Sponsoring a Child
But do you realize that the executives of these organizations earn, in many cases 5 or 10 times more than what you earn?
It seems contradictory that charity advertisements pleed for funds while charity executives enjoy large paychecks.
The president of the organization that I had been contributing to wrote a letter to sponsors announcing a 22% increase in monthly contributions saying "We have struggeled to keep up with rapidly rising costs without reducing the services and benefits we provide to the children under our care. Cutting back is something we just dont want to do." Cutting back his salary or his staff's salary is something else he didnt want to do. This letter was from an executive whose pay package is approximately $400,000 per year.
I wrote to the Child Sponsorship Organization that I was donating to and asked how they justified the high salaries. I received a detailed response, which included this:
"We feel that looking just at the salary of one individual or a handful of individuals is to miss the big picture and to get a mistaken impression. We could pay less and require less of our employees in terms of skills, experience and performance, but we feel the resulting inefficiencies would end up costing us more in the aggregate and benefiting the children less."
Two follow-up emails went unanswered.
I contacted several journalists to try to interest them in writing an expose, but I was told that there was little interest in the story. I was told that it was a well known fact that many charity CEOs are making huge bucks at the expense of the children. It simply was not news.
While I believe that many of these organizations fullfill a vital need and deserve your support, I STRONGLY suggest that you research the organization that you contribute to to make sure that its objectives match your requirements. I also ask your help to get journalists to start writing about this topic. To that end, please see the petition at the bottom of this page.
Chief Executive's Salaries
CEO Salaries
World Vision
www.worldvision.org
Richard Stearns, President: $407,799
Children International
www.Children.org
Jim Cook CEO: $365,700
Save The Children
www.savethechildren.org
Charles MacCormack, President: $336,335
Christian's Children's Fund
www.ChristianChildrensFund.org
John Shultz President: $290,799
Compassion International
www.compassion.com
Wess Stafford, CEO: $205,939
Pearl S Buck
www.pearlsbuck.org
Janet L. Mintzer, President: $135,200
Christian Foundation for Children and Aging
www.cfcausa.org
Robert Hentzen, President: $105,378
Children, Incorporated
www.children-inc.org
Marian G. Cummins, President: $90,904
Sources and Resources that monitor charities
Give (Sponsored by the BBB)
Charity Navigator
Children Incorporated
Children Incorporated does not seem to be denominational. At least, their site does not appear to be affilated with a particular religion or philosophy other than to help children in need.
So far, what I see, I like. But at the moment, I am keeping an open mind.
Resources to Get More Information About Your Charity.
Do some reseach before you donate
Charity Navigator offers free detailed information about a number of charities.
Both of these agencies will tell you the salaries of the CEO of your charity.
Is there a limit to the salaries that charity CEO's should make?
What do you think?
Some people feel that a charity is like any other business and a good CEO is worth the high salary because they can bring money to the charity and make it run better. Others believe that charities should be managed by people who care about what they are doing and are not in it to become rich.
What do you think?
Do You Think That A Charity CEO Should Earn $500,000/year
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byAbsolutely, They Are Worth It!
No, It Just Is Not Right!
Jean Lokey says:
I say $100,000 should be a near limit plus expenses. I give monthly to "Feed the Children", and a few years ago read that Larry Jones, his wife and a daughter, each received $100,000+ per year. That seems too much for a family who is supposed to be feeding children who are on starvation. My husband and I make $25,ooo per year together. We also donate regularly to "Jews for Jesus" and "American Bible Association", plus others sposmatlically.
Posted May 19, 2009
dean says:
Thats just the ceo salary, there are other high salaries in these types of organization. At the end of a tax year many non-profit organizations simply raise salaries to avoid showing 'profit' As well, it is likely that many funds are funneled into pension plans.
Posted May 12, 2009
What kinds of questions should you ask before you donate your money?
In some cases, the services are minimal. Nothing more than school books and an annual check up. Is that worth it?
In some cases, your money goes to a 'general fund' which the charity uses as it sees fit. It does not go directly to your child. Personally, I prefer that my child receive services, but this is up to you.
Do not contribute unless at least 80% goes to the fund. No more than 20% should go to administrative costs.
Personally, I believe that the head should receive a reasonable salary, but should not be getting rich. What is reasonable? In my opinion $100,000 is a reasonable salary. I think it is disgusting that some charity heads feel that salaries of $300,000+ are justified. I would NOT recommend donating to any charity where the executives are making such salaries.
Some charities allow you to send emails to your child, which are then translated locally. You will receive your response by regular snail mail. Others require that you send your letters by regular post.
Many charities began as missionary work for a particular religion. While there is nothing wrong with this, they may be using the charity to develop their religion abroad. Just be aware of the goal of the organization. Is it to help children? Or is it to convert new members? I want to support an organization whose primary goal is to help children, NOT to create new members for their religion. I want my charity to use my donations to feed and educate poor children, not to build churches.
Click the link for Give and see. However, amazing as it seems, many charity watchdogs like Give will approve a charity, even when the chief executive makes $0.5 million annually. Give's evaluation should be just one criteria. Do not base your final judgement on the opinion of the charity watchdogs.
How To Change This?
The ONLY way to change this is to bring this issue to the public attention. The only way that is going to happen is if not ONE but many journalists write about it, until donors understand what is happening and the situation changes.If donors start to realize how their money is being used, they will direct their donations to organizations which use their funds more responsibly. Charity Board Members will fire execs who insist upon earning megabucks and hire people who really want to help the children.
Let journalist KNOW we are interested in this subject. Let them know it IS news. Let journalist know that we want them to investigate and publish this story until the situation has significantly improved.
If you know a journalist, forward this page to them and ask them to write about it. If you do not know a journalist, sign the petition below.
What do you think about CEO's of Children's Charities receiving salaries above $300,000?
Would you prefer to donate to a children's charity where the CEO did not receive a high salary? Or do you think that it is necessary to pay a high salary in order to recruit a talented CEO?
Nel wrote
I really focus on what the top dogs make. Non Profits are big money makers including churches. When you are at the Grocery store and they ask you to donate, ask what the top dog draws in as a salary. Wait to see the reaction as they are puzzled. I noticed one employee saying that she will not solicit that anymore until her manager can answer that question. www.nelsonmoyle.com
Posted March 24, 2009
Quirina wrote...
Well, I just made a lens on 'African Angel'. what a great idea! ;) It is my favorite charity, like I mentioned below, and absolutely efficient!
For the lens, please see: http://www.squidoo.com/African-Angel ;)
Posted March 06, 2009
Quirina wrote...
This is an issue I am absolutely concerned about. I used to donate to Plan International, but cancelled the commitment because I felt unhappy with it. I do not know what their CEO is making, but I felt uncomfortable because of the glossy surface of their printed matters and advertisements, and also in my particular case they did not keep their promises on personal communication between my foster child and me.
However, I have a new favorite charity, which is based in Germany (like me) and supports children in Ghana. A very small organisation, and very convincing. All work done by normal people in their leisure time, I think. It is called 'African Angel'. http://www.african-angel.de/en/index.html
Posted March 06, 2009
Brenda wrote
I appreciate this article - it is very informative. It will make my decision of who to sponser a lot easier!
Posted October 27, 2008
Rudy wrote
I use to donate to Children International, once I found out the CEO was taking almost half a million dollar salary a year, I did cancel, help is needed everywhere, even in USA, so.. I am helping now from single mothers to elderly people abandoned in nursing homes, and yes I feel better.
Rudy H, California.
Posted September 05, 2008
Other Things To Do
1.Email this Page
2.Create A Page(Its Easy)
3.Bookmark This Page
