State: Many Charities Overspend on Fundraising

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – About one-quarter of charities registered in Mississippi are spending more than the recommended amount of money on fundraising and management.

That’s according to Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, whose office publishes a report on charitable organizations that raise at least $25,000 a year. Hosemann is urging people to check on charities before they donate money.

The Better Business Bureau recommends charities spend at least 65 percent of their money on the cause they were formed to support. Hosemann says Monday that about 25 percent of the charities registered in Mississippi don’t meet that guideline.

About 1,300 charities are registered with the secretary of state’s office. State law exempts several types of charities from registration, including religious groups and volunteer fire departments.

Online: www.sos.ms.gov/Charities/Documents/Charity_Guide.pdf