When you donate to a charity in the US do you try to find out how much goes to administrative purposes?

Question

Why would our politicians not provide checks and balances for charities? Can anyone regulate the charities who are ripping off the American People?

Answer 1

Donate responsibly. Do not fund crooks. A good place to start is http://charityguide.org/volunteer/charityratings.htm

Answer 2

Absolutely. I ask telemarketers exactly what the administrative costs are, and whether the charity is a 503(c) as well. My favorite charity, the Fund for ANimals (with a single paid employee - the secretary to Cleveland Amory), has been "merged" with the Humane Society of the US, HSUS, and I'm sorry to say the administrative costs skyrocketed to 18%. I do still donate a little, but try to find charities with lower administrative costs.

Answer 3

I've seen administrative costs as high as 90% / 10% Did you read today in the news how over a billion in Katrina relief is believed to have been wasted/stolen due to government no bid contracts, or that there is no documentation or regulation of the 15 billion spent on abstinence education to prevent aids in Africa. Seems like the government is in on the charity scams, why would they regulate them?

Answer 4

I try to check out charities before I donate, but it is hard to not only figure out who is legit, but also who is spending their money wisely. The IRS is "trying to regulate" charities but we are talking about the IRS here... I ran across this when I was checking last week...MSNBC had some tips I found useful, and I copied them here for you.

from the article
"Giving Freely—And Wisely
One site names preachers who may be misusing money and suggests that you 'prayerfully' consider giving to other ministries instead."

By Jane Bryant Quinn
Newsweek
Updated: 12:36 a.m. ET Dec 10, 2006

1. The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance (Give.org).
2. American Institute of Philanthropy (CharityWatch.org).
3. CharityNavigator.org
4. MinistryWatch.com
5. The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (Ecfa.org)
6. GuideStar.org

Answer 5

when you donate to a charity hardly nothing gets to the charity. say you donate $1.00 the charity gets about .03

Answer 6

Yes I do. There is a huge difference between charities in that regard.

Answer 7

yes it is a good idea to always check this try researching the charity through the better business bereau cause just like any business they have bills that need to be paid too

Answer 8

I always forget to check that. Might be a good idea to regulate it.

Answer 9

Sorry..... Never Donated

Answer 10

no, I don't donate