Charities

Freddie59

Like many of you will do in the coming weeks, I donated a few quid yesterday.

I got a confirmation email back (stock one) signed by their CEO. A quick Google on this person revealed he is on a salary of.................€120k a year!:eek: And two others in the organisation are on salaries of €100K a year. That's SIX THOUSAND EURO of funds raised ever week going to pay the wages of just THREE people. This is ridiculous. A salary of between 50 and 70k should be more than enough to pay someone in that position.

Ever since I found out that the CEO of Rehab was being paid a salary of €400K a year including bonuses, I just gave up donating to them.

Personally I think this type of carry-on is representative of all that is wrong with this country at present. Politicians (of all creeds) out of touch with the electorate, and sums of money being paid to people that you wouldn't see paid in the States.

It is truly sickening.

cosmicfart

All charities can fook off

Fart

cosmicfart wrote: »

All charities can fook off

Your name can fook off!

cosmicfart

Fart wrote: »

Your name can fook off!

ur just jealous I seriously dont give to charities, I hate been harassed walking thru town by them Concern muppets, they dont even do it voluntary.

only charity i give to is money for guidedogs

CreepingDeath

cosmicfart wrote: »

only charity i give to is money for guidedogs

Guidedogs can't use money.

hooradiation

Freddie59 wrote: »

Like many of you will do in the coming weeks, I donated a few quid yesterday.

I got a confirmation email back (stock one) signed by their CEO. A quick Google on this person revealed he is on a salary of.................€120k a year!:eek: And two others in the organisation are on salaries of €100K a year. That's SIX THOUSAND EURO of funds raised ever week going to pay the wages of just THREE people. This is ridiculous. A salary of between 50 and 70k should be more than enough to pay someone in that position.

Ever since I found out that the CEO of Rehab was being paid a salary of €400K a year including bonuses, I just gave up donating to them.

Personally I think this type of carry-on is representative of all that is wrong with this country at present. Politicians (of all creeds) out of touch with the electorate, and sums of money being paid to people that you wouldn't see paid in the States.

It is truly sickening.

Oh look, this thread again.

Marvellous.

cosmicfart

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Guidedogs can't use money.

Im going to kill u!

Freddie59

hooradiation wrote: »

Oh look, this thread again.

Marvellous.

And your problem is?

seamus

Most of the big charities - Concern, Goal, Rehab, etc - pay industry-standard rates to management with the end result that the majority of your donation goes nowhere near the 3rd world. You may as well be pissing in the ocean for all the good your donations do.

I'd never give money to these wasters, especially those who employ chuggers (either the on-street or bell-ringers).

Freddie59

seamus wrote: »

Most of the big charities - Concern, Goal, Rehab, etc - pay industry-standard rates to management with the end result that the majority of your donation goes nowhere near the 3rd world. You may as well be pissing in the ocean for all the good your donations do.

I'd never give money to these wasters, especially those who employ chuggers (either the on-street or bell-ringers).

I never thought I'd say it, but I have to agree Seamus. I was flabbergasted.

TeddyTedson

seamus wrote: »

Most of the big charities - Concern, Goal, Rehab, etc - pay industry-standard rates to management with the end result that the majority of your donation goes nowhere near the 3rd world. You may as well be pissing in the ocean for all the good your donations do.

I'd never give money to these wasters, especially those who employ chuggers (either the on-street or bell-ringers).

I hate those people who come up to you in town (Dublin:p) around Xmas looking for money. They know you're doing some Christmas shopping so you have cash on you.
I turned down this bitch after she went on and on even though I said I wasn't interested. Then when she finally got the message she shook her head at me and walked off snarling. I doubt she is giving any of her wages to charity, because shes wasn't doing it voluntarily.

az2wp0sye65487

But................ you also have to ask the question: is it worth it for the charities to have such high salaries for the top staff?

If they capped the salary at say €75K, a lot of the management may think: "fook this, I can do better elsewhere" and leave.

