Armenian Eye Care Project
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Armenian Eye Care Project does not meet the following 5 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.
AECP 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.
- Have a voting member of the board who is assigned the responsibility of serving as the treasurer.
- The Chief Executive Officer also serves as the chair of the baord of directors.
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.
AECP does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held one meeting in 2022.
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.
AECP does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2023 budget information, it indicated that the budget did not identify:
- Total projected program service expenses.
- Total projected fundraising expenses.
- 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.
AECP does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization did not provide BBB WGA a 2022 annual report upon request.
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.
AECP does not meet this Standard becasue the organization's website, https://eyecareproject.com, did not include:
- A summary of 2022 program service accomplishments.
- Access to the organizaiton's 2021 990.
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: 13
Armenian Eye Care Project meets the remaining 14 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to provide access to eye care for all Armenians — regardless of their financial situation — and to eliminate avoidable blindness through prevention and early intervention."
Year, State Incorporated:
2002, CA
Armenian Eye Care Project (AECP) is dedicated to eliminating preventable blindness in Armenia and making quality eye care accessible to every Armenian child and adult in the country. The organization reports that it seeks to provide access to eye care regardless of ability to pay through prevention and early detection. AECP strives to accomplish these goals through medical education and training and a broad range of patient care programs.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, Armenian Eye Care Project's program expenses were:
Program expenses: $1,687,699
Total Program Expenses: $1,687,699
Chief Executive
Roger V. Ohanesian, Founder and President
Chair of the Board
Roger V. Ohanesian
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Opthalmologist
Board Size
15
Paid Staff Size
2
*2021 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
The organization reports that Mr. Ohanesian is not compensated.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Radio, Special events
Fundraising costs were 4% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,465,528, 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 Armenian Eye Care Project's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Source of Funds
| Bequests | $90,000 |
| Special events | $115,843 |
| Interest and dividend income | $42,934 |
| Realized and unrealized gains on investments, net | $116,141 |
| In-kind contributions | $893,831 |
| Donations | $1,365,854 |
| Total Income | $2,624,603 |
Programs: 85% Fundraising: 5% Administrative: 9%
| Total Income | $2,624,603 |
| Total expenses: | $1,978,513 |
| Program expenses | $1,687,699 |
| Fundraising expenses | $104,738 |
| Administrative expenses | $186,076 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $646,090 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $3,863,218 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $4,509,308 |
| Total Liabilities | $24,000 |
| Total Assets | $4,533,308 |
Note: According to the organization's 2021 audited financial statements, AECP received in-kind income of $893,831 including equipment ($800,000) and supplies and medication ($93,831).
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance