Our 'local' MS society is relocating and downsizing due to funding issues and though they cover south australia (population 1.5million) and northern territory (pop. 220000), that's all we have.
They're losing staff, a pool, premises, outreach, OT's, counsellors and the CEO.
I had a look at their information and see they raised about $4million dollars last year.
Now bearing in mind there are 'only' 15000 people in the whole of australia with MS (pop. 22million), i'm struggling to see where they've gone wrong in their business plan here. I don't receive any support from them, so that's one less for them to worry about.
Yesterday I got more details of their downgrading plans and a donation letter/payslip, asking for money to help them refurbish their new building !!!
I don't mind giving if I know where it goes but I'm pretty strapped myself right now. Are they asking the wrong people for money?

The only time I was offered support was to find another job. My 'consultant' laughed that she hadn't found anyone a job in 6 months !!
They've rung me twice. that's a dollar's worth.
I've asked for their expenditure details before I donate. I want to know how much goes where.

Is that ok of me do you think? Am I being stupid here?
Are you confident when you donate it goes to the people who need it?

In America we have NON profit, and NOT for profit. Different animals. What is the difference?

A nonprofit organization can be one like Kiwanis or a scholarship fund that does charitable work. Most of the staff are volunteer. 501(c) 3 organizations are nonprofits. A museum is a nonprofit; it has no share holders, may have paid staff, but mainly relies on donations and grants. Donations to them are tax deductible.

A not-for-profit business is another matter. Credit unions are not-for-profit. Members are to receive the income earned by the organization after expenses - overhead, for example - but there are no share holders. Members receive the proceeds in relation to their investment or savings. Interest on loans is typically lower than at a for-profit bank since the goal is not to make money for the shareholders. You do not make donations to a not-for-profit. It is still a business, not a charity. Many community hospitals are not-for-profit. Paul Newman's company that sells salsa, popcorn, peanut butter, etc. is also a not-for-profit organization. All proceeds from sales goes to charity (after expenses).

So they are similar but not the same even if some would tell you otherwise.


Its important to ASK! Where is my money going? How much of my money is going towards research, and how much is going towards maintenance of the pool? How many PAID staff do you have, and where can I find out what their salaries are? do they have a misson statement? Many non profits declare that 80 cents on every dollar goes directly towards patient programs, but a closer look will show that 35 cents of that dollar goes to pay for the staff that attend such events, then 25 cents goes towards over head, and another 15 cents goes for advertising of themselves. That leaves much less than stated going to the patient programs.

Good for you to check it out! Be picky! send your money to where its going to do the most good for the MS patients.

Do you get the newsletters from the MS society Pud's friend? The annual end-of-year financial version always has the financial details in it, but I must admit that I'm rather remiss in checking through the details.

I know where my money goes. I give a hundred bucks a year and they send me 52/6 = about 8 annual renewal reminders. My donation goes to the US postal service and the NMSS printing company...

I do volunteer every year at the local MS150 bike event. This donation - I know where it goes, and it feels good.

Tom