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 charities that do not meet the standards, details are given only on those standards that are not met. Those organizations meet all other standards. Copies of the full reports are available from the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Wise Giving Alliance, 4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800, Arlington, Va. 22203; http://www.give.org.

America’s Athletes with Disabilities, 8630 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, Md. 20910; http://www.americasathletes.org. As of October 2001, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if America’s Athletes with Disabilities meets its standards.

American Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, 702 South Grand Street, Monroe, La. 71201; http://www.deputysheriff.org. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the organization provide on request an annual report that includes information about its purposes, current activities, governance, finances, and tax-exempt status; (2) that the organization provide complete annual financial statements on request; (3) that the organization’s financial statements present adequate information to serve as a basis for informed decisions, including categories of contributions and other income, descriptions of major programs and activities contained in the annual report, and a detailed schedule of expenses by natural classification; (4) that at least 50 percent of the organization’s total income be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists; (5) that at least 50 percent of the organization’s total income be applied to programs and activities described in solicitations, in accordance with donor expectations; (6) that fund-raising costs not exceed 35 percent of related contributions; (7) that total fund-raising and administrative costs not exceed 50 percent of total income; (8) that the soliciting organization substantiate on request its application of funds, in accordance with donor expectations, to the programs and activities described in the solicitations; (9) that the organization establish and exercise adequate controls over disbursements; and (10) that direct contact solicitations, including personal and telephone appeals, identify the solicitor and his or her relationship to the benefiting organization, the benefiting organization or cause, and the programs and activities for which funds are requested.

American Forests, 910 17th Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20006; http://www.americanforests.org. Does not meet the standard calling for the organization to substantiate its application of funds to the programs and activities described in solicitations, or the standard calling for the organization to have an active governing body that meets at least three times a year, with a majority of its members present on average.

American Foundation for AIDS Research, 120 Wall Street, 13th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10005-3902; http://www.amfar.org. Meets all standards.

American Indian College Fund, 8333 Greenwood Boulevard, Denver, Colo. 80221; http://www.collegefund.org. Meets all standards.

American Indian Graduate Center, 4520 Montgomery Boulevard, N.E., Suite 1B, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109; http://www.aigc.com. Meets all standards.

American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010, Rockville, Md. 20852; http://www.kidneyfund.org. Meets all standards.

Cancer Fund of America, 2901 Breezewood Lane, Knoxville, Tenn. 37921; http://www.cfoa.org. As of August 2001, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Cancer Fund of America meets its standards.

Candie’s Foundation, 215 West 40th Street, New York, N.Y. 10018; http://www.candiesfoundation.org. As of October 2001, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Candie’s Foundation meets its standards.

Child Search Ministries-National Missing Children Center, P.O. Box 73725, Houston, Tex. 73725; http://www.childsearch.org. As of October 2001, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if Child Search Ministries-National Missing Children Center meets its standards.

Christian Children’s Fund, 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, Va. 23294-3725; http://www.christianchildrensfund.org. Meets all standards.

Congressional Youth Leadership Council, 1110 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 320, Washington, D.C. 20005-3544; http://www.cylc.org. Meets all standards.

Covenant House, 346 West 17th Street, New York, N.Y. 10011-5002; http://www.covenanthouse.org. Meets all standards.

Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301; http://www.dav.org. Meets all standards.

Earth Island Institute, 300 Broadway, Suite 28, San Francisco, Calif. 94133; http://www.earthisland.org. As of October 2001, the alliance was unable to verify if the Earth Island Institute complies with six standards regarding its contributions, solicitations and informational materials, and fund-raising practices.

Firefighters Charitable Foundation, 1270 S.W. 13th Drive, Boca Raton, Fla. 33486; http://www.ffcf.org. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that at least 50 percent of the organization’s total income from all sources be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists; (2) that at least 50 percent of public contributions be applied to the programs and activities described in solicitations, in accordance with donor expectations; (3) that fund-raising costs not exceed 35 percent of related contributions; and (4) that total fund-raising costs not exceed 50 percent of total income. As of October 2001, the alliance was unable to verify if the Firefighters Charitable Foundation complies with five standards regarding its solicitations and informational materials and its fund-raising practices.

Foundation Fighting Blindness, 11435 Cronhill Drive, Owings Mills, Md. 21117-2220; http://www.blindness.org. Meets all standards.

Foundation for International Community Assistance, 1101 14th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005; http://www.villagebanking.org. As of October 2001, the alliance was unable to verify if the Foundation for International Community Assistance complies with two standards regarding its governance.

