Posted on 09/17/2005 5:47:08 AM PDT by Mike Bates
Even before Willie Nelson strums his first chord Sunday at this year's Farm Aid show in Tinley Park, one of the concert's missions will have been accomplished: Upholding the family farm as an American icon.
But how much the Farm Aid organization helps those farmers financially is a different matter. The percentage of funds given away by the group is exceedingly low compared with money eaten up by expenses or not used.
Last year, Farm Aid donated less than 28 percent of its revenue, according to a review of the non-profit's records and policies. An organization should be giving away at least 65 percent of its revenue to be considered performing adequately, said Naomi Levine, a New York University expert on philanthropy.
The high-profile concert itself, which is also burdened by high expenses, provides only a small percentage of revenue to philanthropic causes.
Farm Aid, which has been more successful than any other group -- maybe even farmers themselves -- at advocating the need for family farms, dispensed $387,641 in 57 grants to local organizations in 2004. This was on total revenue of slightly more than $1.4 million, according to records filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
Evelyn Shriver, president of Bandit Records and a director on Farm Aid's board, said she was "shocked" that such a small percentage of the money raised went to grants last year.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Big freaking surprise, here.
Not a big surprise. You want a real eye-opener, take a look at the American Cancer Society's financial statements.
"Expense" money buys a lot of weed.
The percentage spent on hemp is probably bigger than what they give away.
Forgetting the percentage scam for a moment, the numbers are tiny for any high profile charity effort. $1.4MM????
MM
idol worship really pays off...but only if you're the idol his manager, bookeeper or X..
Yeah, I learned.
Maybe that's because, IMHO, the talent is tiny.
Isn't average income for farmers higher than average income for other Americans?
...Evelyn Shriver, president of Bandit Records and a director on Farm Aid's board, said she was "shocked" that such a small percentage of the money raised went to grants last year....Sounds like a giant rip off or giant tax break for 'ol Willie....Wasn't he looking for a few ways to bail out of back taxes due???
72 percent of collections wasted on "overhead"?
That sounds like Jimmy Bakker and PTL. Jail time for Willie?
This generous farm aide donation from the gov't to these impoverished farmers (Turner, Pippen, Rockefeller) courtesy of our pork-spending politicians who whine when Joe Average wants a tax cut. Sheesh!
A dozen years ago James Bovard, who's researched the subject pretty well, wrote that the average American farmer was a millionaire.
Heck, we're lucky if he pays his taxes.
Wonder how many of these musicians who "volunteered" got paid for their services. That is the ugly little secret about their "charity" work. Many of them get paid just to show up at some of these functions in their donated clothes and jewelry. They disgust me...ALL OF THEM!
Maybe Osama Obama will find a scheduling conflict by tomorrow.
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