The Ice Bucket Challenge has gone viral, and I can see myself being tagged very soon. Though I can't think of an appropriate Sherman pledge, there is no chance I will contribute my time, my ice water, or my money to the effort.
ALS Association, Washington D.C. Headquarters
2013 Form 990 Summary
Total Revenue: $19,690,252
Total Expenses: $19,796,581
Net Revenue: $-106,329
Total Salaries and Benefits Paid: $5,138,716
Total "Travel", "Lobbying", "Business", "Advertising", "Office", and "Other" Expenditures: $7,814,768
Grants passed to governments, organizations, and individuals: $6,843,097
Percentage of annual revenue with potential to be "charitable": 35%
The nonprofit organization is divided into many regional chapters, which would make a full audit time-consuming. These are the stats for the chapter with the most revenue.
ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter
2013 Form 990 Summary
Total Revenue: $5,506,586
Total Expenses: $5,680,067
Net Revenue: $-173,481
Total Salaries and Benefits Paid: $2,269,058
Total "Travel", "Accounting", "Office", and "Other" Expenditures: $1,144,730
"Clinic Expenses", "Research", and "Payments to Affiliates": $2,266,279
Percentage of annual revenue with potential to be "charitable": 40%
This organization, like most nonprofits, wastes the money it receives. Medical research takes place at universities and research institutions that rely on grants for funding, and I agree that we should help where we can, but charitable organizations are not effective. Fortunately, I can recommend Project MinE as an alternative Ice Bucket Challenge beneficiary.
While I don't know if Charity had any direct effect, I'm happy to say that my high school has made changes since I graduated and is now an example of excellent fundraising:
The money raised at this event will go into a Uni vs. Cancer fund at Christie Clinic. This fund will be used to help local people with cancer-related expenses that are not covered by insurance, such as transportation or over-the-counter medications that treat side effects. This is different from previous Uni cancer fundraisers, which sent the money to cancer research organizations. All of the Uni cancer fundraisers will now send their money to this fund.This is something I can support.
