Salary Guage
Posted by miscelany  |  November 3, 2009 6:01:32 AM

I know CF is a very worthwhile charitable oranization, but I believe no charitable organization should be giving the CEO a salary of $556,660! Dampens the "need" for a contribution. I have problems of anyone making over $300k. Just because coaches and players are VASTLY OVER PAID, doesn't mean charitable CEO's should join the rank.

Salaries???
Posted by WoodyTA  |  April 24, 2009 1:03:50 PM

Something to think about.

Many of us sit and watch pro sports, movies, TV shows and listen to our favorite artists CD's etc.. There are tons of these "ENTERTAINERS" out there who are making MILLIONS of dollars more than the CEO of CFF.

We're paying a lot of these "entertainers" ridiculous and heinous amounts of money to PLAY GAMES. Their motive is to entertain us, get stupid rich and live lifestyles that are extremely self centered and morally objectionable.

The CEO of CFF is getting a huge salary that I too have mixed feelings about. HOWEVER! He is committed, dedicated, and very effective in his leadership skills and drive to improve and development treatments and to eventually find a cure for the disease that will probably take my granddaughters life.

You can bet your bottom dollar I will be supporting his mission and gladly paying my portion of his salary. I appreciate his position and I WANT MY GRANDDAUGHTER TO LIVE.

There's not a one sports figure, movie star, actor or singer out there that is doing as much for CF than the CEO of CFF is. There are some out there that are doing a tremendous amount of good but for the most part, their not. If you're going to give your money elsewhere due to his salary then you shouldn't watch TV or listen to music either.

His salary is less than one have of one cent of every dollar raised. As mentioned in another post, the CEO receives 42 cents for every hundred dollars raised. I'm okay with that.

As far as the trinkets go, most people unfortunately have to receive something in return for their gift. It would be awesome if everyone would give without being bribed or expecting something in return. Unfortunately again, the first thing most people ask when they're asked to give is "what's in it for me"

My answer to that question when giving to CFF is, a better chance at life for my granddaughter. I hope thats your answer too the next time you're asked to make a donation. Thank You!

Think about the pay...
Posted by iws  |  April 6, 2009 6:09:48 AM

The CEO is a doctor, and probably a darn good one if he was chosen to be the CEO for a foundation focused on a very specific and complicated disease. I am sure he could do much, much better elsewhere. I think the notion that non-profit CEOs need to live on bread crumbs is ludicrous.

I work with and manage many volunteers. The biggest problem is motivation, especially when you don't pay them or you provide a very low compensation. If someone is good at what they do and you want to keep them, pay them what they are worth, or at least enough to make things worthwhile. A good CEO puts in a lot more hours than typical employees, and the proof is in the numbers. For every $100 I send in, the CEO receives 42 cents! On the other hand, $85 is poured into research. I can live with that math.

It's not wrong to question the CEO's salary, but don't just look at it as a number apart from everything else and make your decision on that. I've turned down charities because the CEO makes 10% of the revenue, or because they make $300,000/year and only 25% of each dollar goes to the program. I think this CEO's work not only justifies his salary, but I think it is also proof that the donation is worthwhile.

Finally, in regards to the trinkets: I agree with the comments about needing to find some way to compete. I also agree about the opt-outs. Keep in mind that many of these "trinkets" may be donated to the organization or are sold to them at a reduced rate. But, as it's been said before, if you don't want them, opt out. I can say that the items for sale are good for exposure. I've seen the 65 roses’ blankets at people's houses, and I'm sure it gets lots of questions.

Donations
Posted by ShirleyJP  |  February 17, 2009 6:41:37 AM

I am in complete agreement with Yehuda. Anyone running a charitable organization should not be making the high rate of pay. My limited funds can be used elsewhere

trinkets
Posted by jc  |  December 2, 2008 8:21:04 AM

I am a CF grandfather. Those trinkets cost very little but you can request that CFF does not send you any trinkets in their solicitations. I have been involved with many charities as part of my volunteer activities in Kansas City. I found that CFF is probably one of the better run ones. I sent them money every month to allow them to continue their research for better medications and treatments. Trust me, I would not be doing that if I thought they were wasting it.

Come on
Posted by Felix  |  November 24, 2008 8:57:28 AM

The mailings I receive from CF are no different than I have received from other organizations. If you don't want to receive them than opt to be taken off their mailings. If you want updates, check their website. The point is it's a great cause, and they are highly rated by several charity watch groups.

Stop the Trinkets!
Posted by tapktp  |  November 21, 2008 9:14:33 AM

I'm sorry CF Dad ~ I agree with Yehuda and Golda. You have to get them to stop sending coffee cups, blankets, and other things that I would never use. I do like calendars and return address labels though . . . and would also appreciate progress reports and personal stories of success.

I will watch to see if they can improve (lower) their funding raising expenses, and hope that I can join the fight against CF once again.

Still a great investment!
Posted by CF Dad  |  June 2, 2008 5:54:36 AM

I understand where you both are coming from by being inundated with mailings, but the CF Foundation is up against so many larger charities with more worldwide awareness. I therefore believe that not only are the mailings soliciting donations, but they are also an attempt to raise awareness. As a father of a child with CF, I implore you to reconsider your desire to donate to the CF Foundation due to the incredible strides that have been made over the past 25 years. It was only recently discovered (in 1989) that CF was a genetic disorder inherited from the child's parents. Since this discovery and now that research has a clear focus, life expectancy for children has increased from approx 11 years old to over 37 years old today. Quality of life has also been improved for these patients during that time. Researchers are on the cusp of releasing new medications that will continue to expand the life expectancy of those diagnosed. The CF Foundation is the major grant provider to researchers worldwide who are searching for the cure. No pharmaceutical companies invest heavily into CF research because the patient population is so small in comparison to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc. So their dollars are funnelled to these charities. Regardless of the CEO's salary, $.85 of every dollar you donate is still reinvested into the research they support, and that is quite an impressive figure. Keep in mind also that Dr. Beall has been associated with the CF Foundation for 28 years and has been the CEO since 1994. As with our respective jobs, we would like to be compensated for loyalty and tenure as well as for the Foundation's success. Dr. Beall has played a monumental role in the success that CF researchers have had over the past 25 years. Please reconsider your decisions and help all those whose lives are affected by CF to "Add Tomorrows Every Day." Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart, for your support. From a father of a CF child. God bless us all.

Progress or trinkets?
Posted by Golda G  |  May 30, 2008 5:37:25 AM

I entirely agree with Yehuda (comment 1). No charity has ever sent me so much trinket rubbish with invitations to buy more. I wanted to support CFF, not the fund-raising industry. I wrote a detailed letter expressing my concerns to Robert Beall: no response; no acknowledgement. CFF literature states, in effect, "help find a cure." I have never had any information of any progress made or what that might be - surely in all these years they can tell us what has been accomplished which could encourage donors. Too much money is spent on fund raising - think what 18 million could do for the cause! We have therefore transferred our CFF donations to more fiscally responsible charities who respond to our communications.

Solicitations/Salaries
Posted by Yehuda  |  April 30, 2008 5:58:38 AM

I am particularly sensitive with giving when it comes to children's organizations. Unfortunately CFF's repeated mailings have ruined any good will they may have generated with me. No sooner would I mail a check when another mailing would come requesting another donation.

I also have a problem with the extremely high rate of pay for the CEO.

It's a good cause and I am sorry not to be giving but there are other organizations that can manage themselves better.

I wrote to them explaining why I would no longer be donating. I received an automatic email saying someone would get back to me. They never did.