America's 50 worst charities rake in nearly $1 billion for corporate fundraisers

Tampa Bay Times ^ | Thursday, June 6, 2013 | Kris Hundley and Kendall Taggart

[Vinnie]

The left side-bar on the list explains that the most reputable charities pass on more than 36% of their proceeds.

A lot of the 'boiler room' fund raisers make 90% of the proceeds.
They sell their service by stating 10% of something is better than 100% of nothing.

I give to 2 charities.
Salvation Army
USO.
Never...United Fund and Red Cross

[angcat]

Around this area I know a few people who have inherited wealth from their parents and they set up a “charitable foundation” in the family's name. Is this to avoid taxes?

[Vinnie]

I don’t know but it could very well be.

[MosesKnows]

This is why I only give to reputable charities.

We would all like to do that which is why reputable charities are the issue. Which charities are reputable?

Is the Red Cross reputable?
The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans' salary for the year was $951,957 plus expenses.

Is the United Way reputable?
The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a$675,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.

Is UNICEF reputable?
UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,900,000 per year, plus all expenses including a Rolls Royce. Less than 5 cents (4.4 cents) per donated dollar goes to the cause.

Is the Salvation Army reputable?
The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization. 96% percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

The American Legion National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

[Little Ray]

For the Federal Government “charities” overhead runs closer to 80%. So, if they’re getting 50% to the recipient, they’re doin’ better than the Feds.

[Sequoyah101]

My cat could probably do better than the Feds.

[xp38]

[techcor]

Bing "Bono one percent" sometime. His charity only gives about one percent it raises to actually fund anything but themselves. It was shown a few years ago that what a celebrity will do is claim that their time is worth about twice as much as normal when working for a charity. Then they donate half of that to get the tax break. So they can then pocket the remaining money tax free.

The celebrities that do that are usually liberals who believe people "like" themselves should pay higher taxes. Just not them personally.

[Straight Vermonter]

In Vermont college kids go door to door and ask for money to "inform" people about environmental issues. The money goes straight into the pocket of the "canvasser". Apparently the fact that they talk to the donors about environmental issues is the "informing" that they promise to do.

Job ad

[Straight Vermonter]

Around this area I know a few people who have inherited wealth from their parents and they set up a “charitable foundation” in the family's name. Is this to avoid taxes?

I know that many professional athletes do this to give jobs to their family and friends. Little or no money goes to anyone other than the salary paid to these friends and family.

ESPN article about this.

[angcat]

Jeter does this with his Turn 2 Foundation his sister is the President and CEO.