Report: Charitable giving in NC down, but charities using more for programs

According to the office's annual report, charities licensed by the state collected $43.6 million during the 12-month period from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

The amount was $1.8 million less than donations given during 2017-2018.

But state officials said the amount of this year’s total that went to charities’ programs, $32.4 million, exceeded what charities netted in the previous year by over $433,000.

According to the agency, charities overall received 74 percent of every dollar donated, a nearly 4 percent increase from last year and a record high for the aggregate percentage of contributions going to charities’ programming after fundraising and administrative costs.

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall announced the disclosure of this year's report at the offices of Triangle Family Services.

Administrators at the agency say charitable donations are crucial to its mission.

Triangle Family Services is receiving high marks because state officials say about 11 percent of donated funds are used for administrative expenses, while everything else goes to