$19 a Month to St. Jude’s: How Much Goes to the Kids
St. Jude’s runs advertisements asking donors to make a monthly gift of $19 and become a “partner in hope.” $19 sounds manageable so who wouldn’t want to give a little less than twenty bucks a month to help a sick child with cancer or other life threatening disease? Judging by the tax returns submitted by St. Jude’s, a lot of people make this donation every single month. Have you ever wondered how much of that $19 is actually spent on a sick child and his or her family?
Based on the IRS Form 990’s submitted for the year ending June 30, 2015, the answer is $8.17 per month:
$19.00: Contribution
-$ 5.51: Fundraising Functional Expenses at ALSAC
-$ 3.99: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at ALSAC)
-$ 9.50: Subtotal
$ 9.50: Amount Remaining and Provided to the Hospital
-$ 8.17: Hospital Functional Expenses
-$ 1.33: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at St. Jude’s)
$ 0.00
To understand the above, it is necessary to know that St. Jude’s is actually two organizations:
- ALSAC – St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. (the fundraising arm known as ALSAC
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. (the hospital/treatment arm known as St. Jude’s
ALSAC’s sole purpose is to support the hospital. They raise funds and spend 29 cents of every dollar ($5.51 of $19) on fundraising functional expenses and keep 21 cents ($3.99 of $19) for their net fund balance, leaving 50 cents ($9.50 of $19) for the hospital. The hospital spends 43 cents ($8.17 of $19) of that dollar on functional expenses of the hospital leaving 7 cents ($1.33) for their fund balance (like a savings account).
On an annual basis, a $19 per month contribution is $228 which is spent as follows:
$228.00: Contribution
-$ 66.12: Fundraising Functional Expenses at ALSAC
-$47.88: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at ALSAC)
-$114.00: Subtotal
$114.00: Amount Remaining and Provided to Hospital
-$98.04: Hospital Functional Expenses
-$15.96: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at St. Jude’s)
$ 0.00
As illustrated above, $98.04 of a $228 contribution is spent on the functional expenses of the hospital while $66.12 is spent on fundraising functional expenses. The two organizations did not spend $63.84 (47.88 + 15.96) opting to place these funds in their fund balance.
To read about financial trends (Top Ten Financial Tips to Know About St. Jude’s), click here.
To read about Executive Compensation at St Jude’s (2018), click here.
For more information, click on Executive Compensation at St Jude’s (2019)
For updated information, click on Where Does $100 to St Jude’s Go (2020)?
Comments are closed.
Paddock Post 
Yes, I am always wondering how these “fine and concerned citizens” spend the money they swindle out of the public via their gulling TV commercials. What pathetic creeps. Even though I feel sorry for the cripples they always show in their disgusting commercials, why do these “fine and concerned” individuals who run these crooked enterprise talk about what causes the horrible diseases in these kids to begin with? (the killer medicine they gave the mothers while pregnant?) Hurray! American capitalism and exceptionalism in full bloom.
Stefan: More often than not when I receive comments like Kelly’s, I find they haven’t made the effort to read the post. No one needs a background in financial analysis or accounting to follow how $100 is spent; it’s subtraction, that’s it. But, if they don’t want to follow the subtraction, they should at least read the post before asking a question because the answer is right there. As the post clearly states (bold and underlined) in the second paragraph:
“Based on the IRS Form 990’s submitted for the year ending June 30, 2015, the answer is $8.17 per month.”
Anne, with all due respect, Kelly just wants you to simplify the math for her. Your reply, which is a reiteration of a previous reply, apparently is too complex for her. You are well experienced in financial analysis of these non-profits, so the answer is obvious to you. It is also obvious to me. But the answer isn’t obvious to a great many people–especially if they have little exposure to accounting. The simple answer to her question as to how much of the $19.00 directly influences the outcome of any given patient’s care and/or survival is: $8.17 (or 43% of the $19.00). Setting all that aside, I do want to commend you for your service! You are very helpful in revealing to the public how donation dollars are actually spent by non-profits. Thank you for the time and effort you expend researching, analyzing, informing, and then answering reader’s questions!
The title and subject of the post is: $19 a month to St. Jude’s..How Much Goes to the Kids?
What part of the information below don’t you understand?
$19.00: Contribution
-$ 5.51: Fundraising Functional Expenses at ALSAC
-$ 3.99: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at ALSAC)
-$ 9.50: Subtotal
$ 9.50: Amount Remaining and Provided to the Hospital
-$ 8.17: Hospital Functional Expenses
-$ 1.33: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at St. Jude’s)
$ 0.00
To understand the above, it is necessary to know that St. Jude’s is actually two organizations:
ALSAC – St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. (the fundraising arm known as ALSAC
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc. (the hospital/treatment arm known as St. Jude’s
ALSAC’s sole purpose is to support the hospital. They raise funds and spend 29 cents of every dollar ($5.51 of $19) on fundraising functional expenses and keep 21 cents ($3.99 of $19) for their net fund balance, leaving 50 cents ($9.50 of $19) for the hospital. The hospital spends 43 cents ($8.17 of $19) of that dollar on functional expenses of the hospital leaving 7 cents ($1.33) for their fund balance (like a savings account).
On an annual basis, a $19 per month contribution is $228 which is spent as follows:
$228.00: Contribution
-$ 66.12: Fundraising Functional Expenses at ALSAC
-$47.88: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at ALSAC)
-$114.00: Subtotal
$114.00: Amount Remaining and Provided to Hospital
-$98.04: Hospital Functional Expenses
-$15.96: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at St. Jude’s)
$ 0.00
As illustrated above, $98.04 of a $228 contribution is spent on the functional expenses of the hospital while $66.12 is spent on fundraising functional expenses. The two organizations did not spend $63.84 (47.88 + 15.96) opting to place these funds in their fund balance.
It would help us all if you be so kind as to be speak layman terms; Exactly how much/percentage of one’s “monthly $19.00” contribution directly influences the outcome of any given patient’s care and/or survival? Thank you.
After reading the comments here, I wonder if directly assisting people with a GoFundMe account would be fiscally less dragged. After fees and possible (probable?) taxes, the recipient might get 60% or more of the original principal. As we think about Medicare for all and revamped health care policies, I just wish an organization backed by very deep pockets would take a very altruistic approach and allow peer to peer charity for low costs. I wanted to contribute to St. Jude but am rethinking of where I want to contribute if a good bit of the contribution goes to overhead that could be reduced in cost. I get it, a hospital costs money to run. I wish the model for charitable medical care could be transformed on a bigger scale to help many more people who are going through the misery of an illness.
My neighbor’s are pediatrician’s. They told us to quit donating to St. Jude’s. Said they are crooked organization and really aren’t helping the Children but the pocketbook’s of senior officials on staff.
