Mission: Friendship Bridge's mission is to provide microcredit, education, and health services to Guatemalan women so that they can create their own solutions to poverty for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Our vision is of a world in which empowered women choose their own path. Friendship Bridge (FB) has designed our Microcredit Plus program to ensure that it is accessible, relevant, and resonant to our target population -- women. We offer microcredit, education, and health services only to women, and we work in the rural areas using the local indigenous languages (of which there are over 20).
Friendship Bridge is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 1990, and donations are tax-deductible.
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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 92.38, earning it a 4-Star rating. Donors can "Give with Confidence" to this charity.
This score is calculated from two sub-scores:
Finance: 90.00 View details
Accountability & Transparency: 96.00 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
90.1%
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
7.2%
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
2.6%
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
55.9%
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
$0.10
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
1.01 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
12.39%
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
Karen Larson, President, CEO
$171,105 (2.75% 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 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:
Domestic organization with activities outside U.S. (BMF activity code: 910)
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.
Friendship Bridge reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
We offered all clients a 2 month grace period on their loans in order to stabilize their income. We received a PPP loan which allowed us to retain our staff.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
We had to pause all in-person loan repayment and educational meetings. We had to pivot to providing recorded telecommunications around education and telehealth services instead.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
We launched an org intranet in order to keep homebound field employees engaged and learning during lockdowns. We fast-tracked plans for a client call center for easier centralized communication, and we moved to offer a general health call center for any questions or concerns regarding care while offering in-home private clinics instead of groups clinics in branches that were deemed capable.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
We intend to retain and expand the org intranet, including ongoing education for our employees. We may adjust some programming depending on the results of our research around different ways to provide health services to clients based on participation rates and reviews from the pandemic.
Historical Ratings
| Date Published | Form 990 FYE | Overall Score | Overall Rating |
| Rating Version: 2.1 | |||
| 5/1/2022 | 2020 | 92.38 | |
| 2/1/2021 | 2019 | 90.71 | |
| 12/1/2019 | 2018 | 90.07 | |
| 3/1/2019 | 2017 | 89.02 |  |
| 5/1/2018 | 2016 | 89.02 | |
| 4/1/2017 | 2015 | 90.71 | |
| 6/1/2016 | 2014 | 90.71 | |
| Rating Version: 2.0 | |||
| 2/1/2016 | 2014 | 94.69 | |
| 12/22/2015 | 2014 | 92.78 | |
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. | |||
| 5/1/2015 | 2013 | 92.74 | |
| 12/1/2013 | 2012 | 93.76 | |
| 12/20/2012 | 2011 | 92.17 | |
| 3/1/2012 | 2010 | 96.77 | |
| 10/1/2011 | 2009 | 88.25 | |
| 9/20/2011 | 2009 | 85.64 | |
| Rating Version: 1.0 | |||
| 4/1/2011 | 2009 | 92.86 | |
| 5/1/2010 | 2008 | 90.32 | |
| 2/1/2009 | 2007 | 85.12 | |
| 11/1/2007 | 2006 | 84.47 | |
| 11/1/2006 | 2005 | 84.14 | |
| 12/1/2005 | 2004 | 86.49 | |
| 12/1/2004 | 2003 | 87.30 | |
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
Friendship Bridge 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 Friendship Bridge? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
Friendship Bridge reported its two largest programs on its FY 2020 Form 990 as:
$5,618,750
Spent in most recent FY
99%
Percent of program expenses
MicroCredit Plus Program
$5,755
Spent in most recent FY
0%
Percent of program expenses
Nurses Education Program
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 Friendship Bridge 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
Friendship Bridge is a nonprofit social enterprise creating opportunities that empower women in Guatemala to build a better life.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Vision
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Empowered women choosing their own path.
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: Responsible Growth: Strategic targeting to acquire new clients and geographies, improved retention rates, and expanded reach and depth of our programs and services.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Innovation and Technology: Be a nimble, responsive, and learning org that's quick to respond to client and market needs. New technologies will allow both Friendship Bridge and our clients to prosper.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Goal Three: Bridge to Success:Provide appropriate products/services to Entrepreneurs to support the creation/expansion of businesses, increase empowerment, activate development, and create jobs in rural Guatemala
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Leadership Development
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
Friendship University is an online, opt-in, continuing education platform within our intranet that provides opportunities for employees to further their understanding of organizational roles and needs, in order to reach our objectives. We have also laid the groundwork for a skills development partnership in order to provide worthwhile employment to local youths with the skills needed to meet these objectives and provide a unique professional starting point for young women in rural Guatemala.
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
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
We have recently expanded our in-country marketing efforts through local and national channels to feature our mission and communicate the opportunities we offer. We partner with other orgs to disseminate products and services donated in-kind, and we work to partner with local communities by being an inclusive place to work focused on social impact; creating positive generational change and community transformation for clients, their families, and Friendship Bridge employees.
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.
Guatemala had its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on Friday, March 13th, 2020. Immediate lockdowns and other preventive measures were put into effect. Over the course of the weekend, our staff moved out of their offices and into their homes in order to work remotely and find safe ways to support our clients. Starting Monday, March 16, our staff rallied together to make phone calls to our clients in multiple indigenous languages to ask what they were experiencing, what we could do to support them, and how much they, and people in their community, knew about COVID-19. We then fast-tracked the launch of our developing intranet, Mi Puente, in order to keep homebound teammates connected, learning, and focused during lock down. Non formal education continued via phone calls and videos in order to educate clients around health, safety, and resources during lockdown (including how to take advantage of a 2 month grace period we offered all clients) Health for Life program shifted to tele health services with a call center staffed with nurses who made outbound calls with critical health information and were available for any client to call for information or guidance around COVID-19 or other chronic illness. Preliminary results show that clients are more willing to participate in health services since 2020, so we started offering private home visits from nurses for clients as well, and have seen a 27% increase in demand in 2021. Handmade by Friendship Bridge developed cloth face masks for clients to make and sell both locally and internationally, and launched Live shopping events- making the most of the global turn to e-commerce and leading to a sales increase of 6.5 times that of 2019 - often providing the sole employment for these clients over the summer of 2020 We raised over $65k in 60 days to feed 15,000 people- an enormous undertaking facilitated by partnerships, such as Unispice and Procter and Gamble.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Additional Information
Unscored
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Organization Leadership
Karen Larson
President and CEO
Susan Zimmermann & James F. Wood
Co-Chair
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
88
out of 100
Friendship Bridge has earned a passing score. This score has no effect on the organization's Star Rating. The organization provided data about how it listens to constituents (Constituent Feedback) and its Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) practices (see report below).
The Culture & Community Beacon is comprised of the following metrics:
Constituent Feedback: 100/100 (30% of beacon score)
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: 83/100 (70% of beacon score)
Culture & Community Report
88
of 100 points
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
83/100 points
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 83 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 4 diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective DEI policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
View this organization's DEI Strategies
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
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.
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.
Constituent Feedback
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
