Charitable Giving

Is it any wonder that “Study Finds Fewer Donors to Charity” (Dec. 23)? No sooner do I send a check to a worthy cause then I receive another solicitation. Some years ago, as an experiment and to assuage a guilty conscience for tossing out appeals from so many seemingly worthy causes, I sent a small check to every single charity that solicited me in one week. To this day, I am inundated with requests from groups I never knew existed. I suspect that some of the charities gave my name to others.

After reading a Times story about the American Institute of Philanthropy, which watches charities and advises contributors on those that spend most efficiently on charitable work, I joined the organization. The quarterly report gives grades to charities. The best grades go to groups that spend $35 or less to raise $100 and spend 60% of their money on their charitable purpose. Incidentally, shortly after I joined, I was solicited by the AIP for more money.

The heads of some nonprofit organizations are exceedingly well compensated while lesser employees are expected to work long hours for low pay in the name of the cause. Former employees of nonprofits are often extremely critical of the way their organizations use their funds. Given all this, is it any wonder that giving is down?

KAREN HELLER MASON

Los Angeles