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.

American Ex-Prisoners of War Service Foundation, P.O. Box 284, Watauga, Tenn. 37964; http://www.powfoundation.org. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the American Ex-Prisoners of War Service Foundation meets the standards.

American Veterans Relief Foundation, 2521 North Grand, Suite D, Santa Ana, Calif. 92705; http://www.avrfoundation.us. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if American Veterans Relief Foundation meets the standards.

Association for Disabled Firefighters, 1118 Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, Calif. 92701; . As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Association for Disabled Firefighters meets the standards.

Benny Hinn Ministries, P.O. Box 162000, Irving, Tex. 75016; http://www.bennyhinn.org. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if Benny Hinn Ministries meets the standards.

Center for National Independence in Politics, also known as Project Vote Smart, 1 Common Ground, Philipsburg, Mont. 59858; http://www.vote-smart.org. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Center for National Independence in Politics meets the standards.

Children Incorporated, 1000 Westover Road, Richmond, Va. 23221; http://www.children-inc.org. Meets all standards.

Citizens Against Government Waste, 1301 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036; http://www.cagw.org. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if Citizens Against Government Waste meets the standards.

Concern Worldwide U.S., also known as Concern, 104 East 40th Street, Suite 903, New York, N.Y. 10016; http://www.concernusa.org. Meets all standards.

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, 4150 Tuller Road, Suite 204, Dublin, Ohio 43017; http://www.davethomasfoundationforadoption.org. Does not meet the standard calling for a charitable organization 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.

Don Stewart Association, also known as Feed My People, 11052 North 24th Avenue, Phoenix, Ariz. 85029; . As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Don Stewart Association meets the standards.

Dove Foundation, 535 East Fulton, Suite 1A, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503; http://www.dove.org. Does not meet the standard calling for a charitable organization to avoid having compensated board members serve as the board’s chair or treasurer. As of April 2006, the organization had not provided complete information about its effectiveness measures. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if the Dove Foundation meets one additional standard.

Dream Factory, 1218 South Third Street, Louisville, Ky. 40203; http://www.dreamfactoryinc.com. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body; and 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. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided complete information about its finances. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if the Dream Factory meets one additional standard.

Federation for American Immigration Reform, also known as FAIR, 1666 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20009; http://www.fairus.org. Meets all standards.

Food for the Poor, 550 S.W. 12th Avenue, Deerfield Beach, Fla. 33442; http://www.foodforthepoor.org. Meets all standards.

Gorilla Foundation, 1733 Woodside Road, Suite 330, Redwood City, Calif. 94061; http://www.koko.org. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Gorilla Foundation meets the standards.

Homes for Our Troops, 1 Taunton Green, Taunton, Mass. 02780; . As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if Homes for Our Troops meets the standards.

Hospice Education Institute, 3 Unity Square, P.O. Box 98, Machiasport, Me. 04655; http://www.hospiceworld.org. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Hospice Education Institute meets the standards.

Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Avenue, Suite 902, New York, N.Y. 10018; http://www.hdsa.org. Meets all standards.

Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Boulevard, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, Calif. 92057; http://www.semperfifund.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; (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) avoid accumulating funds that could be used for program activities. The charity’s unrestricted net assets should not be more than three times the size of the past year’s expenses or three times the size of the current year’s budget, whichever is higher; (5) 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; (6) have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year that outlines expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration; (7) have an accessible annual report that includes financial information such as net assets; (8) include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and 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, dissemination, and securing of personal information, and allow donors opportunities to have their names removed from solicitation lists.

Juvenile Protective Association, 1707 North Halsted Street, Chicago, Ill. 60614; http://www.juvenile.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to have the majority of board members attend each board meeting in person; and to take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the collection, dissemination, and securing of personal information, and allow donors opportunities to have their names removed from solicitation lists.

Kids in Distressed Situations, 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3801, New York, N.Y. 10118; http://www.kidsdonations.org. Meets all standards.

Kids Wish Network, 160 Scarlet Boulevard, Oldsmar, Fla. 34677; http://www.kidswishnetwork.org. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Kids Wish Network meets the standards.

Life Outreach International Association of Churches, formerly known as James Robison Evangelistic Association, 1801 West Euless Boulevard, Euless, Tex. 76040; http://www.lifetoday.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 activities; (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; and (3) include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided complete information about its finances, programs, and governance. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if the Life Outreach International Association of Churches meets 15 additional standards.

Locks of Love, 2925 10th Avenue North, Suite 102, Lake Worth, Fla. 33461; http://www.locksoflove.org. Meets all standards.

