New York Attorney General Letitia James has released the annual "Pennies for Charity: Fundraising by Professional Fundraisers" report, just ahead of Giving Tuesday and the holiday season. The report provides an analysis of 2023 charitable fundraising campaigns submitted to the Office of the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau by professional fundraisers. It aims to help New Yorkers make informed decisions about their donations.
"New Yorkers have a proud tradition of giving and they deserve to know that their hard-earned donations are being used responsibly," said Attorney General James. She encouraged donors to consult her office’s tips for charitable giving before making donations this holiday season.
Professional fundraisers, who are often hired by charities to run campaigns, received nearly a fifth of every dollar donated in 2023, totaling over $261 million in fees and expenses. The analysis covered 581 campaigns conducted by professional fundraisers, with charities receiving 83 percent of donations, up from 77 percent in 2022.
The report highlights several key findings: In 46 percent of campaigns, charities received less than half of the funds raised; in 16 percent, expenses exceeded revenue costing charities more than $26 million—more than double the cost reported in 2022.
Tips for donors include asking questions when contacted by telemarketers and verifying organizations when receiving direct mail appeals. Online donors are advised to research campaigns' legitimacy and ensure website security.
For further information or concerns about potential scams or misrepresentations, contact OAG’s Charities Bureau at Complaints@ag.ny.gov or (212) 416-8401.
The report was authored by Siobhan Blank and Hanna Rubin with contributions from other members of the Charities Bureau and Research and Analytics Department.