As of July 2014, Jewish Federation of St. Louis has become a Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited Charity. In order to receive this accreditation, Federation had to meet all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability, as set forth by the BBB. The BBB Standards for Charity Accountability were developed to assist donors in making sound giving decisions and to foster public confidence in charitable organizations. The standards seek to encourage fair and honest solicitation practices, to promote ethical conduct by charitable organizations and to advance support of philanthropy.
In addition to the specific areas addressed in the standards, the BBB encourages charitable organizations to adopt the following management practices to further the cause of charitable accountability.
- Initiate a policy promoting pluralism and diversity within the organization’s board, staff, and constituencies.
- Ensure adherence to all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations including submission of financial information.
- Maintain an organizational commitment to accountability that transcends specific standards and places a priority on openness and ethical behavior in the charity’s programs and activities.
Jewish Federation of St. Louis also received the BBB Accredited Agency seal, which is now displayed at JFedSTL.org. For more information about the Better Business Bureau, visit BBB.org.