Infomercials of needy children....?

Question

I REALLY want to help out needy children and their families all over the world. I want to know if that money REALLY goes to them...i heard that that money also goes to pay the people that answer phones, etc...so i really want to know so i can donate

Answer 1

All non-profit organizations have administrative costs.

However, you can find out the percentage of your donation that goes to administration versus programs by researching the organization that you donate to on Charity Navigator or Charity Watch.

Answer 2

Check out their website, or call the organization and ask.  Usually about 10-30 per cent goes to the phone-answerers, but most of it goes to the children.  Some charities pay out of their own pocket or use volunteers as answerers, so all money goes to the benefit of the children.

Answer 3

If this is a US based organization and is a IRS approved nonprofit (501c3) you can get a copy of the report they have to file showing how funds are spent.   It is called a 990.   You can also check places like The Samaratian Guide  http://www.acton.org/samaritanguide.org/... that rate and analyse organizations work and spending.  

Please remember though that paying people to work for them is not an all bad thing.   Can you afford to work full time somewhere for no pay? Neither can most other ppl. We are blessed at Caring Hands to be a volunteer driven ministry but we are also a small local ministry in southern Appalachia.  I seriously doubt that we could do anything on a huge international scale on a mainly volunteer basis.