Tony: Did you read the post? Here is a synopsis:
$19.00: Contribution
-$ 5.51: Fundraising Functional Expenses at ALSAC
-$ 3.99: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at ALSAC)
-$ 9.50: Subtotal
$ 9.50: Amount Remaining and Provided to the Hospital
-$ 8.17: Hospital Functional Expenses
-$ 1.33: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at St. Jude’s)
$ 0.00
On an annual basis, a $19 per month contribution is $228 which is spent as follows:
$228.00: Contribution
-$ 66.12: Fundraising Functional Expenses at ALSAC
-$47.88: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at ALSAC)
-$114.00: Subtotal
$114.00: Amount Remaining and Provided to Hospital
-$98.04: Hospital Functional Expenses
-$15.96: To Net Fund Balance (Savings at St. Jude’s)
$ 0.00
As illustrated above, $98.04 of a $228 contribution is spent on the functional expenses of the hospital while $66.12 is spent on fundraising functional expenses. The two organizations did not spend $63.84 (47.88 + 15.96) opting to place these funds in their fund balance.
Is this out of line? They have wages inventory etc. I was going to do the 19.00 a month, probably still will.
Well, I was getting ready to send my yearly donation but now I’m really confused. I was always under the impression that all the money they collected went to the support of children and their families. I get that some money has to go to supporting the hospital because electricity isn’t free…but I would like a larger % to go to children and families…but don’t all charities have expenses? Now what?
Robin:
1. You’re absolutely right about the statement “The purpose of the posts is to educate people and allow them to make their own decisions about making donations.” Your original response was NOT a post but a response to a post that probably went to SPAM.
2. No one said you were emotional. I’m sure your information was accurate from the perspective of a parent. I don’t know anyone who disputes that St. Jude’s does good things. But, they could do so much better. As the parent of a child treated at St. Jude, how can you not think more money should be spent on sick children and their families? You, more than anyone else knows what it’s like to have a sick child and yet you defend St. Jude’s actions to continue to add hundreds of millions of dollars to the net fund balance rather than have them expand their services and help more sick kids and their families. And, even worse, you don’t take St. Jude and ALSAC to task for paying for employee companion travel, social club fees including initiation fees, big retirement perks, and other fringe benefits. That money would be better spent on helping more sick children and their families.
3. Contrary to your statement that a charity should be judged by its success, I will unequivocally state no charity should be solely judged by its success in its core mission because charities can be very good at what they do and yet they can also be engaged in illegal, unethical, or immoral activities or simply not reaching their potential. Your assertion is the typical argument set forth by people defending St. Jude: They do go things so they should get a pass. No charity gets a pass when they rely on public donations. Nothing less than full transparency is acceptable and for you to argue that St Jude’s and ALSAC deserve a pass is exactly why more revenue is not being used to expand services and help more sick kids and their families.
4. In reference to childhood cancer survival rates, no one disputes the great strides that St. Jude’s has made. But, great strides does not mean more money shouldn’t be allocated to research or helping more of the sick. Again, instead of putting hundreds of millions annually into the general fund, more money should be allocated to research to raise the survival rates and help the sick.
5. In all my years of posting, no one has ever disputed the commitment, passion, and integrity of the employees of St. Jude. But know this, employees who respond to the posts don’t get a pass. If they respond, their responses will be addressed like everyone else. I stand strongly by my response to Summer.
6. And, finally, yes, there is room for improvement. In fact, there is room for a lot of improvement. But, it won’t happen if parents or donors like yourself don’t challenge ALSAC to give more money to the hospital for research and to help more sick children. As I’ve always said “they do good things, but could do so much better.”
If you truly believe and are committed to helping more sick children and families, then how can you not challenge St. Jude and ALSAC to do better than what they’ve been doing (i.e. ALSAC only giving approximately $50 out of every $100 in revenue)? How can you ever defend St.Jude or ALSAC paying for social club dues or paying for employee companion travel when that money could go to helping a sick child whose parents are struggling? Or, to pay for another research clinical trial that could bring the cancer survival rate even higher?
Lastly, I will close this by stating that I am at a loss for words as to why you are so incensed with the truth being posted. St. Jude and ALSAC submitted this information to the IRS and the public has every right to know this information. That you find this public information offensive for being posted because of what it says about St. Jude and ALSAC is disturbing. If, like several others, you object to this information not being put into context, I will state that this information was posted because it is not posted on the St. Jude’s website and it should be. (as a side note the information you wrote about is posted on the website; the information I posted, which was obtained from a tax return, is not).
You said in a previous post that “The purpose of the posts is to educate people and allow them to make their own decisions about making donations.” Yet you disallowed a post of mine as a St. Jude parent. I wasn’t emotional but simply fact-based as a firsthand witness to watching the monies in action that people donate. Besides the research and saving lives actions that St. Jude performs very well, they take incredible care of the families in treatment and do everything they can to lessen both the financial and emotional burdens. I listed the ways that they do that.
My bottom line was that while there is always room for improvement, you should judge a charity by its success in its core mission. And in St. Jude’s case, they’ve been extremely successful. My son’s particular survival rate went from a pitiful 4% when St. Jude first opened its doors to 96% when he was diagnosed ten years ago. The overall childhood cancer survival rates rose from 20% to over 80%.
To me, you were very dismissive of a Summer, who is an employee of St. Jude. Do you realize how many employees of St. Jude are former childhood cancer patients? We ran into so many who were inspired by their treatment years to return and pay it forward in helping other children. St. Jude has won awards for being such a great place to work, and the employees are passionate about the kids and their work. It’s not just a job to them.
Again, there is always room for improvement, and people who donate absolutely should know where their donations go. That’s why I added my perspective as a patient’s family who saw the money in action.
To answer your question, I would recommend to always read the 990’s before making a donation. Marketers know that people want to help and unfortunately, donors are often taken advantage of, especially through call centers, mailings, and e-mail solicitations.
Ask questions. Give locally to make dollars go as far as possible. For example, United Way does great things but generally 25% of what you give goes to paying their expenses. They then take what’s left and give it to vetted local organizations who have to deduct their overhead expenses also, diluting the power of the donation. Vet the organization yourself by reading the 990 and giving directly to an organization that makes the donation go as far as possible towards the cause.
I, too am always amazed that people defend these non-profits instead of demanding more of them.
Ms. Anne,
I certainly prefer reading articles based on facts, rather than general opinion. You have done great job, presenting the material and then replying to a few uninformed/misinformed comments. We all know that truth doesn’t always sit well with everyone, in fact, truth can also be very inconvenient or even damaging to certain individuals.
