Apparently they 'muddy the water' by counting blood donations along with financial donations they get from citizens to give the impression that they aren't spending much on admin costs......
The American Red Cross regularly touts how responsible it is with donors' money. "We're very proud of the fact that 91 cents of every dollar that's donated goes to our services," Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern said in a speech in Baltimore last year. "That's world class, obviously."
McGovern has often repeated that figure, which has also appeared on the charity's website. "I'm really proud" that overhead expenses are so low, she told a Cleveland audience in June.
The problem with that number: It isn't true.
more
The Red Cross CEO Has Been Serially Misleading About Where Donors’ Dollars Are Going - ProPublica
For the Red Cross, 91 percent is a magic number.
As ProPublica and NPR detailed in a story published today, the American Red Cross has often claimed that it spends 91 cents of every dollar donated on services. But that number wasn't true and after inquiries by ProPublica and NPR, the Red Cross removed the statement from its website.
The charity now states, "The Red Cross receives contributions from many sources, including financial contributions, donations of blood or an in-kind donation of other goods and an average of 91 cents of those donations are invested in our humanitarian programs and service."
So the charity is now resting its claim of 91 cents of donations going to services on the idea that donations include not just money but also "donations of blood."
Except, as the Red Cross' own audited financial statements show, blood isn't considered a contribution. (Since the Red Cross sells the blood people give, it is not a donation but rather revenue from sales.) Indeed, the IRS prohibits people from claiming the blood they give to the Red Cross as a charitable donation.
Red Cross’ Latest Claim Includes ‘Donations of Blood’ - ProPublica
Why is the Red Cross now counting "donations of blood" as a financial contribution, contrary to their own tax filings?
The American Red Cross regularly touts how responsible it is with donors' money. "We're very proud of the fact that 91 cents of every dollar that's donated goes to our services," Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern said in a speech in Baltimore last year. "That's world class, obviously."
McGovern has often repeated that figure, which has also appeared on the charity's website. "I'm really proud" that overhead expenses are so low, she told a Cleveland audience in June.
The problem with that number: It isn't true.
more
The Red Cross CEO Has Been Serially Misleading About Where Donors’ Dollars Are Going - ProPublica
For the Red Cross, 91 percent is a magic number.
As ProPublica and NPR detailed in a story published today, the American Red Cross has often claimed that it spends 91 cents of every dollar donated on services. But that number wasn't true and after inquiries by ProPublica and NPR, the Red Cross removed the statement from its website.
The charity now states, "The Red Cross receives contributions from many sources, including financial contributions, donations of blood or an in-kind donation of other goods and an average of 91 cents of those donations are invested in our humanitarian programs and service."
So the charity is now resting its claim of 91 cents of donations going to services on the idea that donations include not just money but also "donations of blood."
Except, as the Red Cross' own audited financial statements show, blood isn't considered a contribution. (Since the Red Cross sells the blood people give, it is not a donation but rather revenue from sales.) Indeed, the IRS prohibits people from claiming the blood they give to the Red Cross as a charitable donation.
Red Cross’ Latest Claim Includes ‘Donations of Blood’ - ProPublica
Why is the Red Cross now counting "donations of blood" as a financial contribution, contrary to their own tax filings?
