Transparency & Accountability | Cougs 4 Kids – See How We Use Your Support
Our Commitment to Transparency
At Cougs 4 Kids, part of Believe in Me, transparency and accountability are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to using our resources responsibly to maximize the impact of every dollar and in-kind donation we receive. By maintaining clear, honest communication with our donors, volunteers, and community partners, we ensure trust and demonstrate our commitment to empowering youth across Washington State.
Good Stewards With Every Dollar
Program Funding : Your generous contributions, including donations and sponsorships, are directed towards funding mentorship and leadership programs led by WSU student-athletes.
In-Kind Donations: In-kind contributions support a wide range of program needs, such as event supplies, goody bags, and community project resources. Every donated item allows us to allocate more financial resources directly to programming.
Operational Efficiency: We strive to keep administrative costs low, ensuring that the majority of our funding goes directly to supporting youth programs. Our operational strategy is designed to maintain program quality while maximizing the impact of our funds.
How We Use Donations
Youth Leadership Training
Service-Driven Initiatives
Student-Athlete Empowerment
How We Ensure Accountability
Our commitment to transparency and impact ensures that donations and sponsorships are thoughtfully allocated, program progress is communicated through regular updates, and success is measured and shared with clear metrics to demonstrate the value of your support.
- Clear Allocation: Donations and sponsorships are allocated based on program needs and outlined budgets.
- Regular Updates: We keep our community informed with regular updates, including newsletters and impact stories.
- Impact Metrics: We measure the success of our programs through feedback, participant outcomes, and community response. These metrics are shared to show the tangible effects of your support.
Reporting and Compliance
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are required to file an iRS Form 990 which discloses details about the solicitation and use of funds. Our financial statements are reviewed regularly to maintain accountability. We provide transparent, detailed reports to our donors, showcasing how contributions are spent and the impact they create.
Annual Reports
Our annual reports highlight our financials, key program successes, and areas for growth. We share these reports with our supporters and make them publicly available to demonstrate how donations fuel our mission.
Audits and Oversight
We conduct internal audits and collaborate with third-party auditors to review our financial practices and ensure compliance with all regulations.
Questions or Feedback?
We welcome your questions and value your feedback. Transparency is a continuous journey, and your input helps us improve. Reach out at cougs4kids@believeinme.org or call 206.414.8043 to learn more.
Thank you for being part of the Cougs 4 Kids family and supporting us in creating opportunities and inspiring leadership in youth across Washington State.
One-Time Gift
Make a one-time donation today and help empower youth through impactful mentorship and leadership programs.
Cougs 4 Kids Crew
Join the Cougs 4 Kids Crew and pledge regular support to sustain ongoing youth mentorship and community projects.
Join Impact Society
Contribute a major gift to the Cougar Impact Society and create lasting change with life-changing impact for youth.
FAQs
Measuring impact helps us assess the effectiveness of our programs, demonstrate our value to stakeholders, and continuously improve to better serve youth.
We use participant surveys, follow-up interviews, performance metrics, and feedback from mentors and volunteers to evaluate our programs.
Program evaluations are conducted quarterly, with comprehensive reviews performed at the end of each year.
We track metrics such as participant satisfaction, program completion rates, skill development, and the number of community projects completed.
Who reviews the data collected?
Our Alumni and Youth Advisory Boards, program team, and external evaluators when needed, reviews the data to ensure accuracy and actionable insights.
Participant feedback helps refine existing programs, develop new initiatives, and adapt activities to better meet youth needs.
The report includes program highlights, participant statistics, feedback summaries, and a detailed analysis of outcomes achieved during the year.
Yes, our annual impact reports are accessible on the Cougs 4 Kids website for transparency.
Participants complete pre-program, mid-program, and post-program surveys to gauge their experiences and learning outcomes.
Yes, feedback from parents and guardians is an essential part of our impact assessment to understand the broader influence on youth.
We follow standardized data collection procedures, use validated survey tools, and involve third-party auditors when needed.
Feedback has led to improvements such as more diverse activity options, enhanced training for mentors, and better resource allocation.
Through self-assessments, mentor observations, and structured activities designed to highlight key skill progress.
Ensuring consistent participation in surveys and collecting longitudinal data over time to track lasting effects.
Community impact is measured through the number and success of youth-led projects and the feedback from community members involved.
Participants often highlight the mentorship and sense of community as the most impactful parts of the program.
Negative feedback is analyzed carefully to identify areas for improvement and to develop actionable plans for change.
Yes, financial summaries and resource allocation are included to maintain transparency.
We partner with educational institutions and nonprofit assessment experts for robust, unbiased program evaluations.
We use anonymized data collection methods and adhere to strict data protection policies to safeguard participant information.
Yes, detailed impact summaries and stories are available on our website and in our published reports.
Success is defined by the growth and development of participants, the completion of meaningful projects, and positive community feedback.
For additional questions, please contact our program team via email at cougs4kids@believeinme.org or call our office at (206) 414-8043.
