If you go to Guide Star at
http://www.guidestar.org you can take a look at their 990's. All non profits are required to file these forms with the IRS in lieu of tax returns. They give you really solid info on the money. What's coming in; what's going out; and where it's going. That includes the amounts for salaries including board of directors fees; overhead and fund-raising expenses and a lot more information. You'll need to register, but that's free. You only need the basic services unless your a grant writer; a foundation; large donor to many charities or are really into fund-raising. This is one of the first places you should go before donating money to any charity.
Certain charities aren't listed. Religious charities in most cases aren't listed. They don't have to file the 990's. That's why you won't find organizations like United Methodist Committee or Relief.
This is one of the first places you should go before donating money to any charity.
For what its worth, anyone thinking of contributing to the Humane Society should be aware that they channel much of their donations to the environmental waco organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and all the various state level organizations that fund the legal fees used to fight against sportsmen in order to ban hunting.........Here in Michigan the most noteworthy fight was against dove hunting sponsored and funded almost entirely by the Michigan Humane Society.........