The Elizabeth Hospice Inc.

TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE NEARING THE END OF LIFE'S JOURNEY AND FOR THOSE WHO GRIEVE THROUGH RESPONSIVE MEDICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT.

Rating Information

This charity's score is 98 %, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.

Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Measurement. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.

Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!

Rating Report

• Impact & Measurement
• Accountability & Finance
• Culture & Community
• Leadership & Adaptability

100

This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.

Key Accountability Metrics

Majority Independent Board Members - 90% independent members

Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. We check to see that a majority of board members are identified as independent on their tax form.

Independent Board Size - 10 independent members

Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three independent board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members

Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee

An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:

Material Diversion of Assets - None

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 — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.

Tax Form Disclosures and Policies

Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed

Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.

Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed

Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.

This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.

Whistleblower Policy - Listed

Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.

This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.

Document Retention and Destruction - Listed

Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.

This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.

Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes

Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.

An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.

Website Disclosures

Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website as stated on Form 990 - Listed

For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.

Financial Metrics

Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 29.91%

The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.

Program Expense: Ratio - 79.43%

The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.

Additional Information

This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.

Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. 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

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

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 )

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 )

The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage accountability and finance data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name ( The Elizabeth Hospice Inc. ) or EIN ( 953275679 ) in the 'Search Term' field.

The Elizabeth Hospice Inc. cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Measurement 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.

77

This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.

Assessments

Constituent Feedback

Unscored

Equity Strategies™

77 out of 100 points

Equity Strategies™ - Number of Data, Policies & Processes

This organization's score of 77 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 3 Equity Practices.

The Equity Strategies™ checklist, developed by Equity in the Center™, consists of data, policies & processess that promote racial equity in operations and programs. The Equity Strategies™ were developed by Equity In The Center®, and collected in partnership with Candid.

We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.

We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served.

We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.

We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.

We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.

© 2019 Equity In The Center Inc. All Rights Reserved. Use of the Equity Strategies without prior written approval directly from Equity in the Center is strictly prohibited.

100

This beacon 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.

Strategy

40 out of 40 points

The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission.

TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE NEARING THE END OF LIFE'S JOURNEY AND FOR THOSE WHO GRIEVE THROUGH RESPONSIVE MEDICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT.

The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.

The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.

Goal Three: Make a difference in our community by raising $2.1 million dollars through philanthropy for unreimbursed services open to the public.

Leadership

30 out of 30 points

Investment in Leadership Development

The Elizabeth Hospice provides leadership development through several channels. The first is known as the Leadership Development Institute, an internal organization that facilitates workshops at least twice a year for managers, directors and chiefs attend. The second is membership in the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation which connects leadership with their counterparts across the nation. Each leader takes an active role in participating in the quarterly forums for their areas of responsibility. The third is promoted through our Human Resources department where development opportunities are offered to leadership during the year. A recent opportunity addresses COVID-19 and the increased burnout due to ongoing uncertainty, health and safety concerns, workplace changes, and work/life balance. We want leadership to better understand the risk factors and have them develop skills to manage stress and build resilience so that they can better support their staff.

External Focus on Mobilizing Mission

The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.

The Elizabeth Hospice is active with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation where our leaders present at conferences and join in advocacy efforts at the federal level. Our Bereavement staff is a resource for the community. They respond to community tragedy, partner with social service agencies to ensure that the underserved have access to grief support. There are 21 local elementary-high school districts where we provide on-campus 8-week peer groups for students and train school professionals in grief care. We provide physician fellowships and training for counselors as well as social workers through higher education institutions such as San Diego State University, Cal. State University -San Marcos, and the Univ. of Cal. - San Diego. We raise awareness of our organization through community events, social media, and presentations at social services organizations as well as local community groups.

Adaptability

30 out of 30 points

Investment in Leadership Development

The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.

Physical distancing requirements during the current healthcare crisis have significantly challenged how The Elizabeth Hospice delivers care and support to those affected by severe advanced illness. Safety restrictions during the pandemic have impacted the human touch and hands-on care essential to hospice. That has resulted in an increased sense of isolation among our patients and clients. Finding ways to mitigate isolation is one of the major factors we consider when deciding how to adjust our programs to provide uninterrupted care to the community while adhering to Covid restrictions. The Elizabeth Hospice found creative solutions to meet these challenges. Technology has been a tremendous asset in making these adjustments. However, finding the balance between technology and hands-on care has been complex at times. By collaborating with community partners and working with industry leaders, we achieved that delicate balance. Our ability to provide veteran specific care was adapted during the pandemic to provide uninterrupted service. The Elizabeth Hospice has a long-established tradition of supporting veterans and their unique concerns, i.e. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), survivor’s guilt, etc. We conduct pinning ceremonies to recognize them for their service pinning more than 400 veterans annually. In addition, our partnership with the County of San Diego, educates veterans on their VA healthcare and compensation benefits. Physical distancing directly affected our veterans’ pinning ceremonies and our ability to provide in-person information on VA benefits. In both cases, a video platform along with some human interaction to effectively solve this problem. A video for pinning ceremonies was facility staff pinned veterans. We also created a video with the help of the County of San Diego, Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, and Disabled American Veterans, to explain veterans’ benefits and provide resources to answer questions.