Watchdog Watch

Following are summaries of recent reports by the Council of Better Business Bureaus’ Philanthropic Advisory Service and the National Charities Information Bureau.

Those two private organizations report on whether charities meet standards for fund raising, governance, financial management, and public information. The organizations do not approve or disapprove of charities, and urge potential donors to evaluate the importance of variations from the standards. They also note 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 Council of Better Business Bureaus, Philanthropic Advisory Service, 4200 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Va. 22203; World-Wide Web http://www.bbb.org; and the National Charities Information Bureau, 19 Union Square West, New York 10003; World-Wide Web http://www.give.org.

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults/American Brotherhood for the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore 21230. Meets all standards.

American Diabetes Association, 1660 Duke Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314; http://www.diabetes.org. Meets all standards.

American Leprosy Missions, One ALM Way, Greenville, S.C. 29601; http://www.leprosy.org. Meets all standards.

Cancer Federation, 711 West Ramsey Street, Banning, Cal. 92220. As of January 28, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The bureau is unable to determine if the Cancer Federation meets its 23 standards.

Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street, N.W., Washington 20037; http://www.hsus.org. Does not meet the standard calling for solicitations in conjunction with the sale of goods, services, or admissions to identify the actual or anticipated portion of the sales or admission price to benefit the charitable organization or cause. The Humane Society of the United States has indicated that it intends to change future disclosures in promotional materials in order to meet the standard.

Junior Chamber Mission Inn Foundation, Four West 21st Street, Tulsa, Okla. 74114-1116. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the soliciting organization provide an annual report, in the form of a single document, that presents its purpose; descriptions of overall programs, activities, and accomplishments; eligibility to receive deductible contributions; information about the governing body and structure; and information about financial activities and financial position; and (2) that solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, shall be accurate, truthful, and not misleading, both in whole and in part.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, 100 West Clarendon, Suite 2200, Phoenix 85013-3518; http://www.wish.org. Meets all standards.

National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, 800 Brickell Avenue, Suite 500, Miami 33131; http://www.nfaa.org. Does not meet the standard calling for a reasonable percentage, at least 50 per cent, of total income from all sources to be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists, or the standard calling for solicitations in conjunction with the sale of goods, services, or admissions to identify at the point of solicitation the actual or anticipated portion of the sales or admission price intended to benefit the charitable organization or cause.

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, 5100 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 404, Washington 20016; http://www.pcrm.org. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the soliciting organization provide an annual report, in the form of a single document, that presents its purpose; descriptions of overall programs, activities, and accomplishments; eligibility to receive deductible contributions; information about the governing body and structure; and information about financial activities and financial position; and (2) that solicitations in conjunction with the sale of goods, services, or admissions identify at the point of solicitation the actual or anticipated portion of the sales or admission price to benefit the charitable organization or cause.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York 10019; http://www.plannedparenthood.org. Meets all standards.

Prison Fellowship Ministries, P.O. Box 17500, Washington 20041-0500. As of January 26, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The bureau is unable to determine if Prison Fellowship Ministries meets its 23 standards.

Salesian Missions, Two Lefevre Lane, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801-5710; http://www.salesianmissions.org. Meets all standards.

NATIONAL CHARITIES INFORMATION BUREAU

ACCION International, 120 Beacon Street, Somerville, Mass. 02143; http://www.accion.org. Meets all standards.

Oral Health America, 410 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 352, Chicago 60611. Does not meet the standard calling for the organization to provide an annual report on request.