The BBB Consumer Education Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1991 to further the charitable and educational purposes of the Better Business Bureau serving Louisville, Western Kentucky, and Southern Indiana.
The foundation’s mission is to provide educational programs and services that advance CEF’s charitable purpose and support the Better Business Bureau in its efforts to educate and inform consumers and to encourage charity accountability and wise giving practices.
Unlike BBB, which relies on membership dues to support its programs, the BBB Consumer Education Fund actively seeks charitable contributions to support its programs. Contributions are tax-deductible for charitable purposes.
Some of the BBB Consumer Education Fund's major programs include:
1. Consumer Education - By providing information and educational opportunities to consumers and the business community, CEF encourages groups to take a proactive approach to prevent scams and fraud before they occur.
2. Charity Review - The mission of the Charity Review Service (CRS) is to promote public confidence in local charities and encourage charitable giving. CRS provides the public with information on specific charities and wise giving practices and also advises charities on how to meet and maintain high ethical standards of operation.
3. Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics - celebrates what is good about l9ocal businesses and non-profit organizations.
4. Richard E. Akers Scholarship - Two local high school students are selected as Scholarship winners and receive $1,000 scholarships to the college of their choice. Students are required to write an essay outlining why personal integrity is important and how they translate that belief into everyday actions.
Click here to view the 2008 CEF Annual Report
Click here to view the 2009 CEF Annual Report
Click here to view IRS Form 990