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 Association for Lost Children, 6413 N.W. Sam Houston Tollway North, Houston 77041. Does not meet the standard calling for the organization to apply a reasonable percentage, at least 50 per cent, of total income from all sources to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists.

Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, 7008 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Va. 22003. As of August 26, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The bureau is unable to determine if the organization meets its 23 standards.

NATIONAL CHARITIES INFORMATION BUREAU

AFS-USA, 198 Madison Avenue, Eighth Floor, New York 10016; World-Wide Web http://www.afs.org/usa. Does not meet the standard calling for an organization to prepare a detailed annual budget consistent with the major classifications in its audited financial statements, and approved by the board.

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

Center for Community Change, 1000 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington 20007. Does not meet the standard calling for an organization to prepare a detailed annual budget consistent with the major classifications in its audited financial statements, and approved by the board.

Leukemia Society of America, 600 Third Avenue, New York 10016; World-Wide Web http://www.leukemia.org. Meets all standards.

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

Trickle Up Program, 121 West 27th Street, Suite 504, New York 10001. Meets all standards.

National Crime Prevention Council, 1700 K Street, N.W., Second Floor, Washington 20006-3817; World-Wide Web http://www.ncpc.org. Meets all standards.