What’s Your Percentage?
by Marcy Stenstrom
It was a few days after Christmas. I was finding places for Christmas presents, washing and drying mounds of laundry and thinking about taxes. Well, at least the schedule A itemized deduction form of the 1040. Since we have a mortgage, make charitable contributions and our real estate and local taxes are high, it benefits us to fill out this “long” form to get a larger tax return from Uncle Sam. The reason I had taxes on the brain is because our family has a tithing plan for the entire year. I wanted to make sure I covered all my bases before year’s end. But I have a high standard and non-profit organizations have to meet my criteria before I’ll whip out my pen and write the check.
I’m on the “no-call” list but apparently this does not apply to non-profit organizations. I get so many calls a week from non-profits that I had to get a bit stingy with my money. After all, I can’t afford to give even $10 to everyone that calls me and I’m guessing neither can you. (Unless you’re Bill Gates but as far as I know he doesn’t attend St. Therese. If you know of a Bill Gates-like parishioner, please ask him or her to donate to the church’s needs to get a new roof and a nice big parking lot, thank you.) The worst part is how telemarketers make you feel like a horrible person because you won’t buy trash bags that will somehow help teenagers say no to drugs. I used to give small amounts to these types of charities because I felt bad and I’m not one to just hang up on someone. That and I don’t approve of illegal drugs. However, at some point I wondered how much I was really helping and whom. There are many charities that list by percentage how much of your dollar actually aids the people or cause intended. There are significant portions of donations that are used for overhead marketing and administrative costs. For example, those pesky people that call you during your evening meal get paid a salary. And what about that mail from Timbuktu with a shiny nickel or cheap rosary inside to bribe you to give back to their cause. Don’t send me trinkets or call me and guilt me into giving. Save that money and give it back to the children that need to be fed or pay their hospital bills. As a former marketing manager, I know that there are so many other less expensive ways that organizations can obtain the donations they are seeking. I’ve been so bold as to share this with callers who seek my funding. Now when I receive a call, I listen to their plea but I ask what percentage of my donation actually assists their cause. Most answers are 50% to 60% but I believe they can do better. Almost all the charities that my husband and I support give 80% to 90% for what is intended. If it’s any less, I boldly tell them that they can do better. There are no arguments. They know my answer is no unless their structure changes.
I support people helping people and finding people who can accomplish great things
intelligently. The core organizations that I continue to support every year (and add new ones if they pass my “test”) are doing incredible works of Christ here and around the world. And somehow they’re doing it with integrity, dignity, and intelligence. I will also venture to say that they’re relying on prayer and God to get what they need to do it.
As the New Year begins, it’s a clean slate for tax-deductible contributions. As opportunities
present themselves and holidays come and go we can all pray about where God leads us financially to give to those in need. When you give, think about the social responsibility of the charity. Are they being ethical? Can they do better? We can do better to help the most by making our money do the most for God’s people.