Tainted Charity

In the last decade I've become more and more jaded about charities. The first ones to be crossed off my list were the ones that sent you gifts (address labels and note pads) for your donation. I neither want nor need anything when I make a donation...is it just me or does that seem counterproductive to the cause? Another thing to watch for are companies who change the wording of well known charities and are actually for profit companies whose soul purpose is scamming donations. Also to be avoided are companies that call for donations,even if they are legitimately connected to the charity they are calling for they receive from .50-.90 per every dollar they collect. Last on the list has been a trusted organization since it was founded in 1881 but has on more than one occasion failed to spend the money donated for certain disasters on those in need. I am talking about Red Cross and the Haiti earthquake of 2010. Over $500 million was collected but none of the projects seemed to get off the ground and officials had no answers for where the money had been spent. Donate with caution.