Thanks for the info
Posted by DBD  |  October 19, 2009 6:08:47 AM

I received a kit also and had agreed to the mailer not recognizing who this was. After reviewing their financial report I decided to decline the mailing. I thought it was interesting I received this request shortly after a family members death from cancer and donations publically had been submitted to cancer research. A friend who is a fund raiser for a legitimate nonprofit organization said there are programs that search for this type of information in newspapers and articles. Then you are targeted by similar organizations.

American Institute for Cancer Research
Posted by checkitout  |  October 12, 2009 8:10:24 AM

It is unfortunate, that in these times when legitamate charities are strugling,that organizations such as the American Institute for Cancer Research use deceptive practices. They recently sent me a package indicating I had agreed to send out a mailing to solicate donations from my neighbors. I noted on this site that they have used this deceptive practice in the past, when in fact, no such conversation and agreement existed. When I called them to ask them when they spoke to me the receptionist answering the phone just said, without any discussion, sorry for the mistake. She told me to just discard the packet they sent me. Based on this reaction this appears to me to be a common practice. Your information as to their expense ratio was also interesting and further makes me belive they are not a worthy organization. My desire to help has now been turned to anger.

AICR
Posted by Awizard  |  August 18, 2009 6:10:27 AM

How do you get rid of these guys? Multiple calls so far.

AICR - Misleading?
Posted by Maggie BC  |  July 14, 2009 8:43:18 AM

After receiving another call from AICR (not sure HOW I ever got on their mailing list...) I decided to check them out. I have no desire to criticize the work they do. After visiting their website and exploing some of the information they provide I think it actually may be a worthwhile endeavor.

HOWEVER I think there "charity" status is highly questionable. They should just make the leap from non-profit to for-profit and develop their organization as the business it more accurately reflects.

soliciting
Posted by Dianne Bodeen  |  April 30, 2009 8:06:00 AM

I have solicited my neighbors for this organization for several years. With repeated envelopes, each with 42 cents worth of stamps on them, you do wonder about how your money is being spent. Having finally (my neglect) called them up on this site, only to see how terribly inefficient they are, I will no longer solicit for them. Incidentally, March of Dimes has just 2 stars...another organization that asks us to contact our neighbors, and another now off my list.

A misleading name?
Posted by silverpaws62  |  April 9, 2009 10:43:17 AM

The name of the organization implies that it is primarily involved in cancer research however, the letter provided with the contribution solicitation package indicates only 10% of contributions for the period ending 9/07 was expended on cancer research. That amounts to a relatively insignificant amount and leads me to wonder if their research effort was limited to gathering information developed by other organizations for use in their educational program. This web site further assisted me in evaluating whether this organization was worthy of a contribution from me. It is not but apparently others who are less informed feel otherwise.

AICR
Posted by Flyboy  |  April 3, 2009 7:33:21 AM

Frank Said "I suspect that their "education" is limited to the information sent with the package to suckers like I was."

If you had looked at their web site you would have seen lots of free information on cancer.

Try checking it out first hand and SEE where the money is going.

http://www.aicr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pub_home

AICR Solicitation
Posted by Alma  |  March 31, 2009 6:03:07 AM

I got the pink envelope from my perhaps unwitting neighbor. I will not contribute to this poorly rated organization. Executive salaries are ridiculous! Though the stated mission is admirable, I fear the organization is not worthy.

aic
Posted by mamaw  |  March 17, 2009 8:03:45 AM

I HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WITH PHONE CALLS FROM AICR.I WAS DUPED INTO COLLECTING MONEY FOR THEM,BELIEVING THAT THEY WERE THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.I HAVE TOLD THEM REPEATEDLY NOT TO CALL ME,TO NO AVAIL.I EVEN CONTACTED THE NATIONAL DO NOT CALL LIST.GLAD I HAVE CALLER ID.

AICR Methods & Efficiencies
Posted by dudley  |  March 17, 2009 8:03:18 AM

Their call today 3/17/09 was the same as described by others-'bug your neighbors for us'--a poor way of doing charity work. They certainly should be ashamed of their expenses, especially salaries. Another example of executive greed in this country.

Their resonse!
Posted by DeeEmm  |  March 5, 2009 8:56:16 AM

I got their packet and filled out all the envelopes - but before I sent them out, realized they were not the American Cancer Society. I called there office to let them know I wouldn't be sending the envelopes out and they said just throw the oackage away. They didn't even want to know who/where I am. I'll be doing more research in the future before I agree to this type of fund raising. I think it could foster animosity between neighbors. Also I am shocked at the salaries for some of the top officers of some of these charities. I guess charity begins at home.

