For the price of a cup of coffee, I could save a child. Sure I was only 16 and working at a restaurant while attending high school. Even I could afford 50 cents a day or something like that. Just spare change between the couch cushions, I thought.
I told my dad of my intentions to sponsor a starving child. “Before you do that, there”s something you should know,” he said. “Most of that money does not reach those children. Most of it is administrative costs and of course, advertising.”
He directed me to a nonprofit, volunteer organization. I sent some packages with things such as toothbrushes, clothing and other necessities. I didn”t get progress reports on my “child” or photos of the now jubilant juvenile whose life I changed, but that”s OK.
Recently a Record-Bee reader was kind enough to bring by the American Institute of Philanthropy Charity Rating Guide and Watchdog Report. The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) is a charity watchdog service with the purpose of helping donors to make informed giving decisions. It informs donors about how more than 500 national charities spend your money and keeps donors up to date on current issues related to charitable giving.
I had not had the pleasure nor, should I say, displeasure of reading this report before. It was shocking and in some cases appalling. The rating works like a school report card with A through F and question marks for incomplete information. Those sporting the most F”s were in categories such as veterans services, services for the blind, crime and crime prevention, cancer services and services for the terminally or chronically ill.
Sick, sad world?
Well, not completely. The guide overall shows double the A”s over the F”s.
During this season of giving, I was grateful to take in some new knowledge. Giving is often evoked by emotion, but this handy guide reminded me that while I give out of empathy or sympathy, it is important to choose critically. The people who are being represented, or misrepresented, as needing assistance are the ones who will be shortchanged in the end.
What about a seal of approval? Most people search for signs of reputability. AIP online provided an article called “F Rated Charities Awarded Best in America Seal,” published in the December 2008 issue of the Charity Rating Guide and Watchdog Report.
The article states, “Ubiquitous on charity Web sites is a ribbon-style seal that in large type reads “BEST IN AMERICA,” features five stars across the top edge and indicates that the charity awarded the seal is ?certified by Independent Charities of America” (ICA). Many donors may view such a seal as a reflection of how efficiently a particular charity will use donations and assume that it represents an independent endorsement of a charity from an outside organization. While ICA may refer to its member charities as ?Best in America,” some donors may be disappointed to learn that ICA is funded by the very charities that use its seal and that ICA generally does not screen charities for financial efficiency.”
I was impressed that AIP researches and evaluates the efficiency, accountability and governance of nonprofit organizations.
The President and Founder of AIP is Daniel Borochoff, who has 20 years of experience as a philanthropic and financial analyst. Some of his accolades include the fact that thousands of newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations cover his insights regarding nonprofit practices. He also served as an awards panelist for the Society of Professional Journalists. Borochoff has been asked by Congress to give critical and independent testimony. He testified on the charities” response to the survivors of Sept. 11 and on the charities” response in the aftermath of both Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. AIP”s research on veterans” charities” failing performance triggered Congressional hearings in 2007 and 2008 and Borochoff was asked by Congress to participate in those hearings.
Giving is good. Shysters are bad.
Check it out, you could save a life. I still believe.
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee managing editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32.
