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.

Adopt a Platoon, P.O. Box 1457, Seabrook, N.H. 08374; http://www.adoptaplatoon.org. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if Adopt a Platoon meets the standards.

African Christians Fellowship International, P.O. Box 1238, 303 North Main Street, Lancaster, S.C. 29721; http://www.acfinet.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to: (1) have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity’s operations and staff; (2) have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body, with the majority of board members attending each meeting in person; (3) 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; (4) have a board policy for assessing, at least every two years, the organization’s performance and effectiveness and for determining actions to achieve its mission; (5) include in its financial statement a breakdown of expenses (such as salaries, travel, and postage) that shows what portion of those expenses is fund-raising activities; (6) have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year; (7) have an accessible annual report that includes a mission statement; program accomplishments; a roster of officers and members of the board of directors; and financial information such as net assets, income, and expenses; (8) include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports; and (9) take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the collection, dissemination, and securing of personal information. As of August 2007, the organization had not provided complete information about its effectiveness assessment and solicitation materials. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if African Christians Fellowship International meets two additional standards.

American Anti-Slavery Group, 59 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass. 02111; http://www.iabolish.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to: (1) have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body, with the majority of board members attending each meeting in person; (2) avoid having compensated members serve as the board’s treasurer; (3) have a board policy for assessing, at least every two years, the organization’s performance and effectiveness and for determining actions to achieve its mission; (4) have an accessible annual report that includes financial information such as net assets, income, and expenses; and (5) include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports, as well as electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided complete information about its fund-raising disclosures. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if the American Anti-Slavery Group meets one additional standard.

American Macular Degeneration Foundation, the Brassworks, 132 Main Street, Haydenville, Mass. 01039; http://www.macular.org. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the American Macular Degeneration Foundation meets the standards.

Americans United for Life, 310 South Peoria, Suite 500, Chicago, Ill. 60607; http://www.aul.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to: (1) 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; (2) have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year that outlines expenses for major program activities; (3) have an accessible annual report that includes a mission statement; program accomplishments; a roster of officers and members of the board of directors; and financial information such as net assets, income, and expenses; (4) include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports, as well as electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990; and (5) take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the collection, dissemination, and securing of personal information. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided complete information about its governance and oversight and solicitation materials. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if Americans United for Life meets three additional standards.

Amputee Coalition of America, 900 East Hill Avenue, Suite 205, Knoxville, Tenn. 37915; http://www.amputee-coalition.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to: (1) 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; (2) have an accessible annual report that includes financial information such as net assets, income, and expenses; (3) include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports, as well as electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990; and (4) take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the dissemination and securing of personal information. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided complete information about its finances. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if the Amputee Coalition of America meets one additional standard.

Angel Covers, P.O. Box 6891, Broomfield, Colo. 80021; http://www.angelcovers.org. Does not meet the standard calling for a charitable organization to make available annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided complete information about its finances. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if Angel Covers meets one additional standard.

Animal People, P.O. Box 960, 4357 Terra Bella Lane, Clinton, Wash. 98236; http://www.animalpeoplenews.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to: (1) have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity’s operations and staff; (2) 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; (3) have a board policy for assessing, at least every two years, the organization’s performance and effectiveness and for determining actions to achieve its mission; (4) submit to its governing body for approval a written report outlining the results of a performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions; (5) make available annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (6) have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year that outlines expenses for administration; (7) have an accessible annual report that includes a mission statement; program accomplishments; a roster of officers and members of the board of directors; and financial information such as net assets, income, and expenses; (8) include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports, as well as electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990; and (9) take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the collection and securing of personal information. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided complete information about its governance and oversight. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if Animal People meets one additional standard.

