Audited Financial Statements September 30, 2014
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT To the Board of Directors of Legal Information for Families Today Report on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Legal Information for Families Today ( LIFT ), which comprise the statement of financial position as of September 30, 2014, and the related statements of activities, functional expenses, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements. Management s Responsibility for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Auditors Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the organization s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the organization s internal control.accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Legal Information for Families Today as of September 30, 2014, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. January 23, 2015 Schall & Ashenfarb Certified Public Accountants, LLC 2
LEGAL INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES TODAY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $725,857 Government grants receivable 151,673 Contributions receivable 235,000 Prepaid expenses 34,552 Security deposits 17,051 Fixed assets, net (Note 3) 20,990 Total assets $1,185,123 Liabilities and Net Assets Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $67,574 Total liabilities 67,574 Net assets: Unrestricted: Reserve fund 250,000 Undesignated 593,633 Total unrestricted 843,633 Temporarily restricted (Note 4) 273,916 Total net assets 1,117,549 Total liabilities and net assets $1,185,123 The attached notes and auditors' report are an integral part of these financial statements. 3
LEGAL INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES TODAY STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 Temporarily Unrestricted Restricted Total Revenue and support: Government grants $641,129 $641,129 Contributions 267,630 $334,300 601,930 In kind contributions 18,000 18,000 Special events (Note 5) 352,992 352,992 Investment income 255 255 Other income 680 680 Net assets released from restrictions 454,927 (454,927) 0 Total revenue and support 1,735,613 (120,627) 1,614,986 Expenses: Program services 1,331,904 1,331,904 Supporting services: Management and general 181,188 181,188 Fundraising 261,541 261,541 Total supporting services 442,729 0 442,729 Total expenses 1,774,633 0 1,774,633 Change in net assets (39,020) (120,627) (159,647) Net assets beginning of year 882,653 394,543 1,277,196 Net assets end of year $843,633 $273,916 $1,117,549 The attached notes and auditors' report are an integral part of these financial statements. 4
LEGAL INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES TODAY STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 Program Services Supporting Services Family Legal Judge Total Management Total Court Education and Public For a Social Program and Supporting Total Hotlines Programs Publications Policy Day Services Services General Fundraising Services Expenses Salaries $209,680 $360,828 $98,358 $38,771 $50,339 $128,807 $886,783 $52,244 $131,728 $183,972 $1,070,755 Payroll taxes and benefits 50,805 87,428 23,832 9,394 12,197 31,210 214,866 12,657 31,918 44,575 259,441 Total personnel expenses 260,485 448,256 122,190 48,165 62,536 160,017 1,101,649 64,901 163,646 228,547 1,330,196 Rent expense 20,811 35,812 9,762 3,848 4,996 12,784 88,013 5,185 13,074 18,259 106,272 Program expenses 926 6,925 7,851 0 7,851 Professional fees 3,414 3,414 1,707 3,414 1,707 3,414 17,070 53,465 17,070 70,535 87,605 Consultants fees 5,792 24,368 3,657 1,071 1,391 3,558 39,837 6,969 3,639 10,608 50,445 In kind professional fees 0 18,000 18,000 18,000 Telephone and communications 3,589 6,176 1,683 664 862 2,205 15,178 894 2,255 3,149 18,327 Supplies 1,699 2,923 797 314 408 1,044 7,185 424 1,067 1,491 8,676 Payroll processing fees 983 1,692 461 182 236 604 4,158 244 618 862 5,020 Postage and delivery 1,197 2,059 561 221 287 735 5,060 299 752 1,051 6,111 Travel and meeting expenses 737 1,268 346 136 177 453 3,117 184 463 647 3,764 Printing and copying 18,798 18,798 0 18,798 Dues and subscriptions 976 1,679 458 180 234 599 4,126 243 613 856 4,982 Insurance 2,179 3,749 1,022 403 523 1,338 9,214 542 1,369 1,911 11,125 Training and conferences 1,913 1,913 0 1,913 Recruitment fees 0 545 545 545 Miscellaneous expenses 518 892 243 96 124 318 2,191 6,029 326 6,355 8,546 Bad debts 0 22,878 22,878 22,878 Special events indirect expenses 0 55,677 55,677 55,677 Total expenses before depreciation 302,380 532,288 161,685 58,694 74,407 195,907 1,325,360 180,802 260,569 441,371 1,766,731 Depreciation 1,547 2,663 726 286 371 951 6,544 386 972 1,358 7,902 Total expenses $303,927 $534,951 $162,411 $58,980 $74,778 $196,858 $1,331,904 $181,188 $261,541 $442,729 $1,774,633 The attached notes and auditors' report are an integral part of these financial statements. 5
