The National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center, based in New York City, spent 55 percent of its funds on program expenses related to the design, construction, and operation of the National September 11 Memorial; it dedicated 31 percent to fundraising and 15 percent to management and general costs.
Continuing its ongoing effort to bring transparency to how charities spend money given by donors, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs today released the updated list of “New Jersey’s Top 10 Most Inquired-About Charities,” with pie charts illustrating each charity’s spending during its most recently reported fiscal year.
The list, available at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/charity/inquired/#list, is drawn from consumer calls to the Division’s Charities Registration Hotline, 973-504-6215. Today’s list provides information on the 10 charities most often asked about by consumers who called the Hotline in July and August 2011.
“Before consumers donate their hard-earned dollars to a cause, they should know exactly how the charity in question will use their money,” Thomas R. Calcagni, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, said. “Potential donors are often completely unaware that certain charities spend 80 percent of their donations on nothing but fundraising, while others spend nearly every cent on actual charitable programs. We remain committed to helping consumers empower themselves, and helping them ‘investigate before you donate.’”
According to the Better Business Bureau’s “Standards for Charity Accountability,” a charity should dedicate at least 65 percent of its expenses toward program activities, and no more than 35 percent on fundraising.
Each of the Top 10 charities is listed below, beginning with those that spent the smallest percentage of their funds on charitable programs. Refer to the list at www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/charity/inquired/#list, to see the full pie chart and additional information for each charity on the list.
The State Division of Consumer Affairs encourages New Jersey consumers to learn about charities before making a donation. For example:
Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website, www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov, or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
Follow the Division of Consumer Affairs on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/NJ-Division-of-Consumer-Affairs/112957465445651, and check our online calendar of upcoming Consumer Outreach events at www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov/outreach/.
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