The lower salary on offer will then only attract people of a lesser ability and/or standard to the job. This in turn will have a negative effect on the charity as a whole, as these are the people running things.

Not saying I agree/disagree one way or the other, just thought I'd throw that into the mix as food for thought!

Sooopie

I support Simon & Barnardos

None of yer concern thanksverymuch

SmartHass

Is there such a thing as a best charity to give to, one that you know your money is hitting where it should?

seamus

Bryant Lively Towel wrote: »

If they capped the salary at say €75K, a lot of the management may think: "fook this, I can do better elsewhere" and leave.

Charities occupy a space whereby they can attract good candidates to do the work because they want to. Someone who demands a six-figure sum to run a charity is more interested in the six-figure sum than the idea of charity and there's an argument there that they will not act in the best interests of charity but in the business's best interests. Which aren't necessarily aligned.

In my experience, it's the charities who manage to get people to work their asses off for poor wages or nothing at all who achieve the most. The big charities appear to collect a lot of money but achieve relatively very little.

The CEO of concern gets raises and bonusses on the basis of how many more donations the business brings in this year, not based on what they actually achieve.

Is there such a thing as a best charity to give to, one that you know your money is hitting where it should?

If you want your euro to have the biggest impact, stay local. Obviously this doesn't help anyone in the 3rd world, but I can't really help with charities on that front.

RachaelVO

SmartHass wrote: »

Is there such a thing as a best charity to give to, one that you know your money is hitting where it should?

Course there are, it just depends on where your interest is. I have an account with Kiva. It's not so much charity, it's lending to people starting their own business in the third world. I added $100 to my account a few years ago, and sporadically I add $25. I give $25 to a loan I approve of, and it gets paid back over about 9mnth to a year with nominal interest. Once I get it back I lend it again, and donate to kivas running costs. I have used that original $100 so many times. I like it as a system, don't think I can call it charity, but I can't think of a better word for it.

I do also throw a few bob to local stuff!

ejmaztec

Freddie59 wrote: »

was being paid a salary of €400K a year including bonuses, I just gave up donating to them.

That woman would be elated if she managed to get her staff to work for ten Euro a week, but she wouldn't take a one cent hit on her wad.

SmartHass

RachaelVO wrote: »

SmartHass wrote: »

Is there such a thing as a best charity to give to, one that you know your money is hitting where it should?

Course there are, it just depends on where your interest is. I have an account with Kiva. It's not so much charity, it's lending to people starting their own business in the third world. I added $100 to my account a few years ago, and sporadically I add $25. I give $25 to a loan I approve of, and it gets paid back over about 9mnth to a year with nominal interest. Once I get it back I lend it again, and donate to kivas running costs. I have used that original $100 so many times. I like it as a system, don't think I can call it charity, but I can't think of a better word for it.

I do also throw a few bob to local stuff!

Thats a cool idea, gonna have a look into kiva, cheers

hooradiation

Freddie59 wrote: »

And your problem is?

You have no idea what you're talking about?
This shitheap of a thread will end in the same kind of stupid bollocks as it always does?

Pick one.

woodoo

Sooopie wrote: »

I support Simon & Barnardos

None of yer concern thanksverymuch

Fergus Finlay runs Barnardos and he gets €120,000 per year.

The average industrial wage would be plenty if he really was a selfless caring kind person.

Sooopie

woodoo wrote: »

Fergus Finlay runs Barnardos and he gets €120,000 per year.

*GRABS PITCHFORK*

jaja321

It annoys me when people think charities are supposed to be run solely out of the goodness of people’s hearts. Professional staff are needed to run charities just like with any other type of organisation and if you want qualified and professional staff then they must be paid a satisfactory wage. I am not advocating for huge salaries, but people seem to think that running a charity should be done out of the goodness of one’s heart. If that’s the case, let’s go back to the ‘good old’ missionary days. Perhaps we should be more interested in standards, accountability, effectiveness, sustainability, and change.

cosmicfart

jaja321 wrote: »

It annoys me when people think charities are supposed to be run solely out of the goodness of people’s hearts. Professional staff are needed to run charities just like with any other type of organisation and if you want qualified and professional staff then they must be paid a satisfactory wage. I am not advocating for huge salaries, but people seem to think that running a charity should be done out of the goodness of one’s heart. If that’s the case, let’s go back to the ‘good old’ missionary days. Perhaps we should be more interested in standards, accountability, effectiveness, sustainability, and change.

