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Hot Topics!

Large Asset Charity Threatens to Close Hospitals

"Unless we do something, the clock is ticking and within five to seven years we'll probably be out of the hospital business and not have any hospitals."

The Associated Press (AP), 4/10/2009
Comment by Ralph Semb, Board Chairman
of Shriners Hospitals for Children, reported April 2009


This is not what you would expect to hear from the head of a charity that could operate for 11.6 years at current spending levels without raising another penny. Shriners Hospitals for Children (Shriners) is #4 on AIP's Large Asset Reserves Chart on page 20 of the current Charity Rating Guide & Watchdog Report, reporting a $9.7 billion fund balance in its most recent available audit of 2007. Shriners declined to disclose to AIP a more current accounting of its financial position. Read more...

 

Charity Head Stages Failed Coup
Larry Jones, founder of the well-known hunger charity Feed the Children (FC), was recently mentioned in an ongoing court case in which the group’s longstanding board of directors claim they were unlawfully ousted by Jones, board chariman Dwight Powers, and five improperly appointed directors. Court papers reveal that after learning of the board's plans to place him on "indefinite sabbatical," Jones packed the board in his favor with directors who would be friendly to him and then fired the longstanding directors. Read more...


AIP President Daniel Borochoff discusses on national TV the charity fallout from the alleged Madoff Ponzi scheme and precautions donors can take when considering donating to charities that may be holding highly risky and even fraudulent investments. Watch Here

 


Help Your Fellow Americans During This Time of Economic Crisis
As the unemployment rate continues to rise and home foreclosures increase, more Americans are suffering from homelessness, hunger, drug and alcohol abuse, and other issues. During this time of heightened need, it is more important than ever to lend a hand to your neighbors. Find out how you can help.


Help Provide Relief for the People of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Renewed fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has left over 1 million people displaced. With militiamen burning down some of the temporary housing, many are going without food and shelter as they attempt to avoid the worst areas of conflict. As the crisis worsens, humanitarian organizations are stepping in to provide assistance to the victims of this catastrophe. See AIP's list of Top-Rated organizations providing relief in the DRC to find out how you can help.


Help with humanitarian crises in Darfur Help with Sudan Refugee Relief. The growing international attention to the crisis in Darfur has failed to alleviate the large-scale violence. The janjaweed militias continue to terrorize civilians and underfunded African Union troops have been unable to maintain peace. Up to 3 million people have been displaced since the fighting began in 2003.

F Rated Charities Awarded Best in America Seal
Ubiquitous on charity web sites is a ribbon-style seal that in large type reads "BEST IN AMERICA," features five stars across the top edge, and indicates that the charity awarded the seal is "certified by Independent Charities of America" (ICA). Many donors may view such a seal as a reflection of how efficiently a particular charity will use their donations, and assume that it represents an independent endorsement of a charity from an outside organization. While ICA may refer to its member charities as "Best in America," some donors may be disappointed to learn that ICA is funded by the very charities that use its seal, and that ICA generally does not screen charities for financial efficiency. Read more...


Help Provide Relief for the People of Afghanistan
Thirty years of war have left Afghanistan one of the least developed and most dangerous countries in the world, and yet a recent study shows that some 40 percent of reconstruction and relief assistance provided since 2001 has been returned to donor countries in the form of corporate profits and consultant salaries. See AIP's list of Top-Rated charities providing relief in Afghanistan to find out how you can help.

See the Top 25 Compensation Packages of Charity Officers


Help With Relief for Hurricanes Ike and Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna
Hurricane Ike struck the Gulf coast of Texas with high winds and a massive storm surge as the southern Gulf states continue to recover from Hurricane Gustav, while Haiti remains devastated by Tropical Storm Hanna. See AIP's Hurricane Relief page to find out how you can help.


Help With China Earthquake Relief
A magnitude 7.9 earthquake has wrought massive destruction in China's Sichuan Province, killing tens of thousands and leaving millions homeless. See AIP's list of Top-Rated charities who are getting involved to find out how you can help.


Help With Myanmar Cyclone Relief
Cyclone Nargis has devastated Myanmar, killing tens of thousands and leaving many more on the brink of disaster. See AIP's list of Top-Rated charities who are getting involved to find out how you can help.


AIP's Efforts to Hold Veterans Charities Accountable Featured on National Network TV


See TV Coverage of AIP F-Rated Charities Help Hospitalized Veterans / Coalition to Salute America's Heroes With Comments by AIP President Daniel Borochoff.


