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.
103 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.
My son was born with a heart con dition in 85. In 2000 they sent us to Orlando ,where he got to meet the Rock and go to a wrestling match and disney. When he passed away in 2008 they also paid 1000 dollars on his funeral. they were great.
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.
This post makes me very sad for all of you. My wonderful daughter is getting her wish granted through them. They have been kind and very attentive to making this a wonderful experience for her. I hope you all realize that people who work for non profits do get paid, at all of them, not just this one. Also, non-profit means not for profit, not everuone works for free. If you actually look at the numbers on the site linked above, 4.7% was admin costs (wages), that is actually quite low in comparison to many of the "well known" ones you listed.
I was contacted early May. I pledged $15.00 but requested that they send me information in the mail. I received it and have not honored my pledge because I wanted to research this organization just as many of you. I did, and what I found out is that they are indeed scamming us. They become unprofessional in their dealings with us if we say to them to send us information vice providing them with our credit card or checking account number. Like one of the other writers, I was thinking that this was the "Make a Wish Foundation." They will not get a thing from me.
I receive SEVERAL calls EVERY day from "Kids Wish," or so it says on my caller ID...I can't know for sure because I've never actually talked to a human from one of these calls. For the longest time, I just did not pick up because I did intend to give them any money. I donate to many charities of my choice, and have a long-standing career in non-profit administration, and do not care to be solicited by others of which I have never heard, which is why I am on the do-not call list; if one of my selected charities call me, I am happy to answer and give again (I thought that was supposed to be the exemption to the do-not call...if you've shared your information with the charity or business itself). I have since discovered that one of the organizations I gave to several years ago, one that I did not realize until later was a religiously-affiliated charity that is excluded from government funding because they discriminate based on religion (not impressive to me), has SOLD my information to other scam-type charities (such as Kids Wish) as an 'interested donor.' So the calls just don't stop and I finally started picking up to tell them to stop calling, take me off their list, etc. BUT NO ONE IS EVER THERE WHEN I ANSWER THE PHONE. Dead line. Every time. Yet their phone robots keep calling, several times, every day; this is not just bad stewardship, this is harassment. I have since learned to always ask as part of my charity selection whether 1) they are affiliated with any religious organization and 2) if they EVER have or EVER will sell, share, give, or exchange their donor contact information...a yes to either receives an automatic decline. A good question to get a "yes" to is if the charity receives federal or state funding as this indicates they are regularly audited, program expenditures are higher than administration, there is no discrimination, and program facilities are in good, safe condition.
Just so you know,These "scammers" as you call them, Have made my sons wish come true!How dare you bash them into the ground! Maybe you should talk to some of the kids and parents who get to see their children smiling from ear to ear if only for a moment before you go telling people not to give to this VERY worthwhile cause. Shame on you! Shame on all of you!I hope and pray that none of you are ever in a situation that my son and other children and their families are faced with.Get a heart Clearly you do not have one! Thank you Kids Wish Network. My son and I are FOREVER grateful for all that you do :)
"Anonymous said...
"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."
This is not true, because I just made a payment over the phone. I was contacted last month and made a pledge to give when I got paid. Because I can't remember to send out checks to save my life (my bills are all on autopay), I went to the website and got the information for making a payment by phone. This is what is posted on their website at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/kwni:
Other ways to give:
By Phone:
1-888-918-9004
Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30PM ET
Please do tell! I work for CRF and I am very curious about these stories.
If you have caller ID, NEVER answer your phone unless you recognize the number. If it's legit, they'll leave a message. If it's not, then by answering your phone you have shown that it's a good number and someone's there. They will keep harassing you.
Better Business Bureau says Kids Wish Network does not respond to requests for information about its fund raising, etc.
