Attorney General John Kroger has issued the annual list of Oregon’s 20 Worst Charities.
“Most charities in Oregon do important work, helping the needy and supporting worthy causes,” said Attorney General Kroger. “But generous Oregon donors should be aware that some non-profits are little more than scams that provide little if any help to the causes they claim to support.”
In order to avoid being duped by unscrupulous non-profits, donors should review the Department of Justice Tips for Charitable Giving.
State law requires charities to file periodic financial reports with the Oregon Department of Justice disclosing how much money the organization raised and how the funds were spent. The Department’s Charitable Activities Section has identified 20 organizations that spent more than 70% of the donations they collected on administrative costs and professional fundraising.
While guidelines issued by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) suggest that charitable organizations should spend at least 65 percent of their funds on charitable programs, every charity on the Department of Justice’s list devoted less than 30% of their expenditures on charitable program activities.
The Department of Justice previously identified the state’s 20 Worst Charities in 2010 and 2009.
For the second year in a row, Shiloh International Ministries topped the list. Shiloh International Ministries claims to solicit money to provide medical necessities and moral support for needy children and to provide assistance to the homeless. According to its most recent financial filings, the California-based non-profit spent an average of $846,340 per year, 96.8% of which went towards management and fundraising.
No. 2 on the list is American Medical Research Organization, which claims that it raises money to support medical research on the cause, cure and treatment of macular degeneration. The Florida-based non-profit spent an annual average of $783,217, just 4.2% of which went towards its charitable purpose.
There are currently more than 17,000 charities registered with the Oregon Department of Justice, and many of them are actively seeking donations. By law Attorney General Kroger cannot dictate how charities spend your money, but he is arming Oregonians with some basic advice to ensure your gifts go to a worthy cause.
Before donating to a charity, it is important to 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. You can also visit www.guidestar.org, a national clearinghouse of information on charities and their performance.
Attorney General Kroger also cautions Oregonians to watch out for charities that send solicitations thanking you for your previous support or invoices claiming you made a recent pledge when you didn’t. These methods are intentionally confusing and dishonest ways to obtain donations.
Consumers are advised against giving out their personal information over the phone. Legitimate charities will accept contributions by check, which should always be made payable to the organization and never the individual collecting the donation.
The Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities Section is responsible for ensuring that organizations soliciting funds in Oregon register and file periodic financial reports showing how donations are spent. The section also protects the public against organizations that attempt to mislead Oregon donors or that misuse charitable assets.
Attorney General John Kroger leads the Oregon Department of Justice. The Department’s mission is to fight crime and fraud, protect the environment, improve child welfare, promote a positive business climate, and defend the rights of all Oregonians.
Oregon’s 20 Worst Charities 2011
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 Oregon failed to meet that standard
based on a three‐year average of annual expenditures. This is not an exclusive list,
but represents the 20 charities that fell farthest from the BBB guidelines. For more
information, visit www.oregonattorneygeneral.gov.
Organization / Average Annual Percent Spent On Expenditures Charitable Cause
Shiloh International $846,340 3.2%
Ministries
La Verne, CA
Purpose: Provide medical necessities and moral support to needy children and
assistance to the homeless.
American Medical $783,217 4.2%
Research Organization
Sarasota, FL
Purpose: Support medical research on the cause, cure and treatment of macular
degeneration.
Law Enforcement $2,152,628 4.6%
Education Program
Troy, MI
Purpose: Support efforts to educate young adults about law enforcement, safety
issues and the misuse of alcohol.
Firefighters Charitable $6,245,150 8.8%
Foundation
Farmingdale, NY
Purpose: Provide financial assistance to individuals affected by a fire or disaster.
Disabled Police $1,197,948 9.9%
Officers of America
Niceville, FL
Purpose: Educational Programs for Police Officers.
The Wishing Well $1,249,566 10.0%
Foundation
Metairie, LA
Purpose: Fulfill the fondest wish for any terminally ill child not expected to reach
18 years of age.
National Vietnam $4,152,636 10.4%
Veterans Foundation
Alexandria, VA
Purpose: Support veterans’ organizations
Foundation for $5,401,519 10.9%
American Veterans
West Bloomfield, MI
Purpose: Promote the social and recreational welfare of current and past U.S.
Armed Forces members, dependents, widows, widowers and others.
Dogs Against Drugs/ $1,042,284 11.1%
Dogs Against Crime
Anderson, IN
Purpose: Drug Education and Crime Prevention
Operation Lookout $1,589,751 11.5%
National Center for
Missing Youth
Everett, WA
Purpose: Provide free services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regarding missing
youth.
Making Memories $1,159,654 11.8%
Breast Cancer
Foundation of American
Milwaukie, OR
Purpose: Grant wishes for terminally ill breast cancer patients, advance
awareness of breast cancer and educate the public about available resources.
Disabled Police Officers $588,683 12.7%
Counseling Center
Niceville, FL
Purpose: Assist disabled police officers
Committee for Missing $2,539,893 12.7%
Children
Lawrenceville, GA
Purpose: Locate missing children
Law Enforcement $3,257,209 14.5%
Legal Defense Fund
Arlington, VA
Purpose: Provide legal assistance to law enforcement officers when it is
necessary to defend actions taken in the line of duty.
Caring for Our $618,658 15.3%
Children Foundation
Everett, WA
Purpose: Provide administrative assistance to other non‐profits and give small
grants to underfunded nonprofits that help victimized and missing children.
National Veterans $8,782,946 18.9%
Service Fund
Darien, CT
Purpose: Inform and educate in conjunction with service‐related illnesses and
work to raise public awareness of the contributions of veterans to our society.
Children’s Leukemia $1,400,320 21.2%
Research Association
Garden City, NJ
Purpose: Support research efforts into the causes and cure of leukemia and to
provide assistance in meeting expenses incurred in treatment.
Dakota Indian $1,255,942 21.7%
Foundation
Chamberlain, SD
Purpose: Assist in education of Indian people and preservation of Native
American culture.
Project Cure $4,833,111 23.3%
Bradenton, FL
Purpose: Increase public and professional awareness about the prevention,
detection and treatment of various chronic diseases.
Korean War Veterans $1,732,895 26.1%
National Museum and
Library
Rantoul, IL
Purpose: Preserve a record of participation in the Korean War, educate the public
and promote friendship among vets.
