Human Rights for Kids
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
Human Rights for Kids does not meet the following 7 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.
HRFK 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.
HRFK does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held two board meetings in 2024.
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.
HRFK does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization's effectiveness assessment policy does not specify that this assessment will take place at least once every two years.
Standard 11 (Financial Statements)
Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.
HRFK does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the organization received revenue totaling $701,171, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990, it does not have a CPA review.
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.
HRFK does not meet this Standard because the 2024 annual report did not include:
- A roster of the board of directors.
- 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.
HRFK does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://humanrightsforkids.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- Electronic access to the organization’s 2023 IRS Form 990.
- 2023 financial information.
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.
HRFK does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on its website, https://humanrightsforkids.org, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
Human Rights for Kids meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to promote and protect the human rights of children."
Year, State Incorporated:
2017, DC
Human Rights for Kids (HRFK) drives change through an integrated, multi-faceted approach which consists of research and public education, coalition building and grassroots mobilization, and policy advocacy and strategic litigation to advance human rights on behalf of children in the United States. Through its State Ratings Report, HRFK has identified 12 laws needed to establish a basic legal framework to protect the rights of all children in the criminal justice system. Guided by the findings of its State Ratings Report, HRFK mobilizes advocacy at the state and federal level often acting as the convenor of disparate groups, connecting impacted individuals and communities to advocacy efforts, and attracting partnerships to help bolster chances for success. The organization works to ensure the entirety of the criminal justice system is equipped to take a child-centered, trauma-informed, human rights lens when interacting with children. This includes training for judges, defense attorneys, and prosecutors and education for the general public through op-eds and media engagement. HRFK engages in and supports strategic litigation to bring about lasting legal reforms on behalf of children through the court system. Activities focus on appellate litigation and submitting Amicus Briefs to advance legal protections for children who have suffered human rights abuses.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, Human Rights for Kids's program expenses were:
| Program services | $527,290 |
| Total Program Expenses | $527,290 |
Chief Executive
James Dold, Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$125,000
Chair of the Board
John Ellem
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Former Delegate, West Virginia
Board Size
16
Paid Staff Size
6
*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 7% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $701,171, 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 Human Rights for Kids's IRS Form 990 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $701,771 |
| Total Income | $701,771 |
Programs: 77% Fundraising: 7% Administrative: 16%
| Total Income | $701,771 |
| Total expenses: | $686,212 |
| Program expenses | $527,290 |
| Fundraising expenses | $46,844 |
| Administrative expenses | $112,078 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $15,559 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $845,005 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $859,964 |
| Total Liabilities | $17,867 |
| Total Assets | $877,831 |
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.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance