Attorney General James Releases Annual “Pennies for Charity” Report

 

New Report Shows Charitable Giving Campaigns Raised over $1.7 Billion in 2021, Almost $250 Million More than 2020

Professional Fundraisers Earned Over $460 Million, More Than a Quarter of Total Charitable Campaign Donations

Ahead of Giving Tuesday, Report Lays Out Tips to Protect Donors’ Wallets from Scams

In advance of Giving Tuesday and the holiday season, New York Attorney General Letitia James today released her annual “Pennies for Charity: Fundraising by Professional Fundraisers” report, which analyzes data submitted to the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Charities Bureau by professional fundraisers on their 2021 charitable fundraising campaigns in New York. The report looks at trends in the sector, provides guidance and tips for donors, and gives charities information on fundraisers’ performance. This year’s report found that professional fundraisers received over a quarter of every dollar donated to charities that employed them in 2021 in fees and expenses — a total of more than $460 million. Analyzing 658 campaigns conducted by professional fundraisers in 2021, the report finds that charities received 73 percent of donations, in line with the year prior and a small increase from 2019. Professional fundraisers are outside, for-profit organizations often hired by charities to run campaigns. 

“When New Yorkers make the generous choice to give to a charity, they trust that their money will be used responsibly,” said Attorney General James. “In advance of the holiday season and Giving Tuesday tomorrow, New Yorkers can rest assured that my office is working every day to protect their wallets and deliver the transparency they so rightly deserve. I encourage anyone planning to donate this season to consult our tips for charitable giving to ensure their thoughtful gift goes to the right place.” 

New York is home to many diverse charitable organizations and institutions, which like all parts of our society, faced many challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the pandemic’s continuing economic impact and limitations on in-person events, donations rose to over $1.7 billion in 2021 — an increase of almost $250 million from 2020 and over $400 million from 2019 pre-pandemic contributions. Other report findings include:  

•   In 276 campaigns — 42 percent — charities received less than 50 percent of funds raised, with professional fundraisers retaining the rest. 
•   In 96 campaigns — 15 percent — expenses exceeded revenue and cost charities over $10 million. This is fewer cases than last year for both findings. 

This year’s Pennies for Charity report includes information from reports filed with OAG's Charities Bureau by professional fundraisers for charity campaigns conducted in 2021. Professional fundraisers must register with OAG and their financial reports must break down the campaign’s earnings and expenses. The report and the searchable Pennies for Charity database containing the findings of those reports are posted on the Charities Bureau website.

The report also lays out tips for donors to follow before donating over the phone, through mail, or online to ensure that their contributions reach the causes they intend to support. The report is linked above for a full guide, but important tips to keep in mind include:   

•   If you are contacted by a telemarketer, ask questions to make an informed decision: New York law requires telemarketers soliciting for charities to make certain disclosures to potential donors and prohibits them from making false, misleading, or deceptive statements to contributors. Telemarketers are required to tell potential donors their names, which professional fundraiser employs them, and if the telemarketer is getting paid. Donors may also ask what percentage of their donation will go to the fundraiser for fees and expenses. 
•   If you receive a direct mail charitable appeal, verify the soliciting organization: Does the organization have a name that sounds like a well-known charity? Double-check — is it the one you think it is? Does the mailing claim to follow up on a pledge that you do not remember making? Does it clearly describe the programs that the charity plans to fund with your donation? 
•   If you are donating online, do your research first: Donating online or via an app is convenient for donors and can be cost effective for a charity. But before hitting “Send,” donors should check whether a campaign is legitimate. Below are steps to take before donating online:
  •   Some online platforms that host groups and individuals soliciting for causes do not obtain permission from charities, or vet those charities who use their service. Donors should only give to campaigns conducted by people whom they know. Donors also should check what fees they will be charged and make sure that the charity has given its permission for the use of its name or logo. The site or the charity should confirm that the charity has approved the campaign.
  •   When donating online, make sure the website is secure: The web address should start with “https.” Unless the charity uses a separate payment site, the web address should match that of the organization that will receive the donation.
  •   Be wary of email solicitations that ask you to click a link or open attachments. These could be phishing scams that try to trick you into giving out your credit card number, Social Security number, or other confidential information.
  •   More information about OAG’s Charities Bureau and organizations it regulates may be found online. If you believe an organization is misrepresenting its work or that a scam is taking place, please contact OAG’s Charities Bureau at Complaints@ag.ny.gov or (212) 416-8401.

