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CharityWatch, formerly known as the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Chicago,[1] created in the United States by Daniel Borochoff in 1992,[2] to provide information about charities' financial efficiency, accountability, governance, and fundraising.

About

AIP analyzes charity financial documents to identify whether charities meet AIP's standards of financial efficiency, and publishes its findings.[3] AIP encourages donors to give to charities that will allocate most of their contributions to program services that benefit the people and to causes that donors wish to support. AIP also promotes charity accountability and transparency through its research on the rapidly changing nonprofit field.[4]

AIP publishes the Charity Rating Guide & Watchdog Report, containing ratings of the financial efficiency of over 500 United States charities. The ratings are grades ranging from A+ (best) to F (worst) and are based on analysis of charities' financial documents.[5] The ratings include the percentage of a charity's budget that is spent on program services, how much it costs a charity to raise $100, an accountability measure, and the salaries of the charity's three highest-paid employees. The Guide also features articles about problems in the nonprofit field and tips to help donors make wise giving decisions and avoid charity scams.[6] AIP posts its top-rated charities on its website.[7]

AIP also investigates ethical issues surrounding charity spending, including salaries and payouts, financial reporting, telemarketing and direct-mail solicitation campaigns, and governance. AIP shares the results of its research with the media and government agencies and works closely with these parties to educate the public about informed giving. AIP President Daniel Borochoff has testified before Congress about veterans charities,[8][9][10] the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,[11] and the philanthropic response to the 9/11 attacks.[12]

AIP’s ratings have received exposure from Congress and the media; including AIP’s appearance on the front page of The Washington Post.[13][14][9][15] AIP was criticized in a study on rating nonprofits for having a "gotcha" mentality and limited explanation for their ratings.[16] The study criticized nonprofit watchdog organizations for relying heavily on financial data that is not adequate for evaluating a nonprofit organization and may misguide the public, although the study noted that AIP "recognizes the limitations of the [IRS Form] 990."[17]

Governance and operations

AIP is governed by a five-person Board of Directors which includes its founder and president, Daniel Borochoff. who was paid $161,985 in 2012.[18] In 2008, AIP spent $437,650, mostly on salaries.[19] AIP's stated goals are, "To research and evaluate the efficiency, accountability and governance of nonprofit organizations; to educate the public about the importance of wise giving; to inform the public of wasteful or unethical practices of nonprofits and provide recognition to highly effective and ethical charities; to advise AIP members and conduct special investigations and evaluations of nonprofits; to expand and re-define our programs periodically to meet the continuing challenge of keeping the contributor informed."[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Charity Ratings | America's Most Independent, Assertive Charity Watchdog". CharityWatch. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  2. ^ Daniel Borochoff. "Mission Statement, Goals and More". Charitywatch.org. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  3. ^ FNP Interactive – http://www.fnpInteractive.com (2007-12-21). "The Frederick News-Post Online – Frederick County Maryland Daily Newspaper". Fredericknewspost.com. Retrieved 2012-08-13. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)
  4. ^ "How to tell a good charity from a bad one". MSM Money. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  5. ^ Weekend Edition Saturday (2005-12-17). "Rating the Performance of Charities". NPR. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  6. ^ Daniel Borochoff. "Charity Rating Guide and Watchdog Report". Charitywatch.org. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  7. ^ Daniel Borochoff. "American Institute of Philanthropy, Top-Rated Charities". Charitywatch.org. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  8. ^ Charity Alert: Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. United States House of Representatives Archived January 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ a b "Failing to Serve America's Heroes on the Home Fron". ABC News. 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  10. ^ [1] Archived January 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Hearing Archives: Committee on Ways & Means. U.S. House of Representatives Archived January 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Committee on Ways and Means, Oversight Subcommittee, 107-47, Response to the Recent Terrorist Attacks". Waysandmeans.house.gov. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  13. ^ "Study Faults Charities for Veterans". The Washington Post. 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  14. ^ "'An Intolerable Fraud'". The New York Times. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  15. ^ "Vet's Charities Pocket Money". CBS News. 2007-12-13. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  16. ^ "The Ratings Game". Stanford Social Innovation Review. Summer 2005.
  17. ^ "The Ratings Game". Stanford Social Innovation Review. Summer 2005.
  18. ^ http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2012/330/491/2012-330491030-096101b5-9.pdf
  19. ^ "2008 IRS Form 990" (PDF). 2009-06-09.
  20. ^ "About AIP". Archived from the original on 7 December 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-03. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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