Hmmm.
Well, it turns out, I don't. And neither (hardly) does the Kid's wish network. With a little digging and some help from Charity Navigator and the Kids Wish Network 2008 IRS form 990, here's what you get:
The Comeon:
They use this kid to con you into lining their pockets!
Here's the reality:
Total expenditures $16,895,430
Fund raising costs $12,490,985
Program expenses for children $2,294,167
Other expenses $2,110,278
The three top people are all related: a husband named Mark Breiner earns nearly $160,00) just in salary plus big benefits. His wife Shelley earns nearly $115,000 a year plus benefits, and it appears (though I can't confirm) that his mother in law (or another relative) draws almost $90,000.00.
In other words, this "charity" gives about 10 cents on the dollar to "charity" while using the bulk of their 15 million dollars to enrich a single family, and keep the scam going though aggressive fundraising.
So, if you are thinking about giving to the "Kids Wish Network" Don't. Just pass out a few bucks to homeless guys on the street. At least you know who the direct beneficiary of that charity is.
my controversial book about a day in my life as Public Defender in the South Bronx is finally available for Kindle and Ipad.
69 comments:
I just got a call from kids wish network & I agreed to give but after reading this article, I changed my mind they're gonna send an envelope to me & I'm not gonna mail it back i'd rather give to my church.
I received an envelope as well. I checked the Better Business Bureau of Charlotte, NC. They report this organization did not return the information they requested. They show under accreditation..."NO". We will not be sending a donation. SD, Newton, NC
Enjoyed your informational article!
Thanks, Sharon
Damn, I wish I had seen this article a couple hours ago! I got called and I normally never answer the phone, but the youngest was napping and I wanted to stop the ringing! Grrr, I'm so annoyed with myself! I gave only $15, but I wasn't paying full attention and thought it was the Make a Wish Foundation. Ugh! I should have told them to send me something instead! I wonder if I can back out of my contribution somehow...
Hot in Hayward! I received a call about two weeks ago, I told them that I would make a donation but wouldn't give them my credit card number. I sure am glad that I didn't! Really makes me angry you know, I give a lot of myself and I give where there is a need, but this is just sickening, a few getting rich from the kind hearts of those who really care. It's a wicked sin, very sad.
These people have been calling just about every day from Nebraska. It's terribly annoying because I'm taking care of a family member that has cancer. I spoke to them about this, asking to be taken off the call list, but they continue to call, usually when the family member is trying to get some much-needed rest. Obviously, these people don't care at all about people that are sick with cancer. My wish is that they would leave us alone.
I received a call this week & would not give out any info but allowed an envelope to be sent for a donation in order for me to research the company online first. I told the caller that I couldn't be sure of who he was & I had never heard of them. When I was transferred I was asked for my credit card again. I was extremely annoyed by then & told that rep if she couldn't send me something I wasn't considering anything. Thanks for your warning--they will be getting nothing.
I also have been receiving calls from a number located in Lansing, Michigan. When I said "No, I did not give to this organization and to please take me off the list...his answer was "Don't give me any lip...and hung up on me!" The next time they call it will be for more than a "lip"!!
Thank you. I got the call too and made a pledge but now after reading this blog, I won't make donation to them.
We have been getting harrassed by calls from this S C A M of a charity too!!!! They would not stop calling - even though I have told them to stop, and to take this number off their list. I even said I would press charges if I had too, and they just called all the more! I finally had to Block their number - in order to stop the calls. UNBELIEVABLE! I think they should have to do jail time!
As someone who raises funds for the Kids Wish Network, I completely understand where anyone would be disgruntled as to the amount that actually goes to the KWN as compared to the amount that doesn't. I don't know the organization founders personally, and if I did, I would try to make it so more money went to the kids. Whether or not we like it though, without what they are doing, numerous kids wouldn't receive their potentially last wishes. I enjoy my job, and wish there was a way to give more money for the kids, but as with anything, there are costs that have to be met, and calling people throughout the country yearlong isn't cheap. Maybe someday we can figure out a way to do this so the children can benefit more, but until then, know this, ten percent of something, is a whole hell of a lot better than a hundred percent of nothing.
They called me also. When I pledged $10 they were disappointed that I oculdn't do better, but then said, any amount can help. I think I will wait until I hear from them again and tell them about this website. In the meantime, I will choose to send my money to a more established charity like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Thanks for the research.
