INFO ON NON-PROFITS YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING

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RACCOON
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INFO ON NON-PROFITS YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING

Post by RACCOON »

DO THEY REALLY NEED YOUR HELP?
================================================
Who Earned What in the Animal Industry in 2003?
Boo Relli

Everyone says you can¹t make money in the animal industry. Those of you who
work long, hard hours at shelters, often taking animals home yourself, would
agree wholeheartedly. For them, they¹re not driven by money, but a passion
deep within themselves. But, for some others, the animal welfare industry is pretty lucrative.

The following information is all public record, which you can find on IRS Form 990 required by non-profit organizations as part of being partially exempt from some taxes you and I pay. The information below is for the year 2003. One can only expect that these numbers have actually increased, some dramatically.

The Wildlife Conservation Society took in over 115 million dollars, with an
annual budget of 139 million dollars, paying a salary of $554,000 to the
President, Steven Sanderson. Now, it may just be our view at Animal Radio
Network, but we get confused when a non-profit organization has a budget
that is larger than their income, and compensates the President over
half-a-million dollars. This is not to say that the organization isn¹t doing
great things, most of them are, but what warrants a salary that is more
than the President of the United States?

The North Shore Animal League, also another great organization doing great
things for the animals, took in over 28 million dollars, with an annual
budget of 32 million dollars, paying a salary of $368,000 to the President,
John Stevenson. This, to me, seems as corrupt as white-collar crimes of
junk-bond billionaire, Michael Milken. What does Mr. Stevenson do to earn
such an incredible salary? Enlighten me please.

The American SPCA, probably the most visible animal welfare organization,
took in over 43 million dollars, with an annual budget of 42 million
dollars, compensating then president, Larry Hawk more than $329,000.

Likewise, the non-profit Humane Society of the United States brought in over
64 million dollars, with an annual budget of 69 million dollars, paying a
salary of $324,000 to the President, Paul Irwin. Did you know this when you made that $25 donation to ³help the animals.²

In fact, when we reviewed the 990¹s from over 100 non-profit animal
organizations, we saw just a handful of reasonable salaries. PETA (people
for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) took in over 23 million dollars, with
an annual budget of 21 million dollars, paying a salary of $33,000 to the
President, Ingrid Newkirk. While I believe many of PETA¹s campaigns are
somewhat overboard, and even sometimes detrimental to the cause, I still
must give kudos to them for what I believe is fair compensation for the job.

Conversely, The Best Friends Animal Society took in over 19 million dollars,
with an annual budget of 16 million dollars, paying a salary of $992 to the
President, Michael Mountain. Intriguing, huh? Of course, each one of it¹s
founding directors report $62,000 in annual income. This organization does
great things and I believe that they are certainly worthy of the
compensation.

Doesn¹t all of this make you wonder? Why are organizations going to great
lengths to increase their donation base in the name of our furry-friends,
while at the same time collecting salaries that put them among the top 15%
income makers in the U.S.? Could this money be better spent? Where is the
accountability? Does the new miracle sleep-aid Ambien help them sleep at
night? Are the voiceless being exploited at the expense of arrogant leaders?
And just what activities warrant salaries much more than the young children
we send into harms way in our Armed Forces? What criteria is our government
allowing organizations to claim non-profit status?

I know I could easily live on fourth of the $482,000, but I could not
survive on just $992 a year. Of course, these figures don¹t include perks,
such as vehicles, housing, etc.

Over all, there are many shelters who struggle day to day just to make sure
that the animals are fed. We hear from them each and every day. I know
many of those who work at the shelters are helping the animals out of their
own pockets. And I would hazard a guess that 90% of those reading this
newsletter probably don¹t bring in more than $60,000 a year. Do you?

Just why, when there are so many homeless animals which are being
euthanized, does someone take home an annual salary of almost half a million
dollars? Do those making those salaries have the best interests of the
animals?

Yes, lots of questions here. Not a lot of answers!

Animal Radio Network, which IS a FOR PROFIT organization, has NEVER realized
a profit. In fact, we had a negative -$50,000 in the year 2003, with an
annual budget of $100,000, paying a salary of $0 to the President. We do
what we do in hopes of educating those that might otherwise surrender their
animals to an already overpopulated shelter system. We rely on generous
companies and listeners to fund our operating costs. We make no-bones about
it.

So how does this affect you? Perhaps it doesn¹t. But if you¹re one of those
who can afford to help animal welfare organizations with a couple extra
dollars every year, then you need to do your research. Chances are there is
a local shelter in your area that needs your helpŠ.really needs your help.
If you want your $10 to truly be effective, and not part of a 6 digit
salary, then you need to be aware of what your charity is really doing with
the donations they receive. This information is of public record, but
usually never made public by the non-profit themselves. I mean, how would
it look if the Wildlife Conservation Agency asked for a $10 donation while
stating the $554,000 salary of it¹s president?

The world is full of corruption. Everywhere you look. The government, big
business, and now you must know, even the organizations that claim they¹re
helping the animals. Beware.

{We fully expect to field lots of comments. We would love to have answers to
our questions, which we will publish in our next newsletter. Please send
your thoughts to: YourVoice@AnimalRadio.com}
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Jennifer
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Re: INFO ON NON-PROFITS YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING

Post by Jennifer »

RACCOON,
I believe in the grass-roots organizations, rescues and PETA and LAST CHANCE and BEST FRIENDS and very few others for the very reason that you posted here...
and the ones we have linked on our site!
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RACCOON
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Re: INFO ON NON-PROFITS YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING

Post by RACCOON »

Jennifer,
I AM GLAD YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN SOMEONE SENT ME THIS INFO. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET SUPPORT FROM MANY MAJOR WILDLIFE FOUNDATIONS FOR YEARS AND THEY ALWAYS REPLY THAT THEY DO NOT HELP ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS. I WONDER WHAT THEY DO WITH THE MONEY BESIDES PAY THEMSELVES. WE FILED A GRANT APPLICATION WITH BUSCH GARDENS-SEAWORLD AND THOUGHT FOR SURE THAT THEY WOULD HELP US. OUR APPLICATION WAS DENIED! I KEEP ON TRYING BUT I AM AFRAID THAT IF WE DO NOT FIND A PRIVATE FOUNDATION THAT IS WILLING TO HELP US, THERE WILL NOT BE MUCH WE CAN DO. THE ORPHANS ARE PILLING IN AND I AM DOING THE BEST I CAN. I HOPE YOU AND RICHARD ARE DOING WELL. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS. LOVE, KATHLEEN
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Jennifer
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Re: INFO ON NON-PROFITS YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING

Post by Jennifer »

RACCOON,
THIS IS STAGGERING INFORMATION AND IT MAKES ME SAD BECAUSE THERE ARE GREAT RESCUERS, LIKE YOURSELF, WHO ARE STONE-ASS BROKE---WHEN SOME OF THESE ASSHOLES ARE TAKING HUGE SALARIES... ]:o(
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