Evaluating a charity

EVALUATING A CHARITY
A FEW TIPS
CHECK OUT THE FINANCES OF AND OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE 47 CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED VETERANS GROUPS AND THEIR AFFILIATES THAT KNIGHT RIDDER EXAMINED AT WWW.KRWASHINGTON.COM.
GET A COPY OF THE GROUP'S MOST RECENT CHARITABLE TAX RETURN, CALLED AN IRS FORM 990. CHARITIES ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE A COPY TO ANYONE WHO REQUESTS ONE. THE RETURNS FOR MANY GROUPS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AT WWW.GUIDESTAR.ORG. WATCHDOG GROUPS RECOMMEND THAT A MINIMUM OF 60 PERCENT TO 65 PERCENT OF A GROUP'S EXPENSES GO FOR CHARITABLE PROGRAMS AND NO MORE THAN 35 PERCENT TO 40 PERCENT TO FUND-RAISING AND ADMINISTRATIVE-OVERHEAD COSTS. THAT INFORMATION CAN BE CALCULATED FROM THE TAX RETURNS.
THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PHILANTHROPY EVALUATES AND RATES CHARITIES, AND PRODUCES WATCHDOG REPORTS. CALL (773) 529-2300 OR GO TO WWW.CHARITYWATCH.ORG.
THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU'S WISE GIVING ALLIANCE ALSO EVALUATES CHARITIES. GO TO WWW.GIVE.ORG OR CALL (703) 276-0100.
TO VOICE YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE OVERSIGHT AND SPENDING PRACTICES OF CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED VETERANS GROUPS:
THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING CHARTERED ORGANIZATIONS. CALL (202) 225-3951 OR GO TO WWW.JUDICIARY.HOUSE.GOV TO SEND E-MAIL.
THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS SCRUTINIZING THE PRACTICES OF TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS. CALL (202) 224-4515 OR GO TO WWW.FINANCE.SENATE.GOV TO SEND E-MAIL.
KNIGHT RIDDER/TRIBUNE INFORMATION SERVICES