BBB Wise Giving Report for
CIVIC - Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict

BBB Wise Giving Report issued April 2012
BBB Wise Giving Report expires April 2014


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: CIVIC - Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict
Address: 1210 18th Street NW, 4th Floor
  Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-558-6958
Web Address: www.civicworldwide.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 2003, California
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: "to provide aid to innocent civilians harmed in conflicts around the world."

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

CIVIC - Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC) does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 3: Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings - An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

CIVIC does not meet this Standard because:

  • The board of directors held two meetings during 2010.

Standard 14: Budget - Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

CIVIC does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.

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.

CIVIC does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on this website, www.civicworldwide.org does not indicate:

  • How to contact the charity to review personal information that is collected and request corrections.
  • What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
In addition, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s fundraising disclosures and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard for Charity Accountability: 19.
CIVIC - Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC) meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

CIVIC was founded to aid war victims in Iraq and Afghanistan. The organization's work now includes two programs on a global scale. The Heal the Wounds program involves direct advocacy with warring parties with the purpose of ensuring civilian dignity as well as help that includes hands-on military training in combat theaters and policy planning. The Making Amends Campaign is a CIVIC-led, global coalition effort to create a new standard of behavior among warring parties that aims to enable these parties to recognize and help civilians they harm or "make amends." These programs are designed to work in tandem. CIVIC is trying to develop a principle in armed conflict and is pressing for practical application of that principle in conflict zones. CIVIC's advocacy among policymakers is supported by outreach work in the media and public forums as a voice for victims.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, CIVIC's program expenses were:

  
Healing Wounds 276,913
Making Amends campaign 130,296
Voice for Victims and outreach 17,865
Total Program Expenses: $425,074
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Sarah Holewinski, Executive Director
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board: John Chromy
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Vice President, CHF International

Board Size: 7

Paid Staff Size: 6

*2010 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

Grant proposals, Internet appeals, cause-related marketing, and membership appeals.
Fund raising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $781,496, 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 CIVIC's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Source of Funds  
Contributions 781,496
Interest income 369
Total Income $781,865


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 92%  Fund Raising: 6%  Administrative: 2% 

Total income   $781,865
  Program expenses $425,074
  Fund raising expenses 27,708
  Administrative expenses 10,591
 
Total expenses   $463,373
Income in Excess of Expenses   318,492
Beginning net assets   250,835
Ending net assets   569,327
Total liabilities   28,351
Total assets   $597,678


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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.

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

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