Mission: Roof Above, formerly Urban Ministry Center and Men's Shelter of Charlotte, is an interfaith, nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite the community to end ho ... (More)
Roof Above is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 1993, and donations are tax-deductible.
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Contact Information
945 North College Street
Charlotte NC 28206
Mail donations to:
PO Box 31335
Charlotte NC 28231
You are viewing this organization's new Charity Navigator profile page. To view the legacy version, click here.
Star Rating System by Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator evaluates a nonprofit organization’s financial health including measures of stability, efficiency and sustainability. We also track accountability and transparency policies to ensure the good governance and integrity of the organization.
Exceptional
This charity's score is 91.33, earning it a 4-Star rating. Donors can "Give with Confidence" to this charity.
This score is calculated from two sub-scores:
Finance: 97.50 View details
Accountability & Transparency: 88.00 View details
This score represents Form 990 data from 2020, the latest year published by the IRS.
View this organization’s historical ratings.
Star Rated Report
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Program Expense Ratio
86.9%
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. Dividing a charity's average program expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Administrative Expenses
6.5%
As reported by charities on their IRS Form 990, this measure reflects what percent of its total budget a charity spends on overhead, administrative staff and associated costs, and organizational meetings. Dividing a charity's average administrative expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Expenses
6.5%
This measure reflects what a charity spends to raise money. Fundraising expenses can include campaign printing, publicity, mailing, and staffing and costs incurred in soliciting donations, memberships, and grants. Dividing a charity's average fundraising expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.
Source: IRS Form 990
Liabilities to Assets Ratio
8.2%
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990).
Part of our goal in rating the financial performance of charities is to help donors assess the financial capacity and sustainability of a charity. As do organizations in other sectors, charities must be mindful of their management of total liabilites in relation to their total assets. This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and or long term sustainability. Dividing a charity's total liabilities by its total assets yields this percentage.
Source: IRS Form 990
Fundraising Efficiency
$0.03
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
4.32 years
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 Form 990. We include in a charity's working capital unrestricted and temporarily restricted net assets, and exclude permanently restricted net assets. 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
Program Expense Growth
25.48%
We compute the average annual growth of program expenses using the following formula: [(Yn/Y0)(1/n)]-1, where Y0 is a charity's program expenses in the first year of the interval analyzed, Yn is the charity's program expenses in the most recent year, and n is the interval of years passed between Y0 and Yn.
Source: IRS Form 990
Governance
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has these governance practices in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990
| Governance: | |
|---|---|
| Independent Voting Board Members ... (More) | |
| No Material Diversion of Assets ... (More) 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 – can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We check the charity's last two Forms 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets. If the charity does report a diversion, then we check to see if it complied with the Form 990 instructions by describing what happened and its corrective action. This metric will be assigned to one of the following categories:
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| Audited Financials Prepared by Independent Accountant ... (More) Audited financial statements provide important information about financial accountability and accuracy. They should be prepared by an independent accountant with oversight from an audit committee. (It is not necessary that the audit committee be a separate committee. Often at smaller charities, it falls within the responsibilities of the finance committee or the executive committee.) The committee provides an important oversight layer between the management of the organization, which is responsible for the financial information reported, and the independent accountant, who reviews the financials and issues an opinion based on its findings. We check the charity's Form 990 reporting to see if it meets this criteria.
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| Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From Related Parties ... (More) | |
| Documents Board Meeting Minutes ... (More) | |
| Distributes 990 to Board Before Filing ... (More) | |
| Compensates Board ... (More) |
Policies
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization has these policies in place.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
| Policies: | |
|---|---|
| Conflict of Interest ... (More) | |
| Whistleblower ... (More) | |
| Records Retention and Destruction ... (More) | |
| CEO Compensation Process ... (More) | |
| Donor Privacy ... (More) Donors can be reluctant to contribute to a charity when their name, address, or other basic information may become part of donor lists that are exchanged or sold, resulting in an influx of charitable solicitations from other organizations. Our analysts check the charity's website to see if the organization has a donor privacy policy in place and what it does and does not cover. Privacy policies are assigned to one of the following categories:
The privacy policy must be specific to donor information. A general website policy which references "visitor" or "user" personal information will not suffice. A policy that refers to donor information collected on the website is also not sufficient as the policy must be comprehensive and applicable to both online and offline donors. The existence of a privacy policy of any type does not prohibit the charity itself from contacting the donor for informational, educational, or solicitation purposes. (Less) |
Transparency
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization makes this information easily accessible.
Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website
| Transparency: | |
|---|---|
| CEO Salary Listed on 990 ... (More) | |
| Board of Directors Listed on Website ... (More) | |
| Key Staff Listed on Website ... (More) | |
| Audited Financial Statements on Website ... (More) | |
| Form 990 Available on Website ... (More) |
Additional Information
Unscored
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Total Revenue and Expenses
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
Presented here are this organizations key compensated staff members as identified by our analysts. 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
Liz Clasen-Kelly, CEO
$108,550 (0.83% of Total Expenses)
Current CEO and Board Chair can be found in the Leadership & Adaptability report below.
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2020
Business Master File Data
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:
Supplying money, goods or services to the poor (BMF activity code: 560)
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
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 view this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available).
Pandemic Response
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. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
Roof Above reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Revenue
Staffing
Balance Sheet
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
The pandemic significantly changed our operations and increased expenses. We were fortunate that public funds supported the operations of our additional sites. Our non-congregate shelters were supported through additional ESG funding through the CARES Act and FEMA. The community's COVID-19 Response Fund and private contributions were critical for our facility changes and support, set-up of non-congregate sites, and HERO pay. We also received a PPP loan to support staffing.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
Typically, our homeless services are comprised of 2 year-round congregate shelters, a community-based winter shelter (Room in the Inn), and a Day Services Center operated largely by volunteers. During the pandemic, our homeless services were stretched across 6 campuses. We temporarily closed our Tryon shelter, leased 2 motels and an unused college dormitory, and operated an overflow shelter at the Lucille Giles Center. We also helped manage 2 hotel-based shelters in partnership with the County. Altogether, we offered nearly 800 emergency shelter beds nightly during the pandemic.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
From the onset of the pandemic, we did not close our doors. We continued to offer street outreach and our Day Services Center continued to operate 7 days a week. Although typically staffed by volunteers, we repurposed supportive staff members to serve on the front lines to operate the building. We suspended our Room in the Inn program and provided winter shelter in motels and alternate sites. While we decreased capacity at one shelter for social distancing, we significantly increased overall capacity through alternate sites. We opened an additional temporary shelter for working men through repurposing an unused college dormitory. In July 2020, we closed one congregate shelter, reopening in a motel. After a COVID outbreak in January 2021, we closed our 2nd congregate site, moving everyone to a motel. Throughout our facilities, we installed vapor barriers, increased cleaning protocol, and required masks. For those in our housing programs, we provided services over the phone or outside.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
We believe housing is the solution to homelessness, so we worked in multiple ways to create additional housing solutions for our most vulnerable neighbors in need. In 2020, we added 2 new shared-housing programs in partnership with the county; began leasing dorms to provide housing with employment and financial literacy support for 69 working men; purchased a 341-unit apartment complex to preserve affordable housing and provide 75 units of permanent supportive housing; and purchased a hotel property that will be renovated to provide 88 units of permanent supportive housing by late 2021.
Historical Ratings
| Date Published | Form 990 FYE | Overall Score | Overall Rating |
| Rating Version: 2.1 | |||
| 12/1/2021 | 2020 | 91.33 | |
| 12/1/2020 | 2019 | 91.33 | |
| 8/1/2019 | 2018 | 94.07 | |
| 7/1/2019 | 2018 | 91.33 | |
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. | |||
| 5/1/2018 | 2016 | 94.07 | |
| 5/1/2017 | 2015 | 96.66 | |
| 6/1/2016 | 2014 | 98.23 | |
| Rating Version: 2.0 | |||
| 4/1/2016 | 2014 | 99.39 | |
| 6/1/2015 | 2013 | 95.60 | |
| 5/1/2014 | 2012 | 83.35 |  |
| 8/1/2013 | 2011 | 83.71 | |
| 11/6/2012 | 2010 | 83.72 | |
Impact & Results
This score estimates the actual impact a nonprofit has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Impact & Results Score
Not Currently Scored
Roof Above cannot currently be evaluated by our Encompass Rating 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.
