The list highlights nonprofits that spend less than 25 percent of the funds they raise on charitable services or programs they claim to support.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum today issued the Department of Justice’s 20 Worst Charities list, an annual review of organizations that spend the vast majority of their donations on fundraising and other administrative costs rather than charity.
The 20 nonprofits on this year’s list spent 25 percent or less of their funds on charitable programs. Go to: www.doj.state.or.us/charigroup or see below for list.
Today’s announcement is a reminder for Oregonians to be as vigilant as they are generous when donating to charity this holiday season. The Better Business Bureau recommends donors avoid any charity that delivers less than 65 percent of its money to its stated charitable pursuit.
“There are many reputable nonprofits doing great work in our communities,” said Attorney General Rosenblum. “My office is committed to ensuring that the few unscrupulous charities aren’t taking advantage of Oregonians’ generosity.”
State law requires
The vast majority of the charities active in
Topping this year’s 20 Worst Charities list is the Law Enforcement Education Program of Troy, Michigan. The group spent less than 2.7 percent of its $2,299,994 in annual expenditures on creating and supporting educational programs for the law enforcement community – its purported charitable mission.
Under current law, the Department of Justice cannot dictate how charities spend the funds they raise. But the department can help consumers do some basic research to ensure their money is put to the use for which it is intended.
The department provides some basic advice on selecting a legitimate charity, as well as “red flags” to watch out for this holiday season on its website at http://tinyurl.com/apb7wzm.
Donors should also make sure the organization is registered with the Attorney General’s Office by searching the Department’s online database or by calling 971-673-1880. They can also visit www.guidestar.org, a national clearinghouse of information on charities and their performance.
Attorney General’s 20 Worst Charities
2012
Charities are required to file periodic financial reports with the Oregon Department of Justice documenting their national fundraising and expenditures and explaining how donations were spent. Under guidelines issued by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), organizations should dedicate at least 65% of their funds to charitable programs, with no more than 35% toward administrative and fundraising costs. The following charities registered to do business in
Organization Average Annual Percent Spent On Expenditures Charitable Cause
Law Enforcement $2,299,994 2.7%
Education Program
Purpose: To create and support educational programs for the betterment of both the general public and the law enforcement community.
Ministries
Purpose: To improve the quality of life of
American Medical $783,217 4.2%
Research Organization
Purpose: To support medical research in the cause, cure, and treatment of macular degeneration. 2
Firefighters Support $3,263,878 7.0%
Foundation
Purpose: To offer training programs and support injury prevention initiatives for firefighters and other first responding public safety agencies.
Disabled Police Officers $681,599 7.4%
Counseling Center, Inc.
Purpose: To provide educational and counseling programs to assist disable police officers, and to educate the public on the needs and abilities of disabled police officers.
Woman to Woman Breast $4,921,015 8.0%
Cancer Foundation, Inc.
Purpose: To support women by promoting regular examinations, early detection and aggressive treatment for those suffering from breast cancer.
Disabled Police $1,488,122 8.8%
Officers of
Purpose: To provide financial scholarships to those disabled and retired law enforcement officers requesting them.
Firefighters Charitable $6,924,179 8.8%
Foundation
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to individuals who have been affected by a fire or disaster and to support other disaster or prevention related charities, and volunteer fire departments.
The Wishing Well $1,249,566 10.0%
Foundation
Purpose: Fulfilling the fondest wish for any terminally ill child not expected to reach 18 years of age.
Foundation for $6,655,583 10.2%
American Veterans, Inc.
Purpose: Promoting social and recreational welfare for current and past
Dogs Against Drugs/ $1,042,284 11.1%
Dogs Against Crime
Purpose: Dedicated to the betterment of law enforcement K9 operations throughout the
National
Veterans Foundation
Purpose: Funding of programs and projects which benefit American veterans and their families.
Operation Lookout $1,589,751 11.5%
Missing Youth
Purpose: To locate missing children.
Committee for Missing $2,368,192 12.1%
Children
Purpose: Distribute pictures of missing children by encouraging educational dealers, manufacturers and publishers to produce pages of missing children and distribute them throughout the country.
Law Enforcement $2,932,662 14.6%
Legal Defense Fund
Purpose: Conduct research on legal issues, use and publish results of such research; support and engage in litigation safeguarding human and civil rights; and assist similar charitable and educational organizations.
Caring for Our $618,658 15.3%
Children Foundation
Purpose: Provide administrative assistance to other non-profits and give small grants to underfunded nonprofits that help victimized and missing children.
United American $1,625,517 18.4%
Patriots, Inc.
Purpose: To value individual liberty, protect and preserve the Constitution of the
National Veterans $9,333,238 18.8%
Service Fund
Purpose: To inform and educate in conjunction with service-related illnesses and work to raise public awareness of the contributions of veterans to our society.
American Border $1,383,812 20.8%
Patrol
Purpose: To monitor the border on regular basis and to educate the public about border control issues.
Dakota Indian $1,255,942 21.7%
Foundation
Chamberlain, SD
Purpose: Assist in education of Indian people and preservation of Native American culture.
