Watchdog Watch
January 29, 1998 | 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.; World-Wide Web http://www.bbb.org.
Battle of Normandy Foundation (also known as the Franco-Normandy Scholarship Program), P.O. Box 2520, Merrifield, Va. 22116-2520. As of October 20, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The bureau is unable to verify if the Battle of Normandy Foundation meets its 23 standards.
Ducks Unlimited, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis 38120. 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 a) the benefiting organization, b) a source from which written information is available, and c) the actual or anticipated portion of the sales or admission price to benefit the charitable organization or cause.
National Osteoporosis Foundation, 1150 17th Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington 20036-4603. Meets all standards.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 501 Front Street, Norfolk, Va. 23510. Does not meet the standard calling for the soliciting organization to have an independent governing body whose directly and/or indirectly compensated board members constitute no more than 20 per cent of the total voting membership of the board.
United States Organization for Disabled Athletes, 143 California Avenue, Uniondale, N.Y. 11533. As of October 24, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The bureau is unable to verify if the U.S.O.D.A. meets its 23 standards.
