Thinkstock
America’s 50 worst charities were recently identified by the Tampa Bay Times and Center of Investigative Reporting (CIR). Their ranking calls out charities that spend a disproportionate amount of money to hire professional solicitation companies, thus cutting into the amount of money that actually goes to benefit the cause whose name is being invoked. After interviewing vendors and recipients, tracing donations, reviewing financial records and investigative documents the Times concluded many of the charities also have intertwining boards and family connections.
According to the Times, multimillion-dollar operations in Florida, Louisiana and Pennsylvania have paid their solicitors almost $1 billion over the past 10 years, and less than 4 percent of the money raised is actually given to the recipient it’s advertised for.
Are you donating to one of America’s Worst Charities? The CIR provides you with some things to look out for when you are contacted by a charity, as well as a list of America’s 50 Worst Charities.