Do you work at Roof Above? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
Roof Above reported its two largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
$5,905,912
Spent in most recent FY
51%
Percent of program expenses
HOUSING PROGRAMS:MECKFUSE - MECKFUSE IS A MECKLENBURG COUNTY FUNDED PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES UP TO 50 COMMUNITY-BASED APARTMENTS FOR HOMELESS MEN AND WOMEN WITH HEALTH ISSUES WHO HAVE BEEN FREQUENT USERS ... (More)
$5,516,980
Spent in most recent FY
48%
Percent of program expenses
HOMELESS SERVICES:SHELTER OPERATIONS - THE SHELTER OPERATES TWO FACILITIES IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, COMPRISED OF 410 BEDS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SHELTERING AND PROVIDING SERVICES FOR MEN EXPERIENCIN ... (More)
Leadership & Adaptability
This score 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.
Leadership & Adaptability Score
100
out of 100
The score earned by Roof Above is a passing score. This score has no effect on the organization's Star Rating.
Encompass Rating V4 provides an evaluation of the organization's Leadership & Adaptability through the nonprofit organization submitting a survey response directly to Charity Navigator.
Leadership & Adaptability Report
100
of 100 points
Mission
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s mission
We are an interfaith organization dedicated to bringing the community together to end homelessness, one life at a time. On May 1, Urban Ministry Center and Men's Shelter of Charlotte became one organization. Every day, our newly merged organization provides the full spectrum of services to 1,000 individuals. From street outreach, to basic services, to shelter, to permanent housing, anyone that experiences homelessness in our community will likely touch at least one of our services.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Vision
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Our vision is for homelessness to become a rare, brief, and one-time occurrence.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Strategic Goals
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: First and foremost, we want to move people out of homelessness and into housing.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Two: Next, we want to reduce the time that people experience homelessness.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Three: Finally, we want stability for people who have found housing, so that they do not experience homelessness again.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Leadership Development
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
Our leadership development focus in recent months has been focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work. After conducting an initial assessment, we engaged a DEI consultant to meet regularly with our leadership over the first 6 months of FY 2021 to assist us with implementing training and making changes to policies and procedures to ensure we are carrying out our work in an equitable and inclusive manner.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Mobilizing for Mission
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
Members of our leadership participate in a variety of local committees to advocate for individuals experiencing homelessness and coordinate services for this populations across organizations. Our CEO regularly communicates with the community and advocates for those experiencing homelessness through interviews with local media outlets and through Roof Above's e-newsletters, mailed newsletters, and social media posts.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Story of Adaptability
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought extraordinary changes for everyone, and, while Roof Above was affected like all other organizations, closing was never an option. Homelessness became increasingly visible in our community with large encampments formed near uptown. Those experiencing homelessness struggled to maintain good health, secure resources like food and cleaning supplies, and many in housing were unable to pay rent because of job loss. In response, Roof Above creatively altered how services were delivered and looked for partnerships to ensure critical shelter and outreach remained available.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Additional Information
Unscored
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Organization Leadership
Liz Clasen-Kelly
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Schaaf
Chair
Culture & Community
This score provides an assessment of the organization's engagement with the constituents it serves, a practice we term Constituent Feedback. When organizations listen to constituents, they are able to better deliver on programs and meet the needs of stakeholders. A future version of this Beacon will also assess an organization's people operations and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) metrics.
Culture & Community Score
Not Currently Scored
Roof Above is currently not eligible for a Culture & Community score because we have not received its Constituent Feedback data. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile. This data will provide the basis for the initial evaluation of Culture & Community.
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.
Culture & Community Report
Unscored
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Constituent Feedback
Constituent Feedback and Listening Practice data are not available for this organization. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile. This data will provide the basis for the initial evaluation of Culture & Community.
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. We award every nonprofit that completes the Candid survey full credit for this Beacon, in recognition of their willingness to publicly share this information with the nonprofit and philanthropic communities. Although the data is not evaluated for quality at this time, future iterations of this Beacon will include third party or other data that will serve to validate the information provided by the nonprofit.
Analysis and Research
Like the overall Encompass Rating System, the Culture & Community Beacon is designed to evolve as metrics are developed and ready for integration. Our partnership with Feedback Labs and Guidestar by Candid, and other partners including Fund for Shared Insight, GlobalGiving, and Keystone Accountability, enables us to launch the first version of this beacon with Constituent Feedback information collected on Candid's site.
Feedback practices have been shown to support better Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion outcomes, an essential area of assessment that we intend to further expand and develop in the future. Feedback Labs has documented several studies which indicate that beyond achieving organizational goals, nonprofits that are attentive and responsive to concerns and ideas raised by beneficiaries establish stronger relationships with the people they serve, promote greater equity, and empower constituents in ways that can help to ensure better long-term outcomes. You can find resources to help nonprofits improve their feedback practices here.
