Concerns and Controversy
Due to their high expense to spend rate, Kids Wish Network is frequently identified as a low graded charity by local and national organizations.
Their Charity Navigator rating for fiscal year ending May, 2008 shows one star overall, zero stars for efficiency, and three for capacity; the two previous years vary in capacity rating, but also show one star overall and zero for efficiency.
In 2004, charity watchdog American Institute of Philanthropy gave Kids Wish Network an F.
Kids Wish Network's IRS form 990 for tax year ending 5/31/2009 shows that out of $14,601,852 in gross receipts from fundraising activities, $12,885,479 was paid to fundraisers and $1,716,373—or about 12%--was retained by the organization. IRS documents also show that the three officers of the board—husband and wife founders Mark and Shelley Breiner and Shelley Briener's mother, Barbara Askin, received a total of over $200,000 in compensation for serving as officers of the Board of Directors. In early 2010, Kids Wish Network founders Mark and Shelley Breiner retired from their positions as directors of the charity and are no longer drawing a salary; they now donate their time as volunteers.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comment
Despite written BBB Wise Giving Alliance requests in the past year, this organization either has not responded to Alliance requests for information or has declined to be evaluated in relation to the Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability. While participation in the Alliance’s charity review efforts is voluntary, the Alliance believes that failure to participate may demonstrate a lack of commitment to transparency. Without the requested information, the Alliance cannot determine if this charity adheres to the Standards for Charity Accountability. A charity's willing disclosure of information beyond that typically included in its financial statements and government filings is, in the Alliance's view, an expression of openness that strengthens public trust in the charitable sector.
Read more about this topic: Kids Wish Network
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