Better Business Bureau Report for
Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund

Better Business Bureau Report issued October 2011
Better Business Bureau Report expires October 2013


Does not meet one or more standards
This charity does not meet one or more of the 20 standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund
Address: P.O. Box 597042
  SKOKIE, IL 60077
Phone: 847-673-0811
Web Address: GANDHIMEMORIAL.ORG
Also known as:NONE
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Formerly known as:NONE

Year, State Incorporated: 2001, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: To honor the life and achievements of Mahatma Gandhi, members of the Gandhi Trust, along with elected officials, community leaders, and other citizens of Skokie and the surrounding areas, unveiled a 12ft statue on the Birthday anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, 2004. The inaugural event was held at Heritage Park, where the memorial to Gandhi stands today. Heritage Park is a multicultural initiative sponsored by the Village of Skokie as a tribute to the rich cultural diversity of the community.

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 1: Oversight of Operations and Staff - Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:

  • Review the performance of the chief executive officer at least once every two years.

Standard 8: Program Service Expense Ratio - Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund does not meet this Standard because:

  • According to the its IRS Form 990 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, the organization spent $ or % of its total expenses ($1,279) on program service activities.

 

Because of use of public facilities to hold the various events, program expenses are non existent.

Standard 13: Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements - Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fund raising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fund raising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund does not meet this Standard because its IRS Form 990 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010:

  • Reports the organization had no fund raising expenses.
  • Reports the organization had no administrative expenses.

 

 

 

No fundraising expenses: GMT does not hire any one or has paid staff.

Trustees raised the funds by personal contacts or seeks sponsor for activities.

No administrative expenses-No paid staff. Only volunteers.

No Program expenses: GMT partners with library,school or village, hence no GMT funds are utilized. Facilities/staff are provided by the same.

Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures - Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, GANDHIMEMORIAL.ORG, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • End of year net assets.
  • The organization’s mailing address.

Standard 18: Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy - Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund does not meet this Standard because:

Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on this website, GANDHIMEMORIAL.ORG does not indicate:

  • What personal information is being collected and how it will be used.
  • How to inform the charity that the visitor does not want his/her information shared with others.
  • What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
In addition, the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s solicitation materials and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard for Charity Accountability: 15.
Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Gandhi statues have been erected in several locations in the US and around the world, including the following locations: New York City, San Francisco, Atlanta, Salt Lake City and also the UK's very own London.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund's program expenses were:

  
Program Services
Total Program Expenses: $
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : NONE, NONE
Compensation*:
$

Highest Paid Executive: not applicable,not applicable
Compensation*: $

Chair of the Board: OMPRAKASH KAMARIA
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: HEALTH MANAGEMENT

Board Size: 7

Paid Staff Size: 0

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

LOCAL BUSINESS
Fund raising costs were % of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $495, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

              

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

              

The following information is based on Gandhi Memorial Trust Fund's IRS Form 990 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contributions and Grants 495
Investment Income 228
Total Income $723


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

      Other Expenses: 100%

Total income   $723
  Program expenses $
  Fund raising expenses
  Administrative expenses
  Other Expenses 1,279
Total expenses   $1,279
Expenses in Excess of Income   (556)
Beginning net assets   26,136
Other Changes in Net Assets 556
Ending net assets   25,580
Total liabilities  
Total assets   $25,580


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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

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