Greed and the Bottom Line

[Note:  Photo is from Working Life.]

The holiday season is rapidly approaching which means that all of us will be inundated with pleas for money by a variety of "charitable" organizations.

It's all very confusing.  Which ones are worthy of our hard-earned money? 

Unfortunately, some charities tend to be less than charitable in the dispensation of their largesse.  Some charities, including many churches, use the funds they receive in ways which contradict the claims they make about their work.

What follows comes from a friend of mine.  It appears to replicate quite closely the facts as turned up by my own research.

Please note, however, this is an imcomplete list of both the bad guys and the good guys.  But some of the largest and most persistent charities are given the once-over.

So, as you consider what to give to whom, think about the following:

First the "not-so-good" guys:

1.  The American Red Cross:  Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO, had an annual salary of $651,957.00, plus expenses.  That seems a little excessive.

2.  The March of Dimes:  It is called the March of Dimes because for every dollar they receive, they give merely one dime to the needy!

3.  The United Way:  President Brian Gallagher is gifted a $375,000 base salary as well as numerous expense benefits.

4.  UNICEF:  Caryl M. Stern, CEO, received $1,200,000 per year ($100,000/month) plus all expenses, including a Rolls Royce.  Less than 5 cents of every dollar donated goes to the cause.

5.  Goodwill:  Mark Curran is the owner and the CEO of this well-known organization.  He currently enjoys an annual profit of $2.3 million.  Goodwill is a very catchy name for his business.  You donate stuff to Goodwill, which he then sells for proit.  He pays nothing for his products and pays his workers minimum wage.  In reality, not one cent goes to help anybody.

The "good" guys:

1.  The Salvation Army:  Commissioner Todd Basset receives an annual salary of $13,000 for managing this $2 billion organization.  Ninety-six percent of donated dollars go to help people.

2.  The American Legion National Commander gets no annual salary.  Your donations go to help veterans and their families and youth.

3.  The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander gets no annual salary.  Your donations go to help veterans and their families and youth.

4.  The Disabled American Veterans National Commander gets no annual salary.  Your donations go  to help veterans and their families and youth

5.  The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander gets no annual salary.  In this case, also, what you donate goes to help veterans and their families and youth.

6.  The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander get no annual salary and your monies go directly to veterans and their families and youth.

7.  Make A Wish Foundation:  100% of donated dollars goes toward funding trips or special wishes for a dying child.

8.  St. Jude Research Hospital:  100% of donated dollars goes toward helping children with cancer who have no insurance and cannot afford to pay for treatment.

9.  Ronald McDonald Houses:  All donated money goes toward providing housing and food for parents who have critically ill children in the hospital.

10.  Lions Club International:  Again 100% of donations is used to help the blind, for hearing aids for the deaf, and to support medical missions around the world.  Their latest endeavor is to provide measles vaccinations for $1.00 a shot.