90% of Oxfam staff volunteer so ur talking thru ur peephole. People on the dole should be make to work in charities. I except there needs to be some paid management but it should only equate to something like 5% of the monies taken out for wages. i dont give to charity when knowingly it going to pay for someone beer or whateveer

John Doe1

Kill all charities with fire:mad:

Oranage2

I also done some charity work in the past and I can kinda see where the CEO is comming from - The 13e an hour was nice but the feeling of satisfaction I got knowing I was helping some poor kid in Africa made the job so worth while/

jaja321

I’m afraid it is you 'cosmicfart' who is talking through their peephole. I shall entertain you no longer.

woodoo

jaja321 wrote: »

I’m afraid it is you 'cosmicfart' who is talking through their peephole. I shall entertain you no longer.

Ah hello Fergus i didn't know it was you there

St.Spodo

Mugged on an almost daily basis by that Concern mob. It's a game of cat and mouse outside Central Bank trying to avoid them.

No time for them. Don't know where the money is going. I'd rather help the homeless, especially at Christmas.

jaja321

woodoo wrote: »

Ah hello Fergus i didn't know it was you there

RachaelVO

SmartHass wrote: »

Thats a cool idea, gonna have a look into kiva, cheers

It really is! I think it's such a great concept. The site is www.kiva.org and the min loan for any project/business is $25. I like that, cos $100 can go to 4 loans and then when you get it back it can keep on going. Now I do add an extra $25 every once in while, it usually just depends on the loans that need funding. It's simple but very effective. You get updates on how it's all going and how they are building up their business. You also get ratings on their field partners.

mattjack

RachaelVO wrote: »

It really is! I think it's such a great concept. The site is www.kiva.org and the min loan for any project/business is $25. I like that, cos $100 can go to 4 loans and then when you get it back it can keep on going. Now I do add an extra $25 every once in while, it usually just depends on the loans that need funding. It's simple but very effective. You get updates on how it's all going and how they are building up their business. You also get ratings on their field partners.

Going to have a look at that myself.I work for a charity, am going to work for another after Christmas ...but I wouldnt give either of them money.Though I do donate clothes,shoes and a skill I have and sometimes my time.

Indmag

jaja321 wrote: »

It annoys me when people think charities are supposed to be run solely out of the goodness of people’s hearts. Professional staff are needed to run charities just like with any other type of organisation and if you want qualified and professional staff then they must be paid a satisfactory wage. I am not advocating for huge salaries, but people seem to think that running a charity should be done out of the goodness of one’s heart. If that’s the case, let’s go back to the ‘good old’ missionary days. Perhaps we should be more interested in standards, accountability, effectiveness, sustainability, and change.

Jaja, I've just picked up on this thread and I think you have hit the nail on the head there - accountability should be a key element of any charity (or any business) but in my experience there is very little (if any) policing of this area. I am familiar with one organisation where a CEO of a small charity promoted his gf & gave her a lovely salary increase to match his own (oh which he awarded himself!), annual increments & massive salaries to the other members of the mgmt team (made up of another couple who are in a relationship with each other)!! All of this, ladies & gents, paid for by you, the tax payer, as they are funded by the state - great job if you can get it! Salary for CEO €130k+ expenses + defined benefit pension & similar for other managers along with annual increments of approx €1200 p.a. - total staff of approx 70. Accountability - zilch!!

Nothingbetter2d

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Guidedogs can't use money.

they can if u train them.... they seem to be able to do a lot of other good stuff once trained

boo3000

jaja321 wrote: »

Perhaps we should be more interested in standards, accountability, effectiveness, sustainability, and change.

