Charity Begins with Research
Most of us give from the heart, and that’s a good thing. Sometimes it’s a challenge getting a true financial picture of where our donations are going. At a minimum, do a little research this holiday, then donate to nonprofit companies that best fit the profile of businesses you want to help.
GOOD – ranked by various sources
- Salvation Army pays some of the smallest salaries in the industry to corporate executives, while spending more than 50% of its budget/ earnings on programs for the needy. The company was founded in San Francisco.
WORST – ranked by Charity Navigator – charitynavigator.com
- SANTA CLARITA’S The Gentle Barn (animal rights)
- ENCINITAS San Diego Botanic Garden
- CERRIOTS College Bound (education programs)
- SAN DIEGO Nativity Prep Academy (private elementary & secondary schools)
- LA VERNE Shiloh International Ministries (religious)
- SAN PEDRO Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (aquariums)
10 CHARITIES IN DEEP TROUBLE – ranked by Charity Navigator
- #4 SAN RAMON Agape Villages (children’s and family services) Working capital: $-3,956,096
- #7 SAN JOSE Ballet San Jose (performing arts) Working capital $-2,095,327
10 Charities Overpaying their For-Profit Fundraisers – ranked by Charity Navigator
- #4 California Police Youth Charities
HIGHEST PAID EXECS WITH NON-PROFITS – ranked by Watchdog.org
- Goodwill of Southern California paid more than $1.1 million in total compensation to its former CEO, making him the highest paid Goodwill executive in the country.
In California, these five Goodwill organizations exploit the special minimum wage exemption and pay executives top-dollar, reported by John Hrabe, Huffington Post. A short sample of some executive compensation packages over the past few years:
$282,295- CEO of Goodwill Industries of San Diego County
$265,388- CEO of Goodwill Industries of Orange County
$376,317- CEO of Goodwill Industries of Sacramento Valley & Northern Nevada
$507,898- CEO of Goodwill of Southern California
$344,754- CEO of Goodwill Industries of Santa Clara County/ Silicon Valley
