Sorting through the maze of nonprofits has become a business in itself, with some for-profit businesses charging fees for viewing financial reports of seemingly endless lists of charities. Many nonprofits have administrative operations that need and deserve support, but with so much of the attention going to the larger organizations, the little ones, many doing exemplary things are often overlooked. Moreover, small organizations, cannot match the ability of the giant ones to garner public attention.
In 2004, donors gave $248.5 billion, a 5 percent jump from 2003, according to the Giving USA Foundation* , with the greatest share going to the major organizations like the United Way, the American Red Cross, and large religious groups. What needs to happen, say many, is for the smaller nonprofits to begin merging or to consolidate their operations. Some communities, including Pittsburgh, have offered financial incentives to encourage charities to merge. In this way, the local groups doing so much good work, but presently without the resources to "compete" with the giant corporations, can attract more support.
While applauding the major non-profits for their efforts and successes helping those in need around the world, Caring Pals USA was established to bring together individuals, groups, and businesses throughout America to identify, research, promote, and support smaller organizations with proven-effective programs helping kids in communities across the country. And when a need is discovered that no organization big or small is addressing, our network of volunteers springs to action creating and implementing projects aimed at addressing that need.
