Watchdog Watch

April 8, 1999 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Following are summaries of recent reports by the Council of Better Business Bureaus’ Philanthropic Advisory Service.

The service reports on whether charities meet standards for fund raising, governance, financial management, and public information. The service cautions that it does not approve or disapprove of charities, and it urges potential donors to evaluate the importance of variations from the standards. The service also notes that charities’ practices may change at any time.

In the list of organizations that do not meet the standards, information is given only on 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.

International Rescue Committee, 122 East 42nd Street, 12th Floor, New York 10168-1289; http://www.intrescom.org. Does not meet 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 to benefit the charitable organization or cause.

The Salvation Army-National Headquarters, P.O. Box 269, 615 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, Va. 22313; http://www.salvationarmy.org. Meets all standards.

United States Committee for UNICEF, 333 East 38th Street, New York 10016; http://www.unicefusa.org. Meets all standards.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, Mo. 64111. As of January 5, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, appeals, and governance. The bureau is unable to determine if Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States meets its 23 standards.

Walker Cancer Research Institute/National Cancer Research Center, 219 West Bel Air Avenue, Suite Three, Aberdeen, Md. 21001-3256. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the soliciting organization provide on request an annual report in the form of a single document that presents the organization’s 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; (2) that fund-raising costs be reasonable, not to exceed 35 per cent of related contributions; and (3) that the soliciting organization substantiate on request its application of funds, in accordance with donor expectations, to the programs and activities described in solicitations. The bureau notes that, as of December 28, it had not received copies of the organization’s direct-mail appeals or information about its finances, programs, and governance. The bureau is unable to verify if the organization meets nine additional standards.

World Emergency Relief (also known as Children’s Food Fund and Native American Emergency Relief), P.O. Box 131570, Carlsbad, Cal. 92013; http://www.wer-us.org. Meets all standards.