Hello--
I have carefully researched your question and have your answer. As a
profession, I am a consumer advocate specializing in private business
and non-profit complaints.
This organization is registered as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
organization. It files IRS forms 990 or 990-EZ. It is a verifiable
charity. This organization in 2001 gave $2,848,509 to programs. My
research has found these programs are in India, Nepal, Tibet,
Guatemala, Mexico, Native Communities and Tribal Nations in the United
States. Another report stated the group serves the Winnebago
(Ho-Chunk) Indian Reservation, NE; three Sioux (Lakota)reservations in
SD: Yankton, Rosebud and Oglala; and other Native American urban and
rural communities, India, Nepal, Tibet, Mexico (Chiapas), and
Guatemala. Further, I found no evidence that this group is a front for
donating to countries that harbor terrorists. The group was started as
"a group of former World Health Organization smallpox campaign
workers, who came together to prevent and relieve suffering through
compassionate action."
I first went to the Seva Foundation web site that you provided and
found this is the address and phone numbers they're listing:
Seva Foundation
1786 Fifth Street | Berkeley, CA 94710
phone: 510-845-7382 | fax: 510-845-7410 | orders: 1-800-223-7382
I confirmed that this is a valid address and phone number with the
Better Business Bureau.
I searched the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to find out what this
non-profit group is all about.
The Seva Foundation was incorporated in 1978 in Michigan. It is
affiliated with Seva Service Society in Vancouver, Canada. The group's
stated purpose is: "Seva builds partnerships to respond to locally
defined problems with culturally sustainable solutions."
The BBB found the Seva Foundation meets 22 of the 23 Council of Better
Business Bureau's "Standards for Charitable Solicitations." You may
view these 22 standards online. The link is
http://www.give.org/standards/cbbbstds.asp
However, it found Seva is in violation of one rule. The BBB found that
Seva is violating this charitable fundraising rule: "C5: Solicitations
in conjunction with the sale of goods, services or admissions shall
identify at the point of solicitation: a) the benefiting organization;
b) a source from which written information is available; and c) the
actual or anticipated portion of the sales or admission price to
benefit the charitable organization or cause."
The BBB found that merchandise and fundraisers Seva offers do not
specify the actual or anticipated amounts of the prices that will
benefit the group. You may view BBB Wise Giving Alliance Rule C5
online. Again, the link is http://www.give.org/standards/cbbbstds.asp
The BBB Charitable Giving report further states: "Seva reports that it
provides small grants and assistance to community initiatives and Seva
mission related activities under its sponsored programs. These
programs include blindness prevention, sustainable agriculture, and
community health. According to Seva, they have partnerships in
international health in India, Nepal, Tibet, Guatemala, Mexico, Native
Communities and Tribal Nations in the United States."
Further, I found that in the fiscal year ending June 2001, Seva spent
$2,848,509 on community service expenses. The report found that Seva's
chief executive officer is James O'Dea. The report found he is paid
$94,666 in fiscal 2001. There are a total of 14 paid staff positions
in Seva.
Seva uses direct mail, planned giving, merchandise sales, print
advertisements, special events, grant proposals, and Internet appeals
in order to gain donations. It is important to note that the costs of
gaining donations (i.e. paper for mailings, hall rentals for events,
and etc.) were six percent of all contributions. The total amount of
contributions to Seva in fiscal 2001 totaled $3,066.839.
In addition to the six percent of all income that was spent on
fundraising expenses, 16 percent of all income was spent on
administrative costs (office space, salaries, and etc.).
The BBB report states, "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."
Based on the organization's tax statements for the fiscal year ending
June 2001, it received a total of $1,959,200 in contributions;
$557,196 in contributions in-kind; $351,500 in foundation grants;
$145,644 in unrealized net gains; $137,519 in federal grants; $61,424
net from special events; $22,574 in interest income; and $19,364 in
other income. Total income realized in fiscal 2001 was $3,254,421.
