Mission: PROVIDE FREE MENTORING SUPPORT PROGRAMS & SERVICES TO CHILDREN OF PARENTS OR SIBLINGS WITH CANCER
Walk With Sally is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 2004, and donations are tax-deductible.
Is this your nonprofit? Access the Nonprofit Portal to submit data and download your rating toolkit.
Important note on the timeliness of ratings
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Finance & Accountability score for Walk With Sally is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
Encompass Rating System by Charity Navigator
Overall Score
90
out of 100
This charity's score is a passing score.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 85% Finance & Accountability, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, and 5% Culture & Community
Learn about the Encompass Rating System: Overview | FAQ | Release Notes
Finance & Accountability
This score provides an assessment of a nonprofit's financial health (stability, efficiency and sustainability) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Finance & Accountability Score
88
out of 100
The score earned by Walk With Sally is a passing score
This V6 of the Finance & Accountability Score provides a baseline measure of an organization's health including the indicators listed in the report below.
This score represents Form 990 data from 2019, the latest year electronically filed and published by the IRS.
Finance & Accountability Report
88
of 100 points
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Program Expense Ratio
67.63%
Higher effect on score
More data
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
Board Composition
6/7 Independent
Higher effect on score
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
Independent Audit or Financial Review
Has Audit/Review
Higher effect on score
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
Liabilities to Assets Ratio
10.17%
Lower effect on score
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
Website
Listed
Lower effect on score
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
Conflict of Interest Policy
Listed
Lower effect on score
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
Board Meeting Minutes
Documented
Lower effect on score
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
Document Retention and Destruction
Listed
Lower effect on score
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
Whistleblower Policy
Listed
Lower effect on score
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
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 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
NICK ARQUETTE, CEO / BOARD MEMBER
$69,443
MICHAEL HARRINGTON, BOARD CHAIR
$0
GRACE LEUNG, TREASURER/BOARD MEMBER
$0
RUSSELL HOSSAIN, BOARD MEMBER
$0
CHRISTINE HELMSTETTER, BOARD MEMBER
$0
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2019
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:
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)
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.
Walk With Sally 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:
WWS pivoted quickly to provide uninterrupted continuity of services for our mentees when they need us most during COVID19, even with the increased demand for our services and despite the fundraising challenges as well as decreased staff. We realized the similarities in COVID and cancer, the lack of control, financial insecurities, and fear of inadequate or inaccessible treatment, and knew we could not break our promise to the families we serve.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
As the world changed around us, we set goals to ensure our program would not be impacted, saw the need to expand with fewer monetary and staff resources. Our demographic is historically underserved, and the pandemic only magnified the disparities. We learned to do more with less money and staff; however, our immunocompromised families will be forever devastated by job loss, anxiety, poverty, and isolation.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
Cancer changes everything and can have a significant impact on children and teens. These high rates of post-traumatic stress included emotional reactions such as fear, worry, sadness, helplessness, anger, guilt, and school and academic difficulties. Stress can be furthered by economic challenges in their family that can lead to extreme lifestyle changes such as loss of housing or transportation. Extensive research details the value of volunteer-centered, one-to-one mentoring in the lives of youth, such as fewer depressive symptoms, feel socially competent, have better educational outcomes, fewer high-risk behaviors.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Walk With Sally is a nonprofit that runs on a creative mindset, constantly challenging ourselves to the next big idea to benefit those we serve, from programming to fundraising, backed with data and investment in technology. Our youth-initiated mentoring model is based on the power of the shared experience of cancer, bringing an immediate, long-lasting bond to our relationships. Our delivery platform successfully transitioned to virtual, and so many aspects of our program will remain there, like Mentor Training and family intakes.
Previous: Finance & Accountability / Next: Leadership & Adaptability
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
Walk With Sally 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 Walk With Sally? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
Walk With Sally reported its three largest programs on its FY 2019 Form 990 as:
$569,678
Spent in most recent FY
96%
Percent of program expenses
WALK WITH SALLY IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING HEALING AND COMFORT TO CHILDREN DEBILITATED BY THE EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE OF LIVING WITH OR LOSING A PARENT, GUARDIAN, OR SIBLING TO CANCER. THIS HEALING IS FAC ... (More)
$9,392
Spent in most recent FY
1%
Percent of program expenses
THE FRIENDSHIP ACTIVITY PROGRAM IS A QUARTERLY EXPERIENTIAL AND EDUCATIONAL DAY-LONG EVENT FOR ALL THE MENTORING FRIENDSHIPS, THEIR FAMILIES, PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES AND MENTORS. THE ORGANIZATION HAD AN ... (More)
$6,000
Spent in most recent FY
1%
Percent of program expenses
THE FRED'S FUTURE YOUNG LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S MENTEES SECONDARY EDUCATION. MENTEES WHO CONTRIBUTE A MINIMUM NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS ARE ELIGIB ... (More)
Previous: Impact & Results / Next: Culture & Community
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 Walk With Sally is a passing score.
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
Walk With Sally provides hope through our individualized mentoring and community support services to empower children experiencing trauma through a parent, guardian or sibling’s cancer journey.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Vision
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Walk With Sally believes no child should walk alone in the face of a loved one’s cancer journey. Because we don’t want cancer to define or limit children for the rest of their lives, we create hope, healing and a supportive community through individualized mentoring, which transforms the lives not only of the children, but also of the families impacted by cancer.
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: Expansion into Long Beach and Cerritos areas.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Expanding our virtual programming to partner nonprofits.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Three: Looking to build infrastructure and efficiency in our operations.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Leadership Development
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
Our annual staff retreat was expanded to reflect, learn more about our teammates and set personal and professional goals.
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
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
The silver lining of the pandemic is our new strategic partnerships with nonprofits, civic leaders, and organizations.
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.
Walk With Sally was laser-focused on the diversity of income in 2020. Our fundraising events typically raise 65% of our income, and even with a virtual delivery, we still fell short. PPP loans, grants and individual donor engagement became our north star to continue and expand our programs.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Previous: Leadership & Adaptability
Culture & Community
This score provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves. Learn more about how and why we rate Culture & Community.
Culture & Community Score
100
out of 100
Walk With Sally has earned a passing score. The organization provided data about how it listens to constituents (Constituent Feedback) (see report below).
The Culture & Community Beacon is comprised of the following metrics:
Constituent Feedback: 100/100 (100% of beacon score)
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Not Scored
Culture & Community Report
100
of 100 points
This beta feature is currently viewable only on desktop or tablet screens. Check back later for updates.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
This organization has not provided information regarding the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices it is presently implementing. As such, the organization has not earned a score on this metric. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective DEI policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Methodology
We are utilizing data collected by Candid to document and assess the DEI practices implemented by the organization. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to fill out the Equity Strategies section of their Candid profiles to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
Constituent Feedback
100/100 points
100% 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.
View this organization's Constituent Feedback Practices
Methodology
We've partnered with Candid to survey organizations about their feedback practices. Nonprofit organizations can fill out the How We Listen section of their Candid profile to receive a rating.
Learn more about the methodology.
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. Below you can find more information about the metrics we currently evaluate in this beacon and their relevance to nonprofit performance.
