Assistance League of Reno-Sparks
Transforming Lives Strengthening Community
Mission
Assistance League volunteers transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs.
Notes from the nonprofit
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks is celebrating providing 43 years of service to Washoe County, which includes Reno and Sparks, NV.
Ruling year
1977
President
Mrs. ELLEN Fockler
Main address
PO BOX 7376
Reno, NV 89510 USA
EIN
88-0139673
NTEE code
Human Service Organizations (P20)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Register now
Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Links to Learning
Links to Learning provides Washoe County School District teachers with monetary awards for classroom supplies and activities for which funding does not exist, especially during the recent budget cuts and shortfalls. Over the years, many teachers have recognized the need for classroom projects which stimulate thought and expand existing curriculum; however, they have had to fund these projects themselves. Assistance League, working with The Education Alliance of Washoe County, Inc., asks teachers to submit their ideas and projects to the Links to Learning committee. The committee members then determine which projects to fund for that school year. Many teachers who apply for funding teach in "at-risk”schools where classrooms are most in need of learning innovations. Examples of projects include physical education equipment, field trips, audio tapes, math games, CD players, protractors, a color printer, bilingual materials,a kindergarten activity rug, art supplies, guest speakers, a science weather station, and books on many subjects.
Students in Transition
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks started Students in Transition in 2010 as a program to assist homeless high school students to stay in school.
Read to ME
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks established Read to ME in 2012 as a reading literacy program for preschool children.
Veterans Outreach
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks established Veterans Outreach in 2008 as a way to provide support to veterans and their families.
Senior Sampler
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks established Senior Sampler in 1978 as a way to provide a consignment shop for seniors to sell their crafts.
Re-Share
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks established Re-Share in 2008 to donate to other nonprofit organizations in the Reno-Sparks community the unusable donations to Assistance League Thrift Shop.
Essentials
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks established the Essentials program in 1986 to provide hygiene kits to seniors, children and community members.
Assault Survivor Kits
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks established Assault Survivor Kits in 1995 as a way to provide clothes and personal items for those who have been sexually assaulted in our community.
Operation School Bell
The problem addressed by this program was identified in the early 1980’s by the Washoe County School District, the community, and Assistance League. Elementary school children living at or near poverty level were attending school in clothing that was ill-fitting, torn, not appropriate for the cold weather, and obviously not like that worn by their peers. These children felt "different” and often were withdrawn and had difficulty learning basic skills essential to success in school. Since 1984, Assistance League, through its Operation School Bell program has provided new and appropriate school clothing to 66,000 low income, at-risk students identified by Washoe County School District. Clothing is purchased by Assistance League and distributed through shopping events held at local stores where the students,accompanied by parents or responsible adults, shop for their clothing early in the school year. Feedback from this program indicates that with appropriate clothing these at-risk students have more confidence in their appearance, increasing their self-esteem, and encouraging them to attend and stay in school. It has also been noted that new clothing cuts down in the trend in "gang dressing" among the children approaching the teen years.
Food Pantry
We provide food and other essential items to qualified seniors in the community.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
National Assistance League 1977
External reviews
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of programs documented
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Economically disadvantaged people, Students
Related Program
Operation School Bell
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of participants engaged in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Economically disadvantaged people, Students
Related Program
Operation School Bell
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Operation School Bell program dressed elementary and middle school children in 84 schools in Washoe County, Nevada. Students were provided uniform shirts and sweatshirts at additional schools.
Number of children who have emerging literacy skills such as beginning letter recognition and phonological awareness, story comprehension, and use of writing materials.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers, At-risk youth, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Read to ME
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
Assistance League's Read to ME program works with 2,3,4 and 5 year olds on emerging literacy skills.
Number of people within the organization's service area accessing food aid
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Seniors, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Food Pantry
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Assistance League's Senior Food Pantry program provides essential food each month to qualified seniors (age 60+) in the Reno-Sparks community.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Goal #1 - Philanthropic Programs - Have outcome based data for each program.
Goal #2 - Membership - Work toward creating an informed enthusiastic, cohesive and committed membership throughout the chapter and its auxiliary.
Goal #3 - Fund Development - Increase public perception, resulting in increased public support.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
February 2016
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks adopted the following goals:
Goal #1 Philanthropic Programs
A. Ensure any new program receives full investigation, Board recommendation and membership approval.
B. Develop profile of each current program: individuals served, total $ cost, member and nonmember hours and physical space.
C. Redevelop profile of each current program when expansion/contraction is proposed.
D. Adjust programs to better fit organization, member and resource developmental goals.
Goal #2 - Membership and Organization
A. Continue all-volunteer.
B. Maintain growing, working and satisfied membership.
C. Rigorous rigorous orientation for new members.
D. Develop infrastructure consistent with fundraising and program needs, as supported by members.
E. Provide office/technical support needed by members.
Goal #3 - Fund Development
A. Improve the public perception of chapter.
B. Emphasize Assistance League of Reno-Sparks' brand recognition through marketing program.
C. Continue to expand and improve Thrift Shop.
C. Continue to expand and explore sources for grants.
D. Develop new fundraising events that are supported by the Board and membership.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Internal Resources
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks has 337 member-volunteers who contributed over 25,000 service hours in FYE 2021. Assistance League orients new members on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Assistance League enjoys a well rounded membership with professional and technical skills since many are retired from long careers from a variety of industries.
External Strengths
Assistance League has many partnerships within the Reno-Sparks community. Their primary partner is Washoe County School District, who provides support for Operation School Bell, Links to Learning, and Students in Transition. Assistance League works closely with the Washoe County Senior Center in food distribution to seniors on a monthly basis. Assistance League has garnered a reputation for consistent quality programs that provide assistance to thousands of people annually. The programs are focused on the most disadvantaged in the community.
Connections
Over the last three years, a strong marketing and public relations effort has contributed to the public perception of Assistance League through several television news stores, a commercial and making new contacts with media.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks has 12 philanthropic programs.We measure the output of each program on an annual basis and incorporate the information into our annual report which is publicized on our website at www.renosparks.assistanceleague.org.
For FYE 2021,
Provided children with new clothing and grooming kits
Provided Assault Survivor Kits
Provided food bags to seniors monthly
Provided teachers awards of up to for use in their
classroom
Provided excess goods from the Thrift Shop to 10 nonprofits in
the community
Provided money from consignment sales to senior crafters
Provided funds to support veterans with specific, essential items
Provided school supplies, grooming kits and clothes to homeless high
school students
Provided 1:1 reading 3 times a week to preschoolers
Provided grooming kits to children and seniors
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Assistance League of Reno-Sparks
Board of directorsas of 01/21/2022
Ellen Fockler
No Affiliation
Term: 2021 - 2022
Susan Boon
No Affiliation
Ellen Fockler
No Affiliation
Mimi Case-Liebhold
No affiliation
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Thanks for signing up!
An email has been sent to the address you provided. Click on the link in that email to get more GuideStar Nonprofit Profile data today!
(Don't see an email in your inbox? Click here to resend it.)
GuideStar Pro Reports
Report successfully added to your cart!
Want more data?
A GuideStar Pro report containing the following information is available for this organization:
- Email contact information
- Financial trends metrics for five most recent years 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016*
- Financial statements for 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015
- Letter of Determination
- Officer and/or Employee data for 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
- Contractor and/or Paid Preparer data for 2020, 2019, 2018
- Board of Directors data for 2022
- *with the ability to download the data for 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016
Download it now for $125.
Need the ability to download nonprofit data and more advanced search options?Consider a Pro Search subscription.