A Sampling of Charities Given IRS ‘Fast Track’ Status

The Internal Revenue Service gave more than 250 groups expedited approval for tax-exempt status

after the September 11 attacks, but some of those charities had little — if any — connection to efforts to respond to the disaster. Here is a sampling of those organizations. Animal Friendly License Plate Association
(Kansas City, Mo.)

The group was incorporated in June to promote legislation in Missouri and Kansas for “animal friendly” license plates, which raise money for programs to spay and neuter pets, provide emergency care for abused pets, and encourage adoption of abandoned animals. On October 4 the charity’s lawyer faxed a letter to the IRS, saying the organization was “attempting to develop a plan” to help the rescue dogs working at the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The IRS granted the group tax-exempt status five days later, but the charity has done no work with the rescue dogs.

Central Ohio Health Awareness Foundation

(Powell)

Incorporated October 5 by an Ohio chiropractor, the charity provides health screenings and education, with an emphasis on overcoming what its founder sees as the negative opinion many physicians and members of the public have about chiropractors. On November 25, it faxed the IRS a copy of a letter promoting the group’s “Heroes of September 11th” fund, in which its founder said he intended to raise $100,000 by December 6 to benefit victims’ relatives. The IRS granted the group tax-exempt status November 26; it has raised only $1,700.

Islamic Relief Agency’s Projects for the Needy

(Houston)

Incorporated in March 2001, the charity supports an orphanage in Bangladesh. Its original application for tax-exempt status made no mention of September 11. But after an IRS reviewer asked the organization’s president whether it was doing anything in response to the attacks, he sent the IRS information about another charity’s event for which the Islamic Relief Agency’s volunteers had raised a total of $1,000 for victims of the terrorist attacks. That information was enough for the Islamic Relief Agency to gain tax-exempt status from the IRS a few weeks later.

Rutland Area Disaster Animal Response Team

(Rutland, Vt.)

The group, which was formed in 1998, had been developing a program designed to save pets and other animals during natural disasters. The application for tax-exempt status it filed October 15 made no mention of the terrorist attacks, and its president said the charity is not responding to the events of September 11.

Top of Texas K-9 Search and Rescue Association

(Wichita Falls, Tex.)

Started in May by dog trainers in northern Texas, the group plans to create a local search-and-rescue team. Its organizers say the group was not formed in response to the terrorist attacks. Nevertheless, the IRS granted it expedited tax-exempt status October 15, less than two weeks after receiving its application.

Whitebird Productions

(Fort Collins, Colo.)

The group was formed in July to promote music education and performances in the Fort Collins area. Its directors said they have no idea why the IRS included it among charities that received expedited tax-exempt status after September 11.