Corrections or additions?
This article was prepared for the December 19, 2001 edition of
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Outstanding Charities
There no fewer than 819,000 charities in the United
States. Supporting health, education, the arts, international relief,
the environment, animal welfare, religious organization, and human
services, each and every one would like a few of your dollars —
now, and in perpetuity.
Where to give?
One way to decide is to evaluate how good a job charities do of
putting
donations to work. When donors discovered the American Red Cross
planned
to put into reserve a portion of the money it collected to aid victims
of the September 11 attacks, there was outrage. Donors made it clear
they wanted as much of the money as possible to go directly to the
families. While the charity differs, donor sentiment remains the same
on this issue. Few people feel good about giving money to a charity
that uses the bulk of donations for fundraising, administrative costs,
or future reserves.
Worth magazine, in its December issue, used percentage of money put
to work as intended as a yardstick to measure charities. In naming
America’s Best 100 Charities, the magazine revealed how much of every
$100 received these stellar non-profits funnel directly to the causes
they serve — and what percentage of donations goes to fundraising,
administrative costs, and future reserves. On the high end, the
National
Council on Aging puts $96 out of every 100 dollars into programs to
aid senior citizens. Most of the rest in the top 100 allocate
something
above $60 to their programs, and amounts over $85 are common.
A relatively low number of dollars going directly into programs is
not necessarily a bad thing, however. Ashoka, a promoter of social
entrepreneurship that was founded in 1980 by a former McKinsey & Co.
consultant, gives three-year living stipends to individuals who run
innovative development projects. The organization, based in Arlington,
Virginia, puts only $35 directly into programs. It pays its stipends
in installments, so it needs to keep a large reserve. Worth approves
and lists it among the best 100.
Beyond allocation of donations, Worth looked at the length of time
a charity has been in existence, consulted philanthropy experts, and
sought to determine how much of an impact each charity is making.
It did not include arts organizations, or charities with ties to a
religious group. Worth’s editors admit that many excellent charities
did not make the list. But a number that did make the cut have ties
to the greater Princeton area, either because their founders live
here, they maintain offices here, or they run projects or programs
here.
Alzheimer’s Association. Credited with doing away withthe term “senility,” the Alzheimer’s Association has spent$120 million on research for the prevention and treatment of a diseasethat affects 4 million Americans. The money has led to the developmentof drugs that can postpone onset and to a vaccine now in clinicaltrials. Of every $100 it raises, $76 goes to programs.Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New JerseyChapter,12 Roszel Road, Suite C-201, Princeton 08540. 609-514-1180.Www.alz.org.American Cancer Society. Established in 1946, the AmericanCancer Society has spent more than $2.2 billion on cancer research,and has funded the work of 31 Nobel Prize winners. It also providescancer education, including a 24-hour cancer information hot line.Of every $100 it raises, $68 goes to its programs.American Cancer Society, 2600 Route 1, NorthBrunswick08902-6001; Eastern division headquarters. 732-297-8000.Www.cancer.org.American Cancer Society, Mercer County Unit, 3076Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville 08648-2304. 609-895-0101.American Heart Association. Since 1948, the American HeartAssociation has funded $1.9 billion in research to cures for heartdisease, which kills 950,000 Americans each year. It educates thepublic about the symptoms and risk factors for heart disease andstroke.It is working to improve public access to portable defibrillators.Of every $100 it raises, $72 goes to its programs.American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, NorthBrunswick 08902; New Jersey affiliate. 732-821-2610.American Lung Association. This organization introducedChristmas Seals in 1904. Originally founded to fight againsttuberculosis,the organization now focuses on the effects of smoking and airpollution,helps asthmatics learn how to manage their disease, and funds researchon lung function and disease. Of every $100 it raises, $79 goes toits programs.American Lung Association of New Jersey, 29 EmmonsDrive, Building A-20, Princeton 08540-2006. 609-452-2112.Www.lungusa.org.Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Arranging mentoringfor children since 1904, this organization reports that youngstersin its program are less likely to use drugs, skip school, or behaveviolently, and more likely to get good grades and be self-confident.Of every $100 it raises, $69 goes to its programs.Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Mercer County, 535East Franklin Street, Trenton 08610. 609-656-1000.Www.princetonol.com/groups/.Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Thisorganization’ssignature event is the “Race for the Cure,” which raisesawarenessand money for breast cancer research, education, screening, andtreatment.The foundation was begun in 1982 by Nancy Brinker in memory of hersister, who died of the disease. Since then it has raised $400 millionand awarded $87 million in research grants. Of every $100 it raises,$75 goes to programs.Breast Cancer Resource Center/YWCA Princeton, 914Commons Way, Montgomery Commons, Princeton 08540. 