A “Really Excellent” Charity

Charities are good things.  They provide a way to help those who need help, without getting Big Brother (AKA “the Government”) involved.

And giving to charities is good, too.  Without folks willing to give, there wouldn’t be too many charities.

But if you’re going to give to a charity, you probably should steer clear of those run by people who did time for kidnapping.  Ditto those where less than 9% of donations end up actually going to the charity, with about 85% going instead to a telemarketing/advertising agency.  And those which have their official “headquarters” located in a vacant house owned by the charity’s founder.

Think I’m MSU (Making Stuff Up)?  Think again.  All of the things I’ve described above pertain to the Massachusetts Veterans Emergency Fund, founded by Gerald Anacleto.

That “charity” took in close to $470k in 2010 and 2011.  From that, the charity received just over $40k.

Interestingly enough, both Anacleto and the marking firm he contracted are required to report the percentages retained by marketing to the Massachusetts AG.  But they’re apparently telling folks that “100% goes to veterans” – when the typical “cut” for telemarketers raising funds is around 55%.

At least one complaint has been made to the Massachusetts Stat AG about the Massachusetts Veterans Emergency Fund.  Nothing was done.

And for some reason, the Massachusettes AG – Marsha Coakley – just doesn’t seem to want to discuss the matter.  Hmmmm.

Gotta love Massachusetts.  Apparently it’s OK there to lie about more than just phantom Native American ancestry.

Category: Shitbags