In general view, it should be considered as immoral (maybe one day also illegal), for a person or group of individuals to form an organization for the purpose of soliciting/collecting funds, pledged to be used to serve “grand deeds” and then to reserve the right to channel a significant amount of those funds, whether claimed as an “expense” or a “wage” for their “professional” services, to excessively benefit themselves.
In the St. Jude’s case, the funds seem to be collected for two basic purposes:
1., for the exceptional well being of the ALSAC so called “key” employees (by cleverly using all legal means available, to do so);
2., to retain the functionality of the well known hospital itself, where grand deeds can actually be achieved ().
For some reason, I was always suspicious of those EMOTIONAL money drives, where your help is needed to end someone’s suffering. Amount of calls for such donations usually double or triple from November to December to further soften one’s feelings.
Perhaps there are some sincere money drives for individuals in need, but how can you really tell, when even those publicly well known and popular drives seem quite questionable ?
To whom is interested,
I have read all these posts and Anne thank you so much for your research on serval area’s or donation organizations. Summer thank you for working there and HJK you have valid points to a limit and correct this is not a CFO’s information explanation.
Bottom line a rounded $8.00 to the $19.00 is unsatisfactory when most people donating are expecting 100% go to the hospital not 40%. Most reasonable/informed individuals know all this is not going to go to the children, but the split is backwards. 60% to 40%, so maybe ALSAC fundraising should have a seperate commercial on those individuals to receive people’s money and she how far that goes for those CEO’s and health club memberships.
Like most I think we want to wear a shirt to show we want to care so how about a commercial that states we will give you a shirt for donating at 100% percentage towards the hospital minus shirt cost and P&H.
With the latter I will make a contribution. This is really bad that I want to help those children not the one’s behind the scenes getting financially fat on other’s good deeds….
I think the kids deserve more than the ridiculous salaries of your ceo and workers because of this i won’t be participating in monthly support payments.
Well that was a very interesting read 😉
Dear Summer:
Contrary to your claim that you have a “more well rounded view” because you are an employee of the hospital, you do not. You ignore the numbers (not once did you address them) and rely on rhetoric and emotional pleas rather than the numbers, which shows bias. Your blurb sounds like a slick marketing attempt (“…allows us to charge into new frontiers that others can only imagine”) to downplay the truth that historically only about half of the revenue collected by ALSAC went to the hospital annually. Instead of repeating a lot of what I’ve already said, I will simply make a few short comments:
1. The purpose of the posts is to educate people and allow them to make their own decisions about making donations. The posts do not throw out a ton of financial information and boil it down to one simplistic number, as you claim. On the contrary, the posts take key information from the Form 990 (which can be 50-150 pages long with thousands of numbers) so that someone who doesn’t have a financial or accounting background can understand where revenue is spent. The posts are also an easy way to get a summary of the information without having to read the whole 990, which seems to threaten many people who do not want the public to understand how donation dollars are spent.
2. The numbers in the post are not my numbers. I presented the numbers that ALSAC and the hospital submitted to the IRS. The fact remains: $50 out of every $100 collected by ALSAC went to the hospital (although the recent 990 shows this number was down to $44 out of every $100). The other $50 retained by ALSAC was spent on fundraising ($29) with the remaining $21 placed in the fund balance. There is nothing disingenuous about telling the truth (it sounds like you take offense to the truth which, by the way is related to context). Again, I will go out on a limb here and say most donors want more than half of their donation to go to the hospital. ALSAC and St Jude’s certainly don’t need me to tell them how to do spend more on helping sick kids and their families. I think they can figure that out on their own because it’s really quite simple: spend more revenue helping sick children and their families…like maybe instead of putting $250 million in the net fund assets that already has a few billion (last time I looked, ALSAC/St. Jude’s had about $4 billion in their net fund assets/general fund or what some people refer to as an endowment), they can help 250 sick kids and their family.
3. Your argument that Charity Watch (but the links you posted were to Charity Navigator and they have been removed) rates St. Jude’s high, and higher than other charities implies the information on the tax returns should be ignored or that ALSAC and St. Jude’s should get a pass, is weak. Charities that rely on public support should have full transparency, give people the truth, and let them make their own decisions about where they want their charity dollars to go. ALSAC and St Jude’s don’t get a pass just because they do good things (spending $29 out of every $100 on fundraising and giving only $50 out of every $100 to the hospital is not good enough for some) – no non-profit does.
4. The links to doctors bios have also been removed. This is not a site to advertise doctor credentials.
5. Your statement that employees “Make the most of St. Jude resources, and be mindful of those who provided them” is a wide generalization and reminds me of the difference between what people say and what they do. The numbers on the Form 990 do not always support this statement. To the best of my knowledge, employees of ALSAC have not come out and made a public announcement that only half (and sometimes less) goes to the hospital for which they are raising money for – which, incidentally is the truth.
6. You can’t write about the most highly compensated employees of the hospital without also writing about the most highly compensated employees of ALSAC: The nine (9) most highly compensated individuals of ALSAC were reported to be:
$1,087,044: James Downing, Ex-Officio Dir. (received comp from SJCRH)
$ 868,643: Richard C Shadyac, Jr.: CEO and Ex-Officio Director
$ 542,741: Emily S Greer, Chief Administrative Officer
$ 517,293: Jeffrey T Pearson, Chief Financial Officer
$ 514,395: Emily Callahan, Chief Marketing Officer
$ 497,124: Robert Machen, Chief Information Officer
$ 471,938: Anurag Pandit, Chief Investment Officer
$ 454,251: Sara Hall, Chief Legal Officer
$ 447,309: George Shadroui, Chief Strategy Officer
As illustrated above, 9 employees received total compensation of $5.5 million. Of the 9 most highly compensated employees, 6 (67%) are male, while 3 (33%) are female.
The 990’s also report ALSAC paid for companion travel and health or social club dues or initiation fees (See Schedule J, Part III for more information).
The organization paid for companion travel and tax indemnification and gross up payments (for more detail see Schedule J, Part III of the 990). In addition:
$344,860 was offered to the former CFO under a separation agreement whose terms are confidential.
Payments were made to five employees under the non-qualified deferred compensation plan during the year:
Michael C Canarios: $23,877
Ching-Hon Pui: $289,585
Mary Anna Quinn: $275,360
Leslie L Robison: $286,030
Elaine I Tuomanen: $265,433
Please tell me how millions of dollars to deferred compensation plans, payments for social club dues or initiation fees (as if these executives couldn’t afford to pay for their own social or health club dues or fees), companion travel, tax indemnification and gross up payments, and separation agreements is a better way to spend revenue than spending the money to help a sick child and his/her family?
