Cops For Kids has raised more than $4 million during the last decade, but has given less than 2 percent of it to police and children, according to DeWine. Nearly 80 percent of donations went to a telemarketing company, and Cops for Kids paid its two employees most of the rest — more than $600,000.
“That leaves only about $74,000 or less than 2 percent of the money going to actual charitable programming,” DeWine said at a news conference.
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Here are 5 pieces of advice to follow if you give to charity this holiday season:
- Give to groups you know. You've seen their work. You may even have benefited from it.
- Stay local. The money is more likely to be spent in your community.
- Visit the charity. See how it uses money, and even volunteer.
- Research the charity online.
- Ask questions. People who want your money should always welcome questions about how they spend it.
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