Skip to Main Content Jump to Main Menu. But in almost all cases, international aid charities are (a) carrying out complex projects that can fail to do good (or even do harm) in a variety of ways, and (b) not systematically sharing the information that would make it possible to assess how their work is going. Investment Firm Abandons Plans to Build a Mega Slaughterhouse in What about Humanely Raised Milk and Dairy Products? - Work is regularly published and shared in traditional media and on social media channels. Often at smaller charities, it falls within the responsibilities of the finance committee or the executive committee.) There are village quarrels about community grazing; children are taken out of school to graze the goats; water becomes even scarcer, Two goats can reduce the amount of farmland available to local people and result in villages becoming deserted, while a cow will drink up to 90 liters of water every single day., Some agricultural economists began pointing out flaws in the strategy during the 1970s, notably that many recipients of gift animals were unable to feed them to maturity, let alone able to feed and raise offspring., Environmentalists later added questions about the wisdom of introducing non-native livestock to often fragile habitats, where animals with larger or different appetites from the indigenous strains might overtax the vegetation or simply starve., Heifer International and similar organizations spend exorbitant amounts of money on colorful, glossy catalogs depicting cute children hugging and kissing happy, healthy animals (like this HI catalog photo). Working with rural communities in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, Heifer International supports farmers and local food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income. Ian, See the metrics below for more information. I sent detailed comments on the evaluation back to Heifer representatives. We calculate the charity's average total expenses over its three most recent fiscal years. A Well-Fed World sends 100% of your donation to four hand-picked groups with low-overhead and proven successes in high-need areas. We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. Our Plants-4-Hunger gift-donation program is a plant-based hunger relief alternative to Heifer International and other live animal campaigns. Privacy policies are assigned to one of the following categories: Yes: This charity has a written donor privacy policy published on its website, which states unambiguously that (1) it will not share or sell a donor's personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations or (2) it will only share or sell personal information once the donor has given the charity specific permission to do so. Ive pointed people to this blog post and Joedys comments a few times when Heifer is mentioned. As do organizations in other sectors, charities must be mindful of their management of total liabilites in relation to their total assets. Investors in the private sector may consider executive pay when deciding whether or not to invest in a firm, but they are far more likely to consider the revenue of the business and its future prospects for profitability. Full set of blog posts on Grameen Foundation, Full set of blog posts on Heifer International, Full set of blog posts on The Robin Hood Foundation. These lessons are about more than livestock as well. This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies. In other words, it simply states that the evaluators had a positive view of Heifer. For example: We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. But in reality, donations may not go toward the purchase of the selected animal. The organization donates livestock such as chickens, cows, and goats and provides mentorship to help local farmers build a business and gain access to market chains. We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. By working to improve farmer visibility, Heifer International aims to connectsocial entrepreneurs to farmers and farmer data, enabling these innovators to provide tailored solutions to support farmers and co-ops at scale. We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. The strategy was to establish short and direct chains between urban areas with poor access to fresh produce and farmers in surrounding provinces. Holiday Gifting Got Your Goat? A diversion of assets any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. The Buzz on Animal Rights Artist Sue Coe: A New Book and Video. For 76 years, it has invested in more than 36 million smallholder farmers and their families around the world, supporting them to build businesses that are economically and environmentally sustainable. In this situation, we deduct 7 points from the charity's Accountability and Transparency score. The same applies to charity organisations. Quoted from the GiveWell website are concerns about animal gifting in general: When examining organizations implementing livestock-distribution programs, we feel it is appropriate to ask the following questions. Increased dairy production is frequently touted as one of the greatest successes of animal-gifting programs. Founded Date 1944. Additionally, in many arid communities, water is only available from a communal well or reservoir, in which case hydrating animals is a labor-intensive process for adults and children who must travel by foot and can only carry so much. Bill, charitys executive compensation is often high because they must compete for talent with the private sector, where executive compensation is outrageously high. Heifer International, a non-profit sustainable community development organization located in Little Rock, Arkansas, was awarded an OSWER Innovations grant in June of 2003 to design an environmentally-friendly parking plaza to complement the organization's new headquarters, which is a green building located on a former brownfields site. In response to criticism that promoting animal agriculture in regions already plagued by desertification and drought is irresponsible, Heifer International and other organizations have zero-grazing requirements. Goal One: Support 10 million households to reach a living income by 2030. This charity's score is 86%, earning it a Three-Star rating. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Zero-grazing is not only bad for the animals who are confined, it is also bad for the people (often times bad for children) who must use their time, labor and resources to bring food and water to the animals. As a result, poultry mortality rates have fallen significantly among program participants. ), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Paper surveys, Case management notes, Community meetings or town halls, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) Why Aren't Donated Clothes Always Given Away for Free? Our program staff also help to procure hard to get items. The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence. Current CEO and Board Chair can be found in the Leadership & Adaptability report below. We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured. With Alternative Giving, . When you say that a high executive salary is not necessary, you are making a judgment about how an organization can or cannot be run, and I think that is a mistake. Heifer International has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. HEIFER ECUADOR CHOCOLATE FARMERS' BITTERSWEET HARVEST ECO-FRIENDLY LAWN ALTERNATIVES CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF HEIFER INTERNATIONAL WHERE IT ALL BEGAN 44 32 12 WILL VEGANS SAVE THE PLANET? Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting. We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that ones race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. A follow-up study using a randomized control trial design with long-term tracking would enrich our understanding of how animal donations affect dietary diversity, child and adult nutritional outcomes, and longer-term development results in developing countries, as well as the pathways through which such impacts are realized. This website uses standard, nonpersonalized cookies for best experience. Dividing a charity's average fundraising expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. - Building social capital is a core part of Heifer Internationals Values Based Holistic Community Development model which focuses on strengthening communities through training on activities including Heifer Internationals 12 Cornerstones, informal savings and loans, animal management, and a wide range of business and management training. See this article from the American Institute of Philanthropy for more on this topic: http://www.charitywatch.org/articles/salaries.html. We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. Dawn Moncrief is the founder and executive director of A Well-Fed World , a hunger relief and animal protection organization working with grassroots groups in the U.S. and internationally to focus on sustainable plant-based food production programs. It doesnt sound right to me, and I also believe the overhead ratio issue is usually a distraction. I feel that raising questions like the ones we raise above is more productive. Goal Three: Build inclusive and effective value chains, The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development. Working to empower people all over the world and help them to escape poverty, this organization donates livestock and funds programs with similar missions. We also have a comprehensive, multi-channel marketing strategy. How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19: - Field activities continue to follow local and national safety guidance. Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned. 526 Employees . See the metrics below for more information. We increased investment in infrastructure - transportation to get products to market, online marketplaces where farmers can sell direct to consumers, storage and cold chain facilities - and issued cash transfers to cooperatives so they can provide more flexible support to farmers, given the evolving situation. These lawn alternatives are great for the environment, your wallet and your nose | Heifer International Animals Culture Food & Water From The Archives Newsworthy Equality Risk Mitigation & Resilience Insights & Analysis Work & Income Climate 3 Great-Smelling Lawn Alternatives That Will Save You and The Earth By Molly Mitchell October 22, 2019 Heifer International Foundation cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website, Gifts or grants to individuals (other than scholarships) (BMF activity code: 561), Foreign organization (BMF activity code: 911), Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15), Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). Quick question about donor illusions: How different are they from the illusions that for profit organizations use to sell products? If you have to choose between two organizations with slightly different cost effectiveness and far different executive pay, youd still do better to choose the one with higher cost effectiveness. I disagree. A world without hunger and poverty where smallholder farmers can meet demand for food through climate-friendly farming practices. In this case, we deduct 15 points from the charity's Accountability and Transparency score. Heifer offers animal gifts that can transform entire communities. The local farmers and food producers we work with saw demand disappear overnight, as markets, hotels and restaurants were forced to close, and costs skyrocket, with restrictions on movement making access to animal feed, seeds and farm labor especially difficult. Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From Related Parties, Audited Financial Statements Listed on Website. I think accountability for charities is really important. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sign up for our e-newsletter and get our free EcoFood Guide PDF. I still try to steer donors away from animal gifts towards less restrictive donations but it is good to see Heifer include this kind of information on their site. If a charity has high pay but is also generating demonstrable cost-effective impact, then its worth giving to, no matter how unjust you may feel the salaries are. There any plenty of organizations who pay short salaries and fail to create any impact. He realized that giving food was only a short-term solution, however, the donation of cattle would be able to feed a family for years. I wouldnt rely on just one filter (either one). They include enhanced farming techniques, animal well being, agro-ecology and gender equityensuring that all project participants, especially women who throughout much of the world are denied many opportunities that men take for granted, such as land ownership. The much larger 2005 Western Michigan University evaluation is still not public as far as we know. Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website. Heifer USA works with small-scale farmers in the United States to help them transform their communities through training and cooperatives. As reported by charities on their IRS Form 990, this measure reflects what percent of its total budget a charity spends on overhead, administrative staff and associated costs, and organizational meetings. Describe briefly. It is drought and heat tolerant, while also being packed with protein and calcium. Helping people is something to feel good about. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years. GiveWell charity rating organization deemed in their evaluation of Heifer International that the organization lacked sufficient transparency and priority programming to secure GiveWell recommendations or funding. Our purpose here is to make the criticisms of these campaigns public and to encourage alternatives that are more effective and more compassionate. Your donation: Provides sustaining support throughout the year to families in need Helps us to plan ahead and respond to urgent needs Creates lasting change for years to come Donation 1 Details 2 Payment 3 Give Monthly Give One Time Continue to Details This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years. Our expert staff worked with community members to develop bio-secure hamlets with improved practices and protocols to prevent the spread of disease. Former Indian minister for social welfare and animal protection, Maneka Gandhi explains that when goats are allowed or forced by consequences to graze: each goat eats all the grass and shrubbery on two hectares of land a year. Any remaining money is put to use where it is needed most.. Donors. Having another mouth to feed can significantly add to a familys burden, and the animals frequently suffer from neglect, malnutrition, dehydration, lack of veterinary care, and lack of shelter from temperature extremes. In Tanzania, evaluators found most partner families were initially undernourished, but within a couple years after receiving an animal, were able to maintain a healthy diet. Heifer representatives shared the Africa sections with me as part of our grant application process. How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them? Since 2009, we've awarded 2800+ grants ($13.5M+) in 94 countries. Dont Send One, Either. Stated Mission . I have seen the Western Michigan University evaluation you cite. This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. If you believe that the Western Michigan University evaluation represents good outward-facing evidence of Heifers impact, I encourage you to make it publicly available. Where group project activities are possible, social distancing is adhered to and masks and hand washing equipment is made available. What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve? The two giving criteria executive compensation and cost-effective impact are not mutually exclusive. Im impressed by the intelligent, respectful and thoughtful conversation found here. Can they do without these luxuries, YES. Thank you for letting us share this information with your readers. It has declined to share this (basic, in our view) information in repeated exchanges. I think it is essential to judge charities by their impact and not by their inputs. 10 Mothers On Why Theyre Saying NO To Dairy. This organization's score of 93 is a passing score. Heifer International gives the gift of animals Instead of waiting in line with hundreds of others for a chance at nabbing the year's hottest Christmas gifts, Food Network chef Alton Brown. Period. Therefore, I cannot discuss the specifics of the study with you here on the blog. Heifer International. Your declaration that the gift of a cow or a goat or other livestock to Heifer International is donor illusion is inaccurate. Additionally, families agree to Pass on the Gift, too, by passing on offspring of the animal as well as the education and training they received to others, multiplying the initial gift. We check the charity's Form 990 reporting to see if it meets this criteria. Due to popular demand, A Well-Fed World created a special Plants-4-Hunger gift-giving program to provide a compassionate and highly-effective alternative. Company Type Non-profit. Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served. Senior leadership is engaged in a two-year process of intentional development, focused on key competency areas. This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2020, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us. When any animal fund becomes depleted and there is still a need, monies from any other animal fund can be used where needed most. Heifer International has earned a 95% for the Culture & Community beacon. Our Ukraine Relief Fund is helping people and animals in and around Ukraine with free plant-based feeding programs, refugee assistance, and animal rescue support. Isnt a donor who believes that the success stories they see on a non-profits website are the rule rather than the exception as naive as a consumer who thinks Nike shoes will actually make them play basketball like Lebron James? The Giving Basket is having some issues. Many of these have not been possible in the last year due to restrictions on movement linked to COVID-19. You're faster than our page! Dawn has been a social justice advocate for more than 20 years. Dividing a charity's average program expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. No Credit: There has been a diversion of assets within the last two years and the charity's explanation on Schedule O is either non-existent or not sufficient. According to Animal Nepal Founder, Lucia DeVries:I have been sending letters to Dutch agencies to stop this kind of program for yet another reason the animals are generally slaughtered in an inhumane mannerIn Nepal, for instance, there is only one slaughterhouse, in the capital (Katmandu). The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners. Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has these governance practices in place. I think the average donor is probably very unaware of what some of these salaries are (I was myself until recently), but, as I indicated earlier, that information is easily obtained. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. We encourage you and your readers to visit the Heifer Web site to review this report and its findings. I dont agree that the rules for executive compensation in the private sector which themselves have come under considerable scrutiny in the past year should apply to the nonprofit sector. Read our blog or follow us by email, A Well-Fed World is an international hunger relief and food security organization advancing plant-based foods and farming to create a . Only by reviewing a complete study, which is never perfect, can one understand the methodology and its implications and limitations. We agree that its a positive development, but it doesnt change our overall picture much, for a few reasons: Want to stay updated on GiveWell's research? Donors can be reluctant to contribute to a charity when their name, address, or other basic information may become part of donor lists that are exchanged or sold, resulting in an influx of charitable solicitations from other organizations. Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization makes this information easily accessible. But it does exist, and that is unfortunate. Heifer International will remain at its Little Rock headquarters, but visitors to the campus can expect changes when new management takes over in 2023. While animal-giving programs seem to focus on small-scale farming, they have extremely large-scale implications that pave the way for factory farming, and exponentially increase consumption of meat, dairy and eggs throughout entire countries and beyond. Instead of using their food, water, topsoil, and massive amounts of land and energy to raise livestock, Ethiopia, for instance, could grow teff, an ancient and quite nutritious grain grown in that country for the past 20,000 to 30,000 years. Families who have lost farmed animals to drought are now growing crops and experiencing food security, better nutrition, and access to healthcare and education as a result of a steady income. Founders Dan West. A policy that refers to donor information collected on the website is also not sufficient as the policy must be comprehensive and applicable to both online and offline donors. Seventy percent of all Ethiopias cattle are raised pastorally in the highlands of their country, where less than 100 pounds of meat and a few gallons of milk are produced per acre of land used. Many farmers saw their incomes drastically reduce or completely disappear, with limited opportunities to generate additional income.
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