Impact & Measurement
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
Committee on Temporary Shelter
Burlington VT | IRS ruling year: 1984 | EIN: 03-0285606 
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.Organization Mission
Mission Statement: COTS provides emergency shelter, services, and housing for people who are homeless or marginally housed in Vermont. COTS advocates for long-term s ... (More)
Rating Information
Great
This charity's score is 91%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 37% Accountability & Finance, 46% Impact & Measurement, 9% Leadership & Adaptability, 7% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
Historical Ratings 
Historical Ratings 
Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Measurement. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.
| Date Published | Overall Rating | ||
| 5/1/2022 |  | ||
| 12/23/2020 | | ||
| 10/1/2019 | | ||
| 3/1/2019 | | ||
| 12/1/2018 | | ||
 This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990. | |||
| 3/1/2018 | | ||
| 3/1/2017 | | ||
| 6/1/2016 | | ||
| 11/1/2015 | | ||
| 4/1/2015 | | ||
| 7/1/2014 | | ||
| 11/1/2013 | | ||
| 10/1/2012 | | ||
| 11/1/2011 | | ||
| 9/20/2011 | | ||
| 12/22/2010 | | ||
| 2/1/2010 | | ||
| 11/1/2008 |  | ||
| 2/1/2008 | | ||
Rating Report
Accountability & Finance
Score
100
Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2022
FY 2022
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Key Accountability Metrics
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No CreditMajority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members10 out of 10 points
Majority Independent Board Members - 100% independent members10 out of 10 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. We check to see that a majority of board members are identified as independent on their tax form.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Board Size - 14 independent members10 out of 10 points
Independent Board Size - 14 independent members10 out of 10 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three independent board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee20 out of 20 points
Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee20 out of 20 points
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
| $2 million or higher and 40% or higher donor support | Expected to complete an audit and have an audit oversight committee |
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Material Diversion of Assets - None20 out of 20 points
Material Diversion of Assets - None20 out of 20 points
A diversion of assets — any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.
Source: IRS Form 990
Tax Form Disclosures and Policies
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditWebsite Listed on Tax Form - Listed5 out of 5 points
Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points
Whistleblower Policy - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed5 out of 5 points
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes5 out of 5 points
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes5 out of 5 points
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Tax Form Distributed to Board Before Filing - Listed5 out of 5 points
Tax Form Distributed to Board Before Filing - Listed5 out of 5 points
Providing copies of the IRS Form 990 to the governing body prior to filing is considered a best practice, as it allows for thorough review by the individuals charged with overseeing the organization. The Form 990 asks the charity to disclose whether or not it has followed this best practice.
Loans to/from Officers - None5 out of 5 points
Loans to/from Officers - None5 out of 5 points
Making loans to related parties, such as key officers, staff, or Board members, is not standard practice in the sector as it diverts the charity's funds away from its charitable mission and can lead to real and perceived conflict-of-interest problems.
The IRS requires charities to disclose on their Form 990 any loans to or from current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and other "disqualified persons." Some state laws go so far as to prohibit loans to board members and officers.
Although employees and trustees are permitted to make loans to charities, this practice can also result in real and/or perceived conflict of interest problems for the charity. Furthermore, it is problematic because it indicates that the organization is not financially secure. Our analysts check to see if any loans have been made.
Website Disclosures
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditTax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed5 out of 5 points
Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed5 out of 5 points
For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditLiabilities to Assets: Ratio - 2.75%25 out of 25 points
Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 2.75%25 out of 25 points
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense: Ratio - 79.54%25 out of 25 points
Program Expense: Ratio - 79.54%25 out of 25 points
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Efficiency: Ratio - $0.0825 out of 25 points
Fundraising Efficiency: Ratio - $0.0825 out of 25 points
The amount spent to raise $1 in charitable contributions. To calculate a charity's fundraising efficiency, we divide its average fundraising expenses by the average total contributions it receives. We calculate the charity's average expenses and average contributions over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Working Capital: Ratio - 3.44 years25 out of 25 points
Working Capital: Ratio - 3.44 years25 out of 25 points
Determines how long a charity could sustain its level of spending using its net available assets, or working capital, as reported on its most recently filed IRS Form 990. Dividing these net available assets in the most recent year by a charity's average total expenses, yields the working capital ratio. We calculate the charity's average total expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Additional Information
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Rita Markley, Executive Di
$112,084
Tom Stretton, Chair
$0
Kurt Reichelt, Vice Chair
$0
Andrew Hanson, Treasurer
$0
Paul Lekstutis, Secretary
$0
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2022
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage accountability and finance data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (Committee on Temporary Shelter) or EIN (030285606) in the 'Search Term' field.