I received a call from Kids Wish Network regarding the same about helping make the wishes of dying children come true. I asked them to send me info and they did. Just as I was about to go get a money order ( because I don't send my personal checks to just anybody) I came across these postings. upon closer inspection I noticed that there was no return address, only a P.O. Box located somewhere in Warren,Mi. Of course now I'm concerned because this major organization ,as I was informed by the repres., had no distinct address location for its headquarters...suffice to say I'm going to keep my money in my pocket! They should be ahamed! Thanks to the person who did the in depth research regarding this supposedly charity! They make it hard for the real charities!!!
thanks for warning me, Ive made a couple donations, thinking they were Make a wish foundation.....the envolope address always looked suspisious...Damm and Im poor...
I have been sending in money for a couple years now to the Kid's Wish Network...stupidly. What gave me pause this time was the fact that some 'leukemia' foundation called and wanted me to pledge the same amount I did last year...thing was, I know I never did, the KWN is the only one I've ever send money too...so I thought 'what the heck?" cause they sounded just like the KWN. And YES they DO ask for credit card info, which I never do...they just called a few days ago and I told them, like I always do, send me the info and I'll send a check...thing is? After reading all this, they will not be getting another check from me, I'm going local!
These kind of comments really upset me. As a proud member of cheritable resource foundation, I can understand how in your head %12 may not seem like alot, but what u dont realize is we are not the only fundrasing company that is contracted with kids wish network. So the charity is actually getting more money then you think. And yes they really do grant wishes to terminally ill children not to mention they also help kids who have been abused and neglacted. Now the part that really upsets me is and I hear it everyday, "get a real job". Now as a mother of four kids I first hand understand the hardships of todays economical stance. I do have a so called "real job" and I dont get paid bit minimum wage bit its enough to support my family. Better then working at some dead end burger joint making america fat. At least I get the satisfaction of knowing when I go home I made a differance in a dying childs life. I bet it wouldnt be much of a scam if we were helping your child.
I saw the dream corvette raffle and decided to check out the stats on the KWN charity.I had a bad feeling. The best is to check out this reporters articles
"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.Just type KIDS WISH NETWORK IN THE SEARCH & ALL THE STORIES SHOW UP
They also collect for "Children's Leukemia Foundation". Do the founders donate money from their own profits?
Me too i also work for CRF an Id love to hear these so called stories bc i bet thats what they are "stories" lol
I gave them some money when they called from a surprise area code that looked familiar enough for me to pick up. I had been traveling, and was alone. I refused to give them a credit card over the phone, so they said they would send me the envelope. The gentleman did point me toward their website, altho, I was already on the IRS page looking for them. The seemed legit enough. That was in 2011, now I get phone calls, 2-3 a day, every day for a week at a time, sometimes more. then it lulls. I've asked them to stop calling, I've cried and begged them to stop calling. I'm a disabled vet, my military retirement has actually been going down by 1K or more a year since 2009. My rent hasn't, the cost of food hasn't. I have my own child to think of. How many times do I have to beg to be taken off the list? Yesterday, I got the phone call from a local area code. it was them. I was so upset, I even asked the same familiar voice, how did you come up in my area code? She laughed and said, she didn't know how that worked. As she started to thank me for all my past support, for the first time, I let the phone just turn off... pains in my chest making it hard to even function. To make it worse, after the original donation, they gave my number to ALL their friends, each with a questionable never heard of before name. They were all similar to nationally recognized organizations, they had a familiar word in the title, but, they were all iffy, and for almost a year, I had to ask them to stop calling, one by one. The only ones who still call are KWN. It's like having a stalker.
I worked for a charity fund raising company and I can honestly say that if I wanted to give my money away I would go directly to the source to give. I would never, ever give money via a "fund raising company" The kids wish network agreed to take a small 12% of the money that the company I worked for brought in. I'm ashamed of the kids wish network for this and I'm ashamed of the company I worked for doing this also.
