is charity fraud a real issue?
We All get Emails Featuring Outlandish Cases of Charity Fraud
Got an email recently warning me about inefficiency and excessive executive compensation at some well-known charities. Here’s an excerpt:
|
What??? A Rolls Royce???
When you get an email like this it’s a good idea to check a site called Snopes.com to get the scoop. When I went to this page, here’s a bit of their detective work:
UNICEF: The e-mail is not specific about which executive is being referred to here, as UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) is a global organization with offices in 190 countries. We’re assuming the reference is to the President and CEO of the United States Fund for UNICEF, Caryl M. Stern, whose last reported total yearly compensation was $472,891, not $1,200,000. Both Charity Navigator and Forbes rate this organization’s efficiency at 91%, far greater than the 14% claimed in the e-mail cited above. In response to the claim that UNICEF’s CEO receives “a Royal Royce for his exclusive use where ever he goes,” UNICEF told us that “There is no Rolls Royce or company car provided for any staff member at UNICEF or the U.S. Fund, including the President and CEO of the U.S. Fund or UNICEF’s Executive Director.
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/charities.asp#FGf408Rc6qZQPlr3.99
Should You Change Plans to Avoid Charity Fraud?
With all the charitable confusion what should you do? You could use the resource mentioned on Snopes called CharityNavigator and check for charity efficiency. Or if you’re really worried about wasted money you could donate locally. If you’re donating canned goods it’s likely not going to the CEOs supposed Rolls Royce expense account!
There has been a move over the last 10-15 years, especially with younger entrepreneurs, who because they must work efficiently to succeed, to expect charities to run efficiently and effectively. And these people are either taking an active involvement in the charity or starting their own charity effort. Today there are simply more options to the giver than there ever was.
Just be sure that if you get the emotional tug to donate this holiday season, that you do it with your heart AND your head.
Posted with Blogsy
