Ask HN: Anyone have real Charitable Organization metrics?
Case 1: Give $20 to a guy digging for plastic bottles. He buys a bunch of booze. No CEO pay and 100% of the funds paid out. Yet, the aid was 100% ineffective. In fact, you could have done harm.
Case 2: You offer to buy him food. Spend the same $20. This required active management. How much did it cost to give out $20? If you had to pay someone to supervise and ensure positive results, $30 to $40?
Case 3: Natural disaster. Aid organization receives $10 million. Pay their CEO $0. No organization outside of a few home office volunteers. They give out 100% of the funds. They are grabbed by corrupt government officials, warlords, drug dealers, etc. Only 5% might reach someone and do some good.
Case 4: Same disaster: A different org receives $10 million. They pay their CEO a good salary. They also have trained and experienced staff. They invested in a large cargo plane, portable medical facilities, tents, containers and a rapid deployment aid and support package. This infrastructure costs money to maintain, transport and grow. Only 50% of the funds reach the afflicted. Yet, this organization is there with an army of people and their resources helping, feeding and housing folks.
Clearly the CEO and % donated metrics are meaningless. I would rather give to the organization in the last example. I think most might agree.
Is there a site or watchdog group that compiles real, relevant and verified metrics for aid organizations?
P.S.: Please don't engage in slicing-up the above cases. They are simple examples used to make a general point. Not intended to be an exhaustive treatment. I'd appreciate if we could focus on --if this exists-- identifying a source of more realistic metrics.