Holiday Givers Can Get BBB Reports on Over 785 Local Charities
Plus Thousands of Additional National and Local Charities at www.newyork.bbb.org
NEW YORK – December 7, 2011 – In these tough economic times, charitable giving requires a special commitment from givers. That’s why it’s reassuring to know that three-quarters (76%) of the charities that voluntarily participated in full, in-depth reviews through the Metro New York BBB Foundation met all of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability in 2011. This is only one of the findings available in the Metro New York BBB Foundation’s newly released Report on Metro NY BBB Charity Reviews (attached).
“Today, every charitable dollar has to go a little further to help the growing number of people in need. At the same time, many of those who support charities are facing their own financial stresses,” says Claire Rosenzweig, the BBB Foundation’s President and CEO. “When faced with a tough giving decision, knowing that a charity meets high BBB standards in areas such as governance, effectiveness self-assessment, privacy protection, accuracy and transparency in fundraising practices, and financial management can make all the difference to a donor.”
Of the 26% of reviewed charities that missed one or more BBB standards, financial governance and transparency were the most common issues. Fully 60% of these organizations (81 of 135) that missed one or more of the BBB Standards did not have a board-approved budget; and 56% did not have an annual report available upon request with basics such as the organization’s mission statement, summary of activities, financial information, and board member list (74 of 135).
This year, 40% of the reviewed charities are in the health and human services category. However, Metro NY BBB Foundation charity reviews span a wide variety of categories, including children and families (18%), the arts and culture (15%), community/civic development (11%), animals and the environment (5%), education and literacy (5%), and more.
Click Here for more details in the 2011 Report. Individuals and charities can ask the BBB to conduct a review of an eligible charity. To submit a request, send an email to Peter Espinoza, NYPAS Program Manager at pespinoza@newyork.bbb.org or call 212-358-2873.
About the Education and Research Foundation of the BBB of Metropolitan New York, Inc.
Metro New York’s BBB Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1969. It provides educational programs and services for charities, consumers, and businesses; encourages informed consumer support of charities; promotes charity transparency and accountability; conducts research; and provides educational intern opportunities to students who are potential charity and business leaders. It operates the New York Philanthropic Advisory Service (NYPAS), which publishes BBB reports on 785 Metro New York area charities. This charity review program does not rank charities, but rather seeks to assist donors in making informed judgments by providing objective reports based on charity performance against the BBB’s 20 BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards of Charity Accountability. Charities that meet all of the BBB’s 20 Standards are eligible to participate in its BBB Accredited Charity Seal program. The list of Metro NY BBB Accredited Charity Seal Holders is available at www.newyork.bbb.org/charityguide. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance produces reports on over 1,400 nationally soliciting charitable organizations. Thousands of additional charity reports are available through other local BBBs; there are over 9,000 national and local BBB charity reports in all. The outcomes of local and national BBB charity reviews are available online at www.newyork.bbb.org and www.give.org.