BBB Wise Giving Report for
World Computer Exchange

BBB Wise Giving Report issued August 2010
BBB Wise Giving Report expires August 2012


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: World Computer Exchange
Address: 936 Nantasket Avenue
  Hull, MA 02045
Phone: 781-925-3078
Web Address: www.worldcomputerexchange.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 2000, Massachusetts
Affiliates: World Computer Exchange - Canada, and 11 chapters
Stated Purpose: "to reduce the digital divide for youth in developing countries; to use our global network of partnerships to enhance communities in these countries; and to promote the reuse of electronic equipment and its ultimate disposal in an environmentally responsible manner."

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

World Computer Exchange (WCE) does not meet the following Standard 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.

WCE does not meet this Standard because:

  • Although the board of directors met 6 times during the last fiscal year, none of the meetings were held in-person.

In response to this finding, WCE indicated that the organization has 13 board members from 7 countries.
World Computer Exchange (WCE) meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Programs

               

WCE is a grassroots network of groups in 71 developing countries working together with the aim of improving the educational and employment opportunities for over 1 million youth annually. The organization provides logistics to source and deploy computers, materials and services; builds capacity in planning, fundraising, technology and educational use of the Internet; recruits eCorps volunteer teams to train partners and troubleshoot networks and upgrades; builds partnerships between pairs of universities in the north and south; and raises awareness of the need to recycle and to strengthen local electronics recyclers.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, WCE's program expenses were:

  
Program 342,139
Total Program Expenses: $342,139
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Governance

               

Chief Executive : Timothy Anderson, President
Compensation*:
 $46,726

Chair of the Board: Thomas M. Graham
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Assistant Editor, The Washington Post

Board Size: 13

Paid Staff Size: 2

*July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009 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, and membership appeals
Fund raising costs were 2% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $590,646, 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 WCE's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

Source of Funds  
Donated goods, services and facilities 486,489
Contributions--shipping sponsors 62,012
Contributions--other 42,145
Sourcing income 15,043
Reiumbursed shipping expenses 13,459
Miscellaneous income 40
Total Income $619,188


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Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 86%  Fund Raising: 3%  Administrative: 11% 

Total income   $619,188
  Program expenses $342,139
  Fund raising expenses 11,699
  Administrative expenses 42,679
 
Total expenses   $396,517
Income in Excess of Expenses   222,671
Beginning net assets   (107,525)
Other Changes in Net Assets (189,576)
Ending net assets   (74,430)
Total liabilities   559,413
Total assets   $484,983

Note 1: According to WCE, the organization received in-kind contributions in the amount $486,489 which consisted of: computers ($165,375), salaries ($154,600), contract labor ($154,125), facilities ($11,215), and direct services ($1,174).

Note 2: In the financial section above, "other changes in net assets" refers to cost of sales.

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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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