Free Wheelchair Mission
Free Wheelchair Mission
15279 ALTON PKWY STE 300
Irvine CA 92618-2601
Irvine CA | IRS ruling year: 2002 | EIN: 31-1781635
PROVIDE FREE WHEELCHAIRS TO THOSE WITH DISABILITIES IN DEVELOPING THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES.
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15279 ALTON PKWY STE 300
Irvine CA 92618-2601
Irvine CA | IRS ruling year: 2002 | EIN: 31-1781635
PROVIDE FREE WHEELCHAIRS TO THOSE WITH DISABILITIES IN DEVELOPING THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES.
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This charity's score is 100%, 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: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
Free Wheelchair Mission has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2021, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
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Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
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 |
---|---|
$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
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the 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
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the 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
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the 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
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the 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
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the 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
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
---|---|
Less than 50% | Full Credit |
50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
---|---|
70% or higher | Full Credit |
60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
No Data Available
Key Persons data is currently unavailable for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last six years.
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
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
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)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability 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 (Free Wheelchair Mission) or EIN (311781635) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Free Wheelchair Mission reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
Balance Sheet
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
Many of our donors experienced financial hardships during the pandemic which resulted in delayed and/or reduced donations to our organization. Due to the economic impacts of COVID-19, the organization experienced a 9.2% decrease in donations overall. Additionally, ocean shipping rates increased by 86% or more which resulted in a significant increase in expenses. Thankfully, we were able to obtain a PPP loan during COVID-19, no staff layoffs were necessary, and we were able to fill open positions.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
During the first month of the COVID-19 lockdown, some of our distribution partners had to change the way they did wheelchair distributions due to the local restrictions to increase safety in the developing countries that we serve. Wheelchair distributions later continued with new safety and social distancing measures in place such as door-to-door and drive-by distributions. However, due to disruptions in wheelchair manufacturing and shipping overseas, we experienced a 15% reduction in total wheelchair containers as well as significant price increases for shipping and logistics. Additionally, we transitioned distribution partner training to an online format for the time being due to travel restrictions in many of the countries we serve.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
Free Wheelchair Mission created a COVID action plan which included transitioning all in-office staff to work from home for 13 months after the pandemic. We then also transitioned to a hybrid model where some team members remained in the office, and others worked mostly remotely. Additionally, we successfully transitioned most of our fundraising campaigns to virtual or hybrid formats due to the inability to gather in large groups. This transition allowed us to reach a much wider audience around the country, growing our base of support.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
With the success of our online partner training modules, we will continue to offer these and have also expanded them to additional partner training webinars on various topics. This makes our resources more accessible to our partners around the world. Our key annual fundraising campaigns, Miracle of Mobility Live and Move for Mobility, transitioned to fully online and then to a hybrid (online/in-person) format during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. With our new hybrid fundraising model, we are now able to safely gather together around the country in small groups and also share our mission virtually with a nationwide and worldwide audience. Even with the changes to virtual and hybrid formats, we were able to increase fundraising generated by these campaigns and attract many more new donors. We intend to make these innovations in our partner training and donor fundraising programs permanent.
Not Currently Scored
Free Wheelchair Mission cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
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Free Wheelchair Mission reported its largest program on its FY 2021 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
WE TRANSFORM LIVES THROUGH THE GIFT OF MOBILITY AS MOTIVATED BY JESUS CHRIST. WITH OUR DONORS' SUPPORT, WE SENT 47,556 WHEELCHAIRS DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR TO THOSE WITH DISABILITIES IN DEVELOPING COUN ... (More)
WE TRANSFORM LIVES THROUGH THE GIFT OF MOBILITY AS MOTIVATED BY JESUS CHRIST. WITH OUR DONORS' SUPPORT, WE SENT 47,556 WHEELCHAIRS DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR TO THOSE WITH DISABILITIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. WE HAVE DELIVERED OVER A MILLION WHEELCHAIRS AND ARE WORKING TOWARD OUR SECOND MILLION! IN ADDITION TO WHEELCHAIRS, FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION DONATED $2,238,499 OF GIFT-IN-KIND MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO OUR DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS DURING THE YEAR. THESE SUPPLIES ARE SELECTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THE UTILITY OF OUR WHEELCHAIRS OR TO SUPPORT SURGERIES THAT PREVENT PHYSICAL DISABILITIES. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM OUR DONORS THAT ALLOWS US TO REACH INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE WAITING FOR A WHEELCHAIR AND THE TRANSFORMING MOBILITY IT WILL PROVIDE. (Less)
Free Wheelchair Mission has earned a 100% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
We serve those living with disabilities in 94 developing countries around the world. We provide them with the transforming gift of mobility by providing our manufactured wheelchairs as well as mobility aids and medical supplies. We also serve our wheelchair distribution partners who are often other non-profits who are stationed locally in the communities we serve. These distribution partners help us to distribute our wheelchairs to those in need.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
SMS text surveys, Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Paper surveys, Case management notes, Community meetings or town halls, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees, Suggestion box/email, Other means
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
Our wheelchair designs are constantly refined based on feedback by end users. In 2021, eight improvements were implemented in the manufacture of our wheelchairs.
