They call on the phone and I ask the Magic Legal Question: "What percent of the money your organization collected last year went to the ones you collected for?"
Legally since way back the requirement is 5%. That's right, when you put quarters in a card or coins in a box, about 1 dollar in 20 actually goes to who or whatever you think you're helping. The rest goes to the collectors tax free.
So when they proudly tell me 10%, I shower them with shame until they hang up. And if they don't answer or give a false answer and I got their name and organization, I -can- take them to court and supposed can get $500 for doing that.
When people can own nice apartments in Manhattan +and+ a house in the country on 6-figure salaries by heading a -charity- organization then something ain't right!
If they started bugging me on the streets then I'd carry a donation box and go John Belushi on them.