Find out how charities spend their money

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Nearly 250 nonprofit organizations in Snohomish County are authorized by the Washington secretary of state to solicit donations.

A crisis pregnancy center that informs women of reproductive choices, a few literacy groups, even a county lacrosse club compete for a limited pool of dollars.

A Herald analysis examining five years of public financial data from charities in the county showed local non- profits have widely varied track records for spending donations on charitable programs.

Daniel Borochoff, president of the American Institute of Philanthropy in Chicago, said low rates of return often occur when charities rely on commercial fundraisers.

Professional solicitors often keep 80 to 90 cents of every dollar they raise – and there’s nothing unlawful about that.

The state keeps tabs on solicitors, but it cannot place limits on commissions, said Rebecca Sherrell, charities program manager with Secretary of State Sam Reed’s office.

“It’s buyer beware,” she said.

Sherrell said people contacted by solicitors from charities should ask a lot of questions and not immediately commit to anything.

General financial information on charities is available through the Washington Secretary of State’s Charities Program at 800-332-4483.

The same information is available online at www.secstate.wa.gov/charities.