Impact & Measurement
Score
80
This beacon estimates the actual impact a charity has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Assessments
Impact
80 out of 100 points
100% of Impact & Measurement score
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditImpact Determination - Cost Effective80 out of 100 points
Impact Determination - Cost Effective80 out of 100 points
Impact Statement
This impact rating was produced under a previous methodology that is no longer used to produce new ratings, and we are therefore unable to generate a dollar-specific impact statement.
Program Context
Committee On Temporary Shelter provides people experiencing homelessness with a temporary place to stay.
Data Time Period
10/1/16 to 9/30/17
Benchmark for Scoring
Impact & Results scores of emergency shelters are based on the cost of providing a night of shelter relative to the Fair Market Rent in that county. Programs receive an Impact & Results score of 100 if they are less than 200% the Fair Market Rent and a score of 80 if they are less than 400%. If a nonprofit reports impact but doesn't meet the benchmark for cost-effectiveness, it earns a score of 65.
This nonprofit's cost per meal is less than 125% of the local meal cost.
Methodology
Public data
Data Source
These data were submitted directly by the nonprofit.
Measurement
Unscored
0% of Impact & Measurement score
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditProgram Planning and Design - No data availableProgram Planning and Design - No data availableThis section assesses the use of crucial evaluation tools in program objective-setting and activities.
Program Development - No data availableProgram Development - No data availableThis section assesses the consideration of stakeholders in program objectives and activities.
Data Collection and Analysis - No data availableData Collection and Analysis - No data availableThis section assesses the best practices used in collecting and analyzing program data.
Reporting and Distribution of Results - No data availableReporting and Distribution of Results - No data availableThis section assesses reporting and disseminating program results.
Use of Results - No data availableUse of Results - No data availableThis section assesses the use of results to guide learning.
Culture & Community
Score
100
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditConstituent Feedback - No Data AvailableUnscored
Constituent Feedback - No Data AvailableUnscored
Constituent Feedback and Listening Practice data are not available for this organization. The methodology leveraged for Constituent Feedback is based on The Core Principles of Constituent Feedback, which describes listening and responding well to feedback. Charity Navigator participates in a consortium with other feedback experts and leading nonprofit infrastructure platforms to drive Constituent Feedback's advancement, promotion, and data collection.
Equity Practices - Data Available100/100 points
Equity Practices - Data Available100/100 points
100% of beacon score
This organization's score of 100 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 14 Equity Practices.
The Equity Strategies Checklist, developed by Equity in the Center, consists of practices and policies that promote racial equity in operations and programs. This data is collected in partnership with Candid.
| Equity Practices (7/7) | |
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
| Equity Policies and Procedures (7/7) | |
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Leadership & Adaptability
Score
100
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
- Strategic Partnerships
- Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
- Thought Leadership
- Raising Awareness
- Community Building
- Policy Advocacy
Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditMission 10/10 points
Mission 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Vision 10/10 points
Vision 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals 20/20 points
Goals 20/20 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: I. Strengthen the Core: Ensure that our capacity is not overridden by our desire to serve.
Goal Type: Focus on core programs to achieve mission and scale back on programs not seen as core.
Goal Two: II. Reduce the Pressure: Streamline the access to resources and engage our community partners in
strengthening the system of care
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: III. Build for the Future: Working to expand prevention resources, housing opportunities, and
creating new and innovative models for addressing homelessness.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Leadership Development 15/15 points
Leadership Development 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
COTS expanded access to our online learning system, Relias, agency-wide. In addition, the Board approved additions to the current budget that would permit more staff to engage in meaningful professional development for their roles and departments, and also increased the amount of travel funds available to make those opportunities accessible.
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
COTS is involved our local Continuum of Care, in our statewide housing coalition, and regularly engages in public education and advocacy opportunities at the local and state level. Some examples include our visible presence at Homeless Awareness Day, our Vigil for the Longest Night, and participation in action groups for mental health and improved state grant processes.
Adaptability Story 30/30 points
Adaptability Story 30/30 points
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
In 2022, COTS began a multi-year commitment to working with NuWave Consulting (nuwaveco.com) because we wanted a partnership with a local firm that understood Vermont and Burlington really well, who could also bring a robust collections of skills to the table, including: interviewing, surveys and data analysis, baseline trainings for cultural competency across the organization, comprehensive organizational audit of records, outcomes, policies, and procedures, and the independence of a third party to make recommendations that would promote best practices for our clients, staff, and board. COTS has a strong commitment to each aspect of DEI work, noting that while the three aspects can work in tandem, they are unique. It is one thing to have a variety of people with varied identities and backgrounds and a desire to increase that variety (diversity), it is another to ensure that our policies, procedures, and outcomes reflect our very best efforts to provide what each person needs to thrive, even if that results in different approaches based on the unique needs of that person (equity) and indeed a third thing to center, celebrate, and uphold both the struggle and the wisdom of marginalized voices in the processes of vital decision making at every level of the organization (inclusion). We recognize that this takes, time, effort, and resources, and that’s why we’ve committed to this multi-year, multiphase effort.