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Just how badly does the American Red Cross want to keep secret how it raised and spent over $300 million after Hurricane Sandy?
The charity has hired a fancy law firm to fight a public request we filed with New York state, arguing that information about its Sandy activities is a "trade secret."
The Red Cross' "trade secret" argument has persuaded the state to redact some material, though it's not clear yet how much since the documents haven't yet been released.
As we've reported, the Red Cross releases few details about how it spends money after big disasters. That makes it difficult to figure out whether donor dollars are well spent.
The documents include "internal and proprietary methodology and procedures for fundraising, confidential information about its internal operations, and confidential financial information," wrote Gabrielle Levin of Gibson Dunn in a letter to the attorney general's office.
If those details were disclosed, "the American Red Cross would suffer competitive harm because its competitors would be able to mimic the American Red Cross's business model for an increased competitive advantage," Levin wrote.
originally posted by: EA006
a reply to: Britguy
When did the red cross become a business?
The documents include "internal and proprietary methodology and procedures for fundraising, confidential information about its internal operations, and confidential financial information," wrote Gabrielle Levin of Gibson Dunn in a letter to the attorney general's office.
If those details were disclosed, "the American Red Cross would suffer competitive harm because its competitors would be able to mimic the American Red Cross's business model for an increased competitive advantage," Levin wrote.
Nice thought but not usually that practical for most people.
originally posted by: qwerty12345
I'd rather personally go out to the child/person/animal and give them a direct donation rather than giving it to some shady/charitable organization.
At www.charitywatch.org, the Web site run by the AIP, people looking to research a charity can look though thousands of nonprofit organizations and view their ratings. You can look through popular causes like cancer, abortion, child sponsorship, human rights and international relief.
AIP rates organizations based on the percentage of the money raised that goes to the causes they support. Good grades go to charities that spend 15% or less on fundraising and administrative costs. Groups that spend 40% or more on telephone fundraising or marketing efforts don't fare as well, receiving failing grades.
With charities involved in cancer research and prevention, there are several examples of good, average and poor organizations in terms of fund allocation. Sadly, about half of the cancer charities that the AIP rated in 2007 received a D or F grade. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (ABCF) granted 87% of its budget to medical research, while the American Cancer Society (ACS), a group that raised $848 million in contributions in 2005, only granted 60% of its budget to program services. The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) has been around for more than 10 years, yet spent around 45% of what it brought in on donation solicitations.
Essentially, you shouldn't donate a dollar to any organization without first researching the charity. As the AIP proves time and time again with its ratings, you can't rely on an organization's name or spokesperson alone as a sign of whether or not it's worthy of your money.
Rockefeller Foundation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia en.wikipedia.org... - View by Ixquick Proxy - Highlight The Rockefeller Foundation is a philanthropic organization and private foundation ... in 1889, influenced by Andrew Carnegie's published essay, The Gospel of Wealth, ... They applied for a federal charter for the foundation in the US Senate in 1910, with ..... "Charities Try to Keep Up With the ...
originally posted by: EA006
a reply to: Britguy
When did the red cross become a business?
originally posted by: defuntion
Starred and flagged.
Wow. Great points.
Very shady indeed.
I have been giving for the last 15 years to united way... With kind of an "I've done my part" sort of attitude..
I will be reconsidering my blind donating habits.
I think I may try placing that money more directly into the hands of those that may need it.
Thanks britguy.
You have inspired me.
Regards.
They've ALWAYS been a business. My father told me stories about how he volunteered in the early 60's as a teen on the fire lines around Los Angeles. The Red Cross was around then too......to peddle coffee and other sustenance items...at a price. As always. Always a price. Never just to GIVE unless you're so damned ruined in life you have NOTHING left. Then..I think their aid might be without strings…maybe…