Posted on May 19, 2015
Cancer charities bilked donors out of $187 million. Did you get taken?
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Four cancer charities bilked unsuspecting donors out of $187 million, the Federal Trade Commission and all 50 states charged today, in what officials called one of the largest cases ever against charity fraud.
The charities, which operated around the country, told donors their money would help patients by paying for their pain medications, hospice services and other care. But the “overwhelming majority” of the money only benefited the charity organizers, as well as their friends, according to the complaint from the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of all 50 states.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/cancer-charities-bilked-donors-out-of-187-million-government-says/2015/05/19/c164219a-fe57-11e4-833c-a2de05b6b2a4_story.html?hpid=z5
The charities, which operated around the country, told donors their money would help patients by paying for their pain medications, hospice services and other care. But the “overwhelming majority” of the money only benefited the charity organizers, as well as their friends, according to the complaint from the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of all 50 states.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/cancer-charities-bilked-donors-out-of-187-million-government-says/2015/05/19/c164219a-fe57-11e4-833c-a2de05b6b2a4_story.html?hpid=z5
Charity
Cancer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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I remember when I first started working all the pressure for giving and donating to the multitudes of charities out there cancer, vets, FOP or otherwise. After reading about the overhead involved in some of these organizations like the United Way, etc. I wowed to never give blindly.
Over the years I have volunteered my time at soup kitchens, charity walks, events for vets and the elderly and given money or product directly to organizations such as donating cases of water to a cancer walk or supporting those financially running an event. This way I know where the time and money goes and see the results as opposed to anonymous donations that you have no idea what ROI you get.
Over the years I have volunteered my time at soup kitchens, charity walks, events for vets and the elderly and given money or product directly to organizations such as donating cases of water to a cancer walk or supporting those financially running an event. This way I know where the time and money goes and see the results as opposed to anonymous donations that you have no idea what ROI you get.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
I am the same way MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca. My "aha" moment came when I saw how much the executives in some of these charities are making.
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LtCol Joseph Crane
The percentage given to programs vs overhead is not always the best just of a charity or non-profit. For example, some organizations, usually new ones, pride themselves on being all volunteer. This sounds great and usually is for the most part but sometimes it's tough to get any work out of a "volunteer". More importantly, many grant awarding organizations and large donors will not give any money to a non-profit unless there is a full time paid staff in charge. Think about it, would you give a million dollars to someone who works a charity in their spare time? People will most likely have to be paid if they are going to work full time for a non-profit, the result of a full time paid staff is usually much bigger fundraising efforts and a more efficient organization which produces much more for those in need on the receiving end.
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Nosir, I got into the habit of finding out about where charities spend their donations. Some of the biggest and best known are terribly inneficient. I use the Combined Federal Campaign website. I think they do a pretty good job looking at charities and how they spend your money. It amazes me that these jerks are getting off so lightly. Thanks for the post, Gunny.
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SMSgt Dan Powell
Gunny Ekblad, I have located a decent site for checking out charities. Try http://www.charitynavigator.org/ Take a look at this eval of the WWP, it can be an eye opener. http://patriotpost.us/alexander/35327
Charity Navigator - America's Largest Charity Evaluator | Home
Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator, provides free ratings of the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of thousands of charities. We are the individual donor's first source for unbiased news and information on philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, wise giving, donating money, charitable donations, and charity ratings.
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Keep in mind that this was only the 4 charities that were named, and there is no reason to suspect any other charities of this type of scam. If you would like to donate to a charity and want to ensure that they are legit, just check their information on these sites below. As an example, these links are the results for the Children's Cancer Research Fund; a valid charity that really uses the money for what they say.
http://www.smartgivers.org/Charity/Review/children_s_cancer_research_fund
http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/41-1893645/childrens-cancer-research-fund.aspx
http://www.smartgivers.org/Charity/Review/children_s_cancer_research_fund
http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/41-1893645/childrens-cancer-research-fund.aspx
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