Tampa Bay Times
Several local nonprofits ranked high on a list of “worst charities” as rated by the Tampa Bay Times and the Center for Investigative Reporting.
Land O' Lakes residents might want to take note when they pick up the phone and there’s a nonprofit asking for donations on the other end of the line.
Eleven Florida charities made the Tampa Bay Times and the Center for Investigative Reporting’s “America’s Worst Charities” list. Five of the worst are Tampa Bay-based organizations.
One local charity, Kids Wish Network out of Holiday, is the worst of the worst when it comes to actually passing on the money it raises to the people it reports to help. The Times and the Center came together to research charities throughout the country. The result is the list of the Top 50 “worst” charities.
Over a 10-year period of available tax filings, the network had solicitors raise $127.8 million on its behalf. Those same solicitors were paid $109.8 million, according to the Times report.
“Every year, Kids Wish Network raises millions of dollars in donations in the name of dying children and their families,” an article on the Times says. “Every year, it squanders almost every penny.”
Other Tampa Bay Charities on the List:
International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO from Sarasota
Project Cure, Bradenton
Children’s Charity Fund, Sarasota
Defeat Diabetes Foundation, Maderia Beach
Florida Charities on the List:
American Association of State Troopers, Tallahassee
Woman to Woman Breast Cancer Foundation, Lauderdale Lakes
Disabled Police Officers of America Inc., Niceville
Firefighters Assistance Fund, Punta Gorda
Firefighters Burn Fund, Chiefland
Disabled Police Officers Counseling Center, Niceville
