Thank you for posting the info that got me to the Davy Crockett story. Prescient. Considering the thread where I first read your post has been yanked, I'm glad you've posted it elsewhere.
I myself don't donate to 'professional' charities out of the belief that 100% of my donation is best spent when handed directly to the intended recipient, and nevermind that tax receipt business. Yeah, I know sometimes the objects of charity are that way due to bad decisions, but I put more trust in my method than in government's decisions re: my money.
Besides, there's something wrong when the top person in a charitible organization makes more money through donations than the workin Joes and Janes whose money he solicits. Shouldn't he be putting his money where his mouth is? I'm not rich, but I make a living at less than half of what the local UW head makes in his position there.
That said, I'll be donating to a charity aiming to help the tsunami victims as soon as I can, but it won't be one of the 2 I've mentioned here.
agree...i remember the United Way scandal with the high admin overheads...