New York report: Telemarketers keep more than half of funds raised for charities in state

New York's attorney general reports that for-profit telemarketers operating in the state have been keeping more than half of the funds they raised on behalf of charities, although the percentage has declined overall.

The report released Wednesday shows that telemarketers in 2013 raised more than $302 million, up 20 percent from a year earlier, and kept about $156 million.

About 48 percent, or $146.5 million, has gone to the charities' missions.

That share is up from 2012 when only 37 percent of the money went to the charities.

The report analyzes 573 fundraising campaigns.

The Attorney General's Office oversees the state's charities and nonprofits.

____

Online:

http://www.ag.ny.gov/pdfs/2014_Pennies.pdf