Rocky Mountain Low

A report just released by the Colorado Secretary of State found that although the amount of money Coloradans gave to charity nearly doubled in 2005 compared to 2004, the percentage of those contributions reaching charities actually decreased. Where did the rest go? Straight into the pockets of professional fundraisers.

As the Colorado Springs Gazette reports “54 cents of every $1 Coloradans gave in 2005 ended up in the hands of private companies that are paid to collect donations.” That’s $95.9 million not going to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, or comfort neglected children, but to pay the mortgage on the Aspen ski chalet of a professional fundraiser.

The least shocking revelation is that “many of the worst offenders appear to aid law enforcement, fire departments and veterans.”

Certainly, there are some inefficient charities in Colorado but there are also plenty of good ones. Hopefully in 2006 more of the money donated by the fine people of the Centennial State will make it to the charities that need it. My only question is how will any of these reforms and recommendations help them do so?