So can you show me how Irish charities are held to any sort of standards? Truth is Irish charities operate as private businesses once they've obtained charitable tax status they are answerable to nobody. They don't have to publish their accounts (and largely don't) or show that their spending the money in any kind of a worthwhile way. I'm sure there's some honest charities doing a great job but by and large i think it's a license to print money. We have essentially no accountability and if im correct the legislation to provide some degree of public transparency has been put on hold.

That i know of the rest of the western world has some sort of system of public accountability in place but we don't. It's sounds incredible but Irish charities can do whatever the hell they want and if you look into it, it seems some clearly have the attitude of just lining their own pockets.

Having worked for one of the large Irish charities i wouldn't give a penny to charity in this country because it's so open to abuse. It's a shame because I think the longer this situation continues the less people will be inclined to give to charity, so those that genuinely want to do something or need help will be neglected or ignored.

squod

boo3000 wrote: »

Having worked for one of the large Irish charities i wouldn't give a penny to charity in this country because it's so open to abuse. It's a shame because I think the longer this situation continues the less people will be inclined to give to charity, so those that genuinely want to do something or need help will be neglected or ignored.

Ah now. I sometimes collect for a few charities and volunteer groups. They're not all bad. That burd who runs rehab is on 400k, shure, I'll not help or give to them. There's still good in the world. Don't give up.

castletownman

I have a almost maniacal disdain for those Concern "volunteers". It's almost gone to the stage where I reconnaissance the street ahead so I can cross the road just to avoid them. In fact I have a disdain for most charities. Just don't see how me donating a 1 or 2 euro a week/month is really going to make a huge difference to the third world etc.

Although if I ever got into serious financial security, I would become a patron of Crumlin Children's Hospital and Temple Street Hospital. I'd probably be a very philanthropic millionaire

boo3000

I can see where your comin squod from but the way i look at it by giving money to any charity in Ireland your just supporting a system that allows the bad ones to get away with it (and i think they're getting away with quite a lot).

I know that's unfair on the genuine honest charities but i think that the sector won't be cleaned up until people say they won't accept the way things are.

I suppose I would give money to a charity that fully published their accounts and allowed independent inspection of their work, anyone know of an Irish charity like this?

Boombastic

boo3000 wrote: »

I can see where your comin squod from but the way i look at it by giving money to any charity in Ireland your just supporting a system that allows the bad ones to get away with it (and i think they're getting away with quite a lot).

I know that's unfair on the genuine honest charities but i think that the sector won't be cleaned up until people say they won't accept the way things are.

I suppose I would give money to a charity that fully published their accounts and allowed independent inspection of their work, anyone know of an Irish charity like this?

Most of the bigger ones have CEO's on massive salaries. They were quoted in a thread here a few weeks ago. Most €100,000+

meoklmrk91

Used to give money to concern, then their chugging annoyed the **** out of me so I stopped. I gave money to the Red Cross after Haiti and the bastards won't stop spamming me since with emails and post.

My money goes to my local animal welfare charity, most of these are run by volunteers and they do fantastic work, I also like the fact that they don't just look for money, they will just as gladly accept food or other items and some of your time as a volunteeer all are equally accepted with the same gratitude.

boo3000

At least 100,000+ boombastic i think because we only see what they tell us they're giving their CEO and we just have to take their word for it.

And this doesn't include all the other directors and senior managers in the large charities plus what they're getting in expenses, bonus, company cars etc. From what i've seen and heard what went on in FAS is nothing in comparison. Of course none of this can ever be proved because their all private companies answerable to nobody.

The way i look at it maybe 10% (a generous estimate) or less of what's given to charity in this country goes where it should. If we all stopped giving, that 10% would be stopped for the time it takes to straighten things out. After 100% would go where it should.

I consider what's happening in these big charities to be theft. Worse again, it's actually theft from often the most vulnerable. Of course in the eyes of the law this isn't the case so it just continues indefinately.

i71jskz5xu42pb

+1 for Kiva.org.
Probably not perfect either but pretty direct.

