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Most of the money is spent on fundraising

State consumer officials want New Jerseyans to know that when they contribute to the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey, the New Jersey Police Officers Foundation, the U.S. Deputy Sheriffs Association or the New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association, little of donations go toward charitable programs.

Each of these nonprofit groups invokes the name of law enforcement while soliciting charitable donations in New Jersey. But recent fiscal year reports indicate that when they spent donors’ money, relatively small percentages went toward charity. Most of the money was spent on fundraising.

In observance of National Consumer Protection Week, the state Division of Consumer Affairs is reminding consumers to investigate before they donate, and learn how a charity intends on spending your money before handing over donation dollars.

Consumer Affairs Wednesday released the latest list of New Jersey’s Top 10 Most Inquired-About Charities,.

“This bi-monthly publication by the Division of Consumer Affairs can be an important tool for consumers considering where best to direct their charitable giving,” state Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said. “Charities should be forthcoming with the very same information. If they refuse to provide it, or if the information doesn’t match up with what the Division has on record, consumers should be suspicious.”

The Better Business Bureau’s Standards for Charity Accountability state that a charity should dedicate at least 65 percent of its expenses toward program activities, and no more than 35 percent toward fundraising. Consumers can compare that guideline with the expenditure reports that state-registered charities must provide annually to the Division of Consumer Affairs.

“Consumers are entitled to know that some charities to which they may consider donating, are less charitable than others,” Consumer Affairs Director Thomas R. Calcagni said. “As this list demonstrates, there are organizations that will invoke law enforcement or other good causes, but dedicate as little as 10 cents of each dollar they spend to charitable programs, with the remainder going directly into the well-lined pockets of professional fundraisers. This may not be prohibited by law, but it’s certainly something about which potential donors deserve full disclosure.”