National Relief Charities

I am writing this note in behalf of National Relief Charities. We appreciate your note. You can find a pie chart showing how much is spent on helping those in need on page 15 of our 2010 annual report at http://www.nrcprograms.org/site/DocServer/2010_Annual_Report.pdf?docID=3062. In addition to the pie chart, that page shows that over $30 million a year goes to helping those in need. Our entire operating expenses and salaries (for over 300 people) cost only 2%. You also mentioned receiving a number of packages. If, at any time, you would like to receive fewer packages, just contact our donor relations team and let them know which programs you'd like to receive mail for and how often you'd like to be contacted. If you opt to become a monthly donor, that would also help reduce your mailings. The phone number is 800-416-8102. Thanks again.

Thanks for your note. As mentioned elsewhere, the BBB standard for charity accountability is 68%. Over 70% of donations go toward National Relief Charities programs. Only 2% of income goes toward administration. We test all of our mail packages to determine whether it is more cost-effective to mail with, or without, a premium, and we only use premiums when it makes sense to do so. We also wish to point out that Charity Navigator and Guidestar agree that financial ratings are not the most important thing in evaluating a charity. You can read their comments in this article: http://www.charityevaluator.com/pdf/Worst_Way_to_Pick_A_Charity_Dec_1_2009.pdf. Instead, they say effectiveness is most important, and the people we serve say that NRC is highly effective. We realize that you may not understand this or agree with it. But we are always striving to control fundraising costs and to maximize our service levels and outcomes. Thanks again.

I am writing this note in behalf of National Relief Charities. We are always glad to hear from anyone who supports our work. You said that the use of gifts (premiums or give-aways) such as non-rechargeable batteries in foam packaging appears to be wasteful. It’s not easy to explain how fundraising works, but we want to assure you that we wouldn't send out batteries or other gifts in direct mail unless it was cost-effective. You may find this hard to believe, but it's a fact: We raise more money by doing this than we spend to include the gifts. Nonprofit author and consultant Mal Warwick is a fundraising expert and, in his book, he confirms that gifts are often effective tools for getting people to donate. We've also tested our direct mail packages that include such gifts and found that, although they cost a tiny bit more, they raise more funds to support our cause, making them very cost-effective. The true cost that drives up the cost of direct mail fundraising is postage. Striving to keep our costs as low as possible while attracting more supporters and raising more money is always a priority for us, and it's a fine line that many nonprofits have to grapple with. In 2010, our fundraising was right around 25%, the standard set by Charity Navigator. Again, thanks for your note and your concern.

I am posting this comment in behalf of National Relief Charities. Over 70% of our donations go toward programs, which exceeds the BBB standard for charity accountability. Only 2% of income goes toward administration. You may view our 2010 Annual Report and our Effectiveness Report here on Great Nonprofits or in our press room at http://www.nrcprograms.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_facts. We also wish to point out that Charity Navigator and Guidestar agree that financial ratings are not the most important thing in evaluating a charity - effectiveness is most important, and the people we serve say that NRC is highly effective. You can read the charity ratings article at http://www.charityevaluator.com/pdf/Worst_Way_to_Pick_A_Charity_Dec_1_2009.pdf.

I am posting this comment in behalf of National Relief Charities. We respect each person's right to support the charities of their choosing, but we also feel it is important to share some current and accurate information about NRC. Over 70% of NRC donations goes toward programs, which exceeds the BBB standards for charity accountability. Only 2% of our income goes toward administration, including 5 offices and over 300 salaries. Our cost of fundraising ranges from 24 to 27%, the majority of which is for postage. You may view our 2010 Annual Report and our Effectiveness Report under our profile here on the Great Nonprofits site or in our press room at http://www.nrcprograms.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_facts. We recognize that donors have a right to expect a good return on their investment, i.e., meaningful change in communities or people’s lives. You feel that we are not doing this - our Program Partners think otherwise. In last year's annual survey, they said: * NRC has helped Program Partners to a great extent be more effective with their program goals: 86% * NRC has helped Program Partners to a great extent in providing a higher quality of service: 84% * NRC has saved Program Partners to a great extent in funding that they can use in other areas of their program: 81% * Program Partners are more than satisfied with the support they get from NRC to achieve a positive working relationship: 86% It is also important that for the past 2 years Charity Navigator has been in the process of changing their rating system because it doesn't provide enough information for donors who are relying on it to make giving choices. In fact, the CEOs of Charity Navigator and Guidestar agree that financial ratings are not the most important thing about a charity - effectiveness is most important. An article stating their opinions is online at http://www.charityevaluator.com/pdf/Worst_Way_to_Pick_A_Charity_Dec_1_2009.pdf. It seems that you may wish to be removed from our fundraising list. If so, please send an email to PR@nrc1.org. For more general information, visit www.nrcprograms.org.

I am posting this comment in behalf of National Relief Charities. We respect each person's right to support the charities of their choosing, but we also feel it is important to share some current and accurate information about NRC. Over 70% of NRC donations goes toward programs, which exceeds the BBB standards for charity accountability. Only 2% of our income goes toward administration, including 5 offices and over 300 salaries. Our cost of fundraising ranges from 24 to 27%, the majority of which is for postage. You may view our 2010 Annual Report and our Effectiveness Report under our profile here on the Great Nonprofits site or in our press room at http://www.nrcprograms.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_facts. We recognize that donors have a right to expect a good return on their investment, i.e., meaningful change in communities or people’s lives. You feel that we are not doing this - our Program Partners think otherwise. In last year's annual survey, they said: * NRC has helped Program Partners to a great extent be more effective with their program goals: 86% * NRC has helped Program Partners to a great extent in providing a higher quality of service: 84% * NRC has saved Program Partners to a great extent in funding that they can use in other areas of their program: 81% * Program Partners are more than satisfied with the support they get from NRC to achieve a positive working relationship: 86%. It is also important that for the past 2 years Charity Navigator has been in the process of changing their rating system because it doesn't provide enough information for donors who are relying on it to make giving choices. In fact, the CEOs of Charity Navigator and Guidestar agree that financial ratings are not the most important thing about a charity - effectiveness is most important. An article stating their opinions is online at http://www.charityevaluator.com/pdf/Worst_Way_to_Pick_A_Charity_Dec_1_2009.pdf. It seems that you may wish to be removed from our fundraising list. If so, please send an email to PR@nrc1.org. For more general information, visit www.nrcprograms.org.