MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Donor beware: Holiday charities that aren’t as charitable

Nov 28, 2017, 9:27 AM | Updated: 10:27 am

Secretary of State Kim Wyman wants Washingtonians to know that while it’s the season of charitable giving, it’s also the season of making money — even for those with the best intentions.

Donor beware.

Find holiday activities this season

“We have about 108 commercial fundraisers that are operating in Washington state right now,” Wyman told Seattle’s Morning News on KIRO Radio. “We want people to be aware that just because an organization calls and says they are raising money for the American Cancer Society, all of your money may not go to the American Cancer Society.”

Out of those 108 commercial fundraisers, only 11 give more than 80 percent of the funds they raised to charities, Wyman said.

“But we have 35 that gave less than 20 percent,” Wyman said. “… One gave negative 17 percent … they raised $42,000 and their operating costs were $7,000 more than what they raised. We have another organization that was negative 54 percent and they raised money on behalf of five charities.”

Commercial fundraisers and Washington charities

Commercial fundraisers are not the same as the charities they raise money for. Some of the raised funds is used to pay themselves. Commercial fundraisers keep an average of 50 percent of the donated money they collect, Wyman said.

“Charities actually welcome this because if a commercial fundraiser goes and does some fundraising, they are getting money they did not have to work for,” Wyman said.

“If you give a dollar to a charity, you want the majority of the money to go to the charity and go to service,” she said.

The Secretary of State is running a “Give Smart” campaign to warn Washingtonians that their donations to charities and non-profits don’t always go where they intend.

When asked for donations by charities, Wyman suggests:

 

GiveSmart (2017) from WA Secretary of State on Vimeo.

MyNorthwest News

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

4 minutes ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

1 hour ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

2 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

3 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

4 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

14 hours ago

Donor beware: Holiday charities that aren’t as charitable