The United Breast Cancer Foundation was No. 35 on the 2013 list compiled by CIR and the Tampa Bay Times.
America’s Worst Charities
You’ve given them $1 billion. They’ve given almost nothing to the needy. An investigation into charities that use deception to persuade donors to give.
America’s second-worst charity agrees to shut down
The Cancer Fund of America was accused of building a network of “sham charities” designed to enrich officers at the expense of sick women and children.
Donations to cancer charities enriched leaders instead, FTC says
The family behind Cancer Fund of America built a network of “sham charities” that were designed to enrich their officers at the expense of sick women and children, a complaint filed by the Federal Trade Commission alleges.
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Federal report says IRS could do more to regulate charities
The IRS doesn’t have the manpower to go after charities that flout the law, and it could do more to help state regulators target crooked operators, according to a federal watchdog report.
One donation to charity telemarketer spawns more solicitation calls
Judith Johnson of Stacyville, Iowa, doesn’t get out much anymore. Legally blind and living on a small Social Security pension, the 72-year-old used to go to church once a week. She stopped out of fear that her new walker would snag on the railroad tracks she had to cross to get there. But Johnson, whose […]
How we followed a telemarketer’s tracks in Iowa
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 […]
When it comes to fundraising, she’s a machine
Hear what happens when a potential donor realizes that a computer is calling, asking for a donation. Credit: Courtesy of the South Carolina Secretary of State’s office UPDATE, Nov. 15, 2013: This story updates to include information about a fine against Corporations for Character. Amanda Thomas is the perfect telemarketer. She’s always perky and pleasant. […]
The advocate for America’s worst charities
Attorney Errol Copilevitz represents some of the worst charities in the U.S. Hear reporter Kendall Taggart discuss meeting Copilevitz.
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 […]