Never let a good crisis go to waste.

-- Saul Alinsky
   Rules for Radicals

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/09/19/new-push-crackdown-maui-wildfire-fundraising-fraud/

State House Speaker Scott Saiki wants the state to do more to ensure transparency with Maui relief donations.

It includes asking Governor Josh Green to sign an emergency proclamation forcing fundraisers to disclose how the money will be used.

The Governor’s office says they are reviewing the speaker’s request and urges the public to research the funds they give to.

“The bottom line for me is that people should be assured that the funds that they donate will be used for the intended purpose and not for other purposes,” House Speaker Scott Saiki said.

Speaker Saiki tells us he’s heard multiple reports of people not knowing how their donations would be used.

The most recent controversy is the Maui Community Power Recovery Fund, run partly by Former Maui state representative Kaniela Ing.

Critics say the non-profit should be more transparent that donations could end up funding political campaigns.

“It doesn’t say the money raised through this website, at least the one I looked at, can be spent on other than charitable causes, for example, other than disaster relief. It can be spent on lobbying activity or candidates running for office,” Lawyer Hugh R. Jones said.

This scheme is connected to the Democrat fund machine - Act Blue
Ing says any donors who aren’t comfortable with how the money might be used can request a refund on ACTBlue.com

It seems that this is a pattern for Democrats. If you live in Mililani Trish LaChica unsuccessfully ran for several positions from MTA board to State Leg. In her last bid for MTA she wanted to establish a "fund" with MTA dues for "families in need" .  She finally was appointed this past year to the State.

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/09/19/new-push-crackdown-maui-wildfire-fundraising-fraud/

State House Speaker Scott Saiki wants the state to do more to ensure transparency with Maui relief donations.

It includes asking Governor Josh Green to sign an emergency proclamation forcing fundraisers to disclose how the money will be used.

The Governor’s office says they are reviewing the speaker’s request and urges the public to research the funds they give to.

“The bottom line for me is that people should be assured that the funds that they donate will be used for the intended purpose and not for other purposes,” House Speaker Scott Saiki said.

Speaker Saiki tells us he’s heard multiple reports of people not knowing how their donations would be used.

The most recent controversy is the Maui Community Power Recovery Fund, run partly by Former Maui state representative Kaniela Ing.

Critics say the non-profit should be more transparent that donations could end up funding political campaigns.

“It doesn’t say the money raised through this website, at least the one I looked at, can be spent on other than charitable causes, for example, other than disaster relief. It can be spent on lobbying activity or candidates running for office,” Lawyer Hugh R. Jones said.

This scheme is connected to the Democrat fund machine - Act Blue
Ing says any donors who aren’t comfortable with how the money might be used can request a refund on ACTBlue.com

It seems that this is a pattern for Democrats. If you live in Mililani Trish LaChica unsuccessfully ran for several positions from MTA board to State Leg. In her last bid for MTA she wanted to establish a "fund" with MTA dues for "families in need" .  She finally was appointed this past year to the State.

I'm reading between the lines. They would have to disclose how the money is being used. So 70% goes to payroll. 20% goes to marketing and 10% goes to victims.

I'm reading between the lines. They would have to disclose how the money is being used. So 70% goes to payroll. 20% goes to marketing and 10% goes to victims.

Normally they categorize anything that's not direct benefits to their target recipients as "administrative expenses."  if you want a breakdown of salaries, overhead, marketing/fund raising, etc., you have to do more research.

In the military, we had the "honor" of donating to the charities of our choice through payroll deductions via the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC).  The list of possible charities to pick from was huge, and it contained the percentages: x% goes toward their beneficiaries, and y% goes to administrative expenses.  There were some showing 25%/75% breakdowns.  Those likely got the lowest number of donors, because the data was right in front of you as you filled out the forms.

The problem I see here is, when it's the first year in operation, a group can claim they will use 90% of the money for the stated purpose. But, as the months go by and more money is raised, they will hire more people, pay people more, and the ratio might shift.  Unless the government requires monthly filings, what they report now might be completely backward from a year from now. assuming an annual reporting requirement.