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.
CAF does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the organization held three board meetings in 2010, only one of these meetings was held in person.
In response to the WGA finding, CAF explained that it has only one “face to face” meeting per year in order to minimize the organization's carbon footprint. CAF says that using technology for video and conferencing saves money and emissions.
Standard 12: Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses - Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.
CAF does not meet this Standard because, in the organization's 2009 audited financial statements, the detailed functional breakdown of expenses:
- Was not included. A detailed functional breakdown shows expenses by natural classification (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) and indicates what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fund raising, and administrative activities).
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.
CAF does not meet this Standard because its audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009:
- Reports the organization had no fund raising expenses.
In response to the WGA finding, CAF says:
"CAF has no employees, we are all volunteer scientists working to restore the aquatic environments and educate the public in environmental awareness. Our expenses are minimal in the form of website and an Independent Public Audit annually and as such our IRS Form 990 shows these as utilities and services."
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.
CAF does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided budget information, it indicated that the 2011 budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
- Did not identify total projected fund raising expenses.
Standard 16: Annual Report - Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
CAF does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2010.
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.
CAF does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, www.CoastalAmericaFoundation.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- A summary of program service accomplishments.