THANK YOU so much for the information, you saved me from sending them money and I'm on a fixed income myself but I try to help where ever I can!
charitable resource foundation new albany indiana ph#812-948-5013. this is the call center for kids wish network in which i was fired from for not being pushy when people said no. we are also mis informed as employees but i had my reasons for looking to the internet for some thing fishy. I'll being contacting the attorney general with my inside information but here is the phone number if anyone wants to inform them of their wrong doings personally.
Was just about to send them $15 since I agreed on the phone to that amount. They keep sending me reminders and I wanted to research it before I sent out the check. Glad I decided to take the extra step. I donate to many charities and I'm more than happy to do so but not for a bogus organization.
Charity starts at home right?
I've been recieving letters from "Kids Wish Network" almost fell for it. But decided to check on the internet..glad I did. This is their supposely phone and address: 888-276-2950..National Gift Processing Center
1015 Military Ave. #222
Green Bay, WI 54303-2409
They even have an old number with xxx over it...800-217-3189.
Anonymous,
I'll make donations to whom I decide...Thanks to all.
Thanks for posting this. I, too, have been receiving calls from this "charity". After I told them on the first call I wouldn't give them my credit card number but requested that they mail me the information the said they would. (But not before trying to convince me that their system was completely secure for credit card transactions, to which I still politely declined.)
Cut to 3 weeks later, nothing has come in the mail. Another call came in the other day and I told them that I didn't receive anything in the mail. They advised that they sent it out... sounded fishy to me.
So I asked them for their mailing address and was given a P.O. box in Indianapolis. Now, after Google-ing their organization I stumbled upon your blog.
Thank you! I won't be donating to them. I'll stick with Make-A-Wish and the animal charities I support instead.
Anonymous:
I to got a phone call from what seemed to be an elderly gentleman telling me all about these kids they were sending to Disney World that were terminally ill. He said that he had a sister that died of cancer and his mission now since he was retired was to help to bring happyness to kids that are terminally ill. He asked for $25. He said he would mail me something that week and wanted the money back within the next week. I received the envelope with a return date of the week before. Then a week later I received another envelope with a due date the next week. I thought something was up so checked the internet and found all your hits. Thank you for this information. I will not send money to people who are not honest and have to scam other for money instead of getting a real job!
I also have been receiving several calls from these people and I made a pledge to give.Past week I also received envelopes from them and I was about to make the donation,but then after reading this article I changed my mind.I think it is so... wrong and must take some legal action on these fake organization. Thank you for the article and the info..
I just received a call (early Saturday am and was still sleeping) from Greg who said he was with the Kids Wish Network. I told him do not call again and he said "I will call you right back" Any charity that employes this tye of disrespectful employee, speaks loudly of the charity. I would stronly urge everyone to donate to charities in their local community that you know.
Thank you so much for exposing this scam. I was away from home, but in my mail, I did find TWO reminders that I did not yet send the check for what I agreed on the phone. Obviously I am not planning to send THEM anything. This check will go to the
Salvation Army!
I received a package in the mail with a cute handbag from Kids Wish Network. I thought the handbag was cute ! I was planning to send a donation with the enclosed envelope, but decided to check on-line in regards to Kids Wish Network and I found many comments regarding this scam. Thank you for letting me know. I will not be sending out a check for a donation!
OMG! I just got a call from them this morning and said that as with all of our family's donations, that I would have to discuss with my husband so please mail me some info. Man, they were persistent!! They went from a "small" $50 donation down to 30, 25 and when I said that I might be able to do 25 I heard the guy whistle and several people in the background started shouting "verifier!! I need a verifier!!" Then a lady got on the phone and asked for my mailing info... A true charity would have that so I said no thank you. She got a little pushy and said "maybe you can do just $15 today?" I told her to call me back tomorrow and she hung up. So glad that I said no and then found your post!! Many blessings.
As a CPA involved in the charitable sector I have to correct your interpretation of this organizations financial information referenced in your evaluation. Pursuant to AICPA sop 98-2 the amount this organization directed to its charitable purpose was 7,724,458 or 48.8% of revenue. While not a great percentage, I have seen far worse and certainly not a scam based upon my experience. As with almost all charitable organizations auditors will allocate a portion of fundraising costs to program services based on several parameters and specific methods. Ignoring this will make many charities appear as scams.
