Every year those with a charitable heart and an altruistic edge take some time to give back to society through donations to various organizations.  However, many charities do not fund the actual “giving” part and instead kick back most of it to fund infrastructure and administration.  While this is necessary with most organizations, it can be an eye-opener when your see how much of the actual amount of your gift goes to the needy.  The website Charity Navigator can also be an aid in seeing how much a charity actually gives to their purpose.

It is important to exercise wisdom and compassion when we give.  With that in mind, Attorney General of Oregon John Kroger provides  a list of some of the worse offending agencies nationwide and offered tips to consumers on how to donate wisely.

Oregon state law requires charities to file financial reports with the Oregon Department of Justice disclosing how much money the organization raised and how the funds were spent. The department has identified 20 organizations that spent more than 75 percent of the donations they collected on administrative costs and professional fundraising. [source]

Better Business Bureau guidelines  suggest that charitable organizations should spend at least 65% of their funds on charitable programs.

Every charity on the following list gave less than 25% of their expenditures on charitable program activities.  The number in bold shows how much of their money collected actually went to charities.  (I should include that along with my article about the Salvation Army, I am not making choices for you.  I only think that an educated decision is preferable to an ignorant one.  Bottom line:  Giver Be Wary.)

Shiloh International Ministries

Average Annual Expenditures :$ $937,315 Amount used for Charitable Cause: 3.63%
La Verne, California
Purpose: to improve the quality of life of
disabled and needy children by providing
medical necessities and moral support.

Law Enforcement Education Program

Average Annual Expenditures: $1,893,929  Amount used for Charitable Cause: 6.26%
Troy, Michigan
Purpose: to provide educational programs and
materials to school children.

Korean War Veterans National Museum & Library

Average Annual Expenditures: $2,265,809  Amount used for Charitable Cause : 7.03%
Rantoul, Illinois
Purpose: to preserve a record of participation in
the Korean War, educate the public, and promote
friendship among vets.

Foundation for American Veterans

Average Annual Expenditures: $4,677,071  Amount used for Charitable Cause: 10.22%
West Bloomfield, Michigan
Purpose: Promoting social and recreational
welfare for current and past U.S. Armed Forces
members, dependents, widows, widowers and others.

Dogs Against Drugs/Dogs Against Crime

Average Annual Expenditures : $1,070,846  Amount used for Charitable Cause: 10.30%
Anderson, Indiana
Purpose: to promote law enforcement K-9 operations

National Vietnam Veterans Foundation

Average Annual Expenditures: $3,383,753  Amount used for Charitable Cause 10.92%
Alexandria, Virginia
Purpose: to benefit American veterans
and their families.

Firefighters Charitable Foundation

Average Annual Expenditures : $4,974,211  Amount used for Charitable Cause: 11.09%
Farmingdale, New York
Purpose: to provide financial assistance to individuals affected by a fire or disaster.

Committee for Missing Children

Average Annual Expenditures: $2,758,671  Amount used for Charitable Cause: 11.51%
Lawrenceville, Georgia
Purpose: to assist in the search and recovery of missing children and educate on safety and prevention.

The Wishing Well Foundation

Average Annual Expenditures: $1,299,852   Amount used for Charitable Cause : 11.57%

Metairie, Louisiana
Purpose: fulfilling the fondest wish for any terminally ill child not expected to reach 18 years of age.

Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund

Average Annual Expenditures: $3,431,820   Amount used for Charitable Cause: 13.16%
Arlington, Virginia
Purpose: to provide legal assistance to law enforcement officers.

Disabled Police Officers of America

Average Annual Expenditures: $894,660 Amount used for Charitable Cause:  14.24%
Niceville, Florida
Purpose: to provide educational programs for police officers.

Disabled Police Officers Counseling Center

Average Annual Expenditures: $594,408 Amount used for Charitable Cause:  14.84%
Niceville, Florida
Purpose: to provide police officers, whether active,retired or disabled, counseling services upon request.

Foundation for Children with Cancer

Average Annual Expenditures: $2,959,726 Amount used for Charitable Cause:  15.23%
St. Louis, Missouri
Purpose: to provide financial information to families with children suffering from cancer.

American Medical Research Organization

Average Annual Expenditures:  $672,288  Amount used for Charitable Cause 16.19%
Sarasota, FL
Purpose:  To support medical research in the cause, cure and treatment of macular degeneration

National Veteran’s Service Fund, Inc.

Average Annual Expenditures:  $7,173,335  Amount used for Charitable Cause  20.44%
Darien, CT
Purpose:  Inform and educate in conjunction with service-related illnesses and work to raise public awareness of the contributions veterans make to our society.

Children’s Leukemia Research Association, Inc.

Average Annual Expenditures:  $1,479,548   Amount used for Charitable Cause  20.49%
Garden City, NJ
Purpose:  To support research efforts into the causes of leukemia and to provide assistance with expenses incurred in leukemia treatment.

Dakota Indian Foundation

Average Annual Expenditures:  $1,229,750  Amount used for Charitable Cause  21.55%
Chamberlain, SD
Purpose: To assist in education of Indian people and preservation of Native American culture

Cancer Support Services

Average Annual Expenditures:  $7,656,871   Amount used for Charitable Cause  22.27%
Dearborn, MI
Purpose:  To support the charitable mission of Cancer Fund of America and to provide financial support to indigent cancer patients

Project Cure, Inc.

Average Annual Expenditures:  $4,692,160   Amount used for Charitable Cause  24.28%
Bradenton FL
Purpose:  Increasing public and professional awareness about the prevention, detection, and treatment of various chronic diseases.

Operation Lookout National Center for Missing Youth

Average Annual Expenditures:  $1,958,896   Amount used for Charitable Cause  24.53%
Everett, WA
Purpose: To provide free services 24 hours a day 7 days a week regarding missing youth

[SOURCE]