Watchdog Watch

May 27, 2004 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Following are summaries of recent reports by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. This private group reports on whether charities meet standards for fund raising, governance, financial management, and public information. The alliance does not approve or disapprove of charities, and 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 Wise Giving Alliance, 4200 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Va. 22203; http://www.give.org.

Alliance Defense Fund, 15333 North Pima Road, Suite 165, Scottsdale, Ariz. 85260; http://www.alliancedefensefund.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to: (1) have no more than one compensated person, or 10 percent of the board, whichever is greater, serving as a voting member of the board, and for compensated members not to serve as the board’s chair or treasurer; (2) include in its financial statement a breakdown of expenses (such as salaries, travel, and postage) that shows what portion of those expenses is dedicated to program, fund-raising, and administrative activities; (3) have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year that outlines expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration; and (4) have an accessible annual report that includes financial information such as net assets, income, and expenses. As of March 2004, the organization had not provided complete information about its finances and fund raising. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if the Alliance Defense Fund meets three additional standards.

American Refugee Committee, 430 Oak Grove Street, Suite 204, Minneapolis, Minn. 55403; http://www.archq.org. As of April 2004, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the American Refugee Committee meets the standards.

Association for Police and Sheriffs, 121 North State College Boulevard, Suite 14, Anaheim, Calif. 92806; http://www.apscares.org. As of April 2004, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Association for Police and Sheriffs meets the standards.

Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002; http://www.heritage.org. Does not meet the standard calling for a charitable organization to have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year that outlines expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

Interfaith Alliance Foundation, 1331 H Street, N.W., 11th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005; http://www.interfaithalliance.org As of April 2004, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Interfaith Alliance Foundation meets the standards.

International Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 97191, Washington, D.C. 20090-7191. As of April 2004, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the International Children’s Fund meets the standards.

International Society for Animal Rights, 965 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, Pa. 18411; http://www.isaronline.org As of April 2004, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the International Society for Animal Rights meets the standards. Junior Police Academy, 1114 West Seventh Street, Suite 3, Austin, Tex. 78703. As of April 2004, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Junior Police Academy meets the standards.

Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, Federal Bar Building, 1815 H Street, N.W., Suite 1001, Washington, D.C. 20006; http://www.leldf.org. As of April 2004, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund meets the standards.

League of Women Voters Education Fund, 1730 M Street, N.W, Suite 1000, Washington, D.C. 20036; http://www.lwv.org. Meets all standards.

Native American Rights Fund, 1506 Broadway, Boulder, Colo. 80302-6296; http://www.narf.org. Does not meet the standard calling for a charitable organization to have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity’s operations and staff.

Near East Foundation, 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2516, New York, N.Y. 10170; http://www.neareast.org. Meets all standards.

Oxfam America, 26 West Street, Boston, Mass. 02111; http://www.oxfamamerica.org. Does not meet the standard calling for a charitable organization to clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer’s purchase or business transaction.

ProLiteracy Worldwide, formerly known as Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America, 1320 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, N.Y. 13210; http://www.proliteracy.org. Meets all standards.