25 of America's worst charities—plus tips on how to avoid getting scammed

[Bubzer]

It's awesome when people want to help others. It sucks when our money is just lining a pocket.

In 2014, Americans donated an estimated $350 billion to charities. A generous country we are, but how much of those funds actually went to the advertised causes? You might not want to know. There are good charities. There are bad charities. And there are the worst charities.

America’s Worst Charities gain their titles by how much they raise in donations and how little of that money goes to the actual causes they advertise. As these deceptive organizations ask you for your financial support, they lie about to where or whom that is alloted, sometimes paying themselves “multiple salaries” and “consulting fees.” One “cancer charity” paid the company president's son nearly $18 million over eight years, to solicit donations. The Tampa Bay Times reports:

On a related note; I'm surprised Susan G Komen was not on this list. If you want to support cancer research and awareness, please consider supporting Planned Parenthood, rather than SGK.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/11/13/1449096/-25-of-America-s-worst-charities-plus-tips-on-how-to-avoid-getting-scammed?detail=facebook

[Laf.La.Dem.]

1. Super sad

just put kids, cancer, or vets in your "charity" and people will give - sad sad sad

[Bubzer]

3. The GOP and their contributors know which buzzwords to use to bilk the populace.

I've thought a number of times about starting up a charitable organization, something to run counter to all those pretenders. Running organizations like that is very very hard though...unless you already have a backer. I think in some cases, some of these charities started out legit, and then changed when they realized hoe corporate they had to be in order to stay alive. Course, some are just flat out evil.

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. It also depends on your cause.

I run a charity offering programs for people with developmental disabilities and I sit on a board of a charity for people with mental illness.

It's an uphill battle. It'd be easy to make money if we ran a hedgehog rescue organization and made cute videos.

[Bubzer]

10. +1

[TreasonousBastard]

2. I wouldn't give Komen a nickel, but...

Charity Navigator gives them two stars and they spend 80% on their programs, whatever they are.

Not nearly as scammish as the list in the article.

[Bubzer]

5. I did a bit of my own calculations (NOT a math wiz here), and figured they give 5%-8% to research.

They rest goes to "operations". I understand operational costs... but unless they're giving at least 25% of donations directly to whatever they advertise (in this case, cancer research), they don't get my dollars. When I give to Planned Parenthood, I know most of my money goes directly to help women and families.

[uppityperson]

4. K&r

[xmas74]

6. I've always given to American Cancer Society instead of Susan G.

They were there for my grandmother many years ago.

[lumberjack_jeff]

7. A great tool to evaluate charities is charity navigator

Available here.

[Bubzer]

11. That looks interesting. I'll have to look that tool over. Thanks!

[NuclearDem]

18. This. I swear by Charity Navigator.

[KamaAina]

9. Avon has also stepped nicely into the pink hole left by Komen's BS.

[Nye Bevan]

12. Never, ever, ever agree to donate to a cold-calling telemarketer.

The charity will get a very small percentage of the donation, the vast majority going to the telemarketing firm.

Do your own research, pick a charity that helps a cause that is important to you and makes good use of its donations (I use, and am a member of, charitywatch.org which is very helpful for this) and donate directly to the charity.

[Bubzer]

14. Great advice!

[Eleanors38]

16. Yep. None of that crap. I asked a friend why he contributed to a Sheriff's association...

with a crappy track record of fund-raising to charitable expenditures. He said: To get their bumper sticker so I'm less likely to get pulled over. He thinks his membership comes up on 9-1-1 calls, too.

[bvar22]

13. WOW. .. I've given money to some of them.

The worst calls for me are from the local and State Police.
They keep a record of my donations, and can be intimidating.

This year, the solicitor calling for our Police was very caustic about my ZERO donation last year,
after being a regular donor, and basically demanded an explanation. At first, I was defensive explaining a drop in income.....before I got angry. That is NONE of their fucking business.

I used to do it for that little sticker they send you to put on your windshield.
That sticker can make all the difference in this state, and many others.

I declined politely, but felt that my name was being added to a list.

[Bubzer]

15. You should never be intimidated into giving! Sorry you went through that :(

I've heard of similar circumstances before, so, unfortunately, I'm not surprised.

[lumberjack_jeff]

17. They leverage that intimidation factor too.

"This call may be recorded..."

[Mendocino]

19. If you go

to the DailyKos link, then down to the full list after the top 25, there is a full expanded list. Of the 48 listed ten are law enforcement, over 20%. This is a shakedown of the public for "protection".