Where Veteran's Charity Funds Go | Smart Military Money

Where Veteran's Charity Funds Go | Smart Military Money:

'via Blog this'Twelve charities received an F while eight had a D grade. Only seven were reported in the A range. When it comes to fund allocation, the top five charities the American Institute listed included Fisher House Foundation, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, National Military Family Association and Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust.

Five of the worst were Shiloh International Ministries, Former Military POW Foundation, United Spinal Association, National Veterans Services Fund, Inc., and Disabled Veterans Associations.

For example, the National Veterans Services Fund sounds like a great name, but according to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services only 17 percent of its reported $8.4 million in collections went to veterans. Allied Veterans collected about $456,000 in 2008, gave veterans $2,700 and still wound up with a deficit of $56,000.

Use Watchdog Resources

If you’d like to contribute to a cause other than the top five listed, you can do some of your own research. GuideStar, Charity Navigator and other monitoring sites work as watchdogs for the financial activities of nonprofits. You can determine which charities have a quality financial impact. If you’re set on a military related one, Charity Navigator can help with its specific list ofVA charities.

Also, be sure to search for known charity scams, especially when it comes to the military. Subtle changes in well-known charity names such as Operation Home Front vs. the real Operation Homefront can sneak up on you. Be especially wary of phone and email solicitations.