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| CHARITABLE GIVING WITH
LOW ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS
Provided By: Rellis Smith
Republished: 05/01/11
Due to the fact that there has been so many disasters over the last few years, Town Biz 101 is republishing and probably will keep you updated on the "Charitable Giving With Low Administrative Costs Column".
For concerned donors who want to know which charities might be best to avoid, check out MainStreet's look at the charities with the highest admin costs and the 15 highest-paid charity CEOs. Here, we look at the opposite: the best charities in the country.
Brother's Brother Foundation
Administrative Expenses: 0.0%
The Brother's Brother Foundation is the only group on our last that recorded 0.0% administrative expenses, but it is not the only one on CharityNavigator to do so. It is, however, the only group with 0% administrative overhead to receive a four-star rating from the group, a testament to the difficulty of providing quality service with such a low administrative cost. The group spends about $500,000 a year on administrating its programs, which is nothing considering the group's budget is over $1 billion.
One of the oldest groups on our list, Brother's Brother was founded in 1958 and its long history has enabled it to efficiently distribute donated medical, agricultural, educational and humanitarian supplies to people in over 140 countries.
Matthew 25: Ministries
Administrative Expenses: 0.1%
While not the only group to embrace the "one man's trash" principle of collecting used items in the U.S. to be distributed to needy communities abroad, Matthew 25: Ministries is arguably the best at it. The 20-year-old group has received consistent praise for efficiently managing its annual budget of around $80,000, which it does by relying on volunteers and partners in business to keep costs down. The group "rescues" and reuses products it receives from hospitals, manufacturers, individuals and major corporations to help people around the world meet their basic needs, from Cincinnati to the Caribbean.
MAP International
Administrative Expenses: 0.1%
MAP International, short for "Medical Assistance Programs", has a long history of four-star ratings from CharityNavigator for its consistently efficient administration of its programs. The Christian group has been around for over 55 years, providing medicine and community health solutions to communities in need of disaster relief as well as longer-term assistance. With a budget around $400,000, the group's low administrative costs are a point of pride for many of its donors, who will be proud to see MAP International at number three on the list.
CIS Development Foundation
Administrative Expenses: 0.1%
For those who don't know, the CIS, or Commonwealth of Independent States, is the name given to the collection of former Soviet republics that gained independence after the breakup of the U.S.S.R. in the early 1990s. The CIS Development Foundation, an American group based in New Jersey, promotes economic development in places like Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Estonia, and several others under a philosophy that it's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish to eat for a day. The group's slogan emphasizes that its purpose is "not to feed, but to help in the production of food; not to clothe, but to help in the production of clothing." It does so, with very little administrative overhead, by providing humanitarian aid and technical training to partners in Eastern Europe. [Why It's Best to Give Close to Home]
The Aims Project
Administrative Expenses: 0.1%
With its U.S. operation based in California, the AIMS Project supports the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in Kerala, India, channeling donations of equipment and expertise to the hospital in India so that it may work towards continued innovations in local medical care. Managing a budget of around $5 million, the AIMS Project is able to make every penny count, earning it its first four-star rating from CharityNavigator in 2009.
The Foodbank of Southern California
Administrative Expenses: 0.1%
A regional group that operates in only half of a state, the Foodbank of Southern California secures donations of food for soup kitchens and distribution centers in the disadvantaged parts of Watts, South Central Los Angeles, Compton, and North Long Beach. The group has secured two consecutive four-star ratings, and its 0.1% administrative costs ensure that the approximately $50,000 budget is used efficiently.
Help the Children
Administrative Expenses: 0.1%
Moving into the realm of next-to-nothing administrative costs, Help the Children spends only 0.1% of its total functional expenses on furthering its Christian relief efforts. As the name implies, the group seeks to provide basic needs and combat hunger for children in the U.S. and abroad who have fallen victim to environmental disasters or the global financial crisis. Using partnerships with popular businesses like Chick-Fil-A and Chuck E. Cheese's, the group hopes to give the younger generation the tools to succeed.
Center for Neighborhood Enterprise
Administrative Expenses: 0.2%
Some people forget that the same sustainable methods that work in international development projects work in the United States just as well. This is the position of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, a group based in Washington D.C. that was created in 1981, provides training to community leaders in 39 U.S. states to empower local schools and neighborhoods to spearhead their own efforts. With its administration expenses down to their lowest levels ever, the Center for Neighborhood Enterprises received a four-star rating from CharityNavigator.
