONAL CHALLENGES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO LEAD THE WAY IN OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AS OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS AND NETWORK OF CHURCHES, VETTED VOLUNTEERS, AND EMPLOYER PARTNERS OFFER DIRECT AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT.

Activities or mission (Part I)

BETTER TOGETHER OFFERS NEGLECT AND FAMILY BREAKDOWN PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA AND NATIONWIDE.

  • OUR BETTER FAMILIES PROGRAM HELPS AT-RISK FAMILIES PREVENT CHILD NEGLECT AND ABANDONMENT BEFORE STATE INVOLVEMENT IS NEEDED. OUR VOLUNTEER HOST FAMILIES TEMPORARILY CARE FOR CHILDREN WHILE OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS HELPS PARENTS REGAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY, IMPROVE PARENTING SKILLS, AND RE-ENGAGE IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES. IN FY 2024, BETTER FAMILIES PROVIDED DIRECT SUPPORT TO CHILDREN ACROSS FLORIDA WITH A 98% REUNIFICATION RATE. SERVICES INCLUDED: HOSTING: 213 CHILDREN RECEIVED SAFE, SHORT-TERM CARE DURING TIMES OF FAMILY CRISIS. PARENT MENTORING: KIDS STAY SAFE WHEN PARENTS STAY STRONG. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O).750 CHILDREN WERE POSITIVELY IMPACTED THROUGH 1-ON-1 PARENT MENTORING TO GUIDE PARENTS THROUGH CRISES SUCH AS ADDICTION RECOVERY, SECURING STABLE HOUSING, FINDING EMPLOYMENT, ESCAPING ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS, AND OVERCOMING HEALTH ISSUES. PARENT SUPPORT: 5,250 CHILDREN WERE POSITIVELY IMPACTED THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES PROVIDED TO THEIR PARENTS, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND CREATING SAFER HOMES. OUR HELP IMPACTED 3,729 FAMILIES ACROSS 33 COUNTIES THROUGH OUR BETTER FAMILIES PROGRAM, AND 98.5% OF FAMILIES STAYED INTACT (DOUBLE THE REUNIFICATION RATE OF FLORIDA FOSTER CARE). THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 40% OF FAMILY REFERRALS CAME DIRECTLY FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE NEED FOR FOSTER CARE HAS BEEN REDUCED IN 91% OF THE COUNTIES WHERE WE SERVE.

    Expenses $4,317,029 · Grants $41,801

  • OUR BETTER JOBS PROGRAM PROVIDES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO FAMILIES IN POVERTY. WE HAVE TRAINED HUNDREDS OF CHURCHES NATIONWIDE INCLUDING 16 ADDITIONAL CHURCHES IN 2024 TO HOST SECOND-CHANCE JOB FAIRS. EACH EVENT OFFERS WRAP AROUND VOLUNTEER SERVICES REMOVING BARRIERS TO FINDING A JOB, INCLUDING FREE INTERVIEW COACHING, TECHNICAL AND TRADE SCHOOL RESOURCES, RESUME HELP, PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING, HAIRCUTS, AND LEGAL ADVICE. MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE HAVE ATTENDED OUR EVENTS (6,038 IN FY 2024) WITH 13% HIRED ON THE SPOT AND 60% EMPLOYED WITHIN SIX WEEKS. A TOTAL OF 3,659 CHILDREN WERE SUPPORTED THROUGH OUR JOBS PROGRAM, AS WE WORKED ALONGSIDE THEIR PARENTS TO SECURE MEANINGFUL WORK, STABILITY, AND MENTORSHIP.

    Expenses $1,421,964 · Revenue $3,006

  • OUR MENTORING AND PARENT SUPPORT SERVICES GIVE ISOLATED PARENTS THE CHANCE TO MEET OTHER PARENTS, RECEIVE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT, AND BENEFIT FROM THE COLLECTIVE WISDOM OF A COMMUNITY THAT CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THEIR LIVES. WE HELP TO STABILIZE EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, AND CHILDCARE AND ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS BY CLEANING HOMES, REMOVING SAFETY RISKS, AND IMPROVING LIVING CONDITIONS. WE MENTOR AND EDUCATE ON PARENTING, FATHER RE-ENGAGEMENT, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND PROVIDE RESPITE CARE TO GIVE PARENTS A NIGHT OFF TO REST AND RECHARGE. ALL OF THESE SERVICES REDUCE RISK FACTORS FOR ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Megan Rose

    CEO

    Total calculated
    $268,160
    From this org
    $258,125
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,035
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $238,125
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,035
    Filer's total
    $268,160

  • Tarren Bragdon

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Alise Bartley

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Doug Campbell

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Andrea Saputo

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Christian Spilker

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Richard Vaughan

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Maria Hayes

    CFO

    Total calculated
    $139,279
    From this org
    $132,139
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,140
    Hours/week
    40

  • Jessica Tharpe

    COO AS OF 09/03/2024

    Total calculated
    $60,091
    From this org
    $59,411
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $680
    Hours/week
    40

  • Isis Larose

    VP OF STRAT. PRTNS. & MARKET DEV.

    Total calculated
    $144,195
    From this org
    $136,035
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,160
    Hours/week
    40

  • Kayla Palacios

    VP OF OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $136,455
    From this org
    $128,295
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,160
    Hours/week
    40

  • Lora Bostick

    DIR. OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $129,253
    From this org
    $121,093
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,160
    Hours/week
    40

  • Travis McGilvary

    SR. DIR., WORKFORCE RELATIONS

    Total calculated
    $118,890
    From this org
    $113,450
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,440
    Hours/week
    40

  • Jeffrey Bell

    E.D. OF BETTER JOBS

    Total calculated
    $111,959
    From this org
    $102,095
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,864
    Hours/week
    40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment

Answered no

  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3
THE COMPENSATION OF THE CEO IS REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHO DO NOT HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH RESPECT TO THE CEO. THIS INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UTILIZES COMPARABILITY DATA AND CONTEMPORANEOUSLY UTILIZES COMPARABILITY DATA AND CONTEMPORANEOUSLY SUBSTANTIATES ITS DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS. FOLLOWING THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE'S REVIEW OF THE CEO'S COMPENSATION, THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS A COMPENSATION AMOUNT FOR THE CEO'S TO THE ORGANIZATION'S FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR APPROVAL. THE CEO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING THE COMPENSATION OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATION'S KEY EXECUTIVES. IN SETTING SUCH COMPENSATION, THE CEO UTILIZES COMPARABILITY DATA AND CONTEMPORANEOUSLY SUBSTANTIATES HIS DECISION. THE PROCESS DESCRIBED WAS LAST COMPLETED IN 2024.
PART I, LINE 4A
NAME: JEFFREY BELL, DESCRIPTION: SEVERANCE PAYMENT, CURRENT YEAR AMOUNT: $10,577. PLAN DESCRIPTION: TERMINATION

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
12 October 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202542879349300519

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