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 100 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 11 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (6/7) | |
---|---|
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 (5/7) | |
---|---|
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. |
Free Wheelchair Mission has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
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.
Learn more
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Free Wheelchair Mission’s mission is to provide the transforming gift of mobility to people with disabilities living in developing nations as motivated by Jesus Christ.
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Free Wheelchair Mission believes in a world where everyone who needs a wheelchair has one. With an estimated 75 million people around the world today in need of a wheelchair, Free Wheelchair Mission continues our mission to provide mobility to people living with disabilities in developing countries. Free Wheelchair Mission continues its focus and commitment on becoming a leading provider of mobility in developing countries, but beyond placing recipients in a wheelchair, Free Wheelchair Mission is bringing transformation that opens doors to education, employment opportunities, and community that these individuals only dreamed of before receiving the gift of mobility.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Focus on Development, Marketing, Operations, and Board actions to develop relationships to extend our reach and donor base to generate sufficient funds to support the wheelchair distribution goal.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Focus on increasing & strengthening distribution partner capacity for appropriate wheelchair provision and high-volume distribution through the development of relationships with like-minded orgs.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: Pursue improvements in the quality and design of products for greater utility, durability, longevity and manufacturing cost reduction.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
We have invested in several key programs in the past year to train and develop our leaders. In recent months, our leaders have successfully participated in Emotional Intelligence training, led by outside experts, that has helped our team grow our organization's "soft skills." This has already positively impacted communication and teamwork within our organization as we work with partners, vendors, and other external constituents. We have budgeted to do the second part of this training with our full staff sometime within the next 9 months. Each quarter we offer professional development lunch-and-learn sessions for any staff member to participate in on various topics. Additionally, at least twice a year, our Human Resources Manager tracks the professional development courses, trainings, and outside leadership development and professional development experiences for each staff member to ensure that we are equitable in our offerings and investment in our team.
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Free Wheelchair Mission mobilizes support through a variety of channels, networks, and donor support groups. Our Ambassador and volunteer programs provide supporters with tools, campaigns, and fundraising platforms to help them engage with their networks. We have hundreds of volunteers around the world who provide programmatic, administrative, and fundraising support. Our corporate relations and church relations teams partner with companies, churches, and other organizations to inspire and engage their constituents. We also have an active and fast-growing social media network, fueled, in part, by our Social Ambassadors program. Our reach and engagement on social media have grown significantly in just the past few years. Finally, we have an active and growing public relations and community relations program, frequently enlisting our team members to participate in conferences, speaking engagements, industry discussions, and more.
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
With the initial onset of the worldwide pandemic in 2020 and through to the present, Free Wheelchair Mission took an immediate and thorough approach in terms of our response. We had already developed a comprehensive emergency preparedness and disaster response plan prior to the onset of COVID-19 here in the U.S. and quickly enhanced and expanded it through all of the many changes over the past 2 years. Our marketing, development, and operations teams quickly and creatively adapted our in-person fundraising events and created all-new virtual or hybrid campaigns and events, including Move for Mobility and Miracle of Mobility Live. While many of these changes required great effort by our teams, through these virtual efforts we have been able to reach hundreds of thousands of supporters and potential donors that we likely would not have been able to reach otherwise. With temporary shutdowns at our factory, the ongoing shipping crises, and the widely-ranging COVID response across countries and provinces around the world, our Programs and Manufacturing teams have also been working diligently to keep up with all of the challenges and changes. Our virtual partner training programs and our ongoing communication with our distribution partners have allowed us to continue the safe distribution of wheelchairs to those who need them around the world. We have also navigated drastically increasing shipping costs and shipping delays, although this will continue to be a challenge for us in the year ahead. Despite all of these challenges, we have managed to increase outreach to our supporters greatly, we have strengthened and fortified our wheelchair manufacturing and distribution programs, and we have improved our overall operations and financial position.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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