My reason for never donating to The United Way is a little different; up until I just gave up trying to keep track about 1998, every major city I lived in or near had had a major 'diversion of funds' scandal concerning United Way. Every. Single. One.
Cleveland, Baltimore, DesMoines, Washington DC. Some of them m ore than once in my lifetime.
It's too complicated a model. It almost BEGS administrators to line their pockets, or spend funds on their pet projects.
In Goodwill, the joke is on the CEO. Anything worth any real money gets diverted by the employees for personal use or to sell on Ebay/Craig's list. The money goes into local pockets.
Each organization has issues. For the Lions Club International "100% of donations go to help the blind......." Check out the Lions Club financial report http://www.lionsclubs.org/resources/all/pdfs/financial_report.pdf Each one has a wart of some kind. Check yours.
""Expenses Elected officers' travel and office International officers $2,647,192(2016) $2,582,667 (2015) International directors $633,622(2016) $537,742 (2015) Past officers and directors $649,352(2016) $604,967(2015) Board, committee and other meetings $4,490,529(2016) $4,458,501(2015) District governors and district governors-elect $8,460,144(2016) $8,803,755(2015) Total elected officers' travel and office $16,880,839(2016) $16,987,632(2015
Salvation Army,City Church in Amarillo (feeding,clothing and teaching poor inner city kids), Jewish Voice(helps those in need in Israel...I have a thing about helping Jesus's kinfolks)....and random others...
Make A Wish pissed me off once cause they wouldn't help a dying kid who wanted to shoot a bear...too damn PC for me....
The members of Lions Clubs pay the expenses incurred by the Lions Clubs International Foundation out of their annual dues. Donations are 100% distributed. Even locally, Lions clubs are required to separate donation funds so they are spent only for the club's community work.
Anon, here's where I draw the line: if a charity's leaders and operating costs are more than 50% of the budget, I move on. If the operators spend millions on salaries and perks like motivational trips to Vegas or the Bahamas, then I question their commitment to helping those in need.
Great post Angel. Regarding your last comment, 50% seems REALLY high, my own cut-off is 90% for small charities and 98% for very large charities. If they can't operate on 10% of a million, or on 2% of 100 million, then maybe they should be doing something else.
The wounded warrior project is a scam too!
ReplyDeleteMake a Wish has had issues also, especially if the wish is not politically correct. Who are they to judge?
ReplyDeleteignore amos
Most charities are a scam. Thanks for the heads up Angel.
ReplyDeleteMy reason for never donating to The United Way is a little different; up until I just gave up trying to keep track about 1998, every major city I lived in or near had had a major 'diversion of funds' scandal concerning United Way. Every. Single. One.
ReplyDeleteCleveland, Baltimore, DesMoines, Washington DC. Some of them m ore than once in my lifetime.
It's too complicated a model. It almost BEGS administrators to line their pockets, or spend funds on their pet projects.
Great post. I usually use the Salvation Army.
ReplyDeleteMake A Wish does great work.
ReplyDeleteI can't say enough about them other than I hope to God you are never in the position to be a recipient of their gift.
Never.
Mark Curran (Goodwill) also gets grants from State and Feds for hiring the folks he does.
ReplyDeleteNearly 100% of sales $ goes to him and his officers.
They help No One but themselves.
Consider Fischer House as well. Same concept as the Ronald McDonald House but for recovering vets.
ReplyDeleteI only give to the Salvation Army, VFW, and DAV.
ReplyDeleteMy wife gives to St. Jude, and we both give to one of the local missions.
This, this. A thousand times this.
ReplyDeleteIn Goodwill, the joke is on the CEO. Anything worth any real money gets diverted by the employees for personal use or to sell on Ebay/Craig's list. The money goes into local pockets.
ReplyDeleteEach organization has issues. For the Lions Club International "100% of donations go to help the blind......."
ReplyDeleteCheck out the Lions Club financial report http://www.lionsclubs.org/resources/all/pdfs/financial_report.pdf
Each one has a wart of some kind. Check yours.
""Expenses
Elected officers' travel and office
International officers $2,647,192(2016) $2,582,667 (2015)
International directors $633,622(2016) $537,742 (2015)
Past officers and directors $649,352(2016) $604,967(2015)
Board, committee and other meetings $4,490,529(2016) $4,458,501(2015)
District governors and district governors-elect $8,460,144(2016) $8,803,755(2015)
Total elected officers' travel and office $16,880,839(2016) $16,987,632(2015
My personal favorite is Toys For Tots during the holidays.
ReplyDeleteMine too, Marines, yum.
DeleteI might still be able to wear my dress blues.
DeleteGRUNT Life
Here Miss Angel goes with her Marine fetish... Ya know I look good in my Class A's!
ReplyDeleteSalvation Army,City Church in Amarillo (feeding,clothing and teaching poor inner city kids), Jewish Voice(helps those in need in Israel...I have a thing about helping Jesus's kinfolks)....and random others...
ReplyDeleteMake A Wish pissed me off once cause they wouldn't help a dying kid who wanted to shoot a bear...too damn PC for me....
vaquero viejo
ReplyDeleteBetter yet: Think and research stuff like this before you believe it.
http://wafflesatnoon.com/think-before-you-donate-charity-claims/
http://skepdic.com/charitieshoaxemail.html
http://www.goodwill.org/uncategorized/think-before-you-donate-and-get-the-facts-about-email-rumors/
The members of Lions Clubs pay the expenses incurred by the Lions Clubs International Foundation out of their annual dues.
ReplyDeleteDonations are 100% distributed.
Even locally, Lions clubs are required to separate donation funds so they are spent only for the club's community work.
Anon, here's where I draw the line: if a charity's leaders and operating costs are more than 50% of the budget, I move on. If the operators spend millions on salaries and perks like motivational trips to Vegas or the Bahamas, then I question their commitment to helping those in need.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Angel. Regarding your last comment, 50% seems REALLY high, my own cut-off is 90% for small charities and 98% for very large charities. If they can't operate on 10% of a million, or on 2% of 100 million, then maybe they should be doing something else.
ReplyDeleteLooked up Anon 7:09AM's three links. Sure looks like the info in this graphic is UNTRUE. Still plan to check GuideStar to make sure.
ReplyDeleteConsider Snowball Express. http://snowballexpress.org/ They're very highly rated.
ReplyDelete