International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders does not meet the following 8 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
IFFGD does not meet this Standard because its board of directors does not:
- Review the performance of the Chief Executive Officer at least once every two years.
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.
IFFGD does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held two board meetings in 2020.
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
IFFGD does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization’s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
IFFGD does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
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.
IFFGD does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2021 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative 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.
IFFGD does not meet this Standard because the 2020 annual report did not include:
- A roster of the board of directors.
- The organization's 2020 financial information.
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.
IFFGD does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://iffgd.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 2020 program service accomplishments.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
IFFGD does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://iffgd.org, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
10
15
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders meets the remaining 10 Standards for Charity Accountability.
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) works with patients, families, physicians, nurses, practitioners, investigators, regulators, employers, and others to broaden understanding about GI disorders, support or encourage research, and improve digestive health in adults and children. The organization's activities are focused gastrointestinal illness, such as anal/fecal incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome and gastroparesis. Additionally, IFFGD addresses functional esophageal disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and rare GI disorders, such as Hirschsprung's disease, SMAS and pseudo-obstruction, as well as more common pediatric GI disorders. IFFGD currently maintains ten separate websites which provide health information free of charge. In 2020, IFFGD reports that it launched the Animated Patient?s Guide to Constipation. This webpage, www.youandconstipation.org, covers the different types of constipation faced by patients and helps them to better understand how to talk to their physician about their symptoms and treatment options. Also in 2020, while faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, IFFGD explored new ways to disseminate information to the patient community, including collaboration with medical professionals to contribute to a new IFFGD program on COVID-19. This program was designed to provide the patient community with information on a variety of topics, such as, COVID-19 and GI symptoms; managing stress during a pandemic; and a research study update on COVID-19 and its impact on those living with gastrointestinal disorders.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$411,758 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$411,758 |
-
Chief Executive
Ceciel T. Rooker, President
-
Compensation*
$140,150
-
Chair of the Board
Michael Cohen Esquire
-
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Attorney, Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C.
-
Board Size
10
-
Paid Staff Size
6
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events
Fundraising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $416,789, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
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.
The following information is based on International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020.
| Source of Funds |
| Corporate and foundation contributions |
$398,572 |
| Investment income |
$32,342 |
| Individual contributions |
$18,217 |
| Miscellaneous income |
$1,200 |
| Total Income |
$450,331 |
- Programs: 70%
- Administrative: 23%
- Fundraising: 7%
| Total Income |
$450,331 |
| Program expenses |
$411,758 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$45,771 |
| Administrative expenses |
$134,958 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$592,487 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-142,156 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$2,505,974 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$2,363,818 |
| Total Liabilities |
$79,349 |
| Total Assets |
$2,443,167 |
Note: According to IFFGD's 2020 audited financial statements, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $4,022 in the form of attorney fees ($2,072) and educational programs ($1,950).