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 it 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.

American Civil Liberties Union and American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, 132 West 43rd Street, New York 10036. Meets all standards.

AmeriCares Foundation, 161 Cherry Street, New Canaan, Conn. 06840. Meets all standards.

Cancer Federation, P.O. Box 1298, Banning, Cal. 92220. As of September 25, the Cancer Federation had not responded with sufficient information for the bureau to prepare a regular report about the organization’s recent activities. Based on information received by the bureau in response to a January 1997 letter, including the group’s I.R.S. Form 990; its 1996 annual financial report that was sent to the Attorney General of California; and information previously in the bureau’s files, the Cancer Federation appears not to meet the following standards: (1) that the organization’s governing board have a minimum of five voting members; and (2) that the organization supply on request complete financial statements that 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 also notes that there is insufficient information to determine if the Cancer Federation meets the standard calling for the organization’s governing board to have policy guidelines to avoid material conflicts of interest involving board or staff members, or the standard that rates the organization’s use of funds.

Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home (Boys Town), 14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, Neb. 68010. As of September 5, F.F.B.H. had not responded with sufficient information for the bureau to prepare a regular report on the organization’s recent activities. Based on F.F.B.H.’s 1995 annual financial report filed with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations, including its I.R.S. Form 990, its combined audited financial statements, and information forwarded or previously in the bureau’s files, F.F.B.H. appears not to meet the following standards: (1) that the organization’s governing board have an independent, volunteer membership; and (2) that the organization have net assets available for use in the following fiscal year not usually more than twice the current year’s expenses or twice the next year’s budget, whichever is higher.

Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, Ga. 31709-3498. Meets all standards.

Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, 10880 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 410, Los Angeles 90024. Meets all standards.

Morality in Media, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 239, New York 10115. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the governing board have no more than one paid staff member, usually the chief staff officer, who shall not chair the board or serve as treasurer; and (2) that the organization prepare a detailed annual budget consistent with the major classifications in the audited financial statements and approved by the board.

National Emergency Medicine Association and its programs the National Heart Council and National Stroke Council, 306 West Joppa Road, Baltimore 21204. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the governing board have no more than one paid staff member, usually the chief staff officer, who shall not chair the board or serve as treasurer; (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.

National Parks and Conservation Association, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 200, Washington 20036. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the organization spend at least 60 per cent of annual expenses for program activities; and (2) that the organization insure that fund-raising expenses, in relation to fund-raising results, are reasonable over time.

National Wildlife Federation, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Va. 22184. Meets all standards.