7. How ironic is it that you take issue with my posting of public information (specifically, financial information submitted to the IRS) that is not posted on the ALSAC or St. Jude’s website and yet claim your response gives the reader a “full picture” of what St. Jude’s does? For the record, most of what you wrote is on the St. Jude’s website. Almost all of what I wrote is not. Consider this: if ALSAC or St. Jude’s posted the details of the Form 990’s (instead of just links to the 990), then people like myself wouldn’t have to post this information, and the public would have a fuller picture of what ALSAC and St. Jude’s do.
8. My conclusion stands: They do good things but could do so much better and they can start by spending more revenue on sick kids and their families.
I would like to respond to both the original post and some of the subsequent comments made. I have been an employee at SJCRH so I have a more well rounded view of what actually goes on there. I am not an employee of ALSAC and as such I am not making any comments on compensation of their employees.
Anne, I think the way you present this data is extremely disingenuous. You keep saying “They can do better” but don’t really put forth any ways you think that they can “do better.” I’ve read a smattering of your non-profit posts, and your basic format seems to be to throw out a ton of financial data, boil it all down to a single simplistic number, and then say that this isn’t good enough. I haven’t found anything yet where you put all these things into context.
I would suggest that anyone who cares about giving to the most efficient charities take a look at sites such as Charity Watch, which has a much more detailed analysis of data from the 990 forms of different organizations, and gives them an overall rating. St Jude Children’s Research Hospital received a rating of 91.04 last year.
Linda said:
“The CEO’s and the higher ups make way too much money. The doctors and nurses and the research teams should be the ones making money. We will donate if we know that our money is going to the important people who really do the necessary work to save children. I don’t respect that so much is wasted on huge salaries to people that don’t save lives”
If you look at this previous post by Anne (https://paddockpost.com/2019/02/08/executive-compensation-at-st-judes-2017/) she lists the 15 most highly compensated employees. Eleven of those 15 are doctors who are still very active in research and publish studies on a regular basis. They are absolutely a part of the research team. Here are those names and links to their profiles, where you can see the research they are producing and learn more about the departments that they lead:
Dennis said:
“St. Judes is misleading. A child has to qualify and be referred before they can treated there. Maybe they could use the $21 and the $7 for more research for childhood cancer. I’m not here to bash St Judes but most people don’t know the facts they only have 47 beds and Your insurance is billed first so they are not paying for entirely everything. Bottom line is these kids suffer through horrible treatment plans and there needs to be more reasearch funding”
St. Jude is a research hospital. As such, they are dedicated to battling the rarest and most difficult to treat cancers. Yes, patients get referrals to St. Jude. Perhaps there is a clinical trial going on to study treatments for the particular type of cancer that child has. Maybe they have a form of cancer so rare that there are no other doctors in the country who have experience with it. Maybe they have a genetic mutation that makes them more susceptible to cancer, and geneticists are trying to find out why that is. As far as beds, St. Jude actually has 78 beds. They try to give kids as normal a life as possible while they are undergoing treatment, and inpatient beds are for those who need additional intensive hospital care while they are being treated. Otherwise, families stay in nearby housing (provided by St. Jude at no cost to the families) and come to the hospital as needed, to minimize disruptions in their daily lives. I’m not sure why billing insurance is seen as a negative in this context. Billing insurance actually helps St. Jude treat more children. If they were not reimbursed by insurance companies the same as any other hospital, there would be less money to put back into treatment and research. St. Jude is also in the midst of a huge expansion that will both increase the number of patients being treated, and make room for new cutting edge research and technologies
So. You can read a few blog posts on this site and get outraged that St. Jude “isn’t doing enough” or you can read through the information I’ve posted and get a full picture of what St. Jude does. Employees of St. Jude have seven core values, one of which is “Make the most of St. Jude resources, and be mindful of those who provided them.
The support for our institution is incredible. It allows us to charge into frontiers that others can only imagine. And it’s possible because of tens of thousands of people who trust us to be good stewards of their donations. We must be diligent to make their contributions count in every way possible.”
I never met a single person there who did not try their hardest every day to make sure that as much of those donations as possible go back to helping children. People are of course free to come to whatever determination they like regarding the worthiness of St. Jude as a charity, but hopefully I have provided some information that puts things in context. If your response is “people should get paid less” then I would just ask you to do your own research into what compensation is like in the private sector for people who do this kind of work, and ask yourself if they don’t deserve a similar level of compensation for doing work that is just as if not more important.
Thanks for your kind words, Deb.
Anne, your explanations are spot on which is evidenced by your thorough research. It’s a shame people don’t read what you’ve presented in its entirety. It would save them looking foolish tryng to contradict you. Please keep up the good work. I evaluate a charity just to determine wages/bonuses, etc. before I make a pledge. I would like to see the exclusion of bonuses and certainly healthclub memberships and companion travel for all executives. Altruism seems to be a forgotten behavior.
I don’t understand human nature when they can make money from their friends and families sick and dying. I believe that there is a special price they will pay for their actions at judgement day (whatever your belief is).
This shows me that giving, is for CEO’s families, friends ect. and mean more than my husband and others like him who died an awful deaths.
These people have 1 person who loves them (themselves)
We who care and give to those who need help, have many who loves us.
There was one thing my husband (a teacher for almost 40 years ) took with him in death (NOT MONEY. NOT FAME. NOT HOMES)
Love💕
I WILL NOT BE GIVING TO ST. JUDES MY NORMAL $ 2,500.00. It’s not a lot but for me it’s principal. I’ll donate to locale hospital.
Ellen: No, 82 cents of every dollar does not go to program services. You need to educate yourself on the Salvation Army:
During the holiday season, The Salvation Army operates its Red Kettle Campaign throughout the nation. Local volunteers (often working with their families) and paid workers stand by the iconic red kettle ringing a bell, and smiling while donations are placed in the red kettle.
It’s hard for anyone to walk by without placing a $1 or loose change in the kettle of one of the most recognizable charitable fundraisers in this country. But, where does $1 to the Salvation Army go? That’s the $4 billion dollar (the amount of revenue reported in the US in 2014) question, keeping in mind the Salvation Army organizations in the US have more than $11 billion in net assets.
In the United States, The Salvation Army does not have one organization but several which is confusing. The “Salvation Army” in the USA is overseen by The Salvation Army National Corporation which is also known as The Salvation Army USA or The Salvation Army National Headquarters (who is overseen by The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London). This organization primarily provides support to the other Salvation Army organizations in the USA, similar to a corporate office.
