Smile Train, Inc.
February 2, 2012
I was waiting in the doctor’s office for my appointment and came across a magazine article for Smiletrain. I was so touched I wanted to donate right away. I just wanted to quickly make sure it was a legitimate charity. After finding out how much the CEO makes a year it was actually possible that I could have over looked it . However I then read a review from someone that was actually trying to make possible donators like me feel guilty by downplaying that Hugh CEO salary and quilting me by stories such as - "what If I where the next child in line for the surgery but the donations ran out". And then thankfully that stupid review snapped me out of my crazy thought process. Because If I where the next child in line for surgery and the donations ran out from people like me that make $28K a year I would have been heartbroken and crushed by a greedy evil CEO. I will continue my search for a charity that is just that a charity.
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When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1999
1 person found this review helpful
February 2, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
We must not discontinue our support of this incredible charity because of the CEO'S salary increase. I assure you the way he built up smile train, he deserves it. But think of it this way.....even if we assume (and there always are) that there is greed and waste within the charity, what if you were the next child in line to recieve this surgery and were told "Thats it until next year as all our funds are now allocated." What if because you held back your donation, a child is left in disgerace, deformaty and despair. Look, every charity has questionable things about it. But we KNOW for sure this charity saves lives. I will continue to donate $250 each year even if they were to use 50% of that money in expenses! Why? Because every time a person holds back money, somewhere a child suffers. There will be greed and misuse of funds wherever you donate. I personally would rather be dead than to live in a third world country looking deformed and being kept in the house like an animal. We educated people must help. period! And if you dont trust them financially, find out how you can volunteer one summer and perhaps work in one of their offices or hospitals. I am unemployed and feel if I can change one life with my donation, my life will have truly counted. And no I have no affiliation with Smile train. If you dont like this group, "The Heifers" who give money to starving villagers to buy small animals is the next best IMHO. My only beef with this charity is they dont stop soliciting. Too pushy. I donate via check and leave my address off and request they dont mail me anything. I wonder why they do that? Who benefits? Do they own the marketing agency that does the mailings? Still....we must help these forgotten children of the world. I also do this in memory of my mother who passed recently and she donated only to this charity every year.
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Was your donation impactful?
Unsure
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Likely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Likely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
January 24, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Is smile train aware that someone is calling and not saying anything then hanging up? i am getting these calls once a week and if they dont stop i am going to the better business . the reason i know it s mile train is because i tried calling the numbers back. there is no reason to do this except to give the smile train a bad name. the numbers are 1-866-223-6830 and 1-866-223-7166.
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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?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Unsure
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
7 people found this review helpful
January 3, 2012
7 people found this review helpful
There has been a "shake up" at Smile Train, and their highly paid director is gone. (I don't know what his replacement makes.) In the past, Smile Train has claimed that ALL administrative expenses were paid by wealthy board members, and that NONE of the donated funds went to administrative expense. I assumed that was true. I asked them for a project to fund with my Mom's life savings which I inherited. They came up with a project in India which built an addition to a hospital they use, added a radiology department (including purchasing x-ray machine) outfitted a blood bank and hematology department, and outfitted a pathology department. This was done for $85,000. I thought that was a huge amount to do for that cost. I bet you couldn't buy the x-ray machine here alone for that. Some of the equipment purchased is now the only such equipment in a state of India with 35 million people. I have found their field personnel to be outstanding, and good stewards of funds.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
5 people found this review helpful
January 2, 2012
5 people found this review helpful
I'm an RN, and I have worked with newborns with cleft lips and palates. Most often, this defect is a complete surprise. There are often feeding issues, so it's a difficult time for the families The first surgery in this country is usually done at 3 months of age, and I am always amazed how good the kids look after just one surgery. Luckily kids in this country are treated, not the case in third world countries. I understand that this is not just a genetic defect, but is also related to poor diet. I totally agree that the CEO salary is ridiculous, but the work that is done is essential. I don't know how they manage to perform the kind of work that they do at so little cost. Just imagine how many more surgeries could be done if he cut his salary!
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
4 people found this review helpful
December 21, 2011
4 people found this review helpful
I have supported Smile Train at the request of my childern for over 5 years with an annual donation of $250 for one surgery annually in honor of my kids. While I agree that mailings are out of hand and should be reduced, overall the mission is noble and the organzation does a LOT OF GOOD. As a scientist, I concur with an earlier post that indicates that this may be an exercise in futility due to genetics; however, the fact remains that the affected children will lead extremely difficult lives without the corrective surgery. As far as the outrageous salary of the former director - he is the FORMER director. Take a look at the spread of money under the new leadership - 82.2% goes directly to the progam execution, 16.9% to fundraising/advertising (I think this could be reduced if they elimanate the unwanted mailings), and 0.9% to management and overhead. That is actually quite good when compared to other charities - even Heifer International has a fundraising/advertising percentage of over 20.3%. This is once again a solid charitable organization doinf good things worldwide.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Reduce advertising budget and stop the unwanted mailings - it just upsets potential donors.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
Request of my children 5 years ago.
Why did you make your donation at this time?
Christmas gift
What would you tell others about this organization?
Look at the pictures - they a worht a thousand words. Research and make your own decision whether the mission and objectives of Smile Train meet with your intentions.
3 people found this review helpful
December 13, 2011
3 people found this review helpful
The seemingly endless supply of children with clefts is because the cleft is most often caused by a defective gene that is passed from generation to generation. Until steps are taken to prevent the passing forward of the gene by the same people who are being COSMETICALLY repaired the whole project is an exercise in futility. I cannot contribute to such a business until an ultimate solution to the problem is presented and implemented.
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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?
2011
2 people found this review helpful
September 19, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
Well I dont see the CEO being paid $640,000. But I do question why if they raise over 100 million they can only give away 35 million. Their expeses seem to be way out of line. Thats only my thought.
I do support their mission for these unfortunate kids.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have not.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Lower expenses.
4 people found this review helpful
June 21, 2011
4 people found this review helpful
I am the Prevention Coordinator at Central Park East Middle school located in East Harlem. One of our students saw an infomercial and wanted to help. After getting permission from the Principal she then recruited her Board of Directors (advisors as well as other service learning students (Peer leaders) whose job it is to do monthly community service activities to assist her in her endeavor. All parties involved never expected to raise the funds they did but with the inspiration from one student it became contagious that she had the entire school community involved. Her board held dress down days. Healthy snack sales a book fair and a Valentine's Day sweetheart drive. One of our big contributers was Common Cents (Penny harvest) and with the other various service activities we were able to raise a nice amount of money to the SMILE TRAIN organization. It was also an honor to have two representatives from SMILETRAIN to actually come to our school to pick up the check at our Check Ceremony and to also hear how the students got involved in the service activities. It was a great learning experience for all.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing that young people can know that they can make a difference.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Change nothing.
7 people found this review helpful
June 18, 2011
7 people found this review helpful
I love kids and I donate to St. Jude and Feed the Children. I was shocked and heartbroken to find out that the co-founder & President takes home over $640,000 per year. I can't donate to pay for his lavish salary. It's too bad that he is so greedy.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
No place
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Lower the CEO's compensation to $200,000 per year.
More feedback...
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
What would you tell others about this organization?
The CEO takes homeover $640,000 per year!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
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