My breaking point came when I refused to do any calling for that particular charity. I agreed to pitch for the homeless vets campaign we did but they received 75-80% of the donations. When I refused to pitch for the kids wish network I was fired. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me and it taught me a rather hard learned lesson. Look into what you're giving your money to before you open your wallet. Look into it and make sure it's something you can be happy with otherwise keep your money in your pocket. I also learned to be nicer to sales people on the phone. They're all just trying to make a living much like I was. It's not their fault that things are so bad they had to take such a horrible job. They have to eat and take care of their families also and for some it's the only job available at the moment. It's also not their fault that they have to follow the script to the letter no matter what the person on the other end of the lines tells them. They do this because they have a supervisor breathing down their necks telling them that if they don't receive at least a $35 donation for every twelve calls then they'll have their hours cut or worse yet they'll be fired. Follow the script they say. Follow the script to the letter. Every call is different. I'm always patient to people on the phone now. They're just doing their job. I do ask to be removed from their calling list and then I always make a note of it to give them 30 days to do so. If they call me after that 30 days then I do ask to speak to a supervisor to see what needs to be done to have my number removed. I am always nice to the person on the phone though unless they get snappy with me. Get snappy with me and you're going to get it right back at you. I was never snappy with anyone. I was cursed out more times than I can count and every time I ended with a thank you. Have a nice day.
I hated that job.
Just remember though you wouldn't purchase a piece of meat without taking a look at it first. Don't give to a charity without first checking it out. There's too many ways to find out the information. You can ask questions. You can check out the organization online. There's just too much out there for you to throw your money away.
I never donate to anyone!. Easy enough, and I feel great about it
Thing is, all of you trying to defend CRF or KWN by saying 10 or 12% is fine, are still lying. The actual number is less than 3%. Three cents of every dollar raised goes to kids.
You may have conned yourself into thinking you're doing good work, but you're parasites and the fact that there are good charities who manage to raise money with much lower costs and much better results is proof of that.
http://www.tampabay.com/americas-worst-charities/
I just had a caller soliciting for KWN. I had her hold while I shared info from Charity Navigator with her. She was blown away!!!(You can guess how much my donation was.)
I watched and listened to Mr. Coopers TV program and I am thrilled to death that he is bringing this pig styel called Kid's Wish Network to the masses so they know NOT TO GIVE TO THEM! They are felons, they are whores and they are thieves that should be run out of town! I give to the Kiwanis Club. An organization that works directly with children. Each and EVERY dime they earn goes to the children and no one else. I'd like to meet the leeders of this PIG STYE called a fundraiser for kids, in a dark alley. Need I say more?
8/26/13I just watched CNN that was showing how KWW is robbing people and donations are not going for kids, 3cents of every dollar!!!!!!!!
CNN's Anderson Cooper reported about this SCAM "CHARITY" on Monday, August 26, 2013.
Three Cents of every dollar actually go to the charity.
Their Tax Returns show that of the $127 Million Raised, $109 Million went to the FUNDRAISERS!!
While one fundraiser is getting a company like Disney to give a FREE Trip to Disney to fulfill a wish, another fundraiser is getting people to contribute for the same trip.
A fundraiser reported this scam to the board of directors and she was fired within 45 minutes.
Notify all your friends and relatives about this SCAM!!!
I received phone calls from two charities, "Kids Wish Network" and "Children's Cancer Fund of America", asking for a pledge of $15. When I received the pledge letters, the format looked almost identical, only the addresses were different. I decided to check them out and came across this blog. I am so glad I did. They are not going to get anything from me. Disgraceful to scam people with such lies.
People beware!! Spread the word
As a Child Life Specialist at a children's hospital, I am able to nominate one patient a month to recieve a $100 gift card and "Hero of the Month" package from the Kids Wish Network. And they come through every month. It is a small amount considering the amount they collect, and I am limited to 1 patient a month, but they also send a large delivery of 3 pallets of new toys each year. The amount they give to us is exceeded by many, but Kid's Wish Network is legit and giving to children's hospitals throughout the country.