The entire USA organization is referred to as a territory within the organization (the organization divides itself into geographic territories). The territory includes The Salvation Army National Corporation, The Salvation Army World Service Office (which primarily collects revenue in the US and distributes funds overseas) and four division territory headquarters (which is the heart of the organization in the USA):
The Salvation Army Central Territory
The Salvation Army Southern Territory
The Salvation Army Western Territory (also called The Salvation Army USA, Western Territory and Affiliates)
The Salvation Army Eastern Territory
Within each of the above territories is a state division (some of which file an IRS Form 990 under protest because some states require organizations receiving public funds to file a 990). Because the Salvation Army is a “church,” the IRS does not require the submittal of a Form 990 but the organization does submit a 990 for one of the six organizations: The Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO). The remaining five organizations have annual audited financial statements although these statements are not made available on-line through the Salvation Army organization sites (to request copies of the audited financial statements, e-mail: donations@usn.salvationarmy.org, Jennifer_Byrd@usn.salvationarmy.org, or Ashley.Carter@usn.salvationarmy.org or call 703-684-4123).
Instead, the organizations offer what they call “Statements of Financial Position, “Statements of Activities” and/or an “Annual Report.” These statements don’t provide the financial detail that a 990 provides including the compensation package of key executives, total staff compensation, the number of staff who receive $100,000 or more in compensation, a list of the organizations that received grants exceeding $5,000, and more. Neither do the audited financial statements although they do provide more information than what is provided on the websites.
Any organization that receives federal government funds must release information under the Freedom of Information Act. The audited financial statements of the four territories (Eastern, Western, Southern, and Central) report $345 million was received in fees and grants from government agencies in 2014 but the statements do not disclose if these funds were from state or federal government agencies. So, there is no information on highly compensated staff in this post.
Based on the audited financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2014, the key financial information for the four territory organizations (which report and spend most of the revenue) is summarized as follows (a detailed analysis of all six organizations follows this summary):
The four territories (Central, Southern,Eastern, and Western) raised $4.1 billion dollars in 2014.
The four territories spent $3.5 billion in 2014: $3 billion on program services, management, fundraising, and support services (with $1.6 billion of these funds spent on salaries and allowances, benefits, and payroll taxes and $545 million on occupancy, furnishings, and equipment), and $500 million on “specific assistance” which is also called “direct assistance” (primarily “other social services) to individuals.
$600 million was left unspent, strengthening their respective balance sheets.
The four territories report $15 billion in total assets, $4 billion in liabilities which makes net assets $11 billion, most of which are investment securities and land, buildings, and equipment.
The territories have two primary liabilities (of the $4 billion in liabilities): $2 billion in estimated pension and post retirement benefits for employees and $1.2 billion in mortgages.
In summation, the Salvation Army is a very wealthy “church” with most of the revenue and assets concentrated in the four territory organizations. With $15 billion dollars concentrated in investments that produce nearly 40% of the revenue annually (in the form of investment income, sales to the public, program service fees, gains, etc), The Salvation Army does not rely as much on donations and contributions as other non-profits (51% of the revenue comes from public support and about 9% from governmental agencies).
Their largest liability is not to the people they serve but to their employees in the form of $2 billion in estimated pension and post retirement benefits. It is also important to note that the value of the organizations’ assets are partially due to the tendency of not spending all the revenue collected or earned in any given year (i.e. in 2014, nearly $600 million of the $4.1 in revenue (or 15% of revenue) reported was not spent, which strengthens their respective balance sheets).
So, how is $1 in revenue spent? It depends (and varies based on each Salvation Army organization) but generally $1 in revenue is spent as follows in the USA:
$1.00: Revenue
-$0.40: Salaries, allowances, benefits, and payroll taxes
-$0.14: Occupancy, furnishings, and equipment
-$0.07: Supplies, communication, postage, org dues, awards, and miscellaneous expenses
-$0.04: Travel, conferences, meetings, and major trips
-$0.04: Professional fees
-$0.02: Printing and publications
-$0.01: Support (World Service Support)
-$0.72: Subtotal of Functional Expenses
$0.28: Amount Remaining
-$0.13: Direct Assistance to Individuals (primarily “Other Social Services”)
-$0.15: Amount Unspent
THE SALVATION ARMY NATIONAL CORPORATION
Collected $60.3 million of which $28.7 million (47%) came from public support, $25.8 million (43%) from other sources (investment income, gain on sale of assets, sale of publications, etc), and $5.8 million (10%) from territory assessments.
Functional expenses were $45.3 million (75% of revenue), of which $44.8 million ($0.5 million was depreciation, a non-cash expense) or 74% of revenue – was spent on program services, management, and fundraising:
$20.1 million was spent on printing and publications;
$7.9 million was distributed to affiliates;
$7 million was spent on professional fees;
$5.9 million was spent on salaries, allowances, benefits, and payroll taxes;
$1.4 million was spent on travel, conferences, meetings, and major trips;
$1.4 million was spent on occupancy, furnishings, and equipment; and
$1.1 million was spent on supplies, communications, postage and shipping, organization dues, awards, and misc.
The remaining funds – $15 million (25% of revenue) – were not spent allowing the balance sheet to strengthen. Total assets were $196 million at year-end, most of which are in assets held under split-interest agreements (trusts where The Salvation Army has the right to the income and/or assets) and investments. Liabilities were $67 million, most of which are trusts held by others, leaving net assets of $128 million at year-end.
THE SALVATION ARMY WORLD SERVICE OFFICE – SAWSO
Collected $25.7 million of which $13.2 million (51%) came from related organizations (primarily the four US division territory offices), $7.8 million (30%) in other contributions, $3.3 million (13%) from the sale of assets, $0.9 million (4%) from investments, with the remaining $0.5 million (2%) from federated campaigns and government grants.
Functional expenses were $20 million (78% of revenue) with $5.8 million spent on management, fundraising, and program service expenses:
$2.3 million spent on compensation and benefits;
$1.7 million on construction supplies and equipment(why these are expensed as opposed to being an asset and amortized is not explained);
$1.2 million on office, occupancy, travel, conferences, conventions, and meetings; and
$0.6 million on other expenses, accounting, and legal.
The remaining $14.2 million was given in grants and other assistance – all outside the country and most ($12.7 million) in what is described as “general support” followed by $1.5 million in disaster relief and recovery, health programs, and community development.
The remaining funds – $5.7 million – were not spent allowing the net assets/fund balance to increase from $54.1 million to $60.9 million.
THE SALVATION ARMY CENTRAL TERRITORY
Collected $916 million of which $437 million (48%) was from public support (i.e contributions, donations, etc). $93 million (10%) came from government agencies while $386 million (42%) came from investment income, sales to the public, program service fees, gains and other sources (no detail provided).
Functional expenses were $786 million (86% of revenue) of which $33 million was depreciation (a non-cash expense) leaving $753 million, $635 million of which was spent on functional expenses for program services, management, fundraising, and support services:
$385 million was spent on salaries and allowances, benefits, and payroll taxes;
$28 million was spent on travel, conferences, meetings, and major trips;
$100 million was spent on occupancy, furnishings, and equipment;
$64 million was spent on supplies, communication, postage, org dues, awards, and miscellaneous expenses;
$31 million was spent on professional fees and interest;
$18 million was spent on printing and publications; and
$9 million was spent on World Service (National Headquarters?) support.
