Watchdog Watch

Following are summaries of recent reports by the National Charities Information Bureau.

That private organization reports on whether charities meet standards for fund raising, governance, financial management, and public information. The organization 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 National Charities Information Bureau, 19 Union Square West, New York 10003; World-Wide Web http://www.give.org.

Center for Community Change, 1000 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington 20007. Meets all standards.

National Cancer Center, 88 Sunnyside Boulevard, Suite 307, Plainview, N.Y. 11803. As of December 22, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. Based on information contained in the National Cancer Center’s fiscal 1998 report to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations, including its informational tax return and its audited financial statements, and on information forwarded by contributors or already in the bureau’s files, the organization does not meet the following standards: (1) that the governing board have specific terms of office for its officers and members; (2) that the organization spend at least 60 per cent of annual expenses for program activities; and (3) that the organization insure that fund-raising expenses, in relation to fund-raising results, are reasonable over time.

SOS Children’s Villages-USA, 1010 Pendleton Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314. Meets all standards.

Walker Cancer Research Institute and its National Cancer Research Center project, 219 West Bel Air Avenue, Suite Three, Aberdeen, Md. 21001-3256. As of January 14, W.C.R.I. had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. Based primarily on W.C.R.I.’s 1997 registration statement filed with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations, including its Form 990, audited financial statements, information forwarded by contributors or already in the bureau’s files, and past correspondence, the organization does not meet the following standards: (1) that the governing board have an independent, volunteer membership; (2) that the board have a minimum of five voting members; (3) that the board pay no fees to members for board service, but payments may be made for costs incurred as a result of board participation; (4) that the board have no more than one paid staff member, usually the chief staff officer, who shall not chair the board or serve as treasurer; (5) that the organization spend at least 60 per cent of annual expenses for program activities; (6) that the organization insure that fund-raising expenses, in relation to fund-raising results, are reasonable over time; and (7) that financial statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, accompanied by a report of an independent certified public accountant, and reviewed by the board. The bureau is unable to verify compliance with its other standards.