Watch TV Coverage of AIP's F Rating of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation or read the story here.


Listen to a Radio Broadcast Listen to AIP President Daniel Borochoff Discuss Veterans Charities on Internet Radio (click on link, then scroll down to "Knowing Where Your Charity Money Goes").


Help with Cyclone Sidr Relief Help with Bangladesh Cyclone Relief. Tropical Cyclone Sidr has devastated the coastal region of Bangladesh, killing thousands and leaving millions homeless. The damage to livelihood, housing and crops from Sidr will be "extremely severe," U.N. undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs John Holmes told the Associated Press. Find out how you can help.

Help with humanitarian crises in Darfur Help with Mexico Flood Relief. The flooding in Mexico's Tabasco state affected approximately 1 million people, one-third of them children, and left 70% of the state underwater.

Help with humanitarian crises in Iraq Iraq Crisis The best way to help in the war's aftermath.

Starving in South Africa
The Best Way to Support Ongoing Relief Efforts in Africa. Other crises in Africa continue to spiral out of control and the international community needs to rally to alleviate the suffering.

Listen to a Radio Broadcast Listen to the NPR segment about the usefulness of AIP's Charity Rating Guide and Watchdog Report.


Listen to a Radio Broadcast
Why the American Red Cross is not telling the full story when it says its Disaster Relief Fund is depleted. Listen to AIP’s president on NPR discuss this issue. (Requires Real Player or Windows Media Player.)

Watch AIP’s president’s speech on how to watchdog charities at Society of Professional Journalists’ 2005 National Conference. (Requires Quick Time .)


Help victims of Pakistan Earthquake Pakistan Earthquake Relief The best way to help survivors of the earthquake in Pakistan.


AIP's Method Better Judges Charity EfficiencyNot all charity watchdogs are the same: Read more about how AIP'S Method Better Judges Charity Efficiency: Why Oxfam Compares Better and UNICEF Worse.

Listen to a Radio Broadcast Listen to AIP’s president discuss giving to poor and needy Americans, who have become more visible in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. You will need to slide the knob for the time to about 23:45 to hear the interview. (Requires Real Player or Windows Media Player.) Interview by Maureen Fiedler of Interfaith Voices.

Help victims of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Relief The best way to help the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Listen to a Radio Broadcast
Listen to AIP's president discuss on NPR how to make sure your donation really reaches tsunami victims. (Requires Real Player or Windows Media Player.)

Help with humanitarian crisis in Southeast Asia
Humanitarian Crisis in Southeast Asia There are over one million displaced victims of the earthquake and tsunami; here’s the best way to help.

Listen to a Radio Broadcast
Listen to the NPR broadcast of AIP’s president discussing The Good and the Bad of Giving on NPR. (Requires Real Player or Windows Media Player.)

Help with humanitarian crises in Uganda
Neglected Humanitarian Crisis in Uganda Refugees in Northern Uganda are dying at an alarming rate: the best way to help.

Supreme Court rules in case against telemarketer of AIP “F”-rated charity.
Supreme Court rules unanimously that state regulators can charge fundraisers with fraud if they intentionally deceive donors.
See upcoming Charity Rating Guide for latest developments.

AIP’s congressional testimony on the charities’ response to the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Listen to a Radio Broadcast Should we hand out cash to people on the street? Listen to some pros and cons on NPR segment with “Mr. Dollars” and AIP’s president. (Requires Real Player or Windows Media Player.)

Listen to a Radio Broadcast
Listen to the NPR broadcast of AIP’s president discussing Harvard’s massive endowment and the issues of reasonable asset holdings and compensation. (Requires Real Player or Windows Media Player.)

Listen to a Radio Broadcast
Listen to the NPR broadcast of AIP’s president discussing how to avoid the pitfalls and traps in your giving. (Requires Real Player or Windows Media Player.)

Listen to a Radio Broadcast Listen to AIP’s comments on an NPR radio discussion concerning emergency relief and charity. (Requires Real Player or Windows Media Player.)

Listen to a Radio Broadcast Listen to AIP’s comments on an NPR radio discussion concerning charities’ response to the 9/11 terrorist attack. (Requires Real Player or Windows Media Player.)

Listen to a Radio Broadcast Listen to the NPR broadcast about how AIP’s watchdog role and aggressive advocacy for the donating public is making some charities very uncomfortable. (Requires Real Player or Windows Media Player.)
 
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