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VETS GET PENNY ON DOLLAR
Veterans charity spends majority of donations on fundraising
charlestondailymail.com
CHARLESTON - For every dollar the West Virginia Vietnam Veterans Foundation spent last year, a little more than one penny actually went to veterans-related activities.
Most of the $37,700 spent by the Bluefield-based organization instead went to professional fees, including a telemarketing company paid to solicit donations, according to tax filings.
The Better Business Bureau says a charity shouldn't spend more than 35 percent of the money it receives through fundraising on fundraising expenses. National charity watchdog group Charity Navigator says no more than 25 percent of total expenses should be for fundraising and administrative costs combined.
But representatives of the foundation said tax documents don't tell the whole story, and plenty of other organizations give large percentages of the money they receive to professional solicitors.
The foundation began in 1997.
"We're more or less a granting organization. We take care of a lot of veterans needs," President C.E. Ball said in a November phone interview.
Tax forms indicate the foundation exists to help provide West Virginia veterans with "emergency funds," described as money needed for housing, food, utilities, clothing and medical expenses. Forms also say the organization has supported youth anti-drug programs, programs that provide gifts to local foster children and other activities....
Read the rest Veterans charity spends majority of donations on fundraising by Dave Boucher for the
Charleston Daily Mail | 
