Mission: North Marin Community Services is a merged organization of the Novato Youth Center and Novato Human Needs Center. Our mission is to empower youth, adults and familie ... (More)
North Marin Community Services is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 1972, and donations are tax-deductible.
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Important note on the timeliness of ratings
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Financial and Accountability & Transparency score for North Marin Community Services is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations.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.
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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 95.12, earning it a 4-Star rating. Donors can "Give with Confidence" to this charity.
This score is calculated from two sub-scores:
Finance: 93.11 View details
Accountability & Transparency: 100.00 View details
This score represents Form 990 data from 2019. More recent filing data is available, but it has not been factored into this score, due to COVID-19's effect on this organization.
View this organization’s historical ratings.
Rating update postponed due to COVID-19's impact on this organization. View North Marin Community Services's response.
Star Rated Report
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Program Expense Ratio
78.4%
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
16.9%
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
4.6%
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
6.4%
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
$0.06
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
1.81 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
14.49%
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
Cheryl Paddack, CEO
$144,729 (3.58% 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:
Other sports or athletic activities (BMF activity code: 317)
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
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.
North Marin Community Services reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Revenue
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
Balance Sheet
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
North Marin Community Services lost two major forms of revenue due to COVID-19. Our Child Development Program lost $600,000 of budgeted revenue due to regulations which required smaller classrooms and a decrease in the number of students served. Additionally, we were not able to receive revenue from renting out either of our two buildings for other organizations to use. This resulted in a loss of $76,000 of budgeted revenue.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
We cross-trained existing staff and hired new staff to double the capacity of our Case Management team to meet demand for services. We became a vaccination and testing site for the community. Our Promotores educated the Latinx community about COVID-19 and connected people to vaccination and other essential services. We deepened our partnerships with other organizations including the County of Marin to connect people with COVID-19 to healthcare and quarantine housing. We expanded our emergency rental assistance program to help unemployed residents stay in their homes.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
Our school-based counseling program and family and adult counseling programs were transitioned to virtual. Our weekly Food Pantry was transitioned outdoors and became drive through style. Service was expanded to accommodate triple the number of clients pre-pandemic. Our Child Development Program served at-risk youth remotely and onsite when possible to ensure students did not fall behind academically.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
Our weekly Food Pantry Program will remain outdoors and drive through style because it is still operating at double pre-pandemic levels. Our new air filtration system will continue to operate and reduce the number of colds and flu viruses in our Wilson Ave building, where our Child Development Program is located. We will continue to use our online check-in system instead of a paper system. And we will continue to use Microsoft Teams and Zoom for certain meetings, as they have proven to be efficient tools. In the past 16 months we have created a more environmentally friendly procedure of saving and sharing information via our shared drive. This will continue.
Historical Ratings
| Date Published | Form 990 FYE | Overall Score | Overall Rating |
| Rating Version: 2.1 | |||
| 3/1/2020 | 2019 | 95.12 | |
| 7/1/2019 | 2018 | 90.65 | |
| 6/1/2018 | 2017 | 90.71 | |
| 6/1/2017 | 2016 | 90.71 | |
| 7/1/2016 | 2015 | 90.71 | |
| 6/1/2016 | 2014 | 90.98 | |
| Rating Version: 2.0 | |||
| 9/1/2015 | 2014 | 90.40 | |
| 6/1/2014 | 2013 | 90.87 | |
| 6/1/2013 | 2012 | 86.47 |  |
| 6/1/2012 | 2011 | 85.71 | |
| 9/20/2011 | 2010 | 86.01 | |
| Rating Version: 1.0 | |||
| 12/22/2010 | 2009 | 91.69 | |
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
North Marin Community Services 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 North Marin Community Services? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.
Additional Information
Unscored
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Largest Programs
North Marin Community Services reported its three largest programs on its FY 2019 Form 990 as:
$1,315,788
Spent in most recent FY
41%
Percent of program expenses
Child Development
$1,219,541
Spent in most recent FY
38%
Percent of program expenses
Family & Community Engagement
$601,710
Spent in most recent FY
19%
Percent of program expenses
Health & Wellness
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 North Marin Community Services 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 empower youth, adults and families in our diverse community to achieve well-being, growth and success.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Vision
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
A strong community with opportunities for all.
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: NMCS will have a quality and sustainable mental health program that builds community wellness.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: NMCS will respond to and meet the unique needs of immigrants and Spanish speakers.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Three: NMCS will expand prevention efforts to increase equity and effectively advocate for and with the underserved.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Leadership Development
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
Every manager ensures that their staff and themselves have access to opportunities for continuous learning, which is one of our five core values (our core values include: Collaboration and Teamwork, Cultural Competency, Excellence, Integrity and Learning and Continuous Improvement). Every staff member has $250-500 budgeted for learning opportunities each year. NMCS has a relationship with the Novato Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Novato Program, and will fund staff to go through the training. Our CEO, Cheryl Paddack, is a sponsor of Leadership Novato's Nonprofit Day as part of this program. Additionally, she meets with our 12-person management team weekly and the whole staff monthly. Cheryl Paddack was awarded the Excellence in Leadership Award from the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership in 2019.
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?
We are involved with multiple strategic partnerships and collective impact groups. Currently, we are partnering with Marin County to distribute rental assistance to local people in need. Additionally, we are part of a coalition of local county and government services, nonprofits and faith-based organizations involved in disaster response and recovery, and Cheryl Paddack, CEO, serves as a co-chair with the County of Marin on the Novato Outbreak Prevention Team. In addition to participating in the Marin County collaborative on rental assistance, our case managers are also active members of local food assistance and homelessness collaboratives, and invite other organizations to speak to our team so we can better coordinate services across agencies. Members of our leadership team frequently present at conferences and speak at events. We regularly raise awareness of our mission and the importance of the work we do. We participate in local events where we can engage our community.
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.
As the pandemic brought many challenges to our community, especially to the low-income, vulnerable people that we serve, NMCS put into practice what we had been trained to do as members of VOAD: mobilize quickly to meet the community need. We continued to serve our community, rising to the challenges of moving to a virtual and socially distanced workplace. Our case managers switched from in-person visits to phone appointments, finding workarounds for problems that arose when clients did not have access to technology. They found that this shift made their services more accessible, as people could access our services with fewer barriers. Our mental health team moved to telehealth, navigating issues of confidentiality with care and attention to detail. Our childcare program opened its doors to the children with the greatest need as soon as possible, providing virtual learning support through the school year. We became a COVID-19 vaccination and testing site. Our Food Pantry increased capacity, and our lead Food Pantry volunteer, Cindy Stern, won the Community Pandemic Assistance Award. Additionally, NMCS won the 2021 Look Who’s Getting It Done Award, presented by District 5 Supervisor Judy Arnold, and CEO, Cheryl Paddack, was presented the 2021 Jefferson Silver Award by KPIX and Multiplying Good.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Additional Information
Unscored
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Organization Leadership
Cheryl Paddack
CEO
Rick van Adelsberg
President
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
North Marin Community Services 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: 100/100 (70% of beacon score)
Culture & Community Report
100
of 100 points
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Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
100/100 points
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 100 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 12 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
