To track how telemarketing companies target donors, the Tampa Bay Times and The Center for Investigative Reporting focused on one company, Associated Community Services, and examined how it did business in one state, Iowa. Associated Community Services is one of the largest charity fundraisers in the country, according to data compiled by GuideStar, an organization […]
Kendall Taggart
Data Reporter
Kendall Taggart is a former data reporter at The Center for Investigative Reporting. Her recent project, America's Worst Charities, exposed systemic weaknesses in state and federal oversight of nonprofits. The series, produced in collaboration with the Tampa Bay Times, won the Barlett & Steele Award gold prize. Kendall also was part of the reporting team that uncovered flaws in the way school regulators in California inspect and certify public schools to ensure they are seismically safe. That series, On Shaky Ground, won the public service award from Scripps Howard and two awards from Investigative Reporters & Editors. Kendall is a Massachusetts native and graduate of Reed College. She has lived and worked in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Trujillo, Peru.
Posted inUncategorized
Class-action suit filed against charity ranked among nation’s worst
A donor has filed a federal class-action lawsuit alleging that he was duped into giving money to one of the worst charities in the country.
Posted inHealth Care
Fla. investigators say police charity hired felons to raise donations
Regulators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services raid a call center operated by Police Protective Fund, No. 20 on the Times/CIR list of worst charities.Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times Police Protective Fund raises millions of dollars each year in the name of fallen officers. On Tuesday, four men in charge of the […]
Posted inAmerica's Worst Charities
Meet the lawyer who keeps some of America’s worst charities in business
Update, Sept. 12, 2013: This story updates information about Civic Development Group. Errol Copilevitz started his legal career representing strip clubs and porn shops on the seedy side of Kansas City. Then he took free-speech arguments honed defending topless bars to a more lucrative field. Philanthropy. Today, Copilevitz is the undisputed king of the charity […]
Posted inUncategorized
Ex-employees of Kids Wish Network say they misled donors
Former employees of Kids Wish Network say the Holiday, Fla.-based charity exploits sick and dying children to raise cash, then misleads donors about where their money goes.
Posted inUncategorized
‘Breaking Bad’ helped bad charity
In a match made in Hollywood, one of America’s most popular TV shows had been directing viewers to contribute to one of America’s worst charities.
Posted inUncategorized
Charity Investigator: Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation
Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation is one of the worst charities in America when it comes to spending large amounts of cash on for-profit solicitation companies. The Tampa Bay Times and The Center for Investigative Reporting took a closer look at the charity after readers suggested we investigate.
Posted inUncategorized
America’s Worst Charities series has people talking
It’s been a month since we launched our series America’s Worst Charities. There has been some action and calls for change, and a fair amount of debate and discussion.
Posted inUncategorized
Nevada congresswoman asks for probe of worst charities
A Nevada congresswoman has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the 50 nonprofits that landed on the Tampa Bay Times/CIR list of America’s worst charities.
Posted inUncategorized
Senator calls for government review of IRS charity oversight
Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., sent a letter asking the Government Accountability Office to look at the top 10 nonprofits on the Times/CIR list of America’s worst charities.