10 people found this review helpful
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., National Office
Invite reviews
Invite friends and colleagues to share their experiences with this nonprofit
June 13, 2011
10 people found this review helpful
SGK started with a great cause and a great goal. The money now goes to office expenses, inflated salaries and luxury travel - oh yeah, and legal fees for frivolous law suits, initiated by SGK . 20% of the funds are used for "the cure". That is false advertising!
SGK is suing, amongst others, a little girls foundation who is trying to help, for the use of the "for the cure" phrase. Give me a break! The use of this phrase doesn't create confusion as Susan G. Komen is the group where the money goes to.
I am disgusted!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
80% of the results go to extremely high salaries and plush offices. There is little to experience.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Cut the staff; Make sure that 80% of the income GOES FOR WHAT YOU ARE ADVERTISING: "FOR A CURE". If you can't do that, close down.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
How did you learn about this organization?
Through false advertisement, law suits. Other than that, its all over the internet and news.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
May 31, 2011
18 people found this review helpful
I signed up to do the SGK 3-day walk for the cure. I was so proud to be able to walk for my mother-in-law who lost her battle with breast cancer on april 4, 2009. I sent the "donate fore me" letters which stated, "help her get to her financial goal." I emphasize "GOAL." I soon realized that I was required to bring in $2,300! Apparently this little nugget is buried in the terms and conditions and forever after noted as a "GOAL." I cannot bring in that kind of money. My friends and family donated and I got to $300, but I don't have the time to campaign the way they want you to. I was appalled to also find out that if I didn't make it to $2,300 by the day of the event, I could give them a credit card for the remainder or just go home. They neither refund any money collected by me or my registration - which is not tax deductible. I found this outrageous and deceptive. They keep my money - received by my family to support me in this event. I basically signed up to be an unpaid fundraiser. I would think any donation and the willingness to walk 60 miles to promote awareness would be thanked....not with SGK. I'm not good enough for their charity. I agree with a former reviewer - I think they lost their way. They have raised nearly 2 billion dollars and there is no cure. If I got breast cancer today, they would treat me the same way they treated my mother-in-law who was diagnosed 10 years ago...poison and mutilation. I am saddened by this charity. They have caused me to lose a little of my fatih in humanity.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
their continued statements of, "it's our policy to not refund registration or donations." and "I cannot authorize a refund."
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Have the President make less than 1/2 a million dollars. I would make more money go to research - the actual purpose of the charity. I would not require a certain amount of donations in order to participate in a charity event. And, if they cling to that requirement - make it the first thing you see on the screen when you sign up to walk. If they did that, I would never have gone any further in the process.
April 11, 2011
I am confused by the reporting here. Perhaps one of you can enlighten me when you say that only 20% is going to "a cure". The definition of the terms i read on this site are as follows:
Glossary
Program Expenses: This measure reflects what percent of its total budget a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver. Dividing a charity's program expenses by its total functional expenses yields this percentage.
Score = Raw Score x 10
Rationale behind score adjustments:
Program Expenses < 33.3%:
Our data shows that 7 out of 10 charities we've evaluated spend at least 75% of their budget on the programs and services they exist to provide. And 9 out of 10 spend at least 65%. We believe that those spending less than a third of their budget on program expenses are simply not living up to their missions. Charities demonstrating such gross inefficiency receive zero points for their overall organizational efficiency score.
As I read this, it means that over 80% of the funds raised by SGK are going to the "programs and services it exists to deliver". Not all of that is for research, as some is for providing mammograms for those unable to pay for them, etc.
Please help me understand your position.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
10 years ago my wife and I used SGK support services for referrals when she was diagnosed
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Stay focused on the cause and less on the legal battles and branding issues. SGK is a well known organization and is not in danger of being confused with other "for a cure" organizations -- it is the Komen name, not the "for a cure".
March 30, 2011
9 people found this review helpful
Unfortunately a lot of people are buying into the press being generated by SGK in regards to their trademarking. As someone who is a part of an organization that has been affected by their "cease and desist" letters for having the words "a cure" in their slogan, I can attest that SGK is in fact man handling smaller organizations and costing them quite a bit of money. While they may not have gone to court over this - because the smaller organizations cannot afford the legal fees and would rather put their money to use in finding a cure - they have threatened these other organizations.
