Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: i-node who wrote (722635)	6/24/2013 8:28:06 PM
From: joseffy	Respond to of 1577883

Justice Dept. freezes funding to Big Brothers Big Sisters --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Sharyl Attkisson CBS News/ June 24, 2013 cbsnews.com WASHINGTON A government audit has concluded Big Brothers Big Sisters cannot properly account for "any" of the $19.4 million tax dollars awarded to it through Justice Department funds intended to mentor tribal, military and other "at risk" youth. According to the Justice Department Inspector General, the organization improperly co-mingled the taxpayer funds with its general fund. In other words, there's no way to know whether the money was spent on the intended programs. The Inspector General also found Big Brothers Big Sisters did not adequately oversee tax dollars allocated to its affiliates, did not require them to provide documentary support for their expenditures, charged unallowable expenses to the government grants, failed to properly monitor consultants and did not properly report income generated. The breaches are deemed so serious that the Justice Department has frozen all funds to Big Brothers Big Sisters, according to the Inspector General's report. It's a major hit for a charity that considers the government funds crucial. Big Brothers Big Sisters says it provides mentoring programs for 200,000 at risk children from ages six to 18. When the organization faced possible loss of federal funding due to budget cuts in the past, it stated that even cutting federal funds by 45 percent "would have a detrimental impact on the numbers of children, volunteers and families we serve." Big Brothers Big Sisters told CBS News the audit did not find any "intentional misuse or misdirection of federal funds" but added "we are disappointed that we fell short in meeting the procedural guidelines." The group says it has already put in place new financial personnel and is improving its internal controls, grant management systems and training. In all, the Justice Department has provided $68.4 million to Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2004. Inspector General audit findings: $19.4 million improperly co-mingled with general fund $12.6 million sent to affiliates but improperly monitored Nearly $30,000 spent on Native American Mentoring consultants that didn't provide proper documentation of activities and expenses -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a recent review, Big Brothers Big Sisters was selected by Forbes Magazine as one of its top ten charities, making the publication’s “gold star” list of charities worthy of donor consideration. The magazine surveyed 200 non-profits and rated them on how efficiently they collect and distribute dollars. Forbes looked at three categories: charitable commitment; fundraising efficiency, and donor dependency. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is rated a 4-star by Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator. The top rating reflects organizational efficiency and capacity. [4] Big Brothers Big Sisters of America meets the BBB Wise Giving Alliance's Standards for Charity Accountability. [5] Big Brothers Big Sisters received the American Institute of Philanthropy's highest rating, an A+. [6]

To: i-node who wrote (722635)	6/24/2013 8:28:36 PM
From: joseffy	Respond to of 1577883

In a recent review, Big Brothers Big Sisters was selected by Forbes Magazine as one of its top ten charities, making the publication’s “gold star” list of charities worthy of donor consideration. The magazine surveyed 200 non-profits and rated them on how efficiently they collect and distribute dollars. Forbes looked at three categories: charitable commitment; fundraising efficiency, and donor dependency. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is rated a 4-star by Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator. The top rating reflects organizational efficiency and capacity. [4] Big Brothers Big Sisters of America meets the BBB Wise Giving Alliance's Standards for Charity Accountability. [5] Big Brothers Big Sisters received the American Institute of Philanthropy's highest rating, an A+. [6]