Buff Scott Jr.
Junior
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2023
- Messages
- 531
- Reaction score
- 146
- Points
- 43
Charitable Hustlers & Panhandlers
A few decades ago, while living in Iowa, I did a little research on a few of the leading charitable/benevolent organizations. I targeted one in particular and discovered the bulk of their contributions went for overhead—namely, the annual salaries of the Executives and other high-up Employees. The annual salaries of the Executives were astounding! Only a small percentage of donations went to the advertised purposes. I wrote a column in the local newspaper and exposed them.
For decades I have advocated the need to challenge these charitable/benevolent organizations, distinctly the religious fraternities, for they solicit and receive millions and millions of tax-free donations annually. Indeed, most of them are questionable. A few are honorable and deserve our contributions, but only after we research their donations and funds and how they are spent. I investigated one charitable/religious group and discovered that only 5-7 percent of contributions were going for the genuinely destitute. A good 90-95 percent filled the wealthy pockets of their Managers and Overseers.
Among the most recent frauds was the SantaCon Fraud (2026). Stefan Pildes, Chairman, marketed SantaCon as a fundraiser for arts and hunger relief. Between 2019 and 2024, the event raised roughly $2.7 million from ticket sales. He used the funds for a “slush fund” to pay for 1] Renovations to a New Jersey lakefront property, 2] Luxury vacations to Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Vail, 3] and a luxury vehicle and expensive meals. A jury will decide his fate. Prison will probably be his long-term home. Good!
The Bottom Line
Contribute, yes, to worthy and bona fide causes, if you can afford to do so, but I suggest only after you have investigated, especially if it is a religious entity. Ask for financial documents from the Organization’s Head person and, if denied, notify your State Regulators, such as your State Attorney General’s Office or other appropriate State Offices. To do otherwise is to join the sucker game by “investing” your money in the pregnant coffers of wealthy panhandlers.
