Is it normal to be suspicious of charities?

92% Normal

My friend is doing one of those "starve yourself for charity" things and asked people to donate money on facebook. And it bothers me a little bit, that it's hard to know exactly where the money is going.

Eg: - "12% goes to enabling our fundraising work" - So 12% of the donation goes towards getting more donations? Hmm....ok

- 12% covers "vital" cost of accountability and admin.

So nearly 1/4 of the donation is used to just run the charity. And there's vague stuff about "partner organisations".

It's all probably normal; obviously charities cost money to run. And maybe I'll still donate, just to feel better about myself....but, saying it goes towards "education" is a bit too vague for me. I want to know exactly what it might be used for.

Is it normal that this stuff puts me off a little bit?

Voting Results

92% Normal

Based on 79 votes (73 yes)

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Comments ( 12 )

BlaBlaBlaMan

7 years ago

Also some charities are actually companies who keep up to 17% of the money for themselves and give the rest to the charity. They never disclose this to there benefactors though.

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BlaBlaBlaMan

7 years ago

Absolutely. Giving your money to someone else to do good has some honor. But at the end of the day, they could end up spending the money stupidly in ways you might not agree with. Plus there is also the issue of corruption. Many charities accept kickbacks from horrible and evil companies.

I would never give a cent to a charity unless I thoroughly researched them and knew exactly how that money is going to be spent.

I prefer to go out and do good myself and believe if everyone believed in this way of doing things the world would be a better place.

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Terence_the_viking

7 years ago

I think you should hire a private investigator.

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Cheet0

7 years ago

Religions too, right..?

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  7 years ago
  
  oh, I'd be more than suspicious of religions... but at least then you actually KNOW the money will be misappropriated lol...
  
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  - Cheet0
    
    7 years ago
    
    WOW, awesome to see that we agree entirely!
    
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Ellenna

7 years ago

You could always research the specific charity on the internet: I donated for years to a particular "nice sounding" charity to educate african children, but stopped when I found out it was christian education I was supporting.

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dude_Jones

7 years ago

Lots of charities are scams. It is reasonable to be suspicious.

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donteatstuffoffthesidewalk

7 years ago

theres a lot what just serve to promote theyselves and pay the board outrageous salaries

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Olddelusionalsailor

7 years ago

Sounds like a scam.

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Mario214

7 years ago

Yes it is normal and your desire to know is good. One should have a knowledge about how his or public money is used.

When a vague description is given about investment its normal to suspect about it and I guess you must be holding rights to demand detailed statements shouwing investments.

Wish you the best.

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Anonymous Post Author

7 years ago

Thanks for all the responses, everyone. I'm not the only one who sees a bit of a dodgy side to all this... Not that they're all bad, but you just need to find out I guess.

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Is it normal to be suspicious of charities?