I know many breast cancer survivors who are also against SGK and their actions.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the fact that another group had to completely rebrand their organization to avoid potential lawsuits by SGK for trying to find a cure for their own disease!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make them smaller and remind them of what the mission of this foundation initially was set up for.
March 15, 2011
5 people found this review helpful
Susan K. Komen for the Cure denies that there is any connection between ingestion of BPA and breast cancer, or any other deleterious effect. Please research BPA: if you do, you will find that it is an endocrine disruptor, classified as a xenoestrogen which acts like estrogen on susceptible tissues, such as breast cells; also on developing brain and nervous systems in fetuses, infants and children, because BPA is used to line baby bottles, sippy cups, and similar products. It is also used in the production of disposable water bottles; used to line metal food cans (especially dangerous in the case of acidic food such as tomatoes and sauces which contain tomatoes, because the acidic food leaches more BPA out of the lining and into the food). The Komen organization takes the line of the chemical industry's mouthpiece to say that there is no evidence of a connection. Canada has declared BPA a toxic chemical; many European countries ban its use in baby bottles and similar products. Komen's position is entirely based on marketing, not science. I will never give them another nickel!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Haven't needed it, thank heaven.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Force a very large increase in the percentage of funds it spends on cancer research---is 80% too much? (They now spend just a little over 20%.) Cut the $15,000,000/year payroll and the overlarge salaries of its executives. Require absolute transparency in their grants and awards as well as "overhead" spending.
March 7, 2011
9 people found this review helpful
I have great sympathy with Susan G. Komen's tragic story. I feel that she would be proud of much that her sister and others in the foundation have done in her name. However, perhaps the Foundation is losing its way. Look at some of the Foundation's recent, questionable campaigns. Pink buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken! Bottles of booze with pink ribbons? C'mon! Meats fried in oxidizing vegetable oils? Supporting the sale of liver and nerve toxinsl? I don't think that Susan would be OK with those moves. And tell me what on earth could justify a salary of over half a million dollars for the CEOSGK? A victory over cancer? No, 1 out of 7 women contract cancer and once it metastasizes, stage 4, it is incurable, according to SBK website which begs the question. Has SGK fully investigated All potential cancer cures, or only the mainstream medicine orthodoxy which adheres only to cut, burn and poison cancer sufferers? With nearly 1/2 a Billion Dollars in annual revenue, what percentage, if any is devoted to alternative therapies? Indeed, what would a cure for breast cancer do the the Foundation and especially the fat salaries of its top officers? I wonder.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen the hope SGK gives to cancer sufferers and the great support to their families.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Stay true to the spirit as well as the letter of Susan's mandate to her sister and others who want to help women suffering with breast cancer.
January 31, 2011
10 people found this review helpful
Dylan -
I will say it again. There are several breast cancer research foundations who put over 70% of your donations towards research.
If you can tell me of a way that is not research that will allow us all to find a cure, please enlighten us all.
Komen foundation puts only 20.22% of revenue into "Research For A Cure"
A foundation that has re-aligned every aspect of their business to portrait that they are "For the cure" should put a LOT more than 20.22% of your donation into the only way we will ever find a cure, don't you think?
They spend more money on "other expenses" like office supplies and new leather chairs for fancy offices than they do on Research - that in itself is sickening for a foundation who claims their mission is so unique and so critical that they have to sue other foundations for using the phrase "for the cure".
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Only 20.22% of your donation is spent on Research.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Reduce the $15,000,000++ payroll, eliminate the $5,000,000++ travel expense.
2 people found this review helpful
January 14, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
There are a lot of negative press out there against Susan G. Komen. For my breast cancer fighting advocates, and possible future donors out there, I want to provide some facts about the Susan G. Komen organization as provided by 3rd party non-profit charity site, Charity Navigator. This comes on the heels of the news that SGK is spending fundraising money on lawsuits to defend their trademark, "For the cure" and the color pink. At first, I was appalled at the thought that SGK was spending my hard earned fundraising money on preventing other charities from using their phrase (we're assuming these are legitimate charities of course). I really just want to provide some facts and a couple of articles that were shared to me.
1) Charity Navigator site for SGK
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4509
Without registering for an account you can at least see the current year's analysis. They receive a 4-star rating. The highest CN assigns. I signed up for a free account with CN and that 4-star rating goes back as far as I am able to see with their site which is to 2007. If you're considering donating to another charity, look them up first.
2) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703700904575390950178142586.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_6
A noteworthy snippet follows:
"Other charities say they must aggressively pursue look-alikes because brand confusion costs them sizable donations. A pair of charities dedicated to helping injured veterans has been locked in a three-year court battle over $2.2 million in donations to the website woundedwarriors.org.
Wounded Warriors Inc., an Omaha charity, owned the site. But the Wounded Warrior Project of Jacksonville, Fla., a larger group, contends that scores of its supporters donated money to the site thinking it was going to the Florida charity. In court filings, the Wounded Warrior Project says celebrity endorsements for its group created publicity that prompted donors to mistakenly contribute to the other charity's website."
If you subscribe to that school of thought, is Komen really wasting that money? I ask for the sake of debate.
3) http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20110107/COLUMN0101/101070339/1066/COLUMN
Post your comments. You don't have to agree, but don't jump to conclusion before you have all the facts.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've met people that have been provided mammograms at the expense of the Susan G. Komen organization. That mammogram found breast cancer, and had it not been for the money we raise, they would likely be on their death bed.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Increase the awareness that men can get breast cancer too. While the chances are much less, not many men realize they are at risk too.
5 people found this review helpful
January 4, 2011
5 people found this review helpful
This organization is currently busy suing other charities who are also interested in finding a cure for breast cancer over the words "for a cure". They seem to feel they have a trademark on those words in that order and have spent millions in legal actions to persuade other entities to cease using the phrase, just pathetic. Don't send them a dime.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I walked and raised $2735.00 for this organization. What a waste of my time.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
shut it down
2 people found this review helpful
Review from Guidestar2 previous reviews - show all
November 14, 2010
Would you continue to donate if you knew Komen only puts 20% of your money into research for the cure? I hope not. Find an organization where your money is actually spent on finding a cure. more
December 8, 2010
2 people found this review helpful
Pauline -
Many of the people "involved" with Komen have no idea how the money is actually spent. Sure, you're told certain things. Sure, it feels good to work for a big non-profit. But if you actually READ their 990 forms, it will sicken you.
They give $1,000$ to random people without even having their full name, address, etc. They will label it as "education". But my aunt calls asking for assistance, and is told "we don't give directly to the public". This sickened her and my whole family.
They have over $15,000,000.00 in payroll expense. That sickens me even more. Sure, Komen was founded for great reasons, for great goals. But now it's just a big greed machine, and it's sickening.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Being denied in time of need. Constantly given conflicting information from their staff that makes it too difficult for the average person to undercover the "correct", the "true", and the "accurate" policies, expenditures, and financial history of the company.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Force the foundation to educate their donors about how the money is actually spent. Create a new financial policy that allows donors to give money only to the sector of expense that they choose to - ie: 100% of their donation goes only to research.
November 14, 2010
6 people found this review helpful
Would you continue to donate if you knew Komen only puts 20% of your money into research for the cure? I hope not. Find an organization where your money is actually spent on finding a cure.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
This foundation only puts 20% of your donation into research for the cure.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
This foundation only puts 20% of your donation into research for the cure.
November 4, 2010
Komen gave their CEO a 72,518.00$ pay increase during a "national recession". In 2007 only 23.5% of proceeds was spent on research. In 2008 only 26.73% of proceeds was spent on research. In 2009 they dropped all the way down to 20.22% on research. Stay far away from this organization. You can find other npf's that will put a much greater percentage of their proceeds into actually researching and curing this disease.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Most people just want their t-shirt from the race, their picture from the race, or the pretty pink bow on the products they buy. It makes them "feel good" and they don't look into what is actually going on in Komen's financials.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Komen currently spends 22.58% on "expenses", salaries, telemarketing, professional advisors. They only spent 20.22% on researching the cure. When your national campaign is "For the cure" - you would expect that the biggest portion of your donation would be put into "the cure", and the only way to find a cure is to conduct research. Komen needs to get all board members together, create a projected budget which includes dropping the salaries of their officers and increasing the funds put into research.
Filter by reviewer role:
- Volunteer88
- Client Served7
- Expert32
- Public202
- Board Member0
- Donor334
- Advisor2
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews