BBB Wise Giving Report for
American Council on Science and Health

BBB Wise Giving Report issued November 2008
BBB Wise Giving Report expires November 2010


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: American Council on Science and Health
Address: 1995 Broadway,
2nd Floor
  New York, NY 10023
Phone: 212-362-7044
Web Address: www.acsh.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1978, New York
Affiliates:

Stated Purpose: "to provide consumer education on issues related to food, nutrition, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, lifestyle, the environment and health."

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Evaluation Conclusions

              

American Council on Science and Health, Inc. (ACSH) does not meet the following 2Standards 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.

  • ACSH does not meet the meeting frequency provision of this Standard because two meetings of the full governing board were held in the past fiscal year.

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.

  • ACSH does not meet this Standard because the budget information provided by the organization does not clearly identify the projected amounts to be spent on its major program service activities, fund raising, and administrative activities.
American Council on Science and Health, Inc. (ACSH) meets the remaining 18Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

              

Through publications including peer-reviewed reports on important health and environmental topics, semi-annual reviews of ACSH press coverage, and media update, ACSH brings awareness and balance to debates about public health issues. ACSH also educates Americans about health issues and concerns through literature reviews of topics where there is a divergence between conventional wisdom and sound science. ACSH maintains comprehensive websites (ACSH.org, HealthFactsAndFears.com, Riskometer.org and The ScooponSmoking.org) that provide commentary on breaking health and science news stories. ACSH's research staff and scientific advisors represent ACSH on radio and television as well as in various conferences. It also contributes op-eds and other articles to America's major newspapers, magazines, and Internet sites. Furthermore, ACSH conducts colloquia, panels, scientific seminars and public conferences on a wide variety of subjects, participates in legislative and regulatory hearings, and provide internships for students in health-related fields.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, ACSH's program expenses were:

  
Scientific and educational 1,363,031
Environmental health education 94,685
Science credibility fund 62,220
Internship program 45,276
Media advocacy fund 42,846
Chemo prevention 17,458
Strategic planning and development fund 12,936
Food tech study 1,244
Total Program Expenses: $1,639,696
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Governance

              

Chief Executive : Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan, President
Compensation*:
$312,241

Chair of the Board: John H. Moore, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Grove City College, President Emeritus

Board Size: 23

Paid Staff Size: 12

*July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

              

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, and membership appeals
Fund raising costs were 7% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,240,434, 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 ACSH's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007:

Source of Funds  
Contributions 2,113,611
Realized and unrealizd gain on investments 204,407
Investment income 115,526
Individual membership dues 109,265
Subscription income 17,558
Total Income $2,560,367


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 84%  Fund Raising: 7%  Administrative: 9% 

Total income   $2,560,367
  Program expenses $1,639,696
  Fund raising expenses 146,518
  Administrative expenses 172,390
 
Total expenses   $1,958,604
Income in Excess of Expenses   601,763
Beginning net assets   3,318,419
Ending net assets   3,920,182
Total liabilities   93,374
Total assets   $4,013,556


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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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