[How to Give to Charity Without Sending Money]
International Children's Fund
Administrative Expenses: 0.2%
Singularly focused on needy children in Africa, the International Children's Fund uses a network of local missionaries and partners to personally ensure that its donations of food, clothing and medicine get to where they are needed most. Just in time for the holidays, this Christian group is currently pursuing an initiative for donors to fill a shoebox with gifts that will be sent directly to an orphanage in Liberia.
Operation Blessing International
Administrative Expenses: 0.2%
Based in Virginia, Operation Blessing International is a faith-based relief organization with projects in the U.S. and all over the world. With four-star ratings for the last three years and a budget of over $400 million, the group focuses on disaster relief and community development everywhere. Its video-heavy website promotes the efforts of its volunteers, who lead many of OBI's programs.
Found on the Web… Thanks Bill Gates.
Rellis Smith
rellis39@sbcglobal.net
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| COMMUNITY CRIME ALERT SUBSTANTIAL
INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES
DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF '11
Ventura Police Department
Posted: 04/01/11
During the first three months of 2011, the Ventura Police Department (VPD) has seen a substantial increase in the number of reported residential burglaries committed throughout the City of Ventura. From January 1 through March 31, 2011, VPD has responded to 106 Calls For Service (CFS) involving residential burglaries. This represents a 47% increase during the same time period last year.
Most significance is that more than 72% (76 incidents) occurred during the daytime hours, and 61% (65 incidents) were the result of doors, windows, or garage doors, being left open or unlocked.
As far as the individuals committing the crimes, it varies from re-offending parolees, juveniles, drug offenders, or even individuals who live in other cities that come into Ventura to commit these types of crimes.
In some cases, there may only be one suspect responsible for the commission of the crime; however, VPD believes the majority of individual(s) committing these types of burglaries work in groups of two to four people.
Typically, one person drives into a neighborhood and drops the others off. They then go door to door pretending to sell magazines or offers of handyman/contracting type services to anyone who is home. When they don't get an answer, they walk around to the side yards or backyards.
First, they look for open doors, windows, garage doors, or even doggy doors to gain entry through. As a last resort, they will break a small window to gain access. The suspect(s) typically look for easy items to grab and walk away with, e.g., money, small electronics, laptop computers, jewelry, personal documents, guns, etc. Once they have them in hand, they will call their partner who is driving the vehicle and coordinate to have them picked up.
Patrol officers, detectives, and our Crime Analysis Unit are working diligently and have made multiple arrests over the last few months of individuals. Our Detectives, primarily our Street Crimes Unit (SCU), which focuses on these types of crimes, continue to target known and repeat property crime offenders and identify the individuals responsible.
As shown on the map at: http://local.nixle.com/city-of-ventura---police-department/, the incidents are wide spread; however, we continue to work to try and identify any patterns that may emerge, or particular areas of focus, and we utilize predictive forecasting when available. We also provide extra patrol, when we can, to areas that may be affected.
Investigations are ongoing and arrests of individuals are made as evidence and investigations move forward.
Nobody is immune to crime; however, there are steps you can take to help make a substantial difference.
- First and foremost, we urge everyone to be vigilant and responsible neighbors and community members. Please, immediately report any and all suspicious activity to us at (805) 650-8010 (24 hr. non-emergency number) or 911 in the event of an emergency.
- Please, report suspicious subjects knocking at your front door and all solicitors that appear to be suspicious or unlicensed. (Please note: door-to-door sales people in the City of Ventura must have a business license issued by the City and to have registered in person with our department. The following link provides information on door-to-door permits, licenses, and the process. http://www.cityofventura.net/businesslicense#door )
- Always lock and close your doors and windows, yes, even when you're home.
- Do not leave your garage door open or unlocked if you are not in the immediate area.
- Set your alarm if you have one.
- Install quality locks on doors and windows.
- Lighting is one of the best deterrents to burglary - indoor and outdoor lighting is important.
- Don't let strangers into your home - this includes workers and others - if you are not with them or do not know them.
- Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors and get involved in a Neighborhood Watch Program.
- Connect and keep up with our department as we issue crime alerts, press releases, crime maps, and other valuable crime and safety information at: http://rtown.biz/news_street_talk.html and/or by following us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/venturapd , via Nixle at: http://local.nixle.com/city-of-ventura---police-department/ or visit our website at: www.venturapd.org .
Working together we can make a difference in our community.
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