These are not allegations. The federal government requires nonprofit organizations to file an annual Form 990 that discloses the sources and allocations of all funding, as well as other information such as board members, highest paid staff members, etc. This form is public information, to be made available so that donors may monitor the use of their funds, as well as so that the federal government can ensure that organizations benefiting from tax-free status are complying with the obligations of maintaining that status.
Priests for Life has not filed a 990 since 2008. Rachel’s Vineyard, a sister organization under the Gospel of Life Ministries umbrella, has never filed one, and has had its nonprofit status automatically revoked for that reason, though it still seeks donations and tells donors, incorrectly, that their donations are tax-deductible.And that 2008 Form 990 was filed timely. As per the date received stamp on the face of the return. Available at *********. I am not sure how quickly ********* updates once returns are received by the IRS. I know there can be quite a delay based on some of the returns we file so I will not comment on the 2009 filing, though anyone could contact Priests for life and request to see a copy–it is a public inspection document. You may need to travel there to view it. As for 2010–if it was extended–the extended due date has not been reached–the extended due date would be November 15, 2011.
Internal audits are no substitute for the public documents in question (an audit, even an independent one, simply certifies that no one is embezzling funds, which is not the accusation here), and PFL spokespersons have consistently dodged the question of why the organizations are not in compliance. According to the Form 990 the organizations books are audited by an Independent Public Accountant. This is quite different that an “internal audit”. And an audit by and independent public accountant most certainly does not certify that no one is embezzling funds. Have you ever read and independent audit report or conducted an audt–I am guessing not based on your assertion.
An audit by an independent public accountant simply provides reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit is quite involved but it makes no certifications what-so-ever regarding embezzling funds. Any fraud detected would of course be disclosed to the appropriate level of management but the audit provides no assurance that fraud will be detected.
Here is a link to Charity Navigator, a website that provides donors with unbiased evaluations of the effectiveness of nonprofits, based on public information. You will note that Priests for Life receives a very low rating, not only for its noncompliance with public reporting laws, but also for the disproportionate amount of funds spent on promotion and fundraising in contrast to actual program-related activities.
charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6438 I think you misread what this website reports. Have you looked at the 990? I don’t think its accurate to say PFL spent a disproportionate amount of funds on fundraising in contrast to program related services when you look at the numbers. Additionally father Pavone is not compensated and he spends much time on program related activities–thus understating “program related services”
