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Top Rated

Helen Keller International

CharityWatch report issued
July 2022

Top-Rated Charity
A
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
84%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$4
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Helen Keller International
One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza
Floor 2
New York, NY 10017

Other Names

ChildSight
HKI
HKI Support

Tax Status

501(c)3

Website

www.hki.org

Stated Mission

To save & improve the sight & lives of the world's most vulnerable & disadvantaged. Delivers the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition & clear vision.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2021

Program Percentage: 84%

The percentage of Helen Keller International's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$78,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $4

How many dollars Helen Keller International spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$53,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

25% to 49%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Helen Keller International Audited Consolidated Financial Statements multiple
HKI Support IRS Form 990 26-4676791
Helen Keller International IRS Form 990 13-5562162
Entity: Helen Keller International
Document Type: Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
Tax ID: multiple
Entity: HKI Support
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 26-4676791
Entity: Helen Keller International
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 13-5562162

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Helen Keller International
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Helen Keller International
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Kathy Spahn President/CEO $406,484
2 Christopher Landry Chief of Party, Suaahara $309,739
3 Treena Bishop Chief of Party, Sapling $273,587
1
Name: Kathy Spahn
Title: President/CEO
Compensation: $406,484
2
Name: Christopher Landry
Title: Chief of Party, Suaahara
Compensation: $309,739
3
Name: Treena Bishop
Title: Chief of Party, Sapling
Compensation: $273,587

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the Helen Keller International (HKI) audited Consolidated Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Assets for the year ended June 30, 2021, HKI reports receiving "Contributions – medicines and other (in-kind)" on which it placed a total value of $112,970,950. Of this amount, $112,960,950 consisted of donations of the product Mectizan for the treatment of onchocerciasis, according to Note 2 of the HKI fiscal 2021 consolidated audit.

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the Helen Keller International consolidated audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 2 re: Revenue Recognition):

"Helen Keller Intl was granted a $1,766,300 loan under the Paycheck Protection Program ('PPP') administered by a Small Business Administration (SBA) approved partner. The loan is uncollateralized and is fully guaranteed by the Federal government. Helen Keller Intl initially recorded the loan as a refundable advance...and subsequently recognized grant revenue in accordance with guidance for conditional contributions; that is, once the measurable performance or other barrier and right of return of the PPP loan no longer existed. Helen Keller Intl has recognized $1,536,886 and $229,414 as grant revenue for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. ... This PPP loan was forgiven [o]n April 20, 2021.

"Helen Keller Intl was granted a second PPP Loan of $1,654,200 (the 'Second PPP Loan')...under the Paycheck Protection Program administered by a Small Business Administration (SBA) approved partner. The loan is uncollateralized and is fully guaranteed by the Federal government. Helen Keller Intl initially recorded the loan as a refundable advance...and subsequently recognized grant revenue in accordance with guidance for conditional contributions; that is, once the measurable performance or other barrier and right of return of the Second PPP Loan no longer existed. Helen Keller Intl has recognized $280,000 as grant revenue on this loan for the year ended June 30, 2021. The portion of the loan that has not been recognized as revenue as [of] June 30, 2021 was $1,374,200 and is reported as Deferred Revenue in the [audited] Statements of Financial Position. The Second PPP Loan funds will be recognized in fiscal 2022 as qualifying expenses are incurred. If such conditions are not met, Helen Keller Intl is required to repay the PPP Loan in five years from the date of the agreement at a 1% annual interest rate."

According to the Helen Keller International consolidated audit of June 30, 2021 (Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies):

"In early 2020, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged globally. As a result, there have been mandates from federal, state and local authorities resulting in an overall decline in economic activity. The current operating environment is changing rapidly. The extent of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the financial performance of Helen Keller Intl's investments and operations is not reasonably estimable as of the date that the [audited] financial statements were available for issuance [January 14, 2022]. Helen Keller Intl will continue to monitor the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and will adjust its operations as necessary."


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