Donating to Autism? Be careful!

You see them everywhere in front of stores. Walking in, you know they will be there to walk past on the way out. You might avoid their gaze, not sure if you will support them.  “I guess I can spare some change,” you may tell yourself when are exit.  Out comes the wallet… and so you do.

Over and over this scenario plays out and they raise funds for needed programs.  I, too, support the Salvation Army. But what I won’t support is the emerging trend of collection boxes in the name of autism. They have no bells to ring, just compelling imagery, messages and promises. Shiny and colorful, they are so polished in their presentation. But what stands behind these groups may be something far different that what appears. Do they have IRS nonprofit status that confirms a review of their activities and finances and they passed muster for being a true charity? Do they have board members that are leaders, devoting volunteer time to help put programs into place, traveling great distance to get together and govern ethically and responsibility? Or perhaps they name everyone in the family along with impressionable friends or staff who unwittingly go along with what appears to be a just and noble cause. Just a little too similar to welfare fraud – family pets become dependents and so on.

So I ask, where is the money going? Who knows! In our state, one can register with the Secretary of State as a nonprofit, giving cobbled together articles of incorporation and name a token board and legally collect your money. Then what? Who knows.

This is the time for giving. Be generous. But be careful who you are giving to.