International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
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
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders 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.
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.
In addition, IFFGD does not meet this Standard because:
- The paid Chief Executive Officer serves as chair of the board 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.
IFFGD does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors held two meetings in 2024.
Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.
IFFGD does not meet this Standard because:
- Two members out of the seven member board of directors (29%) are compensated. The chair of the board is compensated directly, and another member is compensated indirectly.
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 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 organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2024.
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 visitors' information.
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to inform, assist, and support people affected by gastrointestinal (GI) disorders."
Year, State Incorporated:
1991, WI
The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) provides educational material and programs to patients and their support systems impacted by gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), gastroparesis, constipation, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD), incontinence, Short Bowel Syndrome, and other GI motility disorders. These programs include written fact sheets, video series programs, in-person programs, and educational websites. The organization works with patients, families, physicians, nurses, practitioners, investigators, regulators, employers, and others to broaden understanding about GI disorders, support and encourage research, and improve digestive health in adults and children.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders's program expenses were:
| Program services | $561,691 |
| Total Program Expenses | $561,691 |
Chief Executive
Ceciel T. Rooker, President
Compensation*
$154,744
Chair of the Board
Ceciel T. Rooker
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President, IFFGD
Board Size
8
Paid Staff Size
6
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Membership appeals
Fundraising costs were 10% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $616,822 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, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Corporate and foundation support | $512,500 |
| Investment income, net | $106,354 |
| Special event income, net | $81,741 |
| Individual contributions | $22,581 |
| Miscellaneous income | $3,449 |
| Total Income | $726,625 |
Programs: 76% Fundraising: 8% Administrative: 16%
| Total Income | $726,625 |
| Total expenses: | $742,868 |
| Program expenses | $561,691 |
| Fundraising expenses | $60,634 |
| Administrative expenses | $120,543 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-16,243 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $2,265,065 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $2,248,822 |
| Total Liabilities | $85,707 |
| Total Assets | $2,334,529 |
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