David
I appreciate the wonderful investigative measures taken here. I too received a call and offered to donate. I was a bit hesitant when the letter xxxx out the phone number on the donation form. I than received a phone call asking for me to pay by credit card. I refused and said I would send a check. So, I got on the internet and discovered your entries. Thank you for your help. I will go to my local Children's Hospital and submit my donation directly.
Good Job to all,
Theresa, from Ohio
I used to work for Kids Wish Network. I could tell you stories that would curl hair on a bald man!!!
I made the mistake of giving to this charity for three years. Two years ago they had a hard time getting a hold of me since I wasn't home much. The last time my wife spoke to them them, she told them that I wasn't home and they just hung up on her. The next time they called I told them not to call back ever again. BUT THEY STILL KEEP CALLING! They have no respect for anyone. They just want my money! They will never get a penny from me, ever again!
dI received a call from the "National Gift Processing Center" in West Palm Beach, Fl. on behalf of the National Breast Cancer Society. According to the internet this agency is one of several breast cancer charities and was started in 2007 to give money directly to the patient for equipment and other needs. After agreeing to make a donation and not giving my cr.cd.no. I too received an envelope. I thought the solicitor was strangly aggresive so I tried to find out what percentage of donations goes to the charity. So far I haven't found it but I did get a tel.no. When you call it, a recorded mssg comes on saying that they are a national telephone calling agency, that solicits funds for many non-profit charities; and it tells you what to do to get your name taken off these lists. I assume this no.is for the NGPC. It is 877-237-3945. I believe they also have other nos. If you have caller ID, the next time you get a suspicious call, try calling the no. back in the evening. Felicity.
I am an RN and I have to tell you that this network DID send a 6 year old on a dream vacation to Disney World. This network granted the wish when Make-a-Wish would not.
Charity Contact InformationName: Kids Wish Network
Address: 4060 Louis Avenue
Holiday, FL 34691
Phone: 727-937-3600
888-918-9004
Web Address: www.kidswishnetwork.org
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance CommentsYear, State Incorporated:
Affiliates: None
Back To Top BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comment
Despite written BBB Wise Giving Alliance requests in the past year, this organization either has not responded to Alliance requests for information or has declined to be evaluated in relation to the Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability. While participation in the Alliance’s charity review efforts is voluntary, the Alliance believes that failure to participate may demonstrate a lack of commitment to transparency. Without the requested information, the Alliance cannot determine if this charity adheres to the Standards for Charity Accountability. A charity's willing disclosure of information beyond that typically included in its financial statements and government filings is, in the Alliance's view, an expression of openness that strengthens public trust in the charitable sector.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance reports on national charities and determines if they meet 20 voluntary standards on matters such as charity finances, appeals, and governance. The Alliance does not evaluate the worthiness of the charitable program.
Back To Top Tax Status
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
This report is not to be used for fund raising or promotional purposes.
Click here for national Charity Reports produced by BBB Wise Giving Alliance
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Thank You David.For Letting Me Post The BBB Report. On Your Site..The KWN That Keeps Sending.Me Letters And All The Rude Calls Is Coming From..Kids Wish Network..National Gift Processing Center...PO Box 758537..Topeka,KS 66675-8537...1-888-733-3357..They Will NOT..Take NO For An Answer...I Have Gotten 4 Letters From Them In The Last Month..Went From $35 Now Its Down To $17 Would LOVE to Get These Nuts Of My Back..Good Luck In Your Search..On The KWN,May :)
Just received my call from Kids Wish and believe it or not they actually admitted to only giving 10% to the "kids". They may be poorly run and inefficient but they are honest.
A legitamite charity does not need to call you from an anonymous/blocked number. I kept getting hang ups from an anonymous number (about 10 in total over a week). Finally, this morning, I got a call from this number again but answered in quite the abrasive tone. Someone ID'ed themselves as a KWN fundraiser and asked how I was. I said no thank you and immediately hung up. The thing that annoys me the most about this (aside from it being an obvious rip-off scam of a legit charity) is that other trusted charities who I've donated to, sold my information to a whole bunch of other charities, which are obviously scams. I have narrowed down our donations to our local and state firemen's associations and buying one ticket to the local St Jude Dream Home.
