Assessing Veterans Charities

OK. So I'm beginning to work on a re-write of my research methods paper and I've hit a wall. Plugging along thinking I know exactly where I'm going and what I'm going to change and I start re-reading what I wrote two years ago. The most difficult part of changing this paper is the fact I'm really partial to the idea of the research and if I had any gumption at all....I'd secure a grant and just conduct the research....for fun!

So, if I can get beyond the fact I'm not trying to write a research paper I've decided to write a paper based upon the theory of human relations and needs. All of this fits so well with the purpose of nonprofits! I was curious to find out the number of registered nonprofit organizations by type of organization. There are 43,935 registered organizations with the NTEE category W30 (public & Societal Benefit is the W and 30 is for military, veterans orgs). WHAT?! Over 43,000 organizations having something to do with the military or veterans! Why on earth so many? (And to think I'd even contemplated becoming my own nonprofit)

Then I find a testimony of Bennett M. Weiner, COO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and was mortified to find out nearly half of teh national veterans charities contacted by the Alliance do not provide any of the requested information and materials to complete evaluations. It is high time veterans organizations step up to the plate and demonstrate their accountability! Just when our wounded warriors need the most help, we now have to worry that our contributions are being squandered! (Wonder out of the 43,000 how many of them are preying on the emotions of those wanting to give back to our military members and their families with no intention of giving at all).

Before I contacted The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes I decided to check out their Form 990. I also went to the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and checked out their standards. While I was not able to determine from the Coalition's website board policies and the like, I was able to determine the ways they spend their money and they do a fine job of making sure what they raise, actually gets spent in the way it was meant to.

It is a shame we have to worry about what happens to our hard earned dollar when we donate to charity. Take the time to investigate before you donate, it is well worth your while.