MAYOR ADAMS SIGNS PACKAGE OF BILLS TO IMPROVE DIVERSITY WITHIN FDNY

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed a package of five bills to improve diversity within the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). The bills aim to address recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups within the department, as well as requiring the implementation of diversity, inclusion, anti-discrimination, and anti-harassment training. 

  

“Our FDNY frontline heroes keep our city safe day in and day out, and today we take another step to strengthen and support New York City’s Bravest,” said Mayor Adams. “New York City’s diversity is our strength, and these five bills will help build a more inclusive FDNY that is reflective of the millions of New Yorkers we serve. I’m grateful to our colleagues in the City Council for their partnership and commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive Fire Department for generations to come.”

 

“Diversity is strength, and this legislation will make New York’s Bravest even stronger,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks III. “Today’s FDNY is striving to be more inclusive, accessible, and reflective of our communities. With these new tools and under the leadership of Commissioner Kavanagh — the department’s first female commissioner — we will continue to strive toward that goal.” 

“Diversity is at the heart of our city’s strength, and our commitment as an agency is first and foremost to the people we serve. The FDNY will set the bar for the fire service by attracting the best talent this city has to offer, serving each neighborhood as though it was our own, and ensuring each member of our FDNY family can thrive, grow as leaders, and inspire future generations,” said FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “Mayor Adams, Speaker Adams, and the City Council are true partners in that mission, and I look forward to working closely with them to achieve it.

Intro. 516-A — sponsored by New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams — establishes a recruitment and retention plan for firefighters. The bill requires the FDNY, in consultation with the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), to develop and implement a plan to recruit and retain individuals from underrepresented populations within the rank of firefighter. 

  

Intro. 519-A — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Joann Ariola — requires a survey of permanent firehouse upgrades to establish a working environment that facilitates use by a mixed-gender workforce. The bill requires the FDNY to survey each firehouse to determine the permanent facility upgrades necessary to facilitate use by a mixed-gender workforce. Upon completion of the survey, the FDNY will then submit a report on the findings of the survey detailing permanent facility upgrades necessary at each firehouse, the feasibility of implementing such upgrades, and any construction plans to make such upgrades. 

  

Intro. 552-A — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Kevin Riley — requires the FDNY to submit an annual report on the number of employees assigned to each firehouse or special operations unit, disaggregated by gender and race or ethnicity, as well as the number of individuals who reside within the immediate service area of each fire company, disaggregated by gender and race or ethnicity. 

  

Intro. 553-A — also sponsored by Councilmember Riley — requires the FDNY, in consultation with DCAS, to develop and implement a plan for providing ongoing training and education to all employees regarding diversity and inclusion, including training on the department’s anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. FDNY will also be required to post an annual report on its website regarding efforts taken to implement such training. 

  

Intro. 560-A — sponsored by New York City Councilmember Nantasha Williams — requires the FDNY to submit an annual report on complaints filed with the department’s Equal Employment Opportunity office regarding potential violations of the city’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy. The report will include information on the number of complaints that resulted in corrective action taken by the FDNY, further disaggregated by the form of corrective action, including, but not limited to, formal reprimands, fines, loss of pay or benefits, transfers, suspensions, demotions, and terminations. 

  

“New York City’s firefighters protect our city and save lives every single day, yet it remains clear that FDNY is not representative of our city’s diversity,” said Speaker Adams. “I’m proud these new laws passed by the council and signed today help advance the department’s recruitment and retention of women and people of color from all communities as firefighters. This package of bills becoming law marks a significant step forward to ensure that New York’s Bravest are more equitably composed of people from New York City’s entire gorgeous mosaic. I thank my colleagues in the council for working collaboratively to pass this important legislation and Mayor Adams for signing the bills into law.”