This non-profit group's federal tax I.D. number is 38-2231279. You may
view the group's tax documents online. The link is
http://www.guidestar.org/search/report/docs.jsp?npoId=91347&context=eNpVkr%2BLE0EUx18So0nujHeJCIoKFlbCbncoggrq6WpOAsFCEI7J7svuxMnOOPM2t5fi4BotLFWwtLjy0FbwH7D0TxC1tbCy1JlNYnIL%2B2PefN97n%2FedPfwFVaPBD%2BXI47nwNA%2B9OOMRGmLa60svxjRV0rtnesh0mNyWKWFOTz%2B09r78NT%2FK0OzA8ZBpCiKCVmfIxswXLI39Hmmextc7UAs1J9ScEZyZ7mfEhd%2FVUqEmjsZqGpFMpb47Ylw8hz0odaCKS4v6AClMenyCBO2lHoFliVHbAquCGdqSER9wtCBrS43uMEKrOKFYjI%2
1vGRNMWN2pI5m64ZGJTV1GSWzSFOjyQSZ7pG8ukFjuEyDeeJJZxTZUYM0wtwFK7aayUYjpncXeaskiYktZudAU6hypazxpx2o50C9hSPXWl8nauPGu3JBGuGAORCXVc41tBcp95lJiPUFtj%2Bfunzpwc9PFShvQkNIFm2ykKQOoE6JHSSRIsrVzVvgrtpOzT4r9i4R1J7hrvPBEBwzOGYWy3GtF02cy97M5db39wd%2F9l9etVABVMdMZGhh1ha6R9moj%2FrF4dsLK2%2B%2BvSoD5Mq2uGiLNRfE7jSS4X7p4RM6W3GSguX3weTj65xg3TfFX%2BZzZ6Y3NEoRNOfB6RERnJsHpq%2Ft2UEV8sKlFTclwfmjiX5stqdfTvlfeOUf%2Fsr6rg%
D%3D
You may view an extensive balance sheet for this group online. The
link is http://www.guidestar.org/search/full_report/index.jsp?npoId=91347&context=eNpVkr%2BLE0EUx18So0nujHeJCIoKFlbCbncoggrq6WpOAsFCEI7J7svuxMnOOPM2t5fi4BotLFWwtLjy0FbwH7D0TxC1tbCy1JlNYnIL%2B2PefN97n%2FedPfwFVaPBD%2BXI47nwNA%2B9OOMRGmLa60svxjRV0rtnesh0mNyWKWFOTz%2B09r78NT%2FK0OzA8ZBpCiKCVmfIxswXLI39Hmmextc7UAs1J9ScEZyZ7mfEhd%2FVUqEmjsZqGpFMpb47Ylw8hz0odaCKS4v6AClMenyCBO2lHoFliVHbAquCGdqSER9wtCBrS4
uMEKrOKFYjI%2F1vGRNMWN2pI5m64ZGJTV1GSWzSFOjyQSZ7pG8ukFjuEyDeeJJZxTZUYM0wtwFK7aayUYjpncXeaskiYktZudAU6hypazxpx2o50C9hSPXWl8nauPGu3JBGuGAORCXVc41tBcp95lJiPUFtj%2Bfunzpwc9PFShvQkNIFm2ykKQOoE6JHSSRIsrVzVvgrtpOzT4r9i4R1J7hrvPBEBwzOGYWy3GtF02cy97M5db39wd%2F9l9etVABVMdMZGhh1ha6R9moj%2FrF4dsLK2%2B%2BvSoD5Mq2uGiLNRfE7jSS4X7p4RM6W3GSguX3weTj65xg3TfFX%2BZzZ6Y3NEoRNOfB6RERnJsHpq%2Ft2UEV8sKlFTclwfmjiX5stqdfTvl
eOUf%2Fsr6rg%3D%3D
You may view Seva's charitable giving report online. The link is
http://www.give.org/reports/care2_dyn.asp
You may view a list of all charitable organization's giving reports.
The link is http://www.give.org/reports/index.asp
You may view advice on charitable giving online. The link is
http://www.give.org/tips/giving.asp
Guidestar, a non-profit group watchdog organization, lists the
following as Seva's goals and accomplishments:
"Goals and Results
Accomplishments for Fiscal Year Ending 12/31/2001
Guatemala/Chiapas Program - Provided support to two indigenous
organizations (ETAPAS & ITA) to promote health and improve living
conditions in their communities through water and sanitation projects.
Native American Program - Continues building partnerships with
organizations in both reservation/rural and urban Indian communities.
Diabetes Program's Talking Circles on the Winnebago, Porcupine,
Yankton and Rosebud Reservations continue to provide support to
program participants.
Sight Program - Completed the first-ever field research, data entry
and analysis for the Tibet Eye Care Assessment. Used the information
obtained by the survey to set up regional goals for capacity building,
training, and equipment and supplies.
Objectives for Fiscal Year Beginning 01/01/2002
Guatemala/Chiapas Program - Complete a water project of 15 complete
water systems for communities of indigenous people currently living
without potable water sources. Funds have been raised for 5 of these
communities.
Native American Program - Maximize partnership- building efforts with
communities through ongoing Small Grants & the initiation of our
Continuing Assistance Grant program.
Strengthen sustainability of quality eye care services that restore
sight & prevent blindnesss around the globe, with focus on India,
Nepal, Tibet, Cambodia, & Malawi.
Self Assessment
Annual program evaluations, as well as field evaluations, parter
evaluations of our work, and occasional donor surveys. "
I hope this helps! Please don't hesitate to ask for clarification!
darrel-ga |
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