bronco78 wrote:Should a double amputee wounded warrior turn down a new wheel chair lift for the truck he was donated, because the donating organization has a 30.06 sign on the company building? Sounds a lot like a saying involving a nose, face and spite..
Also one about beggars and choosers. On the other hand, it's very smart for a donor to consider how much of his contribution goes to support the charitable works, as opposed to overhead. It's also smart to consider what else the various organizations do, and preferentially support those who do good without doing harm.
So very many charitable organizations appear noble and so very many are found to be corrupt.
Corruption often takes the form of top management salaries being unconscionable in their amount.
And of course, some simply spend so much donation money in overall "administering" that precious little is done to help the charitable target.
My charitable effort is to ignore these organizations and donate directly to those in need.
Often times, rather than give money, I buy groceries or pay the light bill or in some way help those in need by pay their bills or get them what they need. Giving cash per se is something I try to avoid. Even the targeted charity can be tempted to not do the right thing once the money is in hand...
Here is part of an email I received a few weeks back:
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!
Abraham wrote:Anyone know what the CEO of United Way takes home by way of salary?
the last time I checked it was a lot more than I take home. The bigger problem is they support things I like and things I don't. It's much more effective for me to target my donations at the ones I like and not be forced to support those I don't.
As a Vet, I like to support these charities. I have donated over the last few years to WWP, but have always felt uncomfortable about the amount they have to be spending on fund raising. I receive little "gifts" that have to cost something not to include the processing costs. They have a TV commercial every time you turn around. Fisher House is a good one as are others that are listed in this post.
The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
I used to support WWP, but about a year ago I moved my support to other veteran-related causes after I realized that 37% of every dollar they spent was on fundraising, not on helping veterans.
Here are other charities helping veterans with better scores:
Charity Name Overall Score Overall Rating
Wounded Warrior Project - FL 54.18 3 stars
Hope For The Warriors® - NC 65.96 4 stars
Fisher House Foundation - MD 68.09 4 stars
Armed Forces Foundation - DC 55.41 3 stars
USO - VA 60.71 4 stars
Homes for Our Troops - MA 69.15 4 stars
Operation Support Our Troops - America - IL 65.45 4 stars
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors - DC 58.29 3 stars
The Navy SEAL Foundation - VA 69.34 4 stars
That's the problem with huge charities like this. Their overhead/expenses takes so much away from their core mission.
Good to know about WWP. I would not support this cause through them.
On the other hand, it's very smart for a donor to consider how much of his contribution goes to support the charitable works, as opposed to overhead. It's also smart to consider what else the various organizations do, and preferentially support those who do good without doing harm.