 

Ruben Diaz - My Political Prayers For The New Year

 

You should know that every year, we as Christians Evangelicals traditionally bid farewell to the old year and we welcome the new year, kneeling in prayer at the temple.

 

You should Know that, at that moment, when the clock strikes midnight, we kneel before God, and we give thanks and present God with our petitionary prayers for the coming new year.

 

Our prayers are for our relatives, children, friends, our Nation, and elected leaders. We also pray for a better spiritual life, being a better husband, or wife, having a better job and so on.

 

It is important for you to know that on the night of Saturday, December 31, if the Lord grants me the opportunity, I will be on my knees, saying goodbye to the year 2022, at The Christian Neighborhood Church at 1437 Longfellow Avenue in the Bronx.  I will be offering several prayers to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

 

Among the many petitions I will make on New Year’s Eve, I will make sure to include the following in my prayers.

 

1. For the Republican Party: I will pray that they don't forget the great support they received from our community when they voted Republican for the first time. I will pray that Republicans continue to visit our communities, organize, and invest resources in our neighborhoods.  The numbers for these past elections proved that the GOP made inroads in Democratic strongholds with limited resources. I will pray that the GOP does not give up on the strides they made in our community during these past elections.

 

2. To Republican Leaders and Candidates: I will pray that they learn to work in a more unified manner. Because apart from being Republicans, they cannot afford to continue to working independently. I will pray that they learn to work as a team, and learn to run with a slate of candidates, and with unified campaign literature, so that candidates carry and support each other, that those at the bottom help carry those candidates at the top and vice versa. 

 

3. To Governor Kathy Hochul and the leaders of the Democratic Party: I will pray the Democrats open their eyes and take the numbers for the past elections seriously. I will pray that when they do, they will realize that they no longer have the support or the influence of the Asian, Jewish, and Hispanics communities like they once had, having lost all our trust.

 

4.  For Vanessa Gibson, President of the Bronx: I will pray that she takes time to sit down and learn from examples set by former Bronx Borough President’s like: Fernando Ferrer, Adolfo Carrion and Rubén Diaz Jr. I will pray that she will learn from them on how to work effectively to serve the many diverse communities residing in the Bronx.  I will pray that she learns this lesson before the next elections for President of the Borough.

5.  To Councilman Rafael Salamanca: Although we do not know what his next political moves are, I will pray that he continues his tireless agenda on     behalf of his district, blessing people in need, during Thanksgiving, inside and outside his district, organizing festivals helping to bring the community together, creating housing and offering opportunities that benefit small businesses and entrepreneurs. His efforts have shown us that he has a bright and fruitful future, I will pray for his continued public service wherever it may lead him.

6.   To Congressman Adriano Espaillat and the New Assemblyman George Álvarez: I will Pray that their eyes be opened so that they can realize that the bets are on everywhere. The wager is on which of the two will be the first to betray the other when a better political opportunity arises, given that both lack loyalty and commitment as far as friendships go. It seems as though they both studied at the same school as Senator Luis Sepulveda.

7.  To Mayor Eric Adams: I will pray that my friend also takes some time to sit down and revisit the campaign promise he made to all New Yorkers. He Promised that he would be a Mayor for all New Yorkers regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and not just serve his friends relatives, and special interest’s groups. I will pray that the Mayor will take note and analyze that his opponent Republican Curtis Sliwa, who despite running on limited resources, and no support from the Labor Unions gave him a good run for his money and did very well. God willing the mayor will do his best and not continue to give ammunition for his rivals to run on come the next mayoral election.

8. For the Ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo: I will pray that he understands the meaning of the words in Ecclesiastes. The Bible says, “to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born,  and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; I will pray that the former governor realize that opportunities come like a little ball with three strings, and when that little ball with the 3 strings come your way, you must grab it by one of those strings, because when that opportunity is slips away, its gone and it  does not return.         

               

9.  Finally, for Congressman Lee Zeldin: I will pray that the Congressman does not rest on his laurels and doesn’t stay put in Long Island. I pray that he continues to return to our inner-city communities and continue to build on the strong foundation he has begun. I will pray that he keeps in mind that those issues which he ran on, such calling out Governor, Kathy Hocul on the increase in crime, violence, late term abortions, bail reform laws, etc., etc., might not be there in four years. 

