Sep 24 2010
HSU2
If you’re already “in the know” about the Humane Society of the United States, this story should sound awfully familiar.
Yesterday the London Daily Mail reported on a breaking charity scandal: The anti-poverty nonprofit group ONE (the one run by U2 lead singer Bono’s) doesn’t actually give very much money to the poor. And the details are reminiscent of another charity that's fond of hiding the ball:
Bono's anti-poverty foundation ONE is under pressure to explain its lavish salaries after it was revealed that only a small percentage of money it raises reaches the needy.
The non-profit organisation set up by the U2 frontman received almost £9.6m in donations in 2008 but handed out only £118,000 to good causes (1.2 per cent).
The figures published by the New York Post also show that £5.1m went towards paying salaries.
And if that isn’t bad enough, the Post reports that ONE sent out “cookies, water, rulers, leather notebooks, coffee, Band-Aids and pens” for promotional media mailings. (Gee, nothing helps the poor like pens and rulers.)
Getting a little déjà vu? This scandal almost exactly mimics HSUS’s situation. Except that HSUS spends even fewer dollars on its supposed purpose.
Less than one-half of one percent of HSUS’s budget goes to hands-on pet shelters. (Even Bono’s charity runs laps around that number) And HSUS spends massively on salaries and benefits—$37.8 million in 2008, more than one-third of its budget. That figure may now be almost $50 million as HSUS's staff has expanded.
More than $8 million has gone to executive pension plans since 2004. And yes, HSUS blows plenty of money on its fair share of junky promotional gizmos.
In response to the breaking news, a ONE spokesman rebutted that “We don't provide programmes on the ground. We're an advocacy and campaigning organization.”
That sounds exactly like HSUS’s excuse for not contributing more money and effort to the direct care of pets in need, doesn't it?
Where’s the outrage about the chasm between HSUS’s image and its performance? Perhaps it will take a few more daring reporters—or a hit single from Wayne Pacelle—for this parallel scandal to attract the attention it deserves.
If nothing else, now we know why Bono named his charity "ONE." It may be time for HSUS to be renamed "ONE-HALF."
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Posted on 09/24/2010 at 03:48 PM by the HumaneWatch Team
Celebrities • Fundraising & Money • (14) CommentsComments
Once again, proves the point that large charities are bloated organization for the good of themselves. Act locally!
Don’t be fooled by rock-stars and shiny websites.
I always thought Bono was a pompous blowhard. Shame I was right.
This is ridiculous! Who in their right mind could express that they are such an “avid supporter” of animals in need, get themselves in, then turn around and show how treacherous they really are!? The rich, that’s who! Those who are not in the right mindset. (The ones proven.) It’s called a charity for a reason. These people have no morals when it comes to the good of others (probably man nor beast). If I was rich I would spend my money on the good of animals in need, and I would hire only enough people that would be necessary to run the organization; to keep the animals safe, healthy and happy. That’s what it should be all about. THE ANIMALS!!! Animals are my passion in life.
getting closer to the bone every day… IRS, are you paying attention?
If nothing else, now we know why Bono named his charity “ONE.” It may be time for HSUS to be renamed “ONE-HALF.”
or “POINT-FIVE”.
something just doesn’t smell right here.
Color me stupid if you will, but I’ve always had the impression that a person could make more than a lavish salary and still give most of that money to the actual cause.
Tom, in a Utopian world, the people working for the large charities would be giving back to the charity from their bloated salaries, but the reality is they know where the money goes. Would you give you salary back to your company if you knew it was going to be thrown away. What we can hope for is that these employees are actually making large donations to small shelters and rescue groups in their respective communities. I doubt it though.
Well they say that charity begins at home, seems One and HSUS are taking that saying to heart.
They say “The rich get richer” and that is true. I am truly surprised to hear about Bono’s organization giving so little to it’s designated purpose but if you do your homework and look into most of the larger charities such as The RED CROSS, Salvation Army, and many others, you will find the same criminal behaviors. If you think the IRS would even think of shutting these down, you need to think again. They get paid off to leave well enough alone. For God’s sake, how much money can’t HSUS account for? The IRS knows. You figure it out.
Hello, I’m not a big fan of Bono, but I do like U2’s music. I give to the local zoo and the ASPCA and some time soon the WWF. I can only hope that all these guys and Bono’s One are doing the right thing with everyone’s money…that think they work hard for, because we all want too what we can for those that have less. (animals and people). Thanks
The WWF is against private ownership. I wouldn’t give them a nickel.
I love it. More “pop” culture disappointment. Bono is a singer ... and a ... ? Draw your own conclusions from the facts. This is a factual story about another ruse on hero worshipers.
Bono is all about Bono. Isn’t that patently obvious? What more evidence do you need than a self-centered over-rated poor excuse of a rock singer? The staff of One are sycophants hired to laud praises on the “God.”
I think I will put up a shingle that reads, “HIV is bad for you.” Then I will solicit donations to send it from town to town to “raise awareness.” Yup. That ought to do it. And if people are stupid enough to send me their money then, by God!, who am I not to take it.
C’mon people…......!!!!!!!!!
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Bono, You were my hero. If these accusations are really true I am deeply disappointed in you as a human being. I truly hope this is BS!