Rene in Shreveport, LA
Ok, #1 100% of the guardian angel $ goes to the kids. #2 Don't donate off the site or when the telemarketers call, call the office directly and tell them you want your $ to go to the angel fund. Nobody gets ripped off and 100% to the kids!
I did receive an invoice from them in the mail today. It looked a bit like it was contrived so I searched the internet and found this post.
What tipped me off as odd was that they called me back to verify I was going to send them a donation and my address.
The invoice was for payment to be sent to a PO Box in my state.
Being handled by a company that calls themselves Directelle, Inc.
This may all be legit, but I don't feel comfortable with it. Not sending my money, check etc.
Yes, anybody can back out of a pledge. I backed out said "I donated online" and that's that.
Yes, anybody can back out. Just don't send the check. I backed out once, and when they called me again, I said "I donated online" and that's that. Which is actually what everyone should do because all these organizations are scams. The actual charity organization gets peanuts.
Just received a phone call for the Kids Wish Network. They are proud to tell me the 12% of the money goes to the children! I told her not to call me until that was the administration fee and 88% went to the children. I always ask this question. I will give to charities whose admin fees are less than 15%.
MUST READ!!! I hate to be the bearer of bad news but some of these things are correct and others are incorrect about the kids wish network.okay for one-money does really go to terminally ill childrens final wish BUT,only 12% of the donation that a person would pledge-goes to the childrens wishes.THE legitimate KIDS WISH NETWORK-DOES NOT(DOES NOT) WANT ANT CREDIT CARD NUMBERS OR EXPIRATION DATES WHATSOEVER.The way its done is if a person is willing to donate,they are transferred to the records department.There,their name and mailing address is verified(although the organization already has that information).An individuals name,address,and telephone number is sold by their phone company.Sometimes even though people believe they are on a "NO CALL LIST",KIDS WISH NETWORK IS STILL ABLE TO CONTACT THEM(IN SOME CASES).IF in fact this is to happen to you say YES THIS IS MR OR MRS WHOEVER WHOS CALLING-KIDS WISH NETWORK,IN RESPONSE I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CALL,BUT CAN YOU PLEASE REMOVE MY NAME FROM YOUR CALLING LIST.And be polite or else the representative will just reschedule the call,and they will keep calling.ALSO at some of the kids wish networks call centers,there are other organizations that call from there as well.SUCH AS- FIREFIGHTERS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION,AND THE NATIONAL POLICE AND TROOPERS ASSOCIATION.KIDS WISH DOES NOT GIVE THESE ORGANIZATIONS A PERSONS NUMBER.BUT SINCE THEY ARE CALLING FROM THE SAME BUILDING THEY USE THE SAME LISTS AS THE KIDS WISH NETWORK AND VISE/VERSA.ALL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS ARE 88%.SO if you are a person that likes to donate do it where you feel comfortable(locally or what have you)and know exactly where your money is going.
Thanks, just got their envelope and decided to check the web b4 I mailed a check. I usually never answer unknown callers and don't usually agree to donate, but.... They had this older woman calling, that sucked me in!!!
I guess they will be sending me more envelopes.
thank God i did asked for the web site and did some research before i actually gave away 55 bucks
really appreciated!!
I just got a call from the Kids Wish Network saying I had made a donation last year then asking for another. I have never made a donation to them. So I told her to only contact me via snail mail. She wanted to verify my address. It was wrong and I nicely told her that. She tried to convince me I must have lived there at some point, but I told her I had never lived in that city and maybe she had the wrong person. She then spelled my name and it was wrong so I nicely told her. She then called me a LIAR and hung up. This organization is either highly unethical or uses fundraising companies that are.
We can all choose to give to any charity of our choice. Many a legit many are not. I asked The Kids Wish Network how much of my donation would go directly to the children, I was told 12%. With that information I decided that the organizations overhead was too much and chose not to give. If 12% or the the total amount that actually go towards benefiting the children does not matter to you, that is fine as giving is a personal act and should be done from the heart.
