pesky’apostrophe: always better than an unexpected period.
As a professional fundraiser, when I’m giving my own money to charities I look to see who has the best reputation. Who do I trust to spend that money well and wisely? Who do I trust to distribute services fairly and quickly? Who operates with transparency?
In the case of natural disasters, the Red Cross is first on my list. And apparently FEMA feels the same way. Their list of places to donate has Red Cross way up at the top of the list. But take a look at the third listing down. See that—Operation Blessing. That is Pat Robertson’s charity. He’s the chairman of the board. And, well, let’s just say Operation Blessing does not have a particularly good reputation.
Yes, having Robertson for a chairman is a bit of an albatross. But in addition to that, the charity has a relationship with Robertson’s African diamond mine. Pilots hired to do humanitarian work instead carted crap for the mine. Operation Blessing has been criticized for completely screwing up many of the humanitarian efforts it does undertake and proselytizing while people were in need of help. In addition, in 2001 Operation Blessing made some purchases that are suspect for a ‘humanitarian’ agency – about $1 million on Splenda and more than $10.4 million on candy and panty hose. And did I mention the $2 million grant to Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network?
But most of all, I’m suspicious because of Operation Blessing’s total budget of $36 million [1999 is the only year I could find these figures for], operating costs were over $11 million. If the agency you’re giving your money to spends more than around 13% on operating costs, run the other way. There’s something not quite right going on.
You know, every agency has its scandals. But usually after those scandals break, the agency gets new leadership. That didn’t happen here.
It’s scandalous that FEMA would direct people to give money to Operation Blessing. Really, scandalous. I can think of half a dozen more reputable and effective agencies just off the top of my head to give money to for hurricane relief. Unless refugees need Splenda and pantyhose in exchange for listening to a sermon, I think Operation Blessing is one of the worst ideas I’ve ever heard of.
What’s of particular interest to me is that none of the United Ways are listed. I don’t get that at all. And it looks like mostly religious charities, which is also kind of strange.
So…to sum up: Operation Blessing is not an agency I would trust. I can’t imagine why FEMA has them listed.
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