Posted: 2/20/2008 3:20:10 AM EDT
| I recently received a solicitation to donate to the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). It's early in the year, so I still have some funds not yet earmarked for any specific charities. But I noticed a disclaimer on the form that it is not tax deductible because they do not have a certain status with the IRS. Anyway, is this one a worthy cause, or are the donated dollars eaten up by "administrative" (or other) costs? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. |
Thanks. That's all I needed to know. Here's a related story I found doing a websearch. http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A83167 While the donation itself is not tax-deductible, they will mention my business in their newsletter thereby allowing me to write it off as an advertisement. http://www.austinfop.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=18&Itemid=29 |
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Another problem is that the solicitors calling are not the actual orginization F.O.P. They call to collect donations that don't go to help the families of officers killed on duty. I believe they give a very small amount, just enough to skate around the law for charity solicitation. If you call your local police or sherriff they will probably tell you they never heard of them. I received a call from them once years ago. I was a cop then and when I asked some questions they just hung up. If you want to donate to help cop's families call up your local department. They can tell you who to call that is legitimate. TCLEOSE could also tell you. If you contact them or they call back, ask who they actually are. If they say the FOP tell them you will look them up in the phonebook and call back. See what they say. Ask them what departments they support and how much they give. Ask what percentage of your donation will actually go to the families. Jim |
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Whenever they call me I tell them I still remember them grinning and smiling next to Bill Clinton when he was on camera signing us up for Midnight basketball - aka The '94 AW ban. I woudnt give them a dime. Give money to the 100 club in your area if you want to support the 5-0. HK Ag |