Anthony Chisom AIDS Foundation blames accountant for failing to submit required forms
WALKING FOR AWARENESS | Black AIDS Institute founder Phill Wilson will return to Dallas to lead the second annual South Dallas AIDS Walk.
The organizer of this week’s South Dallas AIDS Walk acknowledged this week that his group lost its nonprofit status last year. However, the walk was set to got forward on Saturday, and other participants are satisfied that proper steps have been taken to correct the situation.
The walk, organized by the Anthony Chisom AIDS Foundation, also benefits AIDS Interfaith Network, Abounding Prosperity and The Movement.
The Anthony Chisom AIDS Foundation lost its nonprofit status last year after failing to file IRS form 990 for three years in a row, records show.
“We’ve been working to get it reinstated,” Anthony Chisom said. “Our accountant simply did not submit the information.”
He said the accountant disappeared, and the agency is working with a new CPA to put all of the foundation’s financial information together to submit.
“I assumed he did it,” Chisom said. “We’re working to correct that.”
“We are confident that this will be resolved satisfactorily in a timely manner,” said AIDS Interfaith Network Development Director Travis Gasper.
Meanwhile, preparations for Saturday’s walk, which raises money for South Dallas AIDS agencies, are moving forward.
Walk director Auntjuan Wiley said the last detail he was working this week was securing a stage for the entertainment. After the walk, hip-hop, gospel and spoken-word artists will perform at the South Dallas Cultural Center.
New sponsors this year include Avita, which recently opened a pharmacy at AIDS Arms’ Trinity Clinic in Oak Cliff; and Ritecare, a pharmacy on MLK Jr. Boulevard in South Dallas near Peabody Clinic. Krispy Kreme is another new supporter of the event.
Phill Wilson, founder of the Black AIDS Institute, will attend a private reception on Friday evening and serve as an ambassador for the event. Last year, he led the walk. Also appearing will be Ashley Roberts, host of Channel 33’s DFW Close Up. District 7 Dallas City Councilwoman Carolyn Davis will greet attendees at the opening ceremony.
“This will be the second year AIN participates in the South Dallas AIDS Walk,” Gasper said. “It’s a community-led, community-focused event in a part of Dallas hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic. AIN has long been involved in this community, and we look forward to walking with them on Saturday.”
Kirk Myers, CEO of beneficiary Abounding Prosperity, said that his goal in participating is to raise HIV and AIDS awareness as well as get the word out about his agency.
Abounding Prosperity, currently next to Peabody Clinic, is moving to a new location on MLK Jr. Boulevard. After the move, Myers hopes to serve many more clients.
“Our new building is right on the walk route,” he said. “We’re in this for awareness.”
Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 Fitzhugh Ave. The walk steps off at 10 a.m. Parking is available at Fair Park at Gate 8 off Fitzhugh Avenue. Registration is $25 per person, $30 with a pet, and free for anyone under 16.
It is a simple process to secure non-profit status, it is much more difficult to maintain it. There are a few very basic requirements to maintain IRS non-profit status. Filing a 990 form is one of those requirements. An agency must maintain copies of 990 forms for anyone who wishes to review the information contained within which includes salaries, revenues and expenses. Another core requirement for non-profits is liability insurance for the Board and agency. Not filing a 990 (3 years in a row) demonstrates a serious lack of financial oversight by both the Executive Director and the Board. Hopefully, Mr. Chisom will be able to address this recent challenge and that the lack of a filed 990 is not an indication of much more significant problems.