Donating money to xyz org

[Fencer]

Last week I was called (I thought) by our State Trooper Org to ask for a donation. I tell them I will send some $$ as I always do. I have so many sherrif and trooper stickers on my desk I could fill a window.

Anyway, I get the pledge form and its from the AMERICAN Troopers / AL Division. so I'm thinking, this isn't who I normally give to. I called them up and ask how much of my money will stay local. Answer 20%. OK I can still live with that if the bulk will still go to the men in blue some other place. I then ask how much is for overhead. Answer 80% :angry: .

I figure of my 20% local, 15% of that is prob "overhead" here. So of my $100 pledge, a cop or his family might see a portion of $5. NO ******* WAY. I told them to cancel my pledge.

I will not give to any organization with more than 30% overhead or who uses paid solicitors.

This is no better than a High tech street beggar. :glare:

 

[keithaba]

I donate a few bottles of bourbon to my brother every year (he's an LEO in Ft. Lauderdale, FL), which he shares with his other friends on the force.

So they get 100% of my donation! I figure I'm covered, plus I get the cool badge thingie that you can only get if your a family member.

If you'd like, I can supply you with his address.

 

[Bounce]

the way i look at it: if THEY call ME, then i don't donate. if I call THEM, then i donate.

Spam is spam.

 

[Murph]

80% overhead is just plain ridiculous and is hardly a "charity."

 

[radman]

Big United Way drive just finished here at Commie Central. On the 8 gazillion color book they hand out with all the pics of diverse cultures interacting here in utopia, were random descriptions of what happens to your generous donations. When I saw "$20 will help pay for an activist to instruct apartment dwellers on the effects of secondhand smoke in their building" I threw the ****** so hard it cracked the window in my little non-utopian office. If they call, I just hang up. I pity the poor sob's that get the wife, by the time she's done with the DNC spiel, they wish they took up selling Kirby Vacs instead. Got no time for so called "charities".

 

[GunMD]

Big United Way drive just finished here at Commie Central. On the 8 gazillion color book they hand out with all the pics of diverse cultures interacting here in utopia, were random descriptions of what happens to your generous donations. When I saw "$20 will help pay for an activist to instruct apartment dwellers on the effects of secondhand smoke in their building" I threw the ****** so hard it cracked the window in my little non-utopian office. If they call, I just hang up. I pity the poor sob's that get the wife, by the time she's done with the DNC spiel, they wish they took up selling Kirby Vacs instead. Got no time for so called "charities".

You been hangin' 'round TWN? You seem cranky, too.

 

[Scab]

Big United Way drive just finished here at Commie Central. On the 8 gazillion color book they hand out with all the pics of diverse cultures interacting here in utopia, were random descriptions of what happens to your generous donations. When I saw "$20 will help pay for an activist to instruct apartment dwellers on the effects of secondhand smoke in their building" I threw the ****** so hard it cracked the window in my little non-utopian office. If they call, I just hang up. I pity the poor sob's that get the wife, by the time she's done with the DNC spiel, they wish they took up selling Kirby Vacs instead. Got no time for so called "charities".

You been hangin' 'round TWN? You seem cranky, too.

He was TWN's mentor.

 

[twowheelnut]

You been hangin' 'round TWN? You seem cranky, too.

Er, the correct answer in Gunny parlance is: Phuck you, you phucking phuck.*





*apologies to ADVrider.com

He was TWN's mentor.

And you're my mental.

 

[Scab]

He was TWN's mentor.

And you're my mental.

Does that mean I'm in your will?

 

[cougar8000]

The only organization that gets my money now days is Pediatric Brain and Tumor Foundation if I am not mistaken they have less then 9% over head last time I checked. They not only get my money they get my time as well.

I am just shocked that there are people out there that have no shame pretending that they are taking your money to help someone while only a small portion is actually going for the help.

 

[twowheelnut]

He was TWN's mentor.

And you're my mental.

Does that mean I'm in your will?

Sure, after the inheritance taxis paid, you'll have 5 bucks left over to donate to your favorite charity.

 

[JimLor]

The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund

 

[v65]

Believe it or not 20% is not bad. There was a bunch of reports on this a few years ago when private companies started doing the fundraising for the police, firefighters, etc. I always ask when they call me how much actually goes to the organization, I usually hear 10-15%, but it can be as low as 5%!

 

[Ignacio]

Believe it or not 20% is not bad. There was a bunch of reports on this a few years ago when private companies started doing the fundraising for the police, firefighters, etc. I always ask when they call me how much actually goes to the organization, I usually hear 10-15%, but it can be as low as 5%!

That's a totally relative thing. 20% may not be the worst offender, but that's part of the point of this thread. Scrutiny should be given to those that have less efficient rates. It's like saying a 60 out of 100 on a test isn't as bad as a 30...when it's still an F.

Only A organizations will get my money....preferably ones that do their own fundraising. They're easy to spot.

1) They put their financial information within easy reach....usually within a click or two on their website. Organizations that put copies of their tax returns front and center are also ones that don't usually have dirty laundry and often A+.

2) That fundraising be 15% or less as calculated by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). It's not the only indicator for sure, but I've found that organizations that make a point to keep that figure down in the 10-12% range and emphasize it in their annual reports are usually pretty efficient and do the most good.

 

[donaldb]

me?

donate to: American Cancer Society, American Heart Assoc., Diabeties Assoc. and the Crohn's & Colitus Foundation. All of these diseases have directly affected our family. I am uncertain exactly how much of our $ actually goes toward research, treatment and cure, however. While I would like to think and hope that most does, in any event if only an actual small percentage makes it there, then I'm still ok with it. Oh yea, also our local church.

I do not donate or contribute to any social charities such as the United Way, at least any additional over and above my state and federal taxes, I think that is enough.

 

[JimLor]

I agree. Why pay an "umbrella" organization to collect for established charities? I don't think the "overhead" they suck from your contribution is worth the effort. If you want to contribute to charity xxx, then do so - they'll take some overhead too, no sense letting it get sucked off twice. My opinion.

 

[eg23232]

Northwest Medical Teams (now Medical Teams International) and the Oregon Trail chapter of the American Red Cross are the two biggies I always donate $$ to. Our search and rescue team is a 503c3 organization so they always get my donation as well.

Good resource: https://www.charitynavigator.org/

You can also inquire via Better Business Bureau as they have loads of info on charities.

 

[weekend rider]

Let the donor beware, lot of crooks out there. They are whining and dinning on your money while you are eating hotdogs

For me the bell ringing salvation army is one I give to their operating cost about 6 percent