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Happy Hanukkah: Give Wisely this Holiday Season!

December 04, 2023

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View Through the Looking Glass

Apr 01, 2012

In August of 2011 CharityWatch published The Alice in Wonderland World of Charity Valuation, in which we described a serious problem among many charities that raise and distribute non-cash aid called gifts-in-kind (GIK). Charities...

In August of 2011 CharityWatch published The Alice in Wonderland World of Charity Valuation, in which we described a serious probl...

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Red Cross Reputation Bloodied Again

Apr 01, 2012

American Red Cross, which controls nearly one half of our nation's blood supply, was fined almost $9.6 million by the Food and Drug Administration in January 2012 for "significant violations" observed at 16 Red Cross blood service...

American Red Cross, which controls nearly one half of our nation's blood supply, was fined almost $9.6 million by the Food and Dru...

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'Not So' GreatNonprofits

Apr 01, 2012

On its website, GreatNonprofits bills itself as "a place to find trustworthy nonprofits." The site allows people -- from donors to clients, volunteers to employees -- to submit reviews of nonprofits. These reviews are prominently ...

On its website, GreatNonprofits bills itself as "a place to find trustworthy nonprofits." The site allows people -- from donors to...

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Charity Grants Wishes of Founder's Companies

Apr 01, 2012

It is difficult for many donors to pass up the chance to help grant a wish to a sick or dying child. Kids Wish Network (KWN) reported raising over $19.4 million from donors during its 2011 financial year for this very popular caus...

It is difficult for many donors to pass up the chance to help grant a wish to a sick or dying child. Kids Wish Network (KWN) repor...

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The Connected World of Charitable Fundraising

Apr 01, 2012

You open your mailbox one morning and there inside is a letter from a charity asking for your support. You read it and are inspired to donate, writing out a modest check and popping it in the mail. You feel good knowing that you s...

You open your mailbox one morning and there inside is a letter from a charity asking for your support. You read it and are inspire...

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Separation of Church and State Should not Separate Donors fr...

Mar 21, 2012

Donors beware! Charities that claim a religious aspect to their mission may not be legally required to publicly disclose how they are spending your donations. Religious charities that distribute solicitations that are very similar...

Donors beware! Charities that claim a religious aspect to their mission may not be legally required to publicly disclose how they ...

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(Mis)Understanding Special Events--Philanthropy Leader's Col...

Mar 20, 2012

People who participate in walking, biking, dancing, dinners or other special events held to raise funds for charity may be disappointed by recent comments from Patty and Sandy Stonesifer in the duo's January 21, 2009 Slate.com adv...

People who participate in walking, biking, dancing, dinners or other special events held to raise funds for charity may be disappo...

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Cancer Charities Need Dose of Organizational Chemotherapy

Mar 20, 2012

Over 40% of people born today will get cancer during their lifetime based on current rates of cancer incidence, according to the government's National Cancer Institute. Nearly everyone has had a loved one or friend...

Over 40% of people born today will get cancer during their lifetime based on current rates of cancer incidence, according to the g...

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Eye-Popping Pay

Dec 01, 2011

The head of the American Cancer Society since 1992, John Seffrin made $1.3 million in total compensation and benefits in fiscal 2009. His payout in fiscal 2010 was boosted to $2.2 million...

The head of the American Cancer Society since 1992, John Seffrin made $1.3 million in total compensation and benefits in fiscal 20...

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The Alice in Wonderland World of Charity Valuation

Aug 01, 2011

In the wonderful world of charitable gifts-in-kind (GIK) where lives are saved and suffering is lessened, nonprofit executives can fully utilize their creative abilities when measuring the value of the donated goods they receive s...

In the wonderful world of charitable gifts-in-kind (GIK) where lives are saved and suffering is lessened, nonprofit executives can...

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CharityWatch Calls for Resignation of Central Asia Institute...

Aug 01, 2011

The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) was ahead of the curve in warning donors that the finances of Central Asia Institute, a charity known for building schools and funding girls' education in Afghanistan and Pakistan, did ...

The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) was ahead of the curve in warning donors that the finances of Central Asia Institute,...

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Learning Ally 'Unlearns' Reporting Rules and Inflates Progra...

Aug 01, 2011

Founded in 1948, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic recently changed its name to Learning Ally in an effort to reflect its broader vision of becoming "an advocate and friend to those who learn differently," rather than...

Founded in 1948, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic recently changed its name to Learning Ally in an effort to reflect its bro...

