Tis The Season

[Rusty]

I saw this and thought that it might be handy the next time you receive a phone call about donating money over the phone. I always ask how much of my donation is actually going to the foundation they are collecting for. And, I ask for a phone number for the foundation they are collecting for to ask them. Call me cautious, but it just irks me to find out that the foundation only get a very small part of the donation.

http://www.joplinglobe.com/statenews/local..._329230234.html

Published November 25, 2007 11:02 pm - TULSA, Okla. — A newspaper investigation of more than 200 state-registered tax-exempt organizations shows that three dozen of them that hired outside fundraisers received only 15 percent of the $100 million they collected.

The Tulsa World reviewed nonprofits that used other groups to assist them in fundraising. Thirty-seven of the groups spent at least 35 percent of the total amount raised on expenses related to fundraising.

Professional fund-raisers cost groups major money

The Associated Press

TULSA, Okla. — A newspaper investigation of more than 200 state-registered tax-exempt organizations shows that three dozen of them that hired outside fundraisers received only 15 percent of the $100 million they collected.

The Tulsa World reviewed nonprofits that used other groups to assist them in fundraising. Thirty-seven of the groups spent at least 35 percent of the total amount raised on expenses related to fundraising.

The review did not include nonprofit groups that did not use professional fundraisers.

Under Oklahoma’s Solicitation of Charitable Contributions Act, the state requires tax-exempt groups and professional fundraisers to file documents related to their fundraising.

Among the groups that spent large amounts on professional fundraisers were some whose causes benefit public safety officers or fight hunger, disease or poverty, such as The National Children’s Leukemia Foundation, The Association for Police and Sheriffs Inc. and the Committee for Missing Children.

The investigation found that the 37 groups reported collecting $103 million but spent almost $88 million to do so.

The American Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Inc., based in Monroe, La., reported collecting $5,721,340 in contributions in 2004 but only received $140,370 of those funds for the purpose for which the group had been established. About 90 percent of the first amount went to professional fundraisers and solicitors, records show.

Groups that use fundraisers say they don’t like such high payouts to third parties but that it’s a cost of doing business.

“I know I’m not thrilled,” said Steve Van Dyke, the executive director of the U.S. Deputy Sheriff’s Association, which spent nearly three-fourths of the $3.5 million it raised in 2005 on fundraising. “I think it could be better. We looked long and hard for this and we’re advised that this is the best deal that there is out there.”

The Better Business Bureau said it recommends that nonprofit groups spend no more than 35 percent of contributions on fundraising expenses.

“The high fundraising costs hurt charities that work hard to keep their fundraising expenses low,” said Rick Brinkley, the president and chief executive officer of the Tulsa Better Business Bureau.

That 35-percent goal is not realistic, said Ron Bartimer, the president of the Oklahoma State Fraternal Order of Police, which receives 18 percent of the money it raises.

“The fact is unfortunately we have to rely on, just because of the nature of the business, we have to rely on some sort of assistance like this and this is the way we are having to do it right now,” Bartimer said.

Among the nonprofit groups that kept fundraising costs to a minimum is Special Olympics Oklahoma Inc., which spent 7 percent of the $3 million it raised in 2005 on professional fundraisers. “In my opinion there are professional ethics that we have to consider before we sign any type of agreement or do any type of fundraising,” said Adrian DeWendt, the group’s executive director.

“It’s very important for our organization to be able to justify all of the money we spend as an organization. When we say 83 percent of the money goes directly to the program, that’s what we mean and that’s very important to us.”

[Thom]

Rusty: You make a good point. I have found that many of these so called charities give very little to the intended receipent.

That is why I give most of my charitable gifts through my Church or the food pantry, resale shop and thanksgiving baskets, angel christmas tree etc that we sponser. 20% of our budget goes to these kinds of organizations. All of these give 100% of the gifts to receiptants and all of us are volunteers.

I do have some local charities that I also give to such as Salvation army etc so I just trust that God will see that it gets to the needy. I don't think He really needs my help other than giving.

[Rusty]

This is what really ticks me off. This is what is reported in the paper,"That 35-percent goal is not realistic, said Ron Bartimer, the president of the Oklahoma State Fraternal Order of Police, which receives 18 percent of the money it raises."

But on their website he (Ron Bartimer, President) tells something different: "You will be glad to know that 100% of the donations go directly to the FOP and our call center is managed by Retired Police Officer Johnny Anderson, our Director of Fundraising."