$118 million (13% of revenue) was spent on “direct assistance” which is primarily “other social services” – again, with no further information provided.
$130 million was not spent ($163 million if depreciation, a non-cash expense is added back) which contributed to the organization increasing their assets from $3.139 billion to $3.302 billion (most of which are investments and land, buildings, furniture and equipment). Liabilities increased from $798 million to $859 million (most of which – $472 million – is for the estimated liability for retirement benefits, $208 million are mortgages, and $128 million are accounts payable and accruals), allowing net assets to increase by $102 million to $2.443 billion at year-end.
In summary, the Salvation Army Central Territory reported $916 million in revenue, nearly half of which came from the public (about 40% came from investment income, sales to the public, program service fees, gains and other sources, while 10% came from government agencies). They spent $635 million (69% of revenue) on program, management, fundraising, and support services (the largest category of which was salaries and the associated expenses). $118 million (13% of revenue) was spent on “direct assistance” (“other social services) leaving $130 million (of the $916 million reported) or 14% unspent, allowing the balance sheet to further strengthen. At year-end the organization had more than $2.4 billion in net assets (even after considering nearly $500 million for retirement benefits for their employees).
THE SALVATION ARMY SOUTHERN TERRITORY
Collected $1.090 billion of which $623 million (57%) came from public support (i.e. contributions, donations, etc), $73 million (7%) from governmental agencies, and $394 million (36%) from sales to the public, investment income, program service fees, and other sources.
Functional expenses were $1.007 billion (92% of revenue) in 2014, of which $847 million was spent on program services, management, fundraising, and support services:
$457 million was spent on salaries and allowances, benefits and payroll taxes;
$183 million was spent on occupancy, furnishings, and equipment;
$93 million was spent on supplies, telecommunications, postage and shipping, org dues, awards, and misc;
$41 million was spent on professional fees;
$40 million was spent on travel, meals, conferences, meetings and major trips;
$29 million was spent on printing and publications;
$4 million was spent on support services (National Headquarters?).
$160 million (16% of revenue) was spent on specific assistance to individuals described as “other social services” with no further detail.
The difference between total revenue ($1.090 billion) and the amount spent ($1.007 billion) was $83 million which was left unspent.
The Salvation Army Southern Territory increased their total assets from $3.755 billion to $3.863 million – an increase of $108 million. Assets primarily consist of investments in securities ($1.8 billion) and land, buildings, and equipment at $1.1 billion). Liabilities increased by $90 million from $662 million to $752 million. The organization’s primary liability is $457 million for the estimated liability for retirement benefits followed by $132 million for mortgages payable. The net result is the Salvation Army Southern Territory increased their net assets by $18 million to $3.111 billion at year-end.
In summary, the Southern Territory collected more than a billion dollars in 2014, most of which came from public support followed by other sources (investment income, sales to the public, program service fees, gains and other sources. They spent $847 million (78% of revenue) on program, management, fundraising, and support services (the largest category of which was salaries and the associated expenses). $160 million (15% of revenue) was spent on specific assistance to individuals (“other social services”) leaving $83 million left to strengthen their balance sheet. At year-end, the organization had more than $3 billion in assets (even after considering $457 million for retirement benefits for their staff).
THE SALVATION ARMY EASTERN TERRITORY
Collected $968 million in 2014 of which $407 million (42%) came from public support, $106 million (11%) from governmental agencies, and $455 million (47%) from investment income, sales to the public, program and service fees, gains, and other sources.
Functional expenses were $836 million (86% of revenue) of which $51 million was depreciation (a non-cash expense) leaving $785 million. Of this amount, $689 million was spent on program services, management, fundraising, and support services:
$395 million was spent on salaries and allowances, benefits, and payroll taxes;
$134 million was spent on occupancy, furnishings, and equipment;
$60 million was spent on supplies, telecommunications, postage and shipping, org dues, awards, and misc;
$35 million was spent on travel, meals, conferences, meetings, and major trips;
$34 million was spent on professional fees;
$19 million was spent on printing and publications; and
$12 million was spent on World Services (National Headquarters?) support.
$96 million (10% of revenue) was spent on specific assistance to individuals, described as “other social services” with no further detail.
The difference between the total amount of revenue reported ($968 million) and the amount spent ($836 million or $785 million if depreciation, a non-cash expense is added back) is $132 million (with depreciation) or $183 million (with depreciation not included).
Total assets increased from $4.004 billion to $4.218 billion, most of which are investments and land, buildings, and equipment. Liabilities increased from $1.241 billion to $1.376 billion and primarily consist of pension and post retirement benefits ($528 million) and mortgages payable ($493 million). The net result is that net assets increased from $2.763 billion to $2.841 billion at year-end.
In summary, the Eastern Territory collected $968 million in 2014 most of which came from investment income, sales to the public, program service fees, gains and other sources (no detail provided), followed by public support. They spent $785 million (not counting depreciation, a non-cash expense) or 81% of revenue reported, of which $689 million (71% of revenue) was for program, management, fundraising, and support services (the largest category of which was salaries and the associated expenses). $96 million (10% of revenue) was spent on specific assistance to individuals (“other social services) leaving $132 million (14%) left to strengthen their balance sheet after considering $51 million (5% of revenue) in depreciation. At year-end, the organization had $2.8 billion in assets (even after considering $528 million for retirement benefits for their officers).
THE SALVATION ARMY WESTERN TERRITORY
Collected $1.096 billion in 2014, of which $646 million (59% of revenue) came from public support (i.e. contributions, donations, etc), $73 million (7%) from governmental agencies, and $377 million (34% of revenue) from investment revenue, sales to the public, program service fees, gains and other sources.
Functional expenses were $827 million (75% of revenue) of which $43 million was depreciation, a non-cash expense, leaving $784 million. Of that amount, $664 million was spent on program services, management, fundraising, and support services:
$355 million was spent on salaries and allowances, benefits, and payroll taxes;
$128 million was spent on occupancy, furnishings, and equipment;
$52 million was spent on supplies, telecommunications, postage and shipping, org dues, and awards;
$42 million was spent on professional fees and interest;
$41 million was spent on travel, meals, conferences, meetings, and major trips;
$26 million was spent on World Services (National Headquarters) support and other expenses; and
$20 million was spent on printing and publications.
$120 million (11%) was spent on specific assistance to individuals, described as “other social services” with no further detail.
The difference between the total amount of revenue ($1.096 billion) and the amount spent ($827 million or $784 million if depreciation, a non-cash expense is added back) is $269 million (with depreciation) or $312 million (with depreciation not included).