Assyrian Aid Society of America, 350 Berkeley Park Boulevard, Berkeley, Calif. 94707; http://www.assyrianaid.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to: (1) have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity’s operations and staff; (2) have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body, with the majority of board members attending each meeting in person; (3) have a board policy for assessing, at least every two years, the organization’s performance and effectiveness and for determining actions to achieve its mission; (4) submit to its governing body for approval a written report outlining the results of a performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions; (5) make available annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (6) accurately report expenses in financial statements; (7) have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year that outlines expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration; (8) have an accessible annual report that includes a mission statement; program accomplishments; a roster of officers and members of the board of directors; and financial information such as net assets, income, and expenses; and (9) take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the collection, dissemination, and securing of personal information. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided complete information about its finances, governance and oversight, and solicitation materials. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if the Assyrian Aid Society of America meets two additional standards.

Bead for Life, 1143 Portland Place, Suite 1, Boulder, Colo. 80304; http://www.beadforlife.org. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if Bead for Life meets the standards.

Bishop Gassis Sudan Relief Fund, P.O. Box 2540, Manassas, Va. 20108; http://www.bishopgassis.org. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Bishop Gassis Sudan Relief Fund meets the standards.

Brain Injury Association of America, 8201 Greensboro Drive, McLean, Va. 22102; http://www.biausa.org. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Brain Injury Association of America meets the standards.

Center for the Study of Services, also known as Consumers’ Checkbook, 1625 K Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20006; http://www.cssresearch.org. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Center for the Study of Services meets the standards.

Centre for Development and Population Activities, 1133 21st Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20036; http://www.cedpa.org. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Centre for Development and Population Activities meets the standards.

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, 1000 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 570, Wilmette, Ill. 60091; http://www.bpkids.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to have an accessible annual report that includes a mission statement; program accomplishments; a roster of officers and members of the board of directors; and financial information such as net assets, income, and expenses; and 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.

Christian Appalachian Project, 322 Crab Orchard Street, Lancaster, Ky. 40444; http://www.chrisapp.org. Meets all standards.

Concerned Women for America, 1015 15th Street, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20005; http://www.cwfa.org. As of September 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if Concerned Women for America meets the standards.

In the Life Media, 184 Fifth Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, N.Y. 10010; http://www.inthelifetv.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to: (1) have a board policy for assessing, at least every two years, the organization’s performance and effectiveness and for determining actions to achieve its mission; (2) have an accessible annual report that includes a mission statement; program accomplishments; a roster of officers and members of the board of directors; and financial information such as net assets, income, and expenses; (3) include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports, as well as electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990; and (4) take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the collection, dissemination, and securing of personal information.

International Justice Mission, 1235 South Clark Street, Suite 1400, Arlington, Va. 22202; http://www.ijm.org. Meets all standards.

National Abortion Federation, 1660 L Street, N.W., Suite 450, Washington, D.C. 20036; http://www.prochoice.org. Meets all standards.

National Down Syndrome Society, 666 Broadway, Eighth Floor, New York, N.Y. 10012; http://www.ndss.org. Meets all standards.

National Gaucher Foundation, 2227 Idlewood Road, Suite 12, Tucker, Ga. 30084; http://www.gaucherdisease.org. As of August 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the National Gaucher Foundation meets the standards.

National Military Family Association, 2500 North Van Dorn Street, Suite 102, Alexandria, Va. 22302; http://www.nmfa.org. Meets all standards.

Organization for Autism Research, 2000 North 14th Street, Suite 480, Arlington, Va. 22201; http://www.researchautism.org. Meets all standards.

PKD Foundation, formerly known as the Polycystic Kidney Research Foundation, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 400, Kansas City, Mo. 64114; http://www.pkdcure.org. Meets all standards.

Polly Klaas Foundation, P.O. Box 800, Petaluma, Calif. 94953; http://www.pollyklaas.org. As of August 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Polly Klaas Foundation meets the standards.

Prasad Project, 465 Brickman Road, Hurleyville, N.Y. 12747; http://www.prasad.org. As of August 2007, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Prasad Project meets the standards.

Public Campaign, 1320 19th Street, N.W., Suite M-1, Washington, D.C. 20036; http://www.publicampaign.org. Does not meet the standard calling for a charitable organization to have a board policy for assessing, at least every two years, the organization’s performance and effectiveness and for determining actions to achieve its mission.

VHL Family Alliance, 2001 Beacon Street, Suite 208, Boston, Mass. 01235; http://www.vhl.org. Meets all standards.