Watchdog Watch

Following are summaries of recent reports by the National Charities Information Bureau.

That private organization reports on whether charities meet standards for fund raising, governance, financial management, and public information. The organization does not approve or disapprove of charities, and it urges potential donors to evaluate the importance of variations from the standards. It also notes that charities’ practices may change at any time.

For organizations that do not meet the standards, information is given only on those standards that are not met. Those organizations meet all the other standards.

Copies of the full reports are available from the National Charities Information Bureau, 19 Union Square West, New York 10003; World-Wide Web http://www.give.org.

American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta 30329. Meets all standards.

International Cancer Alliance for Research and Education, 4853 Cordell Avenue, Suite 11, Bethesda, Md. 20814. As of July 9, I.C.A. had not responded to the bureau’s request for information about finances, programs, or governance. Based on the organization’s 1996 Form 990 filed with the Internal Revenue Service and on information forwarded by contributors or previously in the bureau’s files, I.C.A. does not meet the following standards: (1) that the governing board have no more than one paid staff member, usually the chief staff officer, who shall not chair the board or serve as treasurer; (2) that the organization insure that fund-raising expenses, in relation to fund-raising results, are reasonable over time; and (3) that the organization not have a persistent deficit in net current assets.

Walker Cancer Research Institute and its National Cancer Research Center project, 219 West Bel Air Avenue, Suite Three, Aberdeen, Md. 21001-3256. As of July 23, W.C.R.I. had not responded to the bureau’s request for information about finances, programs, or governance. Based on the organization’s 1996 Registration Statement filed with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations, which includes its I.R.S. Form 990 and audited financial statements, and on information forwarded by contributors or previously in the bureau’s files, W.R.C.I. does not meet the following standards: (1) that the governing board have an independent, volunteer membership; (2) that the board have a minimum of five voting members; (3) that the board pay no fees for board service, although payments may be made for costs incurred as a result of board participation; (4) that the board have no more than one paid staff member, usually the chief staff officer, who shall not chair the board or serve as treasurer; (5) that the organization spend at least 60 per cent of annual expenses for program activities; and (6) that the organization insure that fund-raising expenses, in relation to fund-raising results, are reasonable over time. The bureau notes there is a question as to whether the organization meets the standard calling for the organization to not have a persistent deficit in net current assets.

World Learning, Kipling Road, P.O. Box 676, Brattleboro, Vt. 05302-0676. Meets all standards.

World Resources Institute, 1709 New York Avenue, N.W., Washington 20006. Does not meet the standard calling for the governing board to have in-person, face-to-face meetings, at least twice a year, evenly spaced, with a majority of voting members in attendance at each meeting.

Y.M.C.A. of the U.S.A. (National Service Center only), 101 North Wacker Drive, Chicago 60606. Meets all standards.