Lupus Foundation of America, 2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 710, Washington, D.C. 20036; http://www.lupus.org. Meets all standards.

Macula Vision Research Foundation, 300 Barr Harbor Drive, Suite 600, West Conshohocken, Pa. 19428; http://www.mvrf.org. As of April 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Macula Vision Research Foundation meets the standards.

Map International, also known as Medical Assistance Programs, 2200 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, Ga. 31525; http://www.map.org. Meets all standards.

MBE We Deliver Dreams Foundation, also known as the MBE Foundation for Children’s Initiatives, 6060 Cornerstone Court West, San Diego, Calif. 92121; http://www.mbe.com/wddf. As of February 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the MBE We Deliver Dreams Foundation meets the standards.

Miracle Flights for Kids, formerly known as Angel Planes, 2756 North Green Valley Parkway, Suite 115, Henderson, Nev. 89104; http://www.miracleflights.org. As of February 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if Miracle Flights for Kids meets the standards.

Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3300 East Sunrise Drive, Tucson, Ariz. 85718-3208; http://www.mdausa.org. Meets all standards.

National Taxpayers Union Foundation, 108 North Alfred Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314; http://www.ntu.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to: (1) avoid having compensated board members serve as the chair or treasurer; (2) spend at least 65 percent of its expenses on program activities; (3) 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; (4) have an accessible annual report that includes program accomplishments; and (5) take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the collection, dissemination, and securing of personal information, and allow donors opportunities to have their names removed from solicitation lists. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided complete information about its finances, fund-raising practices, programs, and governance. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if the National Taxpayers Union Foundation meets 10 additional standards.

Ocean Conservancy, formerly known as the Center for Marine Conservation, 1725 DeSales Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036; http://www.oceanconservancy.org. As of February 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Ocean Conservancy meets the standards.

Pet Savers Foundation, 59 South Bayles Avenue, Port Washington, N.Y. 11050; http://www.petsavers.org. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Pet Savers Foundation meets the standards.

Petco Foundation, 9125 Rehco Road, San Diego, Calif. 92121; http://www.petco.com. 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) 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; (3) have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year that outlines expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration; (4) have an accessible annual report that includes program accomplishments; (5) include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990; and (6) take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the collection, dissemination, and securing of personal information, and allow donors opportunities to have their names removed from solicitation lists. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided complete information about its effectiveness measures and fund-raising disclosures. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if the Petco Foundation meets two additional standards.

Physicians for Social Responsibility, 1875 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1012, Washington, D.C. 20009; http://www.psr.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990; and to take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the collection, dissemination, and securing of personal information, and allow donors opportunities to have their names removed from solicitation lists. As of February 2006, the organization had not provided complete information about its fund-raising practices. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if Physicians for Social Responsibility meets one additional standard.

Project A.L.S., 900 Broadway, Suite 901, New York, N.Y. 10003; http://www.projectals.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to include on Web sites that solicit contributions the same information recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990; and to take action to ensure that privacy concerns of donors are respected in the collection, dissemination, and securing of personal information, and allow donors opportunities to have their names removed from solicitation lists. As of March 2006, the organization had not provided complete information about its finances, fund-raising practices, programs, and governance. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if Project A.L.S. meets seven additional standards.

Project Impact, 800 Delaware Street, Berkeley, Calif. 94710; . As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if Project Impact meets the standards.

Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, Calif. 90401; http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.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; (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) make available annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (5) have an accessible annual report that includes financial information such as net assets, income, and expenses; and (6) 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. As of February 2006, the organization had not provided complete information about its finances and governance. Therefore, the alliance is unable to determine if the Prostate Cancer Foundation meets two additional standards.

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, also known as RAINN, 2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 406, Washington, D.C. 20036; http://www.rainn.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 board members serve as the chair or treasurer; and (3) 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 activities.

Room to Read, formerly known as Books for Nepal, The Presidio, P.O. Box 29127, San Francisco,, Calif. 94129; http://www.roomtoread.org. Does not meet the standard calling for a charitable organization to have an accessible annual report that includes financial information such as net assets.

Trickle Up Program, 104 West 27th Street, 12th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001; http://www.trickleup.org. Meets all standards.

Vanished Children’s Alliance, 991 West Hedding Street, Suite 101, San Jose, Calif. 95126; http://www.vca.org. Does not meet the standards calling for a charitable organization to: (1) spend at least 65 percent of its expenses on program activities; (2) spend no more than 35 percent of contributions on fund raising; and (3) make available annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

World Missionary Evangelism, P.O. Box 660800, Dallas, Tex. 75266; . As of March 2006, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if World Missionary Evangelism meets the standards.