AICR
Posted by Anonymous0121  |  January 5, 2009 12:12:08 PM

I get the phone calls too. Didn't know they were a real organization until I googled it. They said they weren't looking for money, but they wanted me to send letters to 16 of my neighbors. It was then that I hung up.

AICR
Posted by Roger in Texas  |  December 1, 2008 8:58:19 AM

These people have hit on a plan that saves them lots of work and postage, and imposes guilt on many of us. I suspect that their "education" is limited to the information sent with the package to suckers like I was. Their administrative expenses are out of line, and like hundreds of "charities" their CEO is paid handsomely relative to total revenues. Thank goodness for Charity Navigator.

american institute for cancer research
Posted by Joon  |  October 29, 2008 6:09:26 AM

I agree with didmyhomework and gr8tfulheart. I just received a packet and, after reviewing it, felt AICR had not explained the program honestly. My view is that my neighbors would NOT want to return donations to me at all even if they wished to donate. They would want the privacy of yes/no/how much they gave by mailing DIRECTLY to AICR. My conclusion/impression was that AICR wanted packet receivers to ride hard on neighbors who did not respond until they ponied up, in effect harassing neighbors for AICR while AICR harassed me.Then AICR would be off the telemarketing hook. Someone would be annoying people for them. And that is what I am going to tell them when I return the packet. I don't know all my neighbors anyway, and some have moved away. I live in sub-urban Boston and the people here would have no problem telling me or the AICR to get lost if I or they bugged them. I am sending my packet back. This was not done by AICR with the best of business ethics in mind.

methods and rating
Posted by didmyhomework  |  October 28, 2008 11:18:35 AM

Just got my packet in the mail that I agreed to. Once I read it and realized people would be expected to give me back the pink envelope, I knew I wouldn't, in fact, couldn't, follow through. Just to be sure, figured I'd check their rating. Pitiful. Certainly don't want to be associated with this inefficient organization. Gr8tfulheart nailed it...using the neighbor method puts pressure on donating to an organization that one has not researched, might not pass muster, and essentially is looking for money the easy way. Instead of getting money because they deserve it, and will use it wisely, they use a relationship that has nothing to do with them. Also will "OPT OUT".

Solicitation Methods
Posted by sem736  |  September 22, 2008 5:44:39 AM

This seems to be a less expensive way for them to do fund raise and neighbors have no problem saying no.

American Institute for Cancer Research
Posted by Kathee  |  July 9, 2008 8:14:06 AM

It's good to see that I'm not the only one receiving these daily (sometimes twice daily) annoying calls. I do give to some charities, but increased use of telephone solicitations is one way to get off my list of worthy charities!

American Institute for Cancer Research
Posted by ellie  |  April 2, 2008 5:44:53 AM

I read Ardee's comment about AICR and guess what I got tired of them calling EVERYDAY even after I told them not too. So I am still trying to Opt Out. I have sent them on 4 different occasions asking them not to call me or send me stuff. I got another call yesterday 4/2/08 at 3:38 pm. If it keeps up I intend to call them everyday on the hour ask them to wait a minute then walk away from my phone. I kid you not within a span of three and a half weeks I received without a doubt 36 telephone calls and each time I told them NOT TO CALL again, the following day, two calls. It is very annoying the left hand there doesn't know what the right hand is doing!!! I want nothing to do with an organization who cannot get their ducks in order! I will keep sending them letters and emails until they are fed up with me.

solicitation methods
Posted by gr8tfulheart  |  March 19, 2008 5:40:13 AM

The AICR gets neighbors to agree to send mail solicitations out to others on their street. These recipients, in turn, send their contributions back to this same neighbor instead of directly to the AICR so that their responses are tracked (translation: "potentially judged") by said neighbor. This is because ACIR recognizes you will be far less likely to say "no" to your neighbor, whether it's due to friendship or embarrassment, than you would be directly to them. Who wants to look cheap or unfriendly in front of their neighbor, right? Plus, people more readily assume that because the request came from a neighbor that this neighbor already did their due diligence first regarding the effective use of monies by said charity. Again, surely your very own neighbor wouldn't ask you to donate to a less than worthy cause would they?

american institute for cancer research
Posted by Ardee  |  January 23, 2008 6:57:43 AM

This charity is infamous for its frequent calls to people (google 202-552-1973); it often is "Unavailable" at my number. They seem to prey on people to volunteer to collect $$ from their neighbors. Glad to know their rating is relatively low. Gonna opt out!!