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WASHINGTON D.C. (May 29, 2008) - After stringent review by one
of the country's premier charity watchdogs, a Massachusetts-based
troop-support group has been added to a list of top-rated
charities.
The American Institute of Philanthropy has reviewed Homes for
Our Troops' finances and included the group in their "Top-Rated
Veterans & Military Charities" listing.
Homes for Our Troops is a supporter of America Supports You, a
Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with
servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.
"Homes for Our Troops is proud to be included in [American
Institute of Philanthropy's] list of top rated veterans and
military charities," said Tom Benoit, vice president and chief
financial officer of Homes for Our Troops. "Our dedicated staff has
worked tirelessly to efficiently raise the funds needed to build
homes across the country for severely injured veterans.
"The support we receive from our corporate partners and from
individuals and companies across the country made it possible for
Homes for Our Troops to spend only 7 percent on administration and
fundraising in our fiscal year [ending] Sept. 30, 2007, and to
complete 11 homes in 2007," he added. "Our goal is to complete 30
homes in 2008."
Founded in 2004, Homes for Our Troops is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to providing specially adapted homes to
servicemembers severely injured while fighting in the global war on
terrorism. The organization has provided 25 veterans and their
families with homes suited to meet the each veteran's individual
challenges. Over the next few years, Homes for Our Troops is
committed to providing at least 100 additional homes for injured
troops, organization officials said.
Only five of the 32 veterans charities listed in the American
Institute of Philanthropy's most recent report are included in the
top-rated category, according to institute officials.
The watchdog's review process focuses on the percent of costs
spent on "program service costs" and the efficiency of
organizations in raising funds.
Rather than just using figures reported by charities in
financial disclosure forms, the institute adjusts for direct mail,
telemarketing and solicitation costs that are sometimes allocated
to program service costs. It also excludes the value of donated
goods and services, which can be difficult to measure.
Because of their thorough review process, the institute was
described as "the pit bull of watchdogs" by the New York Times.
Newsweek said, "It's the toughest of the bunch. Because it
disregards certain, potentially suspect, expenses and donations, it
fails some nonprofits that the other raters approve."
Editor's Note: To find out about more individuals,
groups and organizations that are helping support the troops,
visit www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil. America
Supports You directly connects military members to the support of
the America people and offers a tool to the general public in their
quest to find meaningful ways to support the military
community.
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