This week is a first for the Charity Spotlight. I’ve actually donated some money to the American Cancer Society (at least indirectly, by sponsoring one of my former professors in the Relay for Life). I’ve been debating whether I want to make a point of donating at least some money to all the charities that I feature here in the Charity Spotlight. On one hand, it would help out some charities that I support and appreciate. It would be a more tangible way to show how I feel about the work that they do.
On the other hand, I am in between jobs at the moment, and money is rather tighter than it used to be. On the other, other hand (yes, I have three hands), even a small donation of $25-50 could make quite a difference in the hands of a good charity, and I could get by with one or two hundred dollars less each month. It’s quite a conundrum, and I’ll have to give it some thought. For now, though, let me encourage anyone reading this to donate to the American Cancer Society.
Charity: American Cancer Society (ACS)
Website: www.cancer.org/
Organization: The American Cancer Society is an independent 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are deductible from taxable income according to IRS guidelines.
Goals: The American Cancer Society
Classification: The NTEE classification on Guidestar lists the American Cancer Society as a Human Service Organization; Community, Neighborhood Development, Improvement; and Cancer group.
BBB Report: The American Cancer Society meets all twenty Standards for Charity Accountability as set out by the BBB. These standards ensure that there is adequate oversight, methods of measuring effectiveness, use most of the finances toward charitable purposes and engage in proper fund-raising.
Expenses: As noted in the BBB Report, the American Cancer Society spends 11% of its income on fund-raising and 14% on administrative expenses. Their total income for 2006 was 431 million dollars.
My Contributions: $50 (via their Relay for Life fundraiser)
You can donate to the American Cancer Society here.
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