BBB Foundation

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MISSION

The purpose of BBB Foundation is to educate individuals and businesses about marketplace issues and charitable giving practices and to reinforce Better Business Bureau’s mission of advancing marketplace trust.


BBB FOUNDATION HISTORY AND OVERVIEW

In 1982, BBB Foundation was incorporated by John B. Marron. The initial Board of Directors was Mr. Marron, J. Duncan Brock, Tom Fannin, William Fencken, Edward Murphy, Robert Plenge, Harry Rosenweig, Sr., Malcolm Straus, and Francis Thalheimer.

The Foundation is organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation for charitable and educational purposes. It was formed to provide written materials, visual aids, speakers, and television and radio materials to inform the public about wise buying, investments, fraudulent practices, and unethical schemes. This information is provided free of charge to schools, colleges, universities, clubs, civic organizations and others as requested.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors for BBB Foundation meets periodically to discuss fundraising, evaluate current programs, examine the Foundation’s financial status, and review and approve new programs. BBB Foundation’s current Board of Directors include: 

Officers:

President
Gary Volkenant: Pinnacle West Capital Corp/APS

Vice President
Joseph Castillo: Minority Business Consultants

Treasurer
Joe Dean: Dean Enterprises

Secretary
Matthew Fehling: Better Business Bureau

Jim Donley: Donley Service Center
Tom Fannin: Coldwell Banker
William Fencken: Community Volunteer
Jerry Hall: Community Volunteer
Katie Osborne: Blue Cross Blue Shield
Dean Rennell: Wells Fargo Bank
Larry Seay, Meritage Homes Corporation
Mike Wagner, Shasta Industries, Inc.


Funding Sources

The programs and activities of BBB Foundation are made possible largely through the financial support of the BBB Integrity Golf Classic and donations by individuals and BBB accredited business. Click here to view BBB Foundation’s most recent financial statements.




Programs & Activities

Business Ethics Awards Program
BBB Business Ethics Awards is a program to recognize firms whose business practices and related activities exemplify BBB’s mission and principles of promoting, through self-regulation, the highest standards of business ethics and conduct. It honors companies within BBB’s central, northern and western Arizona service area for achievements and commitment to integrity, honesty, and ethics in the marketplace.




Charity Review & Advisory Service
The Charity Review & Advisory Service was developed to serve the needs of those who support local nonprofit organizations. It is intended to provide information to prospective donors, allowing them to make informed giving decisions. Participating local charities voluntarily provide information to our Bureau. The information is then evaluated in relation to the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability and a detailed report is developed. In addition to developing reports on local organizations, this service produces a Wise-Giving Guide. The guide contains a list of local organizations and is designed as a reference tool for foundations, corporations, and individual donors. The guide is published annually and is updated throughout the year as new reports are developed.

BBB Savvy Consumer Programs 

Through its Savvy Consumer programs, BBB discusses important marketplace issues with people of all ages. These programs are a comprehensive resource for business, consumer and donor information relevant to current marketplace issues. Conducted in various formats with a wide range of topics available including housing, health care, insurance, fraud prevention, estate planning, debt and money management, advertising and conflict resolution, the programs consist of:

Savvy Kids - to prepare children for marketplace pressures and teach them about safety.
Savvy Teens - to educate teens about the marketplace and making sensible choices.
Savvy Family - to advise consumers how to make wise decisions and avoid fraud.
Savvy Senior - to assist aging adults and their caregivers to prepare for major life decisions.
Savvy Donor - to provide reliability information on charities and encourage wise giving.
Savvy Business - to promote ethical practices in the workplace and cultivate productivity.

Physical Presence at Community Events
BBB Foundation provides its educational materials at various events throughout the year including Home and Garden Shows, an annual Scam Jam, bi-annual Secure Your ID Days and several Hispanic community events such as Fiestas de la Familia. If you think we could add value to your community event, please contact us.