Israel Special Kids Fund

Mission:
Israel Special Kids Fund (ISKF), http://www.israelspecialkids.com/,
is the American arm of the Israeli non-profit called Simcha
Le’Yeled. Simcha Le’Yeled (translation – “Happiness to the
Child”) is dedicated to improving the quality of life of disabled
and seriously ill children in hospitals and rehabilitation centers
in Israel. “We concentrate our efforts on children neglected by
other groups, such as those with genetic diseases, muscular
dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, kidney dialysis, diabetes and accident
and burn victims, in addition to those with cancer. Our programs
include a big brother/sister program, holiday celebrations,
birthday parties, amusement parks, water parks, trips, tours,
sleep-away camps, dreams come true, airplane rides and
swimming.”

Financial Efficiency Evaluation:
According to Charity Navigator
(http://www.charitynavigator.org/), America’s leading charity
evaluator, ISKF has an overall rating of 4 stars (four stars is the
highest rating.) Charity Navigator provides the following
breakdown of ISKF based on 990 tax returns through 2006:
Overall Rating: 4 stars ****
Organizational Efficiency: Efficiency Rating 4 stars****
Program Expenses: 88.8%
Administrative Expenses: 4.6%
Fundraising Expenses: 6.4%
Fundraising Efficiency: $0.06 (ISKF spends $0.06 to raise $1.)
Organizational Capacity: Capacity Rating 4 stars ****
Primary Revenue Growth: 8.6%
Program Expenses Growth: 33.3%
Working Capital Ratio (years): 0.39
(ISKF can sustain itself for 0.39 years without generating
new revenue.)
Organizational Capacity refers to an organization’s ability
to sustain itself over time. Charities that exhibit consistent
revenue and expenses growth are more likely to sustain its
programs and services over the long haul. ISKF has net
assets of $428,262. Compensation for its President, Hillel Wiener,
was $66,000 which represents 6.12% of expenses. For comparison
purposes, compensation for the President of the American Jewish
World Service, Ruth Messinger, was $191,00 which was 0.79% of
expenses. Also, for comparison purposes, Charity Navigator
has given the Whitney Museum of American Art a two star rating.


Recent News:
Hadassah is one of the largest hospital centers in Israel and it treats
hundreds of children each week. It runs a school for hospitalized
children called the Hadassah Hospital School. Last Purim, Simcha
Le’Yeled ran a Purim celebration for the Hadassah Hospital School.
“According to the principal of school, the event was extremely well
organized and all the children laughed, sang and danced during the
entire event. Even those who were very sick and are usually confined
to their rooms attended and all had a great time. The entire
Hadassah hospital staff said that this was the most successful and
enjoyable party they have ever seen. Everyone was able to see the
incredible effort your organization put into this and all the other
events you have run.”

Recommendations:
1) The Israel Special Kids Fund is a very efficient non-profit in that
88.8% of its revenue reaches its target – “Simcha Le’Yeled.” As
Simcha Le’Yeled is an Israeli non-profit, Simcha Le’Yeled is NOT
evaluated by Charity Navigator. Thus, I do not know how much
of the revenue received by Simcha Le’Yeled actually reaches the
hospitalized Israeli children.
2) The ISKF website should include an archive of recent events.
3) The ISKF should publicize its four star Charity Navigator rating.
It should also publicize the efficiency of Simcha Le’Yeled under the
assumption that Simcha Le’Yeled is also an efficient non-profit.

Next Week’s Blog: The American Society for Yad Vashem