LEGAL INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES TODAY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 Cash flows from operating activities: Change in net assets ($159,647) Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets to net cash provided by/(used for) operating activities: Depreciation 7,902 Decrease/(increase) in assets: Government grants receivable 88,580 Contributions receivable (82,500) Prepaid expenses (5,834) Security deposits (497) Increase in liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses 8,199 Total adjustments 15,850 Net cash used for operating activities (143,797) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of fixed assets (6,966) Net cash used for investing activities (6,966) Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (150,763) Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year 876,620 Cash and cash equivalents end of year $725,857 Supplemental information: Taxes paid $0 Interest paid $0 The attached notes and auditors' report are an integral part of these financial statements. 6
LEGAL INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES TODAY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 Note 1 Organization Legal Information for Families Today ( LIFT ) empowers unrepresented litigants by providing them with education, information, and supportive services which enable them to advocate for their needs in Family Court. To achieve this goal we operate award winning programs that work across a continuum, enabling participants in our services to choose either short term interventions or long term engagements that will assist in achieving their familial goals. For quick answers to their family law questions, they may access our Education & Information Sites, located inside the Court buildings, as well as our Family Law Information Hotlines. More intensive services are provided by LIFT s Family Legal Center housed at the City s Family Courthouses in all five boroughs. We also ensure that families have access to a range of social services, and we conduct skills building workshops in partnership with community based organizations. In addition, we produce multilingual Legal Resource Guides, which are step by step guides to a variety of family law topics, and Legal Education Webinars, which engage and inform various entities in the legal and social services community on topics and issues that are directly related to family court and family law. In 2014, LIFT served nearly 30,000 families through our programs. Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies a. Basis of Accounting The financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting which is the process of recognizing revenue and expenses when earned or incurred rather than when received or paid. b. Basis of Presentation LIFT, as a not for profit organization, reports information regarding its financial position and activities according to the following classes of net assets: Unrestricted represents all activity without donor imposed restrictions. Temporarily restricted accounts for activity based on specific donor restrictions that are expected to be satisfied by passage of time or performance of activities. Permanently restricted relates to contributions of cash and other assets whereby the assets must remain intact due to restrictions placed by the donor. There was no permanently restricted activity or net assets at September 30, 2014. c. Revenue Recognition LIFT reports contributions at the earlier of the receipt of cash or at a time a pledge becomes unconditional in nature. Contributions that are restricted by the donor are reported as increases in temporarily or permanently restricted net assets, depending on the nature of the restriction. When a restriction expires, temporarily restricted net assets are reclassified to unrestricted net assets. Government grants are reviewed to determine if they have traits more commonly associated with contributions or exchange transactions. Management has determined 7
that all government grants more closely resemble exchange transactions, and are therefore recognized as revenue when earned. The difference between cash received and amounts recognized as government grant income are reflected as government grant receivables or advances. d. Cash and Cash Equivalents LIFT considers all liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. e. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments which potentially subject LIFT to concentration of credit risk consist of cash accounts with financial institutions that management deems to be creditworthy. At times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. At year end, there were no uninsured balances. f. Contributions Receivable LIFT records unconditional promises to give in the period pledged at net realizable value if expected to be received within one year. Long term pledges are recorded at fair value based on a risk adjusted discount rate if considered material. Conditional promises to give are recognized when the conditions on which they depend are substantially met. At year end, all outstanding government and contributions receivable were due within one year. Management reviews receivables that