18 people found this review helpful
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER FOUNDATION INC
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May 19, 2012
18 people found this review helpful
Sites like this one are invaluable in filtering out scams such as the ASDF. My story is precisely as those below, and you don't have time while on the phone with them to check out the fund raiser. So I volunteered and then did my research on the charity afterward. Needless to say, I won't be bothering my neighbors with solicitations from this rip-off.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
17 people found this review helpful
May 15, 2012
17 people found this review helpful
I wish I had done my research earlier. But I was very busy and it didn't cross my mind. I am embarrassed that I sent requests to my neighbors and am glad none returned money. I guess they're smarter than me. I wrote the check for the whole amount and was going to mail it when something just didn't seem right. I think it was because they put such a low amount for our goal ($45). I thought if it was a scam, even that low amount from a lot of people could make a bunch. It's a shame that the numbers aren't reversed - 7-15% to administration and the rest for the people who need it. Ripping up the envelope and check, but I lost the value of my stamps.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
19 people found this review helpful
May 14, 2012
19 people found this review helpful
because i have an autistic grandson, i volunteered to distribute flyers to for this organization's ongoing funding campaign...good thing i checked up on them before i spoke with my friends and neighbors....WHAT A RIP OFF!!! ANYWHERE FROM 80 TO 84% OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS GO TO FUND RAISING AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS....if you are concerned about autism and want to raise awareness, stick to organizations such as AUTISM SPEAKS, where you can help make a difference....gaioh@earthlink.net
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
34 people found this review helpful
April 12, 2012
34 people found this review helpful
I thought I would help out for a good cause and thought I better vet this organization before signing my good name and asking for donations on their behalf. Glad I did and just before applying postage. My first impulse was, "how can I help" then my second impulse was to make sure this organization was legit. Sad, we have to be so careful to avoid being taken advantage of.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
24 people found this review helpful
December 14, 2011
24 people found this review helpful
I like many others volunteered to distribute donation materials to my neighbors. I'm very glad I didn't apply the stamps to envelopes before reading your evaluations.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
19 people found this review helpful
October 24, 2011
19 people found this review helpful
We received a packet and checked them out on CharityWatch. org. They rated ASDF an " F ". ASDF spends 84 cents out of every $ 1.00 collected for administrative and other expenses!!! Outrageous - they purport to be non-profit but hire a for- profit fund raising company to solicit funds. Don't fall for the scam. Check them out!!! They are screwing things up for the legitimate charities.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
making me disgusted that people like the ASDF exist and prey on children and familoies who have enough stress in theri lives.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Take them to court!!!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Move to China.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Makes me sick that people try to profit off of childrens unfortunate medical condition.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Sick
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
23 people found this review helpful
October 7, 2011
23 people found this review helpful
I volunteered to distribute a small mailing about this organization in my neighborhood. Another professional fundraising organization - InfoCision
Management Corp. - sent me the mailing package. One of the items in the mailing was a card that identified the states that required notification to potential donors about the financial results related to the charity and the professional fundraiser associated with it. On the Vermont attorney general's site I found very disturbing information about this particular professional fundraiser. In many cases - for many well known charitable organizations - this fundraiser returned to the charity less than 50% of the money that individuals had donated. I have decided not to proceed with the solicitations to my neighbors.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
urge it to not use its current Professional Fundraiser.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Unlikely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Somewhat badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Use direct solicitation.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
left me skeptical of professional fundraising orgs. and charities that use them.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
ineffective.
8 people found this review helpful
September 19, 2011
8 people found this review helpful
I first heard of ASDF when someone questioned me about their fundraising program. I then learned from the website that they fund camps for children with autism. We applied for and receivedover $10,000 to use to fund needy campers at our summer learning lab camp in Penascola, FL. They have also enabled us to support two needy families with basic funds for housing during a period of critical need. Additionally, ASDF has provided funds to support families in need at Christmas through our local organization. I am aware that they fund swimming programs, and therapies as well as camps. We are very grateful for the work of ASDF.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Our area is one of the poorest in Florida. The families ASDF allowed us to support would not have been able to be a part of our summer camp without these funds. The two families helped with basic needs were at their wits end about how to continue when we were able to step in and use ASDF funds to make a difference.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
get more awareness of the good work they do. The high fundraising cost is because they use a professional fundraiser to make this happen. I think with time, this cost will go down.
33 people found this review helpful
July 27, 2011
33 people found this review helpful
I volunteered to ask my neighbors to donate to the ASDF when I was called (on the phone) by one of their reps. Before sending out the envelopes I "goggled" some info. From State of WA documents on ASDF and their contracted fund-raising companies. From the data provided to the State of WA my calculations indicate that out of every dollar about 9 to 17 cents goes to the charity. Looking at the ASDF web site does not indicate what the final funds are used for.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I did the research. I almost became a part of this farce.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Close it.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Close their store.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
A negative experience.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Angry
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
20 people found this review helpful
July 23, 2011
20 people found this review helpful
As a social worker with training in the Autism field, I have serious concerns about the legitimacy of this particular organization. They have never completed Better Business (BBS) forms for investigational rankings; they are a marketing company doing "Sweepstakes"mailings which are known for bilking (especially elder) consumers and only a fraction of what is taken in actually goes to 'donations' for autism related assistance, the rest goes to company executives salary. Check out CharityNavigator.com
Using the term "Autism" in it's name, allows it to be mistaken for other similar organizations who actually DO contribute substantial assistance for families struggling with autism.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My 87 yr old parents were 'sweepstakes' victims.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Disband this group of scammers.
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