A group of charitable and philanthropic organizations has released a draft "Principles of International Charity" that can be used to prevent diversion of charitable funds to terrorists. Both domestic and international nonprofits are being asked to comment on the draft, which is an alternative to the Dept. of Treasury's November 2002 guidelines. OMB Watch and other groups have called on Treasury to withdraw their guidelines .

In April 2004 the Treasury Department invited a group of charitable sector organizations which had been critical of its "Voluntary Best Practice Guidelines" to engage in a dialog about revising them. In response, representatives of more than 25 organizations, including OMB Watch, and umbrella groups like the Council on Foundations and Grantmakers Without Borders, set up a working group independent of Treasury. Over the past several months, the working group drafted the "Principles of International Charity" as an alternative to the Treasury Guidelines.

The "Principles" briefly describes the history of U.S. nongovernmental organizations supporting responsible international charitable activities and lists eight fundamental principles of accountability that guide international work. A commentary section fleshes out the principles with specific issues and examples.

The working group will meet with representatives of the Treasury Dept. in the next few months to discuss using the "Principles" as the basis for revisions to Treasury's guidelines.

Comments on the "Principles" can be sent to Kay Guinane at OMB Watch online or by faxing to 202/234-5150. Please submit comments by Oct. 29, 2004. See the full text of the draft Principles.