609-497-2126.Www.princetonol.com/groups/.Camp Fire USA. Founded in 1910, this organization seeksto build future leaders by engaging children in activities such ascamping and community service that stress responsibility andself-reliance.It serves 650,000 children in 40 states. Of every $100 it raises,$84 goes to its programs.Camp Fire Boys and Girls, 535 East Franklin Street,Trenton 08610. 609-695-8410.Child Welfare League of America. This organization guides1,165 member agencies dedicated to improving the lives of at-riskkids through abuse prevention, youth development, child care,adoption,and foster care programs. It writes national standards for theagenciesand helps them deliver their services more efficiently. Of every $100it raises, $88 goes to its programs.The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey, 635South Clinton Avenue, Trenton 08611-0831. 609-695-6274.Www.chsofnj.org.Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation “The AmericanParalysis Association and the Christopher Reeve Foundation mergedin 1999, adding Superman’s star power to a hardworking but publicitystarved organization,” writes Worth magazine. The new group isone of those that Worth approves even though it is currently sinkinga large of amount of money into reserves rather than programs, whichtry to improve the lives of the estimated 400,000 people with spinalcord injury paralysis. Of every $100 it raises, $33 goes to itsprograms,and $56 is currently being placed in reserve.The organization does not have a Princeton area office, but Reevewas raised in Princeton and began his acting career on the stage ofMcCarter Theater. Contact the foundation at 800-225-0292 or atwww.paralysis.org.Easter Seals. More than 1 million disabled children andadults utilize the organization’s 450 centers for recreation, childcare, job training, and medical rehabilitation. Of every $100 itraises,$75 goes to its programs.Easter Seals New Jersey, 1 Kimberly Road, EastBrunswick 08816. 732-257-6662.Www.easterseals.org.Foundation Fighting Blindness. Founded by Princeton residentGordon Gund, who serves as chairman of the board, this foundationfunds research into retinal degenerative diseases, which impair 6million Americans. Since 1971, it has funded $150 million in research.One recent gene therapy project successfully created eyesight in dogsthat were born blind. Of every $100 it raises, $80 goes to itsprograms.Headquartered until several years ago in Gund’s Nassau Street office,the foundation is now in Owings Mills, Maryland. 888-394-3937.Www.blindness.org.Habitat for Humanity. Since it was founded in 1976,Habitatfor Humanity has built 120,000 homes by bringing together donors,who supply materials and some labor, and recipients, who exchangesweat equity for a down payment. Of every $100 it raises, $65 goesto its programs.Habitat for Humanity-Trenton Area, 20 NassauStreet,Princeton 08542-4509. 609-921-3695.Habitat for Humanity-Trenton Area, 601 NorthClintonAvenue, Trenton 08638. 609-393-8009.Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). It took just onemad mother, whose four-year-old child was killed when a drunk driverrear-ended her car, to start this movement back in 1980. Since thenthe number of Americans killed by drunk drivers each year hasdecreasedfrom 28,000 to 16,000. Many people credit MADD for more stringentdrunk driving laws. Of every $100 it raises, $66 goes to its programs.MADD New Jersey, 110 West State Street, Trenton08608-1101. 609-396-1876.community.nj.com/cc/maddnj.March of Dimes. Among this organization’s campaigns isa drive to education expectant mothers on the importance of takingfolic acid before and during pregnancy. Doing so reduces birthdefects,including spina bifida and anencephaly. Of every $100 it raises, $74goes to its programs.March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 1010EastparkBoulevard, Cranbury 08512. 609-655-7400 Www.modimes.orgShare Our Strength. Where better to fight world hungerthan in the finest restaurants. This organization fights hunger andpoverty through celebrity cooking events and annual readers by bigname writers. Among its programs: Cooking and nutrition programs forlow-income families. Of every $100 it raises, $84 goes to itsprograms.The organization is based in Washington, D.C. 800-969-4767. Forinformationon the Princeton area efforts, see story, beginning on page 14.Special Olympics. More than 1 million mentally andphysicallyhandicapped children and adults receive year-round training andcompetein 26 sports in the United States and in 150 other countries. Of every$100 it raises, $61 goes to its programs.Special Olympics New Jersey, 201 Rockingham Row,Princeton Forrestal Village, Princeton 08540. 609-734-8400.Www.sonj.org.YMCA-USA. There are 2,434 YMCAs in the United States,and others in 122 nations. They offer fitness activities, familyservices,and child care. Of every $100 the organization raises, $85 goes toits programs.YMCA Hamilton, 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road,Hamilton 08619. 609-581-9622.Www.hamiltonymca.org.YMCA Hightstown East Windsor, 230 Mercer Street,Hightstown 08520. 609-448-1357.YMCA Raritan Valley, 206 Dunhams Corner Road, EastBrunswick 08816. 732-257-4114.YMCA Trenton, 431 Pennington Avenue, Trenton 08618.609-599-9622.Hopewell Valley YMCA, 104 West Franklin Avenue,Pennington 08534. 609-737-3048.Princeton Family YMCA, Paul Robeson Place,Princeton08540. 609-497-9622.YWCA of the U.S.A. The YWCA seeks to empower women andgirls and to eliminate racism. It is the largest provider of shelterservices for women and their families. In addition to offeringprogramson economic empowerment, conflict resolution, and violence prevention,the organization provides child care and after-school services. Ofevery $100 it raises, $76 goes to its programs.YWCA Princeton, Paul Robeson Place, Princeton08540.609-497-2100.Www.ywcaprinceton.org.YWCA Trenton, 140 East Hanover Street, Trenton08608. 609-396-8291.Next StoryCorrections or additions?This page is published by PrincetonInfo.com— the web site for U.S. 1 Newspaper in Princeton, New Jersey.