Help Hospitalized Veterans, 36585 Penfield Lane, Winchester, Calif. 92596; http://www.hhv.org. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the organization provide on request an annual report that includes information about its purposes, current activities, governance, finances, and tax-exempt status; (2) that at least half of the organization’s total income be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists; and (3) that fund-raising costs not exceed 35 percent of related contributions.

Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 158 West 29th Street, Seventh Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001-5300; http://www.hdsa.org. Meets all standards.

International Children’s Fund, P.O. Box 97191, Washington, D.C. 20090-7191. As of October 2001, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the International Children’s Fund meets its standards.

Map International, 2200 Glynco Parkway, P.O. Box 215000, Brunswick, Ga. 31521-5000; http://www.map.org. Meets all standards.

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, 715 Broadway Street, P.O. Box 1947, Quantico, Va. 22134-0847; http://www.toysfortots.org. Meets all standards.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10021; http://www.mskcc.org. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the organization provide on request an annual report that includes information about its purposes, current activities, governance, finances, and tax-exempt status; (2) that the organization’s financial statements present adequate information to serve as a basis for informed decisions, including categories of contributions and other income, descriptions of major programs and activities contained in the annual report, and a detailed schedule of expenses by natural classification; and (3) that the organization substantiate on request its application of funds, in accordance with donor expectations, to the programs and activities described in solicitations.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, 6350 North Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 33309; http://www.msfocus.org. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the organization present adequate information to serve as a basis for informed decisions. This information generally includes significant categories of contributions and other income; expenses reported in categories corresponding to the descriptions of major programs and activities contained in informational materials; a detailed schedule of expenses by natural classification presenting the natural expenses incurred for each major program and supporting activity; accurate presentation of all administrative costs; and the disclosure of multipurpose activities that combine fund raising with one or more activities; and (2) that the organization substantiate on request its application of funds, in accordance with donor expectations, to the programs and activities described in solicitations.

National Caregiving Foundation, 801 North Pitt Street, Suite 116, Alexandria, Va. 22314. As of October 2001, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the National Caregiving Foundation meets its standards.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 699 Prince Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314; http://www.missingkids.com. Meets all standards.

National Emergency Medicine Association, 306 West Joppa Road, Baltimore, Md. 21204; http://www.nemahealth.org. Does not meet the standard calling for the organization to present adequate information to serve as a basis for informed decisions. This information generally includes significant categories of contributions and other income; expenses reported in categories corresponding to the descriptions of major programs and activities contained in informational materials; a detailed schedule of expenses by natural classification presenting the natural expenses incurred for each major program and supporting activity; accurate presentation of all administrative costs; and the disclosure of multipurpose activities that combine fund raising with one or more activities.

National Foundation for Cancer Research, 4600 East West Highway, Suite 525, Bethesda, Md. 20814; http://www.nfcr.org. Meets all standards.

National Foundation for Transplants, 1102 Brookfield, Suite 200, Memphis, Tenn. 38119; http://www.transplants.org. Meets all standards.

National Humane Education Society, 521-A East Market Street, Leesburg, Va. 20176; http://www.nhes.org. Meets all standards.

National Sleep Foundation, 1522 K Street N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20005; http://www.sleepfoundation.org. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the organization should present adequate information to serve as a basis for informed decisions. This information generally includes significant categories of contributions and other income; expenses reported in categories corresponding to the descriptions of major programs and activities contained in informational materials; a detailed schedule of expenses by natural classification presenting the natural expenses incurred for each major program and supporting activity; accurate presentation of all administrative costs; and the disclosure of multipurpose activities that combine fund raising with one or more activities; and (2) that the organization substantiate on request its application of funds, in accordance with donor expectations, to the programs and activities described in solicitations.

Our Little Brothers and Sisters, 1210 Hillside Terrace, Alexandria, Va. 22302; http://www.nphamigos.org. Does not meet the standard calling for the organization to have an active governing body that exercises responsibility in establishing policies, retaining qualified executive leadership, and overseeing that leadership.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 501 Front Street, Norfolk, Va. 23510; http://www.peta.org. Does not meet the standard calling for the organization to have an independent governing body whose compensated members constitute no more than 20 percent of the total voting membership.

People to People International, 501 East Armour Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo. 64109-2200; http://www.ptpi.org. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that at least 50 percent of the organization’s income from all sources be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists; and (2) that at least 50 percent of public contributions be applied to the programs and activities described in solicitations, in accordance with donor expectations.

Project ORBIS International, 520 Eighth Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10018-6507; http://www.orbis.org. Meets all standards.

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, 20 Roszel Road, Princeton, N.J. 08540; http://www.rfbd.org. Meets all standards.

