3 people found this review helpful
Review from CharityNavigator American National Red Cross
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November 12, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
Far below expectations, did not come to neighborhoods hard hit by Sandy until 11 days after the hurricane hit. A disgraceful organization that spends way to much money on salary and administrative expenses. To date they have raised $117million for Sandy victims and it took them 11 days to show up. In between we also got hit with a nor 'easter where the temperature dropped substantially. NBC interviewed there CEO who earns $565K+ per year about the effectiveness of Sandy Relief Efforts and she replied that they were "Flawless". Their effectiveness is low and I wouldn't give them one brown penny. Clara Barton must be rolling in her grave.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
None
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Unlikely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Badly
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 11, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
Red Cross is a scam!!!so disappointed!!!we were 13 days without power, heat, hot water. Our neighbors brought us food!!! After we got power(3 days ago) I saw Red Cross fancy van driving around telling that they got hot food, what a shame, where were they when we needed them.so angry, and I used to donate money to them.very very disappointed.PS: I live in Staten Island we have 8 boats parked in our street
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 10, 2012
I am a professional, well-trained crime victim volunteer for another nationally renown non-profit, but I had my first experience as a person served by The Red Cross during Hurricane Sandy in October. I can't say enough about the efficient, effective and compassionate care provided to our family by Red Cross volunteers. At every step along the way, from taking our first hot shower in more than two weeks to providing a hot nutritious meal, blankets, water, ice, flashlight batteries and prepared meals. Had we been homeless, we would have had a cot, pillow and blankets to sleep over in a clean over-sized room. The Red Cross was set-up at a high school and had the organizational skills to also enlist students who were studying veterinary technology to volunteer at the designated area caring for the pets of any homeless family. The students not only put their skills to the test, but they also learned about volunteer service. The entire operation was well-organized with knowledgeable and caring volunteers. The volunteers were clearly identifiable with red vests and name tags. There was a well-dressed woman with a name tag who came over to us during our meal and asked us questions to apparently assess if our needs were being met in a timely, effective and courteous way. She had identified herself as a regional directer and was making rounds to all three emergency shelters in the county. Not once were we solicited for money. I had to ASK where I could donate. Only after asking, was I handed a self-addressed envelope to take home. The Red Cross pays 92 cents on the dollar for providing services to the needy. The non-profit I volunteer for, pays a professional fundraiser 40 cents for every dollar the company makes for the non-profit I volunteer for. Of the 60 cents, the first expenditure is for the highly paid administrator salaries, benefits [including pension and severance pay] and advance expense vouchers. That leaves about 20 cents for our services to crime victims. Service programs are cut while executive salaries are increased. Compare how much of each dollar goes to victim services.. Since the Red Cross volunteers who served our area are efficient, effective and truly compassionate and caring, I will be directing my donation to their region. When you SPECIFY that a donation be used for a particular region/service area, every non-profit [including The Red Cross] is required by law to allocate that money to the particular region. It's known as "restricted funds." I had such a positive experience that I may very well volunteer for The Red Cross.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 5, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Where is the web site that will show specifically, where and at what the Red Cross has been effective? Not the general solicitations slogans but facts and figures, by date and events. Perhaps someone can feature what the Red Cross is doing (specifically how many blanks, heaters, shelter, food (not cookies) clean dry clothing etc.) have been provided during the aftermath of Sandy.
I would like to know that things have changed since I was in the armed service.
P.S. The "must select year of experiance" only goes back to 1997. Not far enough for me.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
None
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1997
November 4, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
From personal experience as a pregnant 9/11 widow in New York City, dealing with the RC when I was a traumatized victim was truly the repeated kick in the butt I certainly didn't need since I was already so low down! And even though I had a legal background, it was still exhausting and unpleasant to deal with such incompetent, and sometimes malicious organization.
Unfortunately, as I've followed the Red Cross over the years, always receiving the most funds after catastrophic events, things have changed very little. You can also look at articles by Stephanie Strom of NYTimes. She has documented the RC's misdeeds post disaster again and again.
Please consider donating to organizations that are kind, compassionate, and competent. There are many ones that are worthy. I am truly appalled that so many intelligent good people continue to give their good will to such an unworthy organization.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
No
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Badly
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2004
9 people found this review helpful
October 21, 2012
9 people found this review helpful
I worked with the Red Cross up to this year--and I left on good terms. In my field, I consistently gained recognition for being one of their best. I tell you this to give you some sense that my critique is valid. It is my single hope that this very important organization turns things around because as it stands, the Red Cross is hands down the most unorganized, ill-managed nonprofit I have ever worked with. I have read in other reviews how the Red Cross made service men pay them back, that's not all, the services themselves pay for the military related programs. So yes, the Red Cross is getting paid for that work twice--and it's suppose to be free of charge. The blood program is a for-profit; with the Red Cross Board as shareholders (Did you ever wonder why the CEO and other executives are on the National Board?). The current CEO has been very open that she wants to reorganize in a manner similar to AT&T--and we know how that went in the 90's. I don't want them to close, fail or fall apart. I just want them to open their eyes to what their lack of organization and strategy are doing.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Badly
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
October 1, 2012
7 people found this review helpful
One thing a lot of people may not know, when the Red Cross helps a service member get a flight home for an emergency, they make the service member pay them back for the cost of the plane ticket. In fact, they take payments directly out of the service members pay check. They have easy access working with the DOD I guess.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Some
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Likely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Okay
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1998
September 23, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
Fortunately, I have never had to make use of Red Cross services. They certainly get publicity for their work. I have been giving to them for years. I am pleased to find out that 92% of my donation goes to program costs, but was dismayed when I saw the CEO earns over $500,000.
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Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Unsure
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Likely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
September 20, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I have worked, volunteered, and donated to the Red Cross at the local and National levels. The organization has area for improvement (as does every org I have ever been associated with). The bottom line is: Nobody does it better than the Red Cross. In fact, nobody does what the Red Cross does. Others do it in different areas & at smaller scales. However, The size and scope of this org is absolutely necessary to provide nationwide citizen response to humanitarian emergencies.
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How does this organization compare with others in the same sector?
Very Well
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you recommend this organization to others?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
What is unique about this organization?
Size, Scope, Culture, Volunteer Responsibilities, & Congressional Charter.
August 28, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
When the flood of '97 hit Grand Forks, ND the Red Cross was there for photo ops and not much more. Of all the people I've spoken with the only thing they did was hand out a few gas and hotel vouchers. The main work was done, to my surprise, by the Salvation Army. My mother went to the aid office that they had set up to see what assistance they could get. She was met with form after form and no end in sight. A woman she met there with her kids in tow had been there for two days filling out forms. After each one she had been handed a new one and sent to another line. The woman was at wits end since she desperately needed some form of help but was at the point of leaving. My mother left, not having the time to waste. At the end the Red Cross tried to walk away with half the the money that had been donated for the Red River valley flood. When caught they decided to spend that cash or at least some of it on airing commercials in the area letting everyone know how great they were. One of our state senators called for an audit which to my surprise takes an act of congress. His motion failed so who knows how much money this "charity" pocketed. I certainly hope they are better in other places of the world but after this heart breaking experience I'd rather not give to them
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A little
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1997
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