BHA - Charity Navigator

[grizzly_]

Let me preface this by saying I'm a BHA Member, go to the Rendezvous, host Chapter Meetings at my office, etc... so please don't think I'm attacking here. I'm not.

I have already contacted multiple people within BHA trying to get some response regarding the lack of Charity Navigator rating of BHA and wondered if I'm out-of-line or if additional requests from BHA members may help move things along. Those requests can either be made to BHA or Charity Navigator.

The basis of my feeling is that if somebody is going to ask us for our time and money, they have a duty or obligation to assure us our donations are being used wisely. I feel the burden of proof is on the non-profit. Am I wrong?

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They release the IRS form but it is almost impossible to glean too much from those. Here is the Form 990 for BHA - https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.n...17-12-31_990_BH_A_-_PUBLIC_(1).pdf?1539988551

For reference, other conservation organizations...

(RMEF) https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4406

(TRCP) https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=14159

(BHA) https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.profile&ein=201037177

(SFW) https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?keyword_list=sportsmen+fish+wildlife&bay=search.results

 

[elkduds]

I'm a member, and I expect the same transparency in bookkeeping as that provided by RMEF, TRCP, Nature Conservancy, Wilderness Society...

 

[grizzly_]

Here is a thread from 2010 about RMEF receiving high grades from Charity Navigator...

https://onyourownadventures.com/hun...in-Elk-Foundation&highlight=charity+navigator

Here are positive examples that I think BHA should look towards...

A copy RMEF's audited financials... http://www.rmef.org/Portals/0/Documents/2017_Audited_Financials.pdf

A copy of RMEF's Annual 2017 Report... https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=494643

 

[406LIFE]

I dont think its unreasonable at all. If BHA just hasnt done it yet, then its time to do it. When an organization wont have transparency, then I have issue.

 

[jryoung]

Don't quote me on this, as I should know this answer, but I believe it was only recently we became eligible to be evaluated per CN's parameters. I'll get a definitive on this but in the mean time you can access both the annual reports and 990s as well as a review from Guide Star here.

https://www.backcountryhunters.org/financials

 

[abqbw]

It’s absolutly reasonable to want to know how a non-profit spends its money if you donate time and money to the organization.

 

[Trial153]

It’s listed on the website, links to guide star. All pretty transparent, not sure what I am missing? https://www.backcountryhunters.org/financials

 

[grizzly_]

Here is the link to GuideStar. https://learn.guidestar.org/seals
https://learn.guidestar.org/seals#faqs

Is a Seal of Transparency a rating or endorsement by GuideStar?

No, it's not. GuideStar is not a watchdog and we do not evaluate nonprofits.


According to their website, it is self-reported and takes 30-45 minutes to complete. I could invent a group out of thin air, enter in some basic information, and have a GoldStar rating within an hour. BHA owes us better.

I'd rather BHA fit in the camp with RMEF & TRCP on Charity Navigator than be unrated with SFW. By the way, SFW releases their 990 too (it's required to be made available).

The problem with only releasing a 990 is there is virtually no information in them. Any business owner knows what can be classified in an IRS form in an advantageous way. That's why CPAs and tax accountant exist. Not to make it political, buy why do you think both the Trump and Clinton Foundations are under scrutiny if releasing a 990 meant all was on the up and up? A 990 is not a stamp of approval.

Form 990s are not sufficient. See RMEFs audited financials and the increased information in their annual report as a great example.

 

[Trial153]

Ok I see i see where your going. Have you contacted BHA, emial? Phone call? And what was the response?

 

[jryoung]

Form 990s are not sufficient. See RMEFs audited financials and the increased information in their annual report as a great example.

See my link above, the financials are posted. My assumption above was correct, only recently did we qualify. We hope to be posted in Q1.

 

[grizzly_]

Ok I see i see where your going. Have you contacted BHA, emial? Phone call? And what was the response?

I spoke to Tim at Rendezvous and the regional contact for SW BHA (she's the contact for several states). Both responses were polite but non-committal.

See my link above, the financials are posted. My assumption above was correct, only recently did we qualify. We hope to be posted in Q1.

Thanks for looking into it. I look forward to that rating!

 

[Trial153]

Thanks for the information!