Arts Quincy to be awarded BBB Torch Award for Ethics

​For the second time, Arts Quincy has been awarded the 2023 Better Business Bureau Torch Award. The program recognizes commitment to the highest level of nonprofit ethics and accountability. 

​ “Today’s donors are very savvy and want to make sure that every single dollar they contribute to a local nonprofit is making the biggest impact that it can. Having a Better Business Bureau certification lets our donors know at a glance that our ethical standards in both governance and fiscal accountability have been independently verified and that they can be confident that their contribution will be making a difference and expanding arts access right here where they live,” explains Laura Sievert, Arts Quincy Executive Director.

In addition to being a marketing and advocacy arm for 55 area nonprofits in arts and education, Arts Quincy is very active in bringing arts programing to local schools. Over 7500 students at 17 public and parochial schools throughout Adams County will have an unforgettable arts experience in the 2023/2024 school year thanks to the Arts Quincy’s Classroom Arts Access Program.
“Our overall audited fiscal statements show that almost 85 cents of every dollar our donors invest in our agency goes right back out to programs. Part of the way we maintain this level of efficacy is to negotiate with vendors and service providers to lower costs. The arts education program has average expenditures per child served to under $4.50! This figure includes supplies or transportation for their arts experience, and is something we work very hard to keep as low as possible so that we can keep serving more students,” says Sievert.
Arts Quincy also awards Community Arts Access Program grants to support local arts events that are focused on expanding reach to underserved parts of our community including veterans, low-income, elderly, at-risk youth, minority communities and more. The nonprofit also hosts annual awards named for the society’s founder, George M. Irwin, which recognize businesses, organizations, and individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to the fine arts.
Beyond the nonprofit fine arts programs, Sievert believes it’s crucial to work with professional organizations like the BBB to demonstrate that Arts Quincy is committed to the highest standards in nonprofit practices. Not only did Arts Quincy become a BBB Accredited nonprofit in 2017 by meeting the 20 Better Business Bureau Standards for Charity Accountability, but this is the second time the organization was selected for a 2023 BBB TORCH Award.
“The Better Business Bureau certification and TORCH Award are such an asset to an organization like Arts Quincy,” Sievert explains. “Donors can be assured that they’ve picked an organization to support that is going to be transparent and held accountable for where donations are going. The BBB is a name people know and trust, and they have combed our financial statements, dissected our structure and governance procedures and have independently certified that we’re doing the right things with the investments of our donors. We’re bringing more fine arts to more people, more often, and we’re continuing a fine tradition of arts programming in Quincy. This prestigious award is going to help us expand the reach of the arts throughout our entire service area.”
“Arts Quincy has been a pillar of Quincy since 1947, and continues to be recognized for supporting quality arts programming that contributes to the culture and economy of our area,” said Sievert. “We are so appreciative to the BBB for awarding us the 2023 TORCH Award, and will continue to strive to expand arts access while maintaining the highest standards in ethical fiscal and organizational accountability.”
 
For more on the Quincy Society of Fine Arts, visit www.artsquincy.org.  Don’t miss the Arts Quincy Short Feature at www.artsquincy.org/about