As part of BBB's 2012 Centennial Celebration, our educational foundation is changing its name to BBB Institute for Marketplace Ethics as we expand resources for senior citizens, students and military families, and launch a Center for Character Ethics. Although we are financially sound and fortunate to receive earned revenue from our Accredited Businesses, the increased need for the FREE educational and fraud prevention resources we offer consumers in Minnesota and North Dakota, requires expanded outreach supported by new sources of charitable revenue. Diversifying revenue streams by inviting institutional and individual donors to invest in our shared future, will allow us to increase educational outreach to the most vulnerable consumers in our community, develop ethical leaders in our current and future workforce -- ensuring the continued advancement of the BBB mission and vision for the next 100 years.
BETTER -- Misperception #1: The BBB is from another era.
While celebrating our 100 year anniversary in 2012, the BBB is always evolving and more necessary than ever because of the ease and 24/7 global nature of transacting business with unknown parties.
BUSINESS -- Misperception #2: The BBB is a trade association only benefiting businesses.
The BBB plays a unique, valuable and neutral role in advancing ideals of an ethical marketplace that benefit consumers, businesses and the entire community.
BUREAU -- Misperception #3: The BBB is a government entity and receives government funding.
The BBB is a non-profit organization that relies on support from member businesses as well as charitable donations to offer free educational outreach and services.
The BBB's 501(c)(6) are receives membership fees from our Accredited Businesses to provide: comprehensive reviews of businesses, advertising and industries; fraud alerts; mediation and other means of resolution of complaints and disputes; consumer news; and an online directory and estimates of businesses. Less known is that BBB also operates a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, founded in 1977 whose charter is to provide consumer and public education on business ethics, exposing sub-standard marketplace behavior, and warning consumers, especially seniors and youth about prevalent marketplace scams. Here is a summary of our major programs:
- BBB Senior Outreach - BBB's Senior Outreach program travels throughout our service area to talk to seniors, listen to their concerns, and educate them how to "spot, stop and report fraud." We provide education and practical resources to senior citizens helping them: increase financial literacy, make wise purchasing decisions, and avoid and report on scams.
- BBB Military Line® - Supported by an established national network with a century of expertise in marketplace knowledge, the mission of the BBB Military Line® is "to improve financial readiness and consumer education for service members, their families, and the military community."
- BBB Center for Character Ethics - Designed with customized resources for our current and future workforce, the mission of the BBB Center for Character Ethics is "to serve the community of leaders and educators as a provider of research, training, and best practice recognition in character ethics through a working collaboration of experts and practitioners."
To learn more about the BBB Institute for Marketplace Ethics, please contact Institute Director, Lisa Jemtrud at ljemtrud@thefirstbbb.org or 651-695-2450.
