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United Way of Delaware County Earns Wise Giving Seal (Jan 01, 2006)

Accountability has long been an issue that distinguishes United Way organizations among the host of charities appealing for donor gifts. Following the standards set by United Way of America and adhering staunchly to local measurements set and monitored by Delaware County volunteer leaders, United Way of Delaware County has established a tradition of trust and accountability. Recently, we earned a new distinction related to accountability.

United Way of Delaware County has earned the "Wise Giving Seal" from the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio and the right to be included in the BBB's local "Wise Giving Guide" for consumers.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance issues rigorous charity accountability standards and maintains the "Wise Giving Seal" program to assure donors that the those who earn that seal operate in accordance with those standards.

The standards include such issues as privacy protection, charity effectiveness and Internet appeals, charity use of funds and fundraising practices. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance is a charity watchdog formed by the 2001 merger of the National Charities Information Bureau (NCIB) and the Council of Better Business Bureaus Foundation and its Philanthropic Advisory Service (PAS).

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charitable Accountability surpass the limited financial-only review conducted by other charity reporting groups. The program seeks to inform donors about the operations, governance and fundraising practices of charities.

The comprehensive standards, released in 2004, were developed over a three-year period, utilizing independent research on donor expectations and professional and technical assistance from representatives of charities, both large and small, the accounting profession, grant-making foundations, corporate foundation officers, regulatory agencies, research organizations and the Better Business Bureau system.

The Better Business Bureau Foundation of Central Ohio's local Wise Giving Guide that lists all charities soliciting in central Ohio and whether or not they meet the Standards for Charitable Accountability.