I received a call this morning regarding a donation. I asked what percent would actually go to the children. 12% was the answer, with that information, I decided that their, the Kids Wish Network, overhead was much too high and chose not to donate. What matters to me is that I "feel good" about my act of giving and that includes not filling the pockets of the administrators whose pockets,88%, are deeper than the needs of the children.
I screen my calls so they were probably unable to reach me by phone. Today I got a letter in the mail saying that I'm already a winner of some sweepstakes. In fine print, it tells me that I am definitely a winner of a plastic bookmark (lol) but if I send a donation I can find out if I'm the winner of the big prize of $9500. I like to check the companies I donate to so I did that and found this. Thanks for the info.
I got the call on Friday night and already receive the envelop on Monday!!!! I am glad to check them out, I have mistaken them for "Make a wish foundation". Someone ought to do something about organization like this, they are not charity, they are thieves disguise as a guardian for children.
Just got the call and it seemed like a decent charity. I said I would donate $35 and the agent said she would get a "verifier". Usually with charities there is a hold time, but not this time so it made me skeptical. I asked the "verifier" to hold for a second while. It took me less than 10 seconds to find this site. I asked the "verifier", how much of the money goes to the children, when she said 10% I said, NO THANKS and hung up. My wife and I donate to many charities, this will NOT be one of them. Thanks for your research.
I got a call from the KWN fund raiser last week asking me if I would like to make the same donation that I made last year. I asked how much that was and the young lady told me it was $60.00. With my silence she quickly said if I couldn't make that amount "How about $45.00?" Well, I couldn"t even remember giving to KWN.I agreed to the $45.00, knowing that I would get a mailing from them(I insisted that I would pay by check) and at that point I would have their address and phone number and could check them out.I've gone back 2 yrs. in my check registers and have not found any checks written to KWN. This may be an insight into National Gift Processing Center in Indianapolis. These two organizations are joined at the hip. I'm not impressed!
After reading the WEB sights on KWN, which seemed way too polished, this blog sight and the BBB lack of info. I decided to go to our local hospital and do something directly thru their social worker for a needed kid! I'll even go back to my last years donation of $60.00 Thanks for suggestion NGPC!
Bob in Wisconsin
Glad I read the commenst on this blog before I mailed my check.
In 2003 my son was granted a wish by Kids Wish Network. They were all wonderful. Round trip airline tickets for all 4 in my family were provided. We went to Disney World in Florida, Universal Studios, MGM, Sea World, and had a wonderful suite to stay in. They also rented us a nice car. I am blown away by all the comments I have seen on here. All the negative things I have read is NOT the organization that sent us and paid for EVERYTHING and gave us $400 spending money. We also ate at Crab House and at steak house like Texas Roadhouse (can't remember the name). I LOVE Kids Wish Network. They treated us like royalty and my son who was granted the wish as well as my daughter who was 9 at the time still talk about that trip.
I haven't gotten any calls, but I have gotten offers to buy chances to win 2 Corvettes and $50,000 for the taxes. Does KWN really give away such prizes? Is this part of their scam?
All you guys are so nieve.. Im 24 and also have been called to give to the "kids wish network".I said I would give 250$ if all went to the kids, and they saud no, so I declined. After researching, like some of you "claimed" you did, I found that The charity itself is fine.. If you were to directly give to them, 100% of the donation would go to them. Charitable Resource Foundation is a professional fundraiser that is contracted by "kids wish network". So after it filters through CRF, 12% goes to Kids Wish Network.. So to say the charity is a scam is quite harsh..
I think its funny that you were so mad about a phone call so early in the morning but would probably be the first in line to get a wish granted for your child if they had a terminal illness. EVERY charity out there makes phone calls. EVERY charity has administrative costs. Atleast the money is actually trying to help instead of giving to homeless guy on the street that is using it on drugs and alcohol. Very nice Mister Man who was so displeased to have his beloved morning interupted about sick children. Maybe you should check the National Do Not Call Registry website. It plainly says that charity orginizations are exempt from the list.
Pathetic to trash me anonymously, and alas you're wrong on almost every count.
1. Not EVERY charity telemarkets.
2. Few of them spend 90 percent of their budget on telemarketers
3. Few places pay three family members 6 figure salaries representing a huge chunk of the money raised but not spent on marketing.
All in all it's a scam.
D.