As you can see dear reader, I have many petitionary prayers for 2023. I hope my listeners also can understand what the Bible says, “For in the elderly there is science and in old age intelligence" {Job 12} All who have ears, listen.

          

I am Reverend Ruben Diaz and this is What You Should Know.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Service & Funeral Information for Joseph Kelleher, Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

Council Votes to Approve Creation of over 5,000 Units of Housing with over 65% Designated as Affordable in Brooklyn and Queens, Bringing Total Number of Units Created by Council in 2022 to more than 11,000, with over 63% Affordable

 

Council also votes on legislation to advance substance use recovery programs, mental health services, and regulation of catalytic converter sales to prevent auto theft

The Council approved two land use applications in Brooklyn and Queens that will collectively produce over 5,000 new units of housing, 65% of which will be affordable. Over 1,900 of the housing units (over 37%) would be deeply affordable for extremely or very low-income households. The projects, Innovation QNS in Astoria, Queens and Innovative Urban Village in East New York, Brooklyn, demonstrate the Council’s commitment to addressing the City’s housing crisis by approving affordable housing development. With these approvals, the Council has now approved over 40 land use applications since January 2022, creating 11,447 total housing units with over 63% (7,238 units) designated as affordable. 

“As our city grapples with a housing crisis that threatens communities, the Council has advanced major projects that provide tens of thousands of affordable homes to New Yorkers,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “With today’s approval of Innovation QNS and Innovative Urban Village, we are delivering affordable housing and unprecedented public benefits for the residents of Brooklyn, Queens, and the entire city. These projects affirm the Council’s deep commitment to confronting the city’s housing shortage by securing safe, stable, and affordable homes for New Yorkers. We will continue to invest in solutions to the greatest challenges facing our communities and work together to ensure residents can thrive in our city.”

Please Remember BRAC on Giving Tuesday: A Time to Give Back

 

Please Remember BRAC on Giving Tuesday: A Time to Give Back

Dear BRAC patrons,   #GivingTuesday is here. #GivingTuesday is an annual global generosity movement that is designed to unleash the power of people and organizations to transform their communities, and with that the world. BRAC is grateful this year that the pandemic has become more manageable and consequently we were (cautiously) able to resumed all our programming within our spacious facility. But challenges like climate change, inflation, political instability (even war), and more health crises affecting our lives and livelihoods, puts daily pressures on non-profit's ability to do our work successfully. However, through it all, BRAC remains courageous and determined to fulfill our mission to provide quality arts programming to as many people as we can, and in turn provide relief from the challenges we collectively face today. But we cannot do this without your help, so please consider supporting BRAC in any way you can during this giving season.

Make a Giving Tuesday Donation Education Programming for children and adults: (shown)  Printmaking, Digital Illustration, Mixed Media Art, Ceramics,  Digital Photography and Painting. In fact, our 2022-23 programming has been robust, with  multiple art classes in more than10 different fine arts  and digital media classes, serving youth and adults  from age seven - seniors year-round. The gratitude  we received in turn from our program  participants has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, and  it motivates us to do even more and better still. With your help we will succeed, and our home, which is  your home, will remain OPEN, safe, and a refuge that  you can turn to when you want to be creative and inspired. Please remember BRAC on this important day and give what you can to help us give all year long. Your  tax-deductible donations will make all the difference.

The Advocate Bulletin - November 25, 2022

 

