The Shriners Org.
 

Hoshenpepper

I found several opinions online. Not sure what is accurate. Interesting.

With any large 501c there is always going to be a certain amount of inefficiency/waste and admin costs...it's unavoidable.
I'd say Shriner's is one of the better/transparent .orgs, along with St. Jude's. YMMV...

https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6493

https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12847

Find a local to donate to. I am sure there are several to choose from.

My opinion almost any LARGE organization is going to have built in waste and excessive salaries ........... doesn't matter if it is a defense contractor or a charity .

Find a local charity or soup kitchen/food bank and give there . You may find that you want to volunteer some time .......... a win win for all involved .

I hear you on salaries. But, with that sort of budget and cashflow do you expect to attract a qualified candidate at 50k? I dont know the right $, 600k sure seems like a lot but relative to the position I'm not sure. I cant stand their commercials, I dont contribute.

The basic idea of a charity is to provide some type of assistance to the needy . When many folks within a charity are pulling in 500K or more it sure gives the impression they have lost their way . And that can turn off a lot of potential donor's .

In a perfect world at least 90 percent of donations taken in would go to the needy ...,....... sadly it is not a perfect world ☹️

St. Jude's?

https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude/faq/how-much-of-what-i-donate-actually-benefits-the-children.html

Yeah I agree. Whats the cutoff, 85% or a hard 90%? Is that all that matters? I'm not trying to be difficult, just trying to point out there is a lot more to running a huge org like this. I give a fair amount (to me at least) to a things I think do good work and try. Short of DIY we have to make choices.

For the shriners, according to charity navigator:

0n total revenue, 2017, $838,298,361

You have answered your own question. Don't donate to them. Find a local to help out. Donate some time if you really want to make a difference.

Wounded Warriers is one of the worst scams today. Look it up. A few cents goes to the warriers, a hugh amount goes to the staff.

Gary Sinise Foundation is pretty good. 89% payback. 4 bucks to raise a 100. Lt Dan Band played at Ft Sill. Sinise is a true American that is action and not just words.

Semper Fi Fund, Operation Home Front, & Homes for Our Troops, are 3 pretty good veteran charities. I stopped donating to United Way 20 years ago, after their greedy f**k Prez got busted for embezzlement, yet the court ruled he still got his 4 MILLION dollar severance. Salvation Army and local homeless charities are far better. I've personally seen good things from Shriner's, so they're also on our charity list.

You get the adorable blanket with a contribution.

VincentVega the 90 % was just a number I threw out there , to me it's a good goal for charities to shoot for and even better if they can over achieve :) Charities are a business so there are expenses that go along with it , I think everyone gets that point . But just like any business the folks in charge do have the ability ( within reason ) to control the costs . Salaries are certainly one area of control . Instead of 500k - 600k salaries how about more of a " pay for performance " pay scale ? Make 100k in base salary and have performance incentives to reach specific goals within the charity . That goal could be number of people helped or dollar amount of donations taken in as examples .

Someone pointed out the wounded warriors project , it makes me sick to think that good hearted folks donate to a cause that they think is doing so much good for people when in reality the majority of their donations goes to make a few execs more $$$ . Our wounded vets DO need all the help they can get it is a valid cause . Hey I'm no expert I'm just a regular Joe but when I give money to a charity I want most of it to go to those that need it . I think we can all agree helping the less fortunate is the ultimate goal and a good cause , how to get there is the hard part :D

Lots of local charities that run on bare bones donations, where you can see the results of your giving with the smiles ontheir faces, not some impersonal chain "thank you" letter.

I sit on a foundation that oversees the distribution of approximately $500,000 annually to local charities and scholarships to high school students. Our charter is very strict in eligibility, geography and determination of need for charities and scholarships. The work is very rewarding for both and the thankfulness of the students very real. There are many local charities in all communities that do fantastic work helping those in need. And they don't have $500k+ salaried staff. That makes me sick - the fleecing of America.

Do your research and contribute local.

That is very impressive: Our time is often the most important currency...well done.

I used to be much more hands on with the charities in the Southwest I am invested in...I do not sit on any boards but they call often asking for my advice. I wish I could get out there more but I still contribute monetarily.

It took me awhile to find the right group that shared my concerns and ethos but the effort was well worth it.

Great thread AB.

You are a good man.

My donations go to the Salvation Army, as they are very good for helping the real needs and not just paying the top brass big salaries.

One other charity I donate to is the Children's Center and rehabilitation hospital. Our local Porsche club region supports them as well. We took a tour of the facility, and it is all children under 18 that receive the help.

https://www.miracleshappenhere.org/ways-to-give/holiday-helpers/

I always donate toys on their list of needed toys or basic needs. I just deliver them to the hospital there.

I think I've posted this here before. I would rather donate my time knowing that I can confirm that it goes straight to the cause. But sometimes that can't be the case

I adopt a family at Christmas, buy the gifts requested and that for me is a big deal.

Also, this is the organization I put the majority of my support behind.
https://projecthealingwaters.org

The financials are listed, completely open reporting.

I donate $$ and volunteer. Hey, who doesn't enjoy a bit of time on the water. Fly fishing is one of the most Zen, meditative ways to spend your time. It helps these guy and gals a lot.

As a Veteran I support those who served along with their families. As more of our troops return home, ETS, retire, there are and are going to be more PTSD related disabilities along with injuries and loss of limb(s).

There is going to be a real need for more programs to deal with this, I think this is a great start.