I just received a mailing about winning two corvettes (wouldn't one be enough?) They are selling tickets...$3 for one ticket all the way up to $6000 for 5000 tickets.
Just sounded phoney, so I looked on the internet, and here it is!
Thanks for the information, all.
I received a call this afternoon 12/1/11 and when I said just mail me some info so I can review and investigate and added I would not not do anything over the phone, the person on the phone named "Bruce" said they could share their non-profit tax id # and they would not take my credit card #
I repeated nothing over the phone and I ended the conversation by wishing him a good day and good bye and I hung up.
Go to CRF on facebook.com and leave them a message. They are bragging about their contributions. This place is a total scam. They are located in Evansville Indiana.
The Kids Wish Network has outsourced part of its call center operations to Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan to a company by the name of the Resource Group (TRG). I worked here for 9 months. 3months of which I spent doing telemarketing for Kids Wish Network. We were trained to get three Yes's from a customer. We had to make an average of $400 a week, and could take a maximum amount of $25 from a person, and at the lowest $5 or $10. A Mmhmm, or uh huh, or anything ambiguous meant we lost the sale. They are a scam. They give less than 12% of what they make to the kids. TRG where I" worked also caters to Square Trade, a company that works with ebay and provides virtual seals certifying sellers which in fact doesnt do squat to deter the seller from ripping you off. They also sell warranties for items bought on ebay, used or new and claim to have 50,000 service centers around the US, when in fact, they only have one in New York. And that too I can tell you is useless because u end up paying more in shipping the item than the items worth itself. Every year despite people cancelling their yearly membership of $90 with Square Trade, we as agents were told to put it on temporary deactivation so the minute a customer uses his ebay account, their membership would automatically be charged to their credit card. By the time they got their statement, it would be too late for a charge reversal by the credit card company anyways.
And yes KWN has a rebuttal where they say they are except from the Do Not Call List. Want to run them out of business? Take their call, and waste their time. Give the agent a maybe, but not a yes. Get them to send out the envelopes because that costs money, then dont send back a pledge.
And we also had a rebuttal for the 'Im going to report you to the Attourney General..'..and that was'Go ahead'
There are also people taking advantage of disasters. They call you up claiming to be from some relief organisation trying to help Hurricane victims, in the heat of the moment, people give out thier credit cards, and let them charge it. Weeks later they even forget about the donation and lose little amounts which add upto alot collectively. Please make sure you know who you are dealing with.
St Jude is also a rip off. How many forms of cancer have they cured? There is the American Cancer S. Why do we need a seperate Non-profit for kids cancer? Cancer is cancer. Do they pay for the hospital stay for kids who can't pay? Do the people on the board draw a salary? If so how much? people use Kids as a front to get money. But how much of this actually go to the children? Does it pay for the children's wheel chairs if needed. These are the things cahrity should do. Not just draw salaries.
I had "worked" at a couple of fundraising companies. Directele is in Madison Heights, MI and call several states. Their main charity they call for is KWN, as well as LEEP (the biggest scam) and other veterans groups. Most of the fundraisers are lazy, unproductive slobs on drugs, and have a really bad attitude and persona. The potential donors called by all of these for profit companies, as well as the management and owners think that you are just a game and use psychology to raise their bottom line. WAKE UP AMERICA! They know that the older, less informed generation that gave more in the past is not as informed, but you know that a sucker is born every minute. The back in the day fundraising scam will continue because there are always more followers than leaders, although I hope all people will become informed about this legit scam.
Is that a pipe dream?
I am an investigative reporter who has been writing about this charity intermittently since 2004. I'd like to hear directly from anyone who's been solicited recently or from anyone who works or worked for this organization. If you have something to share for my research please email me at mdouglas@wfla.com or call me at (727)815-1054. you can find my previous stories on tbo.com. Thanks, Mark Douglas
I received a call from them today and the woman who called started out by saying that I shouldn't have any sort of prejudice against disabled children because they are all going to die. She went on to say that I help them by donating money to help grant their dyeing wish. Well she called the wrong house because my child happens to be one of "those" kids. I cut her off and proceeded to tell her she was talking about my child and to never bother me again. How can someone who calls their organization a charity say such things? As a parent of a terminally ill child we are fully aware of what our child's life holds and we certainly do not need to be reminded of it from someone who is that inconsiderate. You should never use a child's condition or death as a way to line your pocket!!
