Dec 09 2010
They Got a “D” (Again)
As far as charity watchdogs go, this year has not been a good one for the Humane Society of the United States. In April, the respected Charity Navigator service downgraded HSUS to just one star out of four for organization efficiency. (The group was also bumped down to three stars overall.) And in July, the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) changed HSUS’s overall “CharityWatch” grade from “C-minus” to “D.”
Unless the rules have changed since we were in school, that’s just one ladder-rung away from … well, failure.
These are some serious black eyes, and they’re not getting better. This week AIP issued its updated quarterly ratings, and both HSUS and the (HSUS-controlled) Fund for Animals got “D” grades. Again. The Doris Day Animal League (also controlled by HSUS) maintained its mediocre “C-plus” rating.
(click to enlarge)
It’s beginning to look like HSUS will have to rely more and more on the Better Business Bureau’s “Wise Giving Alliance” for its bona fides. But the BBB only certifies whether or not a charity adheres to a list of 20 somewhat easily satisfied principles. (HSUS does, according to the organization.) It doesn’t compare organizations’ relative performance, it doesn’t offer any sort of graded evaluation, and it only works with materials submitted by charities themselves.
The BBB’s reports also carry the following advisory: “This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.” So they’re moot for HSUS anyway.
How long will it be before HSUS starts its own charity rating service? That may be the only way the organization can emerge from the ranks of the “barely passing.” Heck, maybe the "Global Federation of Animal Shelters" (which HSUS has thoroughly infiltrated) can do it. Or perhaps the HSUS-run "National Federation of Humane Societies" will take up the cause.
HSUS can act surprised, and (of course) issue a self-congratulatory press release, when it gets an "A."
Comments
Mary Lou, I believe I heard that too…on an investigative news broadcast….
I had the BBB call my business and they at first made it sound like they were picking your business and then when you said “Great” then they asked for over $300 to start and then you could get better “ratings” the more you paid! I wonder how much it would cost for BBB to do a “report” on HSUS or Wayne himself??? Not just a charity rating, but a “report”, like they paid for in Missouri?
A news article on the BBB’s pay to play scandal.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/business-bureau-best-ratings-money-buy/story?id=12123843&page=1
AARP magazine just did an article on the failures of BBB and the pay-to-play plan.
When the BBB issued their judgment laden “report” on “puppy mills” last year they lost my respect for being any kind of objective body. I’ll have to find the link and post it here.
Why has HSUS been downgraded? What did they do or not do? Last year, literally, 2010, when I checked Charity Navigator, HSUS had 4 stars. What happened? How much money it being spent on administration (salaries), promotions, and programs? I have always been a staunch supporter of HSUS, primarily in the legislative action area. Is that still a valid place to participate?
Hi Alice. If you look at the tax records that HumaneWatch has posted here, you will see that only 1/2 of 1 % of their money goes to actual hands-on care to dogs and cats. They were downgraded because a huge proportion of their $100 million that they take in goes to administrative costs and to lobbying efforts and not to animal care. Please donate to your local shelter or a local rescue group where you know that the money is spent on what you wish it to be…actual animal care.
The report that I see for HSUS from Charity Navigator has them at five stars and high percentage of efficiency. What report are you looking at? Out of a score of 70, HSUS has a 65. I don’t see the same report you are reporting that is posted on Charity Navigator.
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I heard recently that people were complaining that BBB didn’t give you good ratings unless you PAID them!!