To the Editor:
There is a whirlwind of misinformation circulating about the Clinton Foundation. I trust the independent analysis by the Charity Watch to give me the facts. This organization has a pristine reputation and deserves it. Ninety-five percent of the support comes from small individual donations. The Charity Watch standards for evaluating charities are considered the most stringent in the sector. They conduct in-depth financial analysis of audited financial statements – documents that are indispensable to any charity evaluation since they contain financial and other reports so donors will know how charitable dollars are really being spent.
The board of directors does not include any heads of nonprofit associations who receive their pay from the groups they are watching. Charity Watch has the freedom to speak openly and be critical of charities without concern for special interests cutting their funding. Fiercely independent is how they are described.
The Clinton Foundation got an A rating from them – that means something folks. It is difficult to achieve an A rating. This tells us that the funds are actually going where the donors intended and that salaries are also accountable. They figure that of every $100 raised not more than $35 can be spent to collect the $100.
It is surprising how many popularly valued organizations do not get this A rating. The American Red Cross gets an A-. March of Dimes Foundation is rated B-. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MAD) is rated C-. National Audubon Society B+. So the Clinton Foundation is awarded an A rating without any disclaimers.
Also one can marvel at some not-for-profit CEO salaries: United Way Worldwide president takes $1,171,998 – annually. The chief of staff of the Shriners Hospitals for Children pulls in $1,499,735 – according to the latest issue of the compensation report. Clinton Foundation staff is not listed because the salaries are not out of line. The lowest one reported from other charities was just over $800,000 – so Clinton Foundation had nothing like that to report.
The Clintons may be judged with a critical eye on other matters but leave the Clinton Foundation alone. It is the real deal!
Bobbie Hallig
Mt. Washington
