100 Black Men Capitol Charter Initiative

This organization met all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability during its last evaluation. Currently, BBB's information on this organization is being updated, and no report is available at this time.

BBB Charity Information Service has requested current materials from this organization. When materials have been supplied and a report is complete, it will be available at no charge by contacting this office or by visiting our web site. If the organization is a charity, the report also will include the result of an evaluation in relation to BBB's Standards for Charity Accountability.

BBB Charity Information Service reports on local charities and determines if they meet voluntary standards on matters such as charity finances, appeals, and governance. BBB Charity Information Service does not evaluate the worthiness of a charitable program.

Industry Tips

Ten Tips for Better Giving

Most charities are honest and ethical, but questionable solicitors are counting on the fact that you won't bother to check out the charity before you give. Here is some basic wise giving advice:

1. Watch out for similar names. As there are many charities raising funds for similar causes, some charity names sound the same. Be sure to look at the name carefully because the charity soliciting you may not be the one you have in mind.
2. Do not be pressured to make an immediate gift. Be wary of solicitors that demand an 'on the spot' donation. Charities should welcome your gift whenever you want to send it.
3. Question vague appeals. Appeals should clearly identify the charity's programs. Watch out for appeals that are strong on identifying a problem, but weak on describing what specifically the charity intends to do about it.
4. Do not give out personal information to phone solicitors. Don't give out credit card numbers, checking account number or any other personal information to unknown telephone solicitors.
5. Do not give cash. Write a check out to the charity's full official name, not to an individual or third party that may be collecting the donation.
6. Keep records of your donations (receipts, canceled checks and bank statements) so you can document your charitable giving at tax time. (Note: The IRS requires donations of $250 or more to be substantiated through a written receipt from the charity.)
7. If you want a deduction, make sure the organization is a charity. There are many different types of soliciting nonprofit organizations. Most appeals will indicate if the organization is eligible to receive gifts deductible as charitable contributions. (To be sure, review the list of organiztions in IRS Publication 78 or ask the charity for a copy of its tax exempt status determination letter.)
8. Don't hesitate to ask the charity for written information on its programs and finances. This tip can be particularly helpful in responding to phone appeals from charities that interest you.
9. To verify if a charity is registered to solicit, contact your state government. In most cases, this will be the state's office of the attorney general. Remember that the state registration does not mean 'approval.' It means the group has merely filed the approprite forms.
10. Report bad practices. Contact your Better Business and your state's Attorney General about solicitation problems.

ID: 18000049
Report as of May 25, 2012 07:19
Copyright^© 2012 Better Business Bureau

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. Donors must decide for themselves the significance of any variation from BBB Standards, taking into account the relative importance of the practice in question in the context of the organization's total performance.

This report reflects the results of an evaluation of informational materials provided voluntarily by the organization. The report is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgement.

This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.