Give to Charity? Be Careful
 

A July Los Angeles Times investigation revealed that professional fundraisers keep so much of the money donated to charity by conscientious, generous-minded people that 430 different California charities over the last 10 years got not one penny of the contributions. In fact, in 337 cases, the charity paid an additional fee on top of getting nothing back (but did come away with the donors' names and addresses, for further solicitation). Philanthropy watchdogs say fundraisers should never keep more than 35 cents on the dollar, but the Times found the overall average was 54 cents, and for missing-children charities, fundraisers kept 86 cents. (Fundraisers for an organization called Citizens Against Government Waste kept 94 cents.) [Los Angeles Times, 7-6-08]

Re: Give to Charity? Be Careful
 

So you're saying instead of giving to those guys collecting for the veterans outside of supermarkets, I would be better off just finding the nearest veteran and handing him/her the money directly?

Re: Give to Charity? Be Careful
 

No not at all. Just be sure of who it is collecting the money and the distribution.

Re: Give to Charity? Be Careful
 

Yup, if you feel inclined to be charitable, ask lots of questions:

Are you a third party?
What % do you/they get?
What's your name?
What's your operating license number?
What location are you calling from?

If they're still on the phone at that point, you
are going to be a lot wiser.

Also ask them to send an envelope to send a check. No credit cards.

Re: Give to Charity? Be Careful
 

Link?

Re: Give to Charity? Be Careful
 

Give to charity -- but don't be a sucker Dec 2007

The give and take for charity -- Los Angeles Times July 2008

In Giving to Charity, Let the Donor Beware -- ABC News July 2003

Here's a few good ones...