And it's wise to know how your money is spent. As 2008 closes, check out Charitywatch.org, run by the American Institute of Philanthropy, to see how the charities you give to rate.
'Daniel Borochoff created AIP in 1992 to address the continuing need for thoughtful information regarding the financial efficiency, accountability, governance and fundraising practices of charities. Charity financial reporting is often inconsistent, unclear, and sometimes unethical and even fraudulent. AIP carefully analyzes charity financial documents to identify the charities that are financially efficient--and the ones that are not--and publishes its findings. AIP encourages donors to give to charities that will allocate most of their contributions to program services that benefit the people and causes donors wish to support. AIP also promotes charity accountability and transparency through its research on the rapidly changing nonprofit field.'
This list of top CEO compensation packages is also scary! http://charitywatch.org/Top25.html
