Observing Pat Robertson's Operation Blessing

A recent report by Bill Sizemore in the Virginian-Pilot on Rev. Pat Robertson's charity, Operation Blessing International Relief & Development Corp. focused on the issues of proselytizing and hiring discrimination, but there are other aspects of this charity that make it an interesting case study in accountability.  Looking at the organization's Form 990s for 2003 and 2004 prompts some other observations:

• The organization's almost total reliance on in-kind rather than cash contributions
• Incomplete disclosure of program expenditures
• Inadequate spending on accountability and stewardship
• Very high management salaries
• Financial reports delayed or unavailable on line

These concerns contrast with the overall positive findings of the Wall Watcher's Ministry Watch, and Where Most Needed is checking to determine their response to these concerns. 

• The most glaring issue with Operation Blessing is the fact that more than 90% of the operations donations are in the form of in-kind donations, not cash. So that rather than being a $200 million operation, Operation Blessing is really only a modest $10 million cash operation, with a staff of only 40 in 2004.
• Operation Blessing does not break out the expenditures for its various program activities.  It describes 4 main program areas, but lumps them all together in a single program total.  Again, this gives a misleading impression that the organization engages in extensive "ministry" activities, whereas in reality it is mainly involved in distribution of material. 
• Salary expenditure for non-officer "management and general" personnel appears to be grossly inadequate for an organization of this size distributing in-kind goods.  The stewardship requirements for in-kind distribution are considerable, if only to prevent diversion of donated goods to commercial purposes, and there cannot possibly be handled with $21,000 in staff salaries as shown in the FY 2004 Form 990.  Recent news stories report that it is the practice of Operation Blessing to swap donated commodities for other consumer food products, which increases the risk of diversion and thus the need for more monitoring.
• The salary for COO William Horan is repored at $167,425 for 2004, but other employees paid by The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. are:  Michael D. Little ($266,458), Randy Morell ($133, 246) and Gordon P. Robertson ($246,610) (this is Rev. Pat Robertson's son).  These salaries appear high for an organization primarily engaged in distribution of donated goods.  It is also misleading to have salaries paid by another organization, because it gives a misleading impression of the "efficiency" of the charity.
• Finally, the figures reported are from 2004, because the 2005 figures are not available on-line, either from Operation Blessing or on Guidestar.  The organization's fiscal year ends in March, so the 2005 figures should be available now, nearly 10 months after the end of the fiscal year.

Comments

[Quentin]

Anyone who says make more money by sending more to me is a scam artist...and in the name of Jesus is even worse! How much does Pat make annually? Tx, Quentin, info@shorz.com

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[バーバリーマフラー]

東京都で処理を受け入れた岩手県宮古市の東日本大震災の災害廃棄物（がれき）第１便約３０トンが３日、貨物列車でＪＲ東京貨物ターミナル駅（品川区）に到着し、７トン積みコンテナ計６個が都内３カ所の中間処理施設に運び込まれた。震災のがれきが東北以外で受け入れられたのは初めて。
２日夜に盛岡市を出たコンテナは３日午前、相次いで東京貨物ターミナル駅に到着。フォークリフトでトラックに積み替えられ、各地の処理施設に向かった。このうちコンテナ１個が搬入された大田区の処理施設では、重機や手作業で金属などの不燃物が分けられ、可燃物は燃やしやすいように破砕された。がれきには、木材や木くずに加え、布団やネクタイ、ぬいぐるみなど、津波で流されたとみられるさまざまな生活の品が泥にまみれて交ざっていた。

[ティンバーランド]

ティンバーランドカナダのケント環境相は12日、先進国に温室効果ガスの排出削減義務を課した京都議定書から正式に離脱することを明らかにした。主要メディアが報じた。
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