# Charities you would NOT give to **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 20, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713 "2013-08-20T14:53:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/1 "2013-08-20T14:53:46Z")
A while back we had a thread on [what charities you give to](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=674040) - lots of great suggestions, good causes and money well spent. But with the smooth comes the rough, with the efficient comes the hapless, with the hard working comes the half arsed. There may also be causes you feel are about as worthwhile of donation as a fund to set up a Beer n’ Bacon stand in downtown Mecca. Which would fall under this category for you, where you would tell a friend if they ask “Give your money to a better charity.”? I’ll start the ball rolling; Charity Navigator has a useful rankings system. Among them, the [highest paid charity CEOs](http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=topten.detail&listid=8), [charities overpaying their for-profit fundraisers](http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=topten.detail&listid=28) and the overall [bottom 10.](http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=topten.detail&listid=164) ETA; to clarify, we’re not talking ‘charities’ that are _only_ fronts for scams, rather legit but shit. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/2 "2013-08-20T14:58:11Z")
I might donate to open a bacon stand in Mecca. I feel Darwin needs a hand now and then. Over the years I’ve changed my mind on the Boy Scouts. They can have any policy they want, it’s a private club. But I’m not going to pay for it any more. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/3 "2013-08-20T15:00:11Z")
Should have added in the OP I’m particularly interested if you have any inside info on the topic (i.e. how much campaigners get paid) or have had your fingers burnt by a particular charity. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/4 "2013-08-20T15:18:31Z")
Wouldn’t give a dime to the Susan Komen Foundation. Reasons ranging from the amount of cash going towards breast cancer research vs other cancers/diseases, their attacks on other charities they perceive as infringing on their trademarks and the whole Planned Parenthood jump into conservative politics. Even if I wanted to donate specifically to breast cancer research, I’d find a better charity. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/5 "2013-08-20T15:20:46Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > I’ll start the ball rolling; Charity Navigator has a useful rankings system. Among them, the [highest paid charity CEOs](http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=topten.detail&listid=8) I argue against the “I won’t give to an organization with a highly paid CEO” argument all the time, but Charity Navigator’s formula there is really interesting. For those who didn’t click through, it’s: > [@](#): > > The leaders of these 10 organizations are taking high salaries at the expense of spending dollars on the charity’s programs. Despite receiving more than $200,000 in annual pay, these CEOs run organizations that devote less than 60% of their budgets to their programs and services. Large, well-run organizations with a lot of moving parts need talented leadership, and talented leadership is expensive. I get sick and tired of the “but they’re a _non_-profit!” line of BS - but when you’re talking about a highly paid CEO at a small non-profit that doesn’t need strong leadership, then it’s a very valid concern. As for the OP’s actual question (sorry, I’m off my soapbox) I give to homeless causes, but I do not give to homeless organizations that do not play well with others. That’s usually shelters that have a religious requirement for their guests, as that is usually a sign that they’re not part of the local homeless coalition, don’t/can’t accept public funds, and are therefore likely to not be participating in a larger cooperation of service providers. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/6 "2013-08-20T15:23:41Z")
I don’t donate to the United Way because I dislike their come-at-you-through-your-employer tactics, especially back when they used to distribute pre-printed donation forms with one of the numbers identified as “Your Fair Share” or some such manipulative bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/7 "2013-08-20T16:18:36Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I don’t donate to the United Way because I dislike their come-at-you-through-your-employer tactics, especially back when they used to distribute pre-printed donation forms with one of the numbers identified as “Your Fair Share” or some such manipulative bullshit. Ditto! Every year we have weeks of United Way e-mails and posters and bullitens and my workplace wants us all to pass last year’s total contribution by X%. Then give us all an X% raise, becuase in case you haven’t noticed the cost of living has gone up so I am effectively making less wealth. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/8 "2013-08-20T16:24:18Z")