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CharityWatch Calls for Full Disclosure of Charity Executive ...

Aug 01, 2011

Current IRS rules allow charities to hide from the public certain payments made to a nonprofit's individual officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. We believe this is wrong on several fronts and hope that the IRS...

Current IRS rules allow charities to hide from the public certain payments made to a nonprofit's individual officers, directors, t...

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CharityWatch Calls for Charities to Disclose International G...

Jul 28, 2011

CharityWatch is calling for the IRS to start requiring charities to shine light on their international grants. Under current reporting rules nonprofits are allowed to conceal the organizational names of their international grantee...

CharityWatch is calling for the IRS to start requiring charities to shine light on their international grants. Under current repor...

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Taxpayers Pay for Televangelists' Lavish Lifestyles Churches...

Apr 01, 2011

Private jets. Million dollar vacation homes. Luxury cars. If the CEO of your favorite charity was enjoying these perks, you would probably be outraged and never donate to it again. Fortunately, the IRS requires most charities to f...

Private jets. Million dollar vacation homes. Luxury cars. If the CEO of your favorite charity was enjoying these perks, you would ...

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F Rated Charity and Its Fundraiser Should Be Put on a Leash

Apr 01, 2011

If you are an animal lover you may have received a t-shirt or other unsolicited gift from SPCA International (SPCAI), a charity that states its mission as "advancing the safety and well-being of animals." One highly publicized...

If you are an animal lover you may have received a t-shirt or other unsolicited gift from SPCA International (SPCAI), a charity th...

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Government Aid: A Life or Death Decision

Apr 01, 2011

Imagine that you or your children are in desperate need of food, shelter, or medical aid. You will probably do anything you can to get that lifesaving assistance. But what if reaching out for help might cost you your life? ...

Imagine that you or your children are in desperate need of food, shelter, or medical aid. You will probably do anything you can to...

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Congressionally Scorned Charity Leader Receives $1.9 Million

Dec 01, 2010

Roger Chapin, a self-described "non-profit entrepreneur," retired last year from the charity he founded in 1971, Help Hospitalized Veterans (HHV), after nearly forty years as president of the group. Chapin's charity was roundly cr...

Roger Chapin, a self-described "non-profit entrepreneur," retired last year from the charity he founded in 1971, Help Hospitalized...

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Phantom Charity Takes Flight Leaves Veterans Stranded

Dec 01, 2010

The United States Navy Veterans Association certainly looked like a legitimate organization on the surface. This multi-million dollar charity, operating since 1927, was registered with the IRS, run by ex-military men...

The United States Navy Veterans Association certainly looked like a legitimate organization on the surface. This multi-million dol...

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Outstanding Veterans Charity Wrongly Given Low Marks by Othe...

Oct 01, 2010

With so many veterans charities spending most of their donations on fundraising campaigns that are often disguised as educational programs in their financial reporting, it is gratifying to find groups that are actually...

With so many veterans charities spending most of their donations on fundraising campaigns that are often disguised as educational ...

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Solicitation Train

Aug 01, 2010

"Make one gift now and we'll never ask for another donation again!" If you receive a solicitation in the mail from any charity that makes the above promise, you would be wise to be skeptical. No donor should ever feel obligated to...

"Make one gift now and we'll never ask for another donation again!" If you receive a solicitation in the mail from any charity tha...

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Millions in Future Donations to Vets Charity Will Pay Debt O...

Aug 01, 2010

DVNF's contract with Brickmill states that Brickmill will be responsible for managing production of solicitation materials and oversight of vendors. By far the largest vendor of DVNF is Quadriga Art, Inc., which shares...

DVNF's contract with Brickmill states that Brickmill will be responsible for managing production of solicitation materials and ove...

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Charitable Giving Via Your Cell Phone: Is the Convenience Wo...

Aug 01, 2010

Text messages have gotten a lot of attention this year as a fast and easy new way to donate money to charities. Given the growing popularity of giving via text, it is worthwhile to consider how text donations work and to think abo...

Text messages have gotten a lot of attention this year as a fast and easy new way to donate money to charities. Given the growing ...

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Catchy Jingle Not a Green Light to Donate

Aug 01, 2010

For the many people who have heard it, the catchy Kars4Kids jingle is difficult to forget. The charity behind the Kars4Kids fundraising campaign, J O Y for Our Youth (JOY), has spent millions on advertising to ensure the jingle is...

For the many people who have heard it, the catchy Kars4Kids jingle is difficult to forget. The charity behind the Kars4Kids fundra...

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