are unlikely to be collected based on historical experience and a review of activity subsequent to the balance sheet date. No allowance for doubtful accounts exists as of September 30, 2014. Write offs will be made directly to operations in the period the receivable is deemed to be uncollected. g. Fixed Assets Property and equipment that exceed predetermined thresholds and have a useful life greater than one year are capitalized at cost or at their fair value if donated. Furniture and equipment are depreciated using the straight line method over estimated useful lives of three to ten years. h. In Kind Services Donated services that create or enhance non financial assets or require specialized skills, are provided by individuals possessing those skills and would typically need to be purchased if not provided in kind, are recognized at fair value. During the year ended September 30, 2014, LIFT received in kind legal services of $18,000, which has been reflected on the financial statements. Organizational governance and some fundraising duties are performed voluntarily by the board of directors. Those services have not been recorded because they do not meet the criteria for recognition as outlined above. i. Management Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 8
j. Functional Allocation of Expenses The costs of providing various programs and other activities have been summarized on a functional basis in the financial statements. Accordingly, certain costs have been allocated among the programs and supporting services benefited. Management and general expenses include those expenses that are not directly identifiable with any other specific function but provide for the overall support and direction of LIFT. k. Income Tax Status LIFT is exempt from Federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and has not been designated as a private foundation under Section 509(a)(1) of the Code. l. Accounting for Uncertainty of Income Taxes LIFT does not believe its financial statements include any material, uncertain tax positions. Tax filings for periods ending September 30, 2011 and later are subject to examination by applicable taxing authorities. m. Subsequent Events Management has evaluated for potential recognition and disclosure events subsequent to the date of the balance sheet through January 23, 2015, the date the financial statements were available to be issued. No events have occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date through our evaluation date that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements. Note 3 Fixed Assets Fixed assets consist of the following: Equipment $112,572 Furniture and fixtures 34,926 Leasehold improvements 19,910 Software 6,010 Total fixed assets at cost 173,418 Less: accumulated depreciation (152,428) Total fixed assets, net $20,990 Note 4 Temporarily Restricted Net Assets Temporarily restricted net assets consist of the following: Net Released Net Assets from Assets 10/1/13 Contributions Restrictions 9/30/14 Program restrictions: Hiring of Development Director $150,000 $0 ($59,804) $90,196 Family Legal Center 239,543 320,000 (379,183) 180,360 Facility Renovation 5,000 0 (5,000) 0 Pat the Pigeon 0 14,300 (10,940) 3,360 Total $394,543 $334,300 ($454,927) $273,916 9
Note 5 Special Events LIFT holds an annual benefit. The event proceeds are summarized as follows: Gross revenue $401,109 Less: expenses where donor receives a direct benefit (48,117) Event revenue net of direct expenses 352,992 Less: indirect expenses (55,677) Net revenue from event $297,315 Note 6 Retirement Plan LIFT maintains a Safe Harbor 403(b) Thrift Plan whereby eligible employees can contribute pre tax or post tax dollars up to statutory limits. All employees are eligible to participate on the entry date immediately following their date of hire. The employer matches the lesser of 100% of participating employee s salary reduction amount contributed during the plan year or 5% of each participating employee s annual salary. Note 7 Contingencies Office Space In February 2013, LIFT entered into a lease agreement for new office space. The future estimated minimum lease payments are as follows: Year ending: September 30, 2015 $103,839 September 30, 2016 106,955 September 30, 2017 110,163 Total $320,957 Rent expense for the year was $100,815. Government Grants Government grants are subject to audit by the grantor and other oversight agencies. Management is of the opinion that any potential disallowances that may result from an audit will not be material and has not set aside a reserve for this. Any future disallowances will be recorded when they become known and the amount is probable that it will be paid. Note 8 Significant Concentrations For the year ended September 30, 2014 approximately 33% of LIFT s support was derived from a contract approved by the New York City Council and issued by the New York City Mayor s Office of Criminal Justice. A significant decrease in funding from this agency could have a material effect on LIFT s ability to carry out its programs. 10