FCF
Posted by BAH  |  August 30, 2009 6:13:48 PM

I responded to phone call and received request for donation. I now see that the President received $67,000 for his efforts. I think I will confine my giving to something that actually benefits the firefighters.

They're working Maryland July 09
Posted by samira_catlover  |  July 5, 2009 7:47:16 AM

Received call; this group name sounded AWFULLY familiar. (Alas, we cannot check computer when landline is in use.) Paid fundraiser from Courtesy Call, Inc. could not tell me how much money the group raised last year; what percentages were spent for fundraising, admin, and services; could not tell me how much of my donation would stay in the state.

Tried to give me a tollfree number where I could look up this info. THEY'RE asking ME for a donation but can't tell me anything significant, and I get to do all the lookup work? Yeah, right, this is how I want to spend my time and my charitable dollars.

Your site had lovely info; will be sending donation to Charity Navigator via surface mail shortly. (Can't you take Paypal?)

Harassment
Posted by sluban  |  June 29, 2009 12:20:00 PM

A fast talking woman called me this Saturday morning representing this organization. She would not let me get a word in edgewise. Finally I hung up. The phone rang all morning with no messages left. Now, mind you, I have an unlisted number and am on a do-not-call. This is clearly a scam. Avoid these people at all costs.

Expensive Commercal Fundraisers
Posted by Massman  |  December 15, 2008 7:00:19 AM

Regardless, of what you think of this non-profit you should consider the for-profit Commercial Fundraisers. Commercial Fundraisers are the businesses that contact you actively asking for donations. Listing only the active fundraisers, and how much they give to the charity off the top. <example 13% of a $20 dollar donation is 2 dollars and 60 cents.> Associated Community Services 31% of the contributions raised by this organization were returned to or retained by the charity client(s). Community Support, Inc. 13% of the contributions raised by this organization were returned to or retained by the charity client(s). Courtesy Call, Inc. 15% of the contributions raised by this organization were returned to or retained by the charity client(s) Midwest Publishing-DN, Inc. 12% of the contributions raised by this organization were returned to or retained by the charity client(s). Non-Profit Services, Inc. 16% of the contributions raised by this organization were returned to or retained by the charity client(s). Information gathered from the Secretary of State of Washington State’s website: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/charities/search_detail.aspx?charity_id=8020

deceptive solicitation
Posted by yarnitall  |  July 28, 2008 6:13:40 AM

I recently receive a phone solicitation from this organization and thought it was the same local organization that I typically donate. When I received the notice in the mail, I realized it was not the same one and wondered why they asked me to increase my donation when I had never donated in the past. I found this site and confirmed that I should avoid this charity. To much overhead that makes me wonder how much is really given to people like the Leandres.

FCF
Posted by Matt S.  |  May 29, 2008 5:43:56 AM

God bless the Leandres', however my experience mirrored bevanchuck...I was lied to over the phone, requested more info, and received a letter asking why they had not received my pledge! 85.2% of the budget is Fundraising Expense and Admin...my number one charity is 3.7%!

I love FCF!
Posted by bigbrianleandre  |  April 24, 2008 1:16:10 PM

My family and I just went through a horrible ordeal with our house burning to the ground....we thought we lost everything and had nothing and no one would help us. That was until the FireFighters Charitable Foundation got in touch with us through their volunteer briage, they got us a temporary apartment, helped us with our insurance claims, even got our daughter the medical equipment she needed! Without the help of FCF I don't know where our family would be.

Our hearts forever go out to the folks at FireFighters Charitable Foundation.

THANK-YOU,

The Leandres

Firefighters Charitable Foundation
Posted by bevanchuck  |  February 20, 2008 8:51:27 AM

In a recent phone solicitation, this foundation asked if I could increase my gift from last year. I didn't give last year. Another reason to avoid this charity.