Total assets at year-end were $3.756 billion (a $312 million increase), most of which are investments and land, buildings, and equipment. Liabilities were $1.181 billion ($62 million more than the year prior) and consist primarily of the estimated liability for the pension plan, retirement, and post retirement benefits ($558 million), and mortgages payable of $337 million. The net result is that total net assets increased by $250 million to $2.575 billion at year-end.
In summary, the Western Territory collected $1.096 billion in 2014, most of which came from public support followed by investment income, sales to the public, program service fees, gains and other sources. They spent $784 million (not countering depreciation, a non-cash expense) or 72% of total revenue, of which $664 million (61% of revenue) was for program, management, fundraising, and support services (the largest category of which was salaries and the associated expenses). $120 million (11% of revenue) was spent on “direct assistance” (primarily “other social services”), leaving $269 million to strengthen their balance sheet. At year-end, The Salvation Army, Western Territory and Affiliates had $2.575 billion in net assets (after considering $558 million for the pension plan, retirement, and post retirement benefits).
In addition, Shame on the Salvation Army for not being transparent. Any organization asking for public and/or government donations, should disclose financial information so donors know where their dollars go. Read below:
The Salvation Army is an international group of Christians who claim the Salvation Army is a church. The funny thing is I can’t remember the last time I drove down the road and saw a church with the sign “Salvation Army” in front of it although I see signs in front of other churches identifying the property as Methodist, Evangelical, Presbyterian, Catholic, and more. In fact, I don’t recall ever seeing a church with the words “Salvation Army” on a sign in front of a church. So, where is the Church of the Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army is a non-profit “international charitable organisation structured in a quasi-military fashion” that has been granted 501 (c) (3) status – but as a church – with the IRS, which means they are not required to pay taxes or submit an IRS Form 990 annually to the IRS.
The Salvation Army maintains the organization is a “church” and therefore shouldn’t be required to file an IRS Form 990 annually which details the financial information of the organization. The organization’s officers and members are Christians with many members actually belonging to other churches. When asked, officers and members may state they are Christian, Catholic, Episcopalian, Methodist, a member of the Church of England, Presbyterian but I have not heard anyone say “Salvation Armian.”
So, here are the reasons why the Salvation Army and all its affiliate organizations should file an IRS Form 990:
The Salvation Army is not a “church” in the same way other “churches” exist that identify with a specific religious organization.
The Salvation Army organizations don’t pay real estate taxes on property (the holdings of which are significant) which means the property (commercial buildings, residential homes for officers, etc) comes off the tax rolls, which means the taxpayers must carry the financial burden. If the Salvation Army wants the public to carry the tax burden that would otherwise be paid by the owner of the properties, then full disclosure should be made.
The Salvation Army organizations rely on government grants and public funds. Any organization that takes government and public funds should be transparent. The audited financial statements had to be requested (I placed a phone call to the national headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia (703-684-5500) and spoke to a man who identified himself as Wayne, an Assistant Controller and asked for the audited financial statements. After asking me what I wanted them for (yes, really) and telling him I wanted to read them and that these statements are public information, he said I would receive them in 5-7 days.
When I did not receive the statements after two weeks, I called and left a voice message at Wayne’s office extension and received a phone call from a woman who didn’t identify herself. She told me she already e-mailed the four territory audited financial statements and that they don’t keep hard copies in the office. Imagine that. The accounting office doesn’t keep hard copies of financial statements. I asked for Salvation Army USA audited financial statements and she said “fine, I will send them, goodbye” and hung up, as I was asking her whether they would be sent via e-mail or mail. I never received the statements. Wayne told me he mailed the statements but I only received via e-mail a copy of the audited financial statements for The Salvation Army National Corporation. Information on compensation of key officers and anyone given compensation in excess of $100,000 was requested numerous times and never provided. I’m still waiting.
And, finally the last reason why the Salvation Army and all its affiliate organizations should file an IRS Form 990 is because it’s the right thing to do and any organization that places itself under the umbrella of Christian values knows the difference between right and wrong.
The Salvation army. $.82 of every dollar goes to their program services. Plus, The creators of the story claim to have surveyed around 60 charities, with the most efficient organisation being revealed as The Salvation Army. “The Salvation Army’s Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organisation.
I have a 10 year old son who was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma 2-09-18. St. Judes is misleading. A child has to qualify and be referred before they can treated there. Maybe they could use the $21 and the $7 for more research for childhood cancer. I’m not here to bash St Judes but most people don’t know the facts they only have 47 beds and Your insurance is billed first so they are not paying for entirely everything. Bottom line is these kids suffer through horrible treatment plans and there needs to be more reasearch funding
Robert:
No one said 100% of the money has to go to the cause.
No one said St. Jude’s is a scam.
Donors deserve to know the truth.
Many people simply think that spending $29 out of $100 on fundraising, saving $21 out of every $100 (instead of helping more kids), and giving $50 to the hospital (who only spends $43) is simply not enough. If, as you say “I have thoroughly vetted the charities accounting and business practices and feel my money is well spent.” I say “Set your bar higher, for the kids.”
There ARE sick children with cancer in this country that need help and that St. Jude’s can help with the billions they have in savings.
The point you seem to miss is that (and it was written and said often)…St. Jude’s does good things but they could do so much better if donors like you hold them accountable.
I personally feel that it is naive to think that any charity spends 100% of the money raised on the cause. If you want to check out the “nonprofit” scams you will find that St, Judes is not a scam. Raising the money is just like running any other successful business. The people who run it get well paid and they should. St. Judes provides quality care for their clients and as they say “no child is every turned away”. That is true. I have terminal cancer and have been in treatment for a little over 19 months. I can tell you from my experience that cancer is a very profitable business. I have a rare type of cancer and the cost of my treatment runs almost $2 million a year. Without insurance and foundations that make a ton of money I could not afford the treatment. So there will always will be businesses and people that profit from others misery. Unfortunately that is life. I give to St. Judes, I have thoroughly vetted the charities accounting and business practices and feel my money is well spent. I gain nothing from writing a letter to support what they do, but to believe cancer is not a business opportunity or there is some magical cure that doesn’t make money is hard to fathom.
Makes you not want to give to any of these “$19 a month charities”. I personally won’t let anyone have access to my credit card, especially any organization that misrepresents
Itself to the public.
I was seriously going to start donating to this organization thinking all the proceeds when to help out the children and families.,….well now that I know I will save my money and donate to another organization if there is one that the donations actually go to whom they are intended to go to. I will not donate to support doctors, ceos and such that all ready get a paycheck and plenty of one I am sure. You should be ashamed of yourselves for misleading people !!! I will move on from your organization with sorrow as I was hoping to help out a child or his/her family in a terrible time of need. Re-evaluate and maybe you will get more donations. Very sad indeed.