Shiloh International Ministries, 2507 D Street, LaVerne, Calif. 91750-4419. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the organization provide on request an annual report that includes information about its purposes, current activities, governance, finances, and tax-exempt status; (2) that the organization should present adequate information to serve as a basis for informed decisions. This information generally includes significant categories of contributions and other income; expenses reported in categories corresponding to the descriptions of major programs and activities contained in informational materials; a detailed schedule of expenses by natural classification presenting the natural expenses incurred for each major program and supporting activity; accurate presentation of all administrative costs; and the disclosure of multipurpose activities that combine fund raising with one or more activities; (3) that at least 50 percent of the organization’s total income from all sources be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists; (4) that at least 50 percent of public contributions be applied to the programs and activities described in solicitations, in accordance with donor expectations; (5) that fund-raising costs not exceed 35 percent of related contributions; (6) that total fund-raising and administrative costs not exceed 50 percent of total income; (7) that the organization substantiate on request its application of funds, in accordance with donor expectations, to the programs and activities described in solicitations; and (8) that the organization have an independent governing body whose directly and/or indirectly compensated board members constitute no more than one-fifth of the board’s total voting membership.

Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Fla. 33607-1460; http://www.shrinershq.org. Meets all standards.

Sierra Club Foundation, 85 Second Street, Suite 750, San Francisco, Calif. 94105-3465; http://www.tscf.org. Does not meet the standard that calls for at least 50 percent of the organization’s total income from all sources to be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists.

Tiger Haven, 237 Harvey Road, Kingston, Tenn. 37763; http://www.tigerhaven.org. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the organization provide on request an annual report that includes information about its purposes, current activities, governance, finances, and tax-exempt status; (2) that at least 50 percent of the organization’s total income from all sources be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists; (3) that at least 50 percent of public contributions be applied to the programs and activities described in solicitations, in accordance with donor expectations; (4) that fund-raising costs not exceed 35 percent of related contributions; (5) that total fund-raising costs not exceed 50 percent of total income; (6) that the organization substantiate on request its application of funds, in accordance with donor expectations, to the programs and activities described in solicitations; and (7) that soliciting organizations establish and exercise adequate controls over disbursements. As of October 2001, the alliance was unable to verify if Tiger Haven complies with two standards regarding its governance.

Union of Concerned Scientists, 2 Brattle Square, P.O. Box 9105, Cambridge, Mass. 02238-9105; http://www.ucsusa.org. As of November 2001, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Union of Concerned Scientists meets its standards.

United Service Organizations, 1008 Eberle Place, S.E., Suite 301, Washington, D.C. 20374-5096; http://www.uso.org. Meets all standards.

Vanished Children’s Alliance, 2095 Park Avenue, San Jose, Calif. 95126; http://www.vca.org. As of September 2001, the group had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Vanished Children’s Alliance meets its standards.

Vietnow, 1835 Broadway, Rockford, Ill. 61104-5409; http://www.vietnow.com. Does not meet the following standards: (1) that the organization provide on request an annual report that includes information about its purposes, current activities, governance, finances, and tax-exempt status; (2) that the organization provide on request complete annual financial statements that present its overall financial activities and financial position and that are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and reporting practices; (3) that the organization present adequate information to serve as a basis for informed decisions, including significant categories of contributions and other income, expenses reported in categories corresponding to the descriptions of major programs and activities contained in informational materials, a detailed schedule of expenses by natural classification presenting the natural expenses incurred for each major program and supporting activity; accurate presentation of all administrative costs; and the disclosure of multipurpose activities that combine fund raising with one or more activities; (4) that at least 50 percent of the organization’s total income from all sources be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists; (5) that at least 50 percent of public contributions be applied to the programs and activities described in solicitations, in accordance with donor expectations; (6) that fund-raising costs not exceed 35 percent of related contributions; and (7) that total fund-raising costs not exceed 50 percent of total income.

Wheelchair Foundation, 3820 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville, Calif. 94506; http://www.wheelchairfoundation.org. As of October 2001, the organization had not provided current information about its finances, programs, and governance. The alliance is unable to determine if the Wheelchair Foundation meets its standards.

Wilderness Society, 1615 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036; http://www.wilderness.org. Does not meet the standard calling for the organization to present adequate information to serve as a basis for informed decisions. This information generally includes significant categories of contributions and other income; expenses reported in categories corresponding to the descriptions of major programs and activities contained in informational materials; a detailed schedule of expenses by natural classification presenting the natural expenses incurred for each major program and supporting activity; accurate presentation of all administrative costs; and the disclosure of multipurpose activities that combine fund raising with one or more activities.

World Emergency Relief, P.O. Box 131570, Carlsbad, Calif. 92013-1570; http://www.worldemergency.org. Meets all standards.