I work for the kids wish network and we DO NOT ask for you credit card over the phone. We do not accept payments over the phone whatsoever. Whenever we're asked to remove somebody from the list we do not call them again (little tip). I do appologize for you guys being upset. But it is not a scam whatsoever....thanks:)
Thanks for the information.I have contributed regularly for a few years.I was unaware that such a small amount goes to the kids.Thanks to Mark Douglas-reporter news channel 8.
I have NEVER received a telemarketing call from the Kids Wish Network. All of the information I have seen for this organization has been concerning vehicle giveaways, which is the current promo in fundraising. Is it possible that the telemarketing is a group of scammers using the true charity as a way to reel in honest giving people?
Hello to all, i am a current employee at "Charitable Resource Foundation" Been there sometime now, And a message to those "blessed hearted" folks out there that have a deep passion to give to great causes, You may think in your heart that your money is going to be put into great use once making a committment over the phone, But in all actuality AMERICAN HOMELESS VETERANS percent is 58% and plunging downward, Kidswish Network 12% and sad,,,WOMAN2WOMAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION 9% AND pathetic.....The owner of this fundraising company is the devils best friend... Brian Wright..Deceiver,Heartstabber,MoneyDemon, Robbing the down-to-earth-good-hearted people for our hard working earned money, and he likes to brag about the condo he sold in florida for a much pricier pad of 1.4 million dollars....im working at CRF under the goodness of the causes itself, but also under radar an microscope of my god...and for you loyal supporters, may your generosity be multiplied... But the time for those collecting money deceivably is numbered.....DarkNight
I work for a professional fundraiser that is contracted by various charities to raise their charitable dollars for them. Since the charities don't have the time or wherewithall to perform this enormous but much needed task, they hire or contract a company that is specifically in the business of sales and marketing. Hence, the word "professional" fundraiser. That should be your first clue.
The professional fundraiser negotiates a mutual agreement with the charitable institution and both entities agree upon a mutual contract/outcome to get these charitable dollars. Because the professional fundraiser is "paid" to do this by the charitable institution itself, the percentage that actually goes to the charity vs. the professional fundraiser is GOING to be disproportionately larger for the professional fundraiser because of the overhead (i.e., cost for employee wages, telephone, printing, and mailing) just to name a few. Not all charities have the resources, time, nor where-with-all to spend on raising money, like some of the bigger, more famous ones where fundraising is nearly non-existent BECAUSE of their infamy.
Lets get some more facts straight. Professional fundraisers NEVER, EVER ask for bank account or credit card information over the phone. What they do ask from you is a pledge, or a promise, for a specific amount to donate. Once you and the fundraiser come to a mutual agreement as to that amount, only then will the professional fundraiser mail something out to you to send your donation back.
In addition, current federal law states that such solicitous calls are LEGAL from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Any time before or after those stated times is illegal.
Like it or not, these professional fundraisers provide much needed jobs to people in a time where the unemployment rate in this country is devastating. These people are not "drug addicts or low-lifes", as some people are always assuming instead of getting their facts straight; these people are single mothers/fathers who are only one paycheck away from living under that bridge; senior citizens who've worked and paid into the SS system all their lives only to have had their SS checks cut in half so they're literally forced into a job market where NO ONE will hire "old people".
The people that are employed by the professional fundraisers are just trying to feed their families and themselves; to keep a roof over their heads and provide a warm bed for their children to sleep in. Or maybe they're just working that extra job because their one and only child was diagnosed with a terminal illness and they need the extra money. Not ALL the parents of those kids with life-threatening illnesses have the where-with-all to even get their kids to St. Jude, let alone out of the state.
Next time you get a "pesky" call from a professional fundraiser, try not to be a bully and remember that you are talking to a real, live HUMAN BEING. All's you have to do is just say "no thank you, take me off your list" and then hang-up.
What is SO HARD about that?
I too am receiving these calls from 954 606 5634. But no one ever says anything. I get them before I get up and after I go to bed. At first the begged for money. One time I hung up on them about three weeks ago and for three weeks I have been getting these calls. Just will not take no for an answer, very pushy, maybe they should be reported. If I continue to get the calls I am reporting them to the phone company and sending a letter to my local paper to print.
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