After reading comments about KWN, no one has mentioned receiving a lovely ,well madetote bag with attractive print of butterflies/flowers on side in the mail. Return address is written as Cedar Falls Area Kids Wish Appeal c/o Kids Wish Network Holiday, Fl. I live in Cedar Falls, IA. But the address to return a donation to is Kids Wish Network, Wish Fullfillment Center Wilton, NH. I have not given to this org before and have not received a ph call.
I don't see how the bag could be cost free (very well made and attractive). Makes one feel like we owe it to this group but I checked out this web site to learn more about the org. I am trying to decide whether the CNN report did actually report accurately vs the KWN was actually reporting correctly
I used to work for Charitable Resource Foundation, the company that calls for Kids Wish Network, and I can tell you from my own experience it is indeed a SCAM. CRF calls for many other organizations besides KWN and only ONE of them gets more than 15% of your donation. (American Homeless Veterans)
For all the organizations they call for, this is where your money goes: 1% goes to the person who called you as soon as you agree to pledge, and then another 2% goes to that SAME person when your check arrives. 3% goes to the person who VERIFIES your pledge, and if you pay with a card over the phone the whole 5% goes to the person who called you as part of their weekly bonus. For KWN TWELVE PERCENT actually goes to the charity. With a similar percentage going to:
Disabled Police and Sherrifs Foundation
Childrens Cancer Dream Network
Pink Diamond Womens Cancer Fund
Woman to Woman Breast Cancer Foundation
Some of these get as low as 7% of your donation.
I think there are a couple more, but I can't recall them right now.
ALL of these charities go through CRF and NONE of them are worth while. (MAYBE American Homeless Veterans, it's percentage is 58%. It's at least more than half.)
The only good thing I can say about Charitable Resource Foundation is that if you ask them about the percentage they will NOT lie to you. They are required by law to tell you the actual percentage.
Also, on the subject of those people who ask to be taken off of the call list and STILL get calls:
From my personal experience I can tell you that this is not done on purpose. The dialing program that CRF uses is so outdated it's not even funny. The person who is calling you literally has no control over who is called when. It's all the computer. The only thing the caller can do is code your call to not be contacted again. I have personally coded a call as a "Do Not Call" and half an hour later that SAME EXACT PERSON came back up on my screen. It really isn't them just harassing you, it's their outdated computer system.
That is the ONLY area that I will defend them on, because it really isn't their fault. Otherwise, Charitable Resource Foundation is a HORRIBLE scam and I would NEVER advise anyone to give them your information. In fact, if they call you tell them that they have the wrong number!
First I want to start off by saying I completely agree. It's a scam and really should be address with their fund spendings. More should go towards the kids.
I actually received a wish from Kid's Wish Network back in 2003. I was given a trip to Disney world, however it had some fairly strict rules. For example I couldn't go to all four parks, I had to choose 3 out of 4. Still it was all free and my entire family could go.
They are probably a scam overall, but they did give me a great experience.
Thank you! & God Bless you I just got a call from the kid's wish network the lady said I could help the kids with granting their wish & I was booting up my computer when she & I was on the phone I said not at this time.:-) I saw your site:-) thank you again
I worked for crf in new albany. For the most part they treated you ok. But you got very short breaks. During training they encouraged you to sound elderly. As most customers that answer or over 60. Longer you worked there less you got paid. You can average the same amount of dollars per hour and work same amount of hours and the paychecks got smaller. They hire anyone with a pulse and is literate. Mostly teenagers work there.
You have obviously haven’t had a child who battled odds that you couldn't event comprehend or you wouldn’t be critical. Fact of the matter is 10% is better than 0%! Some of these children don’t qualify for other wish granting organizations. It’s your money and can do whatever you want with it but honestly do you know where every single cent you donate to your church goes? I sure don’t and neither do you.
My wife received a call from this "charity" and agreed to give. After that I did an internet search and found that only 3 cents of each dollar was going to support the kid's actual wish. They sent us a donation envelope, but they will get nothing at all from us.
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