I asked RedFive “where does the money really go, when you donate to charity?”

March 14, 2012 - PRLog -- . Now I was aware that this was going to be a delicate subject as I knew that RedFive not only supported charities but worked alongside non-profit organisations. But I wasn’t going to let this affect my stance, and the reasoning behind why I didn’t donate to charity.
I certainly didn’t have anything against those that did donate to charity, but felt it was just persons with excessive amounts of money to spare that did donate, be it for tax relief purposes of large companies. As the conversation continued, The Managing Director of RedFive explained their reasoning for wanting to help others and why they worked alongside charities which I found commendable, but I was still adamant it was not going to shift my belief, I did not donate to charity because I didn’t believe that the money went to those in need; and that directors and marketing campaigns etc took up huge chunks of the donation and a minuscule amount went to the actual sufferers.
The Managing Director of RedFive hadn’t tried to persuade me that I needed to donate; I just think it was a defence mechanism that made me blurt out my attack on non-profit organisations. What was surprising was that The Managing Director wasn’t shocked or defensive; he merely smiled and reassured me that he understood, and that it hadn’t been his intention otherwise to alter my stance, but for him this was something that he valued and would continue giving to charities. I on the other hand was cross; I could not understand why he was throwing his money away to such organisations especially as I had just told him that most of it goes to, as I put “The Big Cats”.
Afterwards the Managing Director of RedFive sat with me and shared with me his knowledge and understanding of how the procedure actually works, I thought I had better take note as I had just tried to force my opinion on him; it was only manners to listen especially as he worked closely with such companies so I would suspect he had some insight.
The Managing Director of RedFive explained that like any other organisation, charities have management and support costs, which ensure their development and effectiveness and in any typical year would expect to spend around *5% of their general income on overheads such as finance, human resources, IT, and central management. Charities have employees that need to be paid, bills, and other costs associated with running and marketing that need to be taken care of. Charities are usually very clear about how your money will be spent and what percentage actually goes towards the needy. Some even allow you to track how your money is spent.
The Managing Director of RedFive understood my concern and without trying to sound condescending as he put it, felt maybe I was being a little naive to think that the Charities would be able to pay 100% of money given straight to the needy. He explained that yes a lot of charities have volunteers who give up their time to support a great cause, but that employees were still required to ensure that the right causes and campaigns were being helped, but that all of the profits once expenses are covered go 100% to the cause.
I felt slightly deflated my huge rant about charities keeping all the cash for themselves was clearly just a rant, and maybe possibly something which I had just clung to, in order to justify to myself why I didn’t want to help others. The Managing Director of RedFive hadn’t wanted to make me feel bad, he just enlightened me to the facts; yes of course some money has to go to cover expenses, and yes, some of those expenses are for employees, and some is for marketing. But without those employees and marketing campaigns the message would never reach anyone, and no support would be given.
I guess the message reached me too, if it means that a small percentage of my donation had to go towards overheads and expenses in order for the charity or non-profit organisation to continue to help millions of people then sure that’s an amount I was willing to give, so that it keeps running and keeps helping those who need it most.

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