[Here](http://www.tampabay.com/topics/specials/worst-charities.page) is a long piece by the Tampa Bay Times about the worst charities in America and why they are so bad. Obviously I wouldn’t give to any of them. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/9 "2013-08-20T16:28:27Z")
I don’t give to the Salvation Army because of their track record on gay rights. I don’t give to the Human Rights Campaign because of their trak record on trans rights. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/10 "2013-08-20T16:55:35Z")
I don’t give a flying fuck what the charity is, if they are asking me to donate a dollar at every damned register I pass through when I’m shopping, they are getting nothing from me. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/11 "2013-08-20T17:25:55Z")
Salvation Army and Boy Scouts (and anything that smacks of religion): Their homophobic policies. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/12 "2013-08-20T17:26:57Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I argue against the “I won’t give to an organization with a highly paid CEO” argument all the time, but Charity Navigator’s formula there is really interesting. For those who didn’t click through, it’s: […] > > Large, well-run organizations with a lot of moving parts need talented leadership, and talented leadership is expensive. I get sick and tired of the “but they’re a _non_-profit!” line of BS - but when you’re talking about a highly paid CEO at a small non-profit that doesn’t need strong leadership, then it’s a very valid concern. A [relevant TED talk](http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong.html), for those interested. (I think it was this one, but haven’t watched it back. If this is the wrong one: correct me!) > [@Miller](#): > > I don’t give to the Salvation Army because of their track record on gay rights. That’s the only one I am ever confronted with that I refuse to give to. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/13 "2013-08-20T17:31:28Z")
PETA Salvation Army BSA ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/14 "2013-08-20T17:40:38Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > BSA BSA? British Stammerers Association? What do you h-h-have against th-them, old b-b-b-boy? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/15 "2013-08-20T17:44:18Z")
Heh. **B** oy **S** couts of **A** merica. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/16 "2013-08-20T17:44:24Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > PETA > Salvation Army > BSA These are my top three as well. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/17 "2013-08-20T17:51:50Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Wouldn’t give a dime to the Susan Komen Foundation. Reasons ranging from the amount of cash going towards breast cancer research vs other cancers/diseases, their attacks on other charities they perceive as infringing on their trademarks and the whole Planned Parenthood jump into conservative politics. Even if I wanted to donate specifically to breast cancer research, I’d find a better charity. This is the first one that came to my mind. In general I avoid any charity that claims to increase ‘awareness.’ Advertising for theemselves is the main goal of those types of charities, IMO, and public awareness of disease is just a byproduct that allows them to claim to be charitable. So the organization IS the charity that gets the money, which they use to advertise for more donations. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/18 "2013-08-20T17:57:09Z")
Mine have been mentioned: Komen Salvation Army United Way PETA Boy Scouts I also don’t participate in fund raisers for schools. After school stuff like sports or band are okay, but not school sponsored ones. My thinking is along the same lines as above - the admin soaks up so much money, it’s sick. And I resent every kid being made to participate, like little beggars for a school. ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/19 "2013-08-20T18:00:18Z")
> [@Sateryn76](#): > > I also don’t participate in fund raisers for schools. After school stuff like sports or band are okay, but not school sponsored ones. My thinking is along the same lines as above - the admin soaks up so much money, it’s sick. And I resent every kid being made to participate, like little beggars for a school. So let’s punish the kids further, right? I’m not sure where you live but I don’t think public school administrators are the 1%. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713/20 "2013-08-20T18:00:28Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I don’t donate to the United Way because I dislike their come-at-you-through-your-employer tactics, especially back when they used to distribute pre-printed donation forms with one of the numbers identified as “Your Fair Share” or some such manipulative bullshit. Yep. I declined year after year, in the face of much open pressure, mainly because the primary beneficiary at the time was ACS. When the uncounted billions given to cancer research start having some result besides printing prettier brochures asking for more donations, I’ll chip in. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charities-you-would-not-give-to/666713.md?page=2)