Where do YOUR contributions go?

[BnB Tom]

                   

[Jess from VA]

Good post. 

[Christbiker]

Great post Tom.  Thanks so much.  Let's also consider Habitat for Humanity where a large % of donations are and stay local to your community.

Blessings,

Woody

[hotglue #43]

That is one of the reasons we are involved with the Lions Club!

[saddlesore]

It's difficult to give now days because of all the graft and corruption out there.
My favorite is The Disabled American Veterans.

[biguglyman]

I do NOT participate in the combined federal campaign (united way) for just that reason, as well as the political bs pulled on Planned Parenthood a few years ago. I give directly to the causes I wish to support.

[Jess from VA]

During my many years of military and then Federal service, they came around every year and put the arm on us for the CFC.

In that huge book full of every imaginable alleged charity (including many like Nuke-the-Gay-Whales-for-Christ), I discovered two nonprofits supporting the Second Amendment, and split my small contribution for them every year.  Always gave cash and would not let them get into my paycheck, and refused to provide my SS number, which drew some criticism back in the day.  I always wrote Privacy Act - refused in that block.  

[SideCar]

My understanding on the CFC is that you can now direct your contributions to the charity of your choice. The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation/Ride for Kids recently participated at several agency kickoff programs for them and locally at the Ft Worth FAA program at the request of a father who lost his daughter earlier this year.  

I love this post and encourage folks to check out charities through CharityNavigator.org and other watchdog/rating companies.  I've been stunned at how little goes to serve the stated purpose (with great stated purposes) from a number of charities including Wounded Warrior Project, and a number of medical charities that I would love to support if a high percentage of the money was really getting to the need. As you guys pointed out Disabled American Veterans  has a good financial record and puts more than 90% of donations to work for vets.

The biggest ripoff we've seen? The school fundraising programs where the school can get as little as 10% or what is raised by the children who are essentially turned into salespeople for the fundraising company.

Yep, I can get exercised about this. Heck, I even raised hell with the PBTF people when their expenses went up a few years back that was related to some IT stuff.  It leveled out quick, but I do appreciate they have always stressed keeping expenses down and have cut executive salaries to keep it lower.

[HayHauler]

I help out with the RFK twice a year and the Friendswood Lions Club twice a year.  And I help my VRCC brethren out with metal valve stems whenever I hear of a need. 

Keep it local if you can.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Christbiker]

I help out with the RFK twice a year and the Friendswood Lions Club twice a year.  And I help my VRCC brethren out with metal valve stems whenever I hear of a need. 

Keep it local if you can.

Hay 
Jimmyt

I know that's right.

[saddlesore]

"I love this post and encourage folks to check out charities through CharityNavigator.org and other watchdog/rating companies.  I've been stunned at how little goes to serve the stated purpose (with great stated purposes) from a number of charities including Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans and a number of medical charities that I would love to support if a high percentage of the money was really getting to the need."

You mentioned the Disabled Americans, the original poster's chart shows that the DAV is one of the good ones.  I have been very generous with the DAV and I hate to think I'm giving it to some desk jockey phoney. ??? 

[SideCar]

I see I wrote that poorly and will edit. I meant to compare the two vet charities rather than put them in the same bucket. Too hasty in posting from work. Thanks for catching that.  DAV puts over 90% of contributions to work for vets and appears to be one of the good ones.

[john]

                                     salvation army