A Message from the Public Advocate Friends and fellow New Yorkers, Public safety is not a political talking point to be weaponized, and mental health crises are not to be demonized – these are issues that demand real, informed solutions. For New Yorkers to both be safe and feel safe, it’s vital to treat mental crises as a public health issue, and respond as such, rather than a criminal issue with a law enforcement response. In October of 2019, my office released a report which was both a condemnation of the city’s mental health crisis response and a guide for restructuring and reforming those systems. This report was informed by conversations with and the work of mental health and justice advocates, and was crafted in response to the number of avoidable deaths at the hands of an inadequate, insufficiently trained crisis response system. Since then, progress on this issue has been frustratingly slow – in some ways, the City has gone backwards. In the three years since our initial report, that urgency has not been evident in the actions taken by the administration. The impacts of the pandemic on both our individual and collective mental health, the trauma incurred, have only heightened the need for systemic reform to holistically address this crisis as an issue of health, rather than simply law enforcement. Last week, our office released a new review of the city’s progress toward meeting this issue, the areas in which it has moved backward, and new recommendations to meet the current moment – you can read the review here. My office and I are eager to engage with both the administration and communities across our city in order to re-center and re-imagine mental health responses in our city. It is our responsibility now to realize the reforms needed and the urgency of action, to prevent more suffering and loss. In Advocacy, Jumaane D. Williams

Committing to End Traffic Violence

This past weekend, we joined the Department of Transportation, Families for Safe Streets, and Transportation Alternatives to honor every New Yorker who has died due to traffic violence. As we remember our neighbors who have died, we also must commit ourselves to building safer streets so that everyone can travel without fear. We have already made substantial progress this year towards protecting pedestrians: the city has implemented 24/7 speed cameras, pedestrianized plazas, and re-designed intersections; however, we must do much more to prioritize safe streets and save lives.

Standing with Starbucks Workers

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This Red Cup Day, we picketed with Starbucks workers at the Roastery in Chelsea who are protesting health code violations and demanding a fair contract. While Starbucks continues to rake in record profits and raise prices, it has refused to bargain in good faith with its workers. Food safety inspectors have also found mold in the ice at the Roastery in Chelsea, and we will continue to stand with workers in their fight for fair wages and sanitary working conditions across the five boroughs.

Community Engagement In honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance, LGBTQ  and Health Coordinator Kim Watson-Benjamin  marched with Destination Tomorrow and advocates in  a silent TDOR vigil. Now more than ever, we join in  community remembrance;  watch the Public Advocate’s TDOR message, in the  wake of the tragic shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs. We hope all New Yorkers who celebrated enjoyed  a meaningful, joyful holiday. As families and  friends prepared to come together for a festive  meal, we teamed up with community partners to  ensure there would be a turkey on the table.  In Harlem, First Deputy Public Advocate Nick  E. Smith and Bronx Borough Advocate Socrates  Solano joined elected officials and tenant  leaders to distribute turkeys to Lincoln  Houses residents.  Check out our turkey distribution efforts across NYC! Initiatives Round-up STAY UPDATED - On November 10, we teamed up with uAspire to answer your questions about Federal Student Loan Debt Relief with a Student Loan Debt Relief AMA (Ask Me Anything). Hours later, legal challenges blocked the student debt relief program, and this week, the Biden Administration extended the student loan payment pause until no later than June 30, 2023. Together with partners, we’ll be sure to keep New Yorkers updated on this developing story. Visit uAspire's Debt Relief FAQs to learn more. Follow the Office of the Public Advocate on Eventbrite, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest on office events and initiatives. New Yorkers can also read our office’s official blog, The Advocate. Constituents' Corner In this holiday season, it’s vital that we support our fellow New Yorkers in need. Find out more about how you can donate time and resources to, or make use of, food pantries across the city. As temperatures drop, landlords are legally required to keep your apartment at 62 degrees between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, and 68 degrees between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM, because of a law passed by then-Council Member Williams. If your apartment is colder than this, please call your landlord first, and then call 311. New York City tenants have a right to heat and hot water. You can also connect directly with National Grid’s Consumer Advocate for resources during this winter heating season, from assistance with utility bills to guidance on energy efficiency. Reach them at ngrid.com/consumeradvocates or by calling 718.643.4050 Any New Yorker can always reach out to our office with concerns or requests for support, assistance, and services by contacting gethelp@advocate.nyc.gov or calling 212.669.7250 and leaving a message. At this time, our offices are not open for in-person appointments. NEED ASSISTANCE? Contact the Constituent Services Department Email: gethelp@advocate.nyc.gov Text: (833)933-1692 Hotline: (212)669-7250 Fax: (212)669-4701