Watchdog Watch

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://give.org.

Gifts In Kind International, 333 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314; http://www.giftsinkind.org. As of August 2004, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if Gifts In Kind International meets the standards.

Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037; http://www.hsus.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity’s operations and staff; and to spend at least 65 percent of its expenses on program activities.

Leonard Wood Memorial, also known as American Leprosy Foundation, 11600 Nebel Street, Suite 210, Rockville, Md. 20852; http://www.erols.com/lwm-alf. Meets all standards.

Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, also known as Mission of Our Lady of Mercy, 1140 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Ill. 60607; http://www.mercyhome.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; (2) spend at least 65 percent of its expenses on program activities; and (3) accurately report expenses in financial statements. In addition, the alliance disagrees with the organization’s method of allocating joint costs and is therefore unable to determine if the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls meets one additional standard.

National Troopers Coalition, 120 State Street, Albany, N.Y. 12207; http://www.ntctroopers.org. As of July 2004, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the National Troopers Coalition meets the standards.

Police Protective Fund, 1114 West Seventh Street, Suite 3, Austin, Tex. 78703; http://www.policeprotectivefund.org. As of July 2004, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Police Protective Fund meets the standards.

Prevent Blindness America, 500 East Remington Road, Suite 200, Schaumburg, Ill. 60173; http://www.preventblindness.org. Meets all standards.

Project Hope/People-to-People Health Foundation, 255 Carter Hall Lane, Millwood, Va. 22646; http://www.projecthope.org. As of August 2004, the organization had not provided complete information about its governance and board oversight. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if Project Hope/People-to-People Health Foundation meets two standards.

Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Drive, Pine Ridge, S.D. 57770-2100; http://www.redcloudschool.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to spend at least 65 percent of its expenses on program activities; and to spend no more than 35 percent of contributions on fund raising.

United States Olympic Committee, 1 Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, Colo. 80909; http://www.usolympicteam.com. Does not meet the standard calling for a charitable organization to spend no more than 35 percent of contributions on fund raising.