I was about to donate and started a bit of research just to make sure most of the donation will be really used for treatment. This information is very helpful. Thank you, Anne for authoring the post. Two big concerns I have are the spam calls post donation (read
Juliette’s post) and 50% spend rate. Obviously, I am going to spend the same money on local hospitals.
Agree with Hammer and Paddock. Would be glad to sign up for monthly pledge but seems kids get pennies. Don’t want to pay for corporate “BULL”!!! Josepe
Thanks Hammer. I agree wholeheartedly with you. They do good things but could do so much better.
Anne paddock. Thank you for that great explaination of where the money goes. We were ready to sign up for the $19/month but thought I’d do my due diligence just to make sure it was legit. I agree most of the money should go to the running of the hospital and not the CEO’s million dollar salary and the companion travel and clubs. I don’t think I can pledge the money at this time until they change their model.
I just wish more people would actually read and concentrate on what is written before they comment.
Many tks to the others and the comments. Very informative. I wondered if they would sell the names to others. It appears they did. Shameful.
I donated to St Jude’s and was told my personal information would not be “sold”. Within a few weeks after my donation my phone exploded with calls from endless charities asking for money, From the terminally ill children’s fund, Breast Cancer of America fund, Blood disease fund, and on and on etc. etc……..I told the callers not to ever call me again and some had the audacity to say they could keep calling since I had done business with one of their partners meaning St Judes, and it was legal for them to call me. I strongly reiterated my demand for them to never call my number again. St Judes then called a few weeks later soliciting further donations. I asked them why my personal information was sold to fake charities as I was specifically told my info would not be sold . St Jude stated that they don’t “sell” names but they do ‘share’ names with their partners in exchange for donations!! Outrageous! What a play on words and dishonest deceptive practices they employ. I informed St Judes never ever to call me again and to remove my name from their donor list as they have received all the “donations” they would be getting in my name from their partners. I subsequently learned that most charities “share’ your info with their partners if you didn’t give or commit to a large enough donation or ongoing contributions. If you’re a “big” donor then they will keep you exclusively for their own profit and gain! So in the final analysis, it’s just another type of charity scam!
it is a sad day in American history .
That is wrong should all go to help the kids
Thank you all for the info, I was always told 100 percent went to the care for the children for years we have donated to St. Jude’s with that in mind, from this day forward all our donations will go directly to St. Jude’s. Of course I believe that people should be paid for there work they do but I think those who donate should be told the truth where there dollars go.
St Jude should get a minimum of 65 to 70 percent of all donations.
To HJK:
What is wrong with you?
The post and comments say nothing about people not getting paid.
The point of the post is to tell the reader where revenue is spent.
The point of the post is to also point out that 29% of every dollar went to fundraising. ALSAC then put 21% in the net fund balance. 50% went to the hospital but they only spent 43% on hospital care costs. The last 7% went into the net fund balance.
No, these things are not “just a part of the business and must be done.” They could spend less on fundraising (which includes memberships and initiation fees to health and social clubs and payment for companion travel. I’d be willing to guess that most people think it’s more important to spend money helping a child then to pay for someone’s companion to travel to a fundraising event or to pay for a social club or health club membership).
No one is talking about doctors or nurses donating their time. Where did you get this from? Did you even read the post?
No one is talking about 100% of a donation going to the kids but 43% is low.
No, here’s a newsflash: it’s not all for the kids. The tax returns reported the organizations paid for companion travel and for health and social club fees and initiation fees.
No, everything written about is not a complaint about what’s for the kids. It’s a complaint that more money is not spent on the kids.
Your comments are pathetic. Do yourself a favor. Read the post and the tax returns and the financial statements before you comment.
What is wrong with you people? How does any organization run if people do not get paid? If more fund raising isn’t budgeted? These things are just part of the business and it must be done. The doctors, CEO, nurses and staff cannot all donate their time. The electric, gas, transportation and food companies cannot donate everything for free. Some of the money we donate must off set these expenses. How can 100% of your donation be only for the kids? This is all for the kids! Everything you complain about and everything I have listed is for the kids! Without a great CEO this place doesn’t run and donations will not come in. Stop being so critical and just give if you WANT to give and stop looking for excuses not to give. Its really pathetic.
Tara Warfield: In reference to your comment “….I’m glad the kids and their families get mainly free help”: Did you read the post?
I only wanted to donate $19 per month and their website only allows $25 so I just send in the $19 by check. Even though I didn’t want the t-shirt, I called and asked about it and the $19 and the woman seemed confused but offered to send envelopes to me. She didn’t have a clue about the t-shirt. That turned me off a bit but I’m glad the kids and their families get mainly free help.
You have to contact the organization to get your question answered.
I have no idea. Contact them.
Do I still get a Tee shirt, size large?
Why was my donation $27. rather than $19.?
Find a family that is going there and donate directly to them is the best way to be sure all of your money is going to that child. Even then though, I assure you that the parents will need to use your money to pay bills, etc. There is always overhead. I was kind of surprised to see that that much money went to the kids after the breakdown.
Not that I know of. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were?
Is there a fund that someone can contribute to that 100% of the money goes to the expense of care and for their family?
Many contributions would be generated not due to any publicity for advertising stunts or expenses but just God given generosity
Unfortunately, the bottom line is NOT that all the treatment and research are free. Donors (and insurance companies and grant providers including the government) are paying for these expenses and St Jude’s and ALSAC have a duty to use those resources to help as many as possible. The bottom line is that this is all about helping the children and they could help SO MANY MORE. Set your standards higher – for the kids.
People-the bottom line is that all the treatment is free!! Isn’t that what it is about-helping the children? Well, no child is turned away-how is that not good enough?As long as these people are treating kids with cancer and also doing research for free, that is good enough for me!
The CEO’s and the higher ups make way too much money. The doctors and nurses and the research teams should be the ones making money. We will donate if we know that our money is going to the important people who really do the necessary work to save children. I don’t respect that so much is wasted on huge salaries to people that don’t save lives. What is there about their jobs that is so important???? Their job cannot be more important to the research doctors and doctors that practice to save our childrens’ lives. This way imbalanced. If you want to continue to receive money from me, then your CEO and the other overpaid individuals need to have cuts in pay .
This is a darn shame. I was all ready to make a New Year’s resolution to donate to this charity. It breaks my heart that I will not do so now since less than half of my donations actually go to benefit these children.
This is so not fair to the children. I donate for the children not for the expenses and CEO’s and the wages of the staff. Something should change in this non-profit organization. How do these people sleep at night if they are supposed to be dedicated to treating and finding cures for chidren who are victims of horrible diseases? I am so disappointed in this organization.