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philanthropy
Florida's Best, Worst Charities
Some are better than others at keeping expenses in check. Here's a statewide roundup.
For the Children — Lake Worth
| Revenue | $999,860 | |
| Expenses | $922,854 | |
| Program expenses | $870,168 | 94.3% |
| Administrative expenses | $51,074 | 5.5% |
| Fund-raising expenses | $1,612 | 0.2% |
| Fund-raising efficiency: Less than a penny is spent in fund raising for every $1 raised. |
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Almost a decade ago, Palm Beach County second-grade teacher Reginale Durandisse decided to do something about her frustration over kids failing the reading portion of the FCAT. So she applied for a grant from the county’s Children’s Services Council and opened an after-school tutoring and recreation program in 2000 at the vacant Osborne School, a historic black public school in Lake Worth.
Building on an $82,000 grant, Durandisse has established partnerships with Winn-Dixie, BankAtlantic, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Morgan Stanley and others. It’s a strategy that takes more time than money. Durandisse says that corporate support ranges from $300 to $500,000. She encourages volunteerism from companies, including speakers who teach budgeting and finance skills to adults and young people alike. Says Durandisse, “Money is not the only way.” She cites Wachovia as particularly active in mentoring.
For the Children gets only about 8.5%, or $85,000, of its funds from individual contributions. Those gifts of 50 cents to $300 come in part from the website that Durandisse herself designed. Individual, corporate and public-sector money will be used to expand the Osborne School facilities. First up will be a ball field and practice field. Says Durandisse, “Every penny counts.”