PM me if you want a link to a $25 free trial account.

validusername1

Yeah one of the things I learned from doing Leaving Cert Geography was that large percentages of aid given is used to cover administrative costs and doesn't reach the people intended.. Organisations like Trocaire, for example, do this. Saw a bunch of statistics on it but I don't remember them, although I remember telling myself it's pretty useless donating to these charities if that's what happens. The point of learning about it was that Fair Trade practices are far more effective than giving aid, as Fair Trade practices let the poor people set up their own companies and it helps to regulate money in their communities and so develop them, so you are FAR better off buying Fair Trade products than donating money to organisations.

i71jskz5xu42pb

validusername1 wrote: »

Yeah one of the things I learned from doing Leaving Cert Geography was that large percentages of aid given is used to cover administrative costs and doesn't reach the people intended.. Organisations like Trocaire, for example, do this. Saw a bunch of statistics on it but I don't remember them.

Per Trocaire audited accounts, very easy to find.

• 88% Direct charitable expenditure
• 11% Fundraising and publicity
• 1% Governance costs

mattjack

validusername1 wrote: »

Yeah one of the things I learned from doing Leaving Cert Geography was that large percentages of aid given is used to cover administrative costs and doesn't reach the people intended.. Organisations like Trocaire, for example, do this. Saw a bunch of statistics on it but I don't remember them, although I remember telling myself it's pretty useless donating to these charities if that's what happens. The point of learning about it was that Fair Trade practices are far more effective than giving aid, as Fair Trade practices let the poor people set up their own companies and it helps to regulate money in their communities and so develop them, so you are FAR better off buying Fair Trade products than donating money to organisations.

What charities would be good to donate to

boo3000

Lyric Easy Therapist wrote: »

Per Trocaire audited accounts, very easy to find.

• 88% Direct charitable expenditure
• 11% Fundraising and publicity
• 1% Governance costs

The term direct charitable expenditure is very very vague. I'd guess this includes salaries, bonuses, expenses etc. As these would be considered the expenditure in delivering the actual charity.

While governance costs could include legal expenditure and auditing costs.

I don't know anything much about trocaire but it sounds too vague and overly-simplified to be true.

dodderangler

A mate of mine was workin for some charity
Had brand new company car got bonus a month and 650 after tax for doing f all

i71jskz5xu42pb

boo3000 wrote: »

The term direct charitable expenditure is very very vague. I'd guess this includes salaries, bonuses, expenses etc. As these would be considered the expenditure in delivering the actual charity.

While governance costs could include legal expenditure and auditing costs.

I don't know anything much about trocaire but it sounds too vague and overly-simplified to be true.

It's not vague, it's pretty clearly defined

Direct charitable expenditure represents 87.7 per cent (2010: 86.6 per cent) of total expenditure. Direct
charitable expenditure includes transfers of funds overseas and the cost of goods, services and salaries
relating directly to overseas programmes which are paid from Ireland. It also includes direct expenditure on
communications and education programmes in Ireland aimed at creating a greater awareness of the causes of
world poverty and injustice and how change can be achieved and is analysed as follows

What I'm trying to say here is that this information is very freely available for anybody not too lazy to go look. The "I saw some stats that I don't remember" type comments get up my nose.

I'm not fighting Trocaire's corner here, Kiva would be my charity of choice, my point was badly made.

boo3000

Yup as i expected, after a quick look at that Trocaire report:

"Direct charitable expenditure includes transfers of funds overseas and the cost of goods, services and salaries relating directly to overseas programmes which are paid from Ireland."

Im not having a go at Trocaire for all i know they do fine work. I just know that a lot of these big charities only publish a very general version of there accounts and as such are not accountable to the public.

boo3000

Sorry Pman, I think we got our wires crossed there! I think we're actually kind of in agreement, the point im making is that the stats are so vague there not credible anyway.

mattjack

MQI

87% services
9% admin
4% fundraising

Scioch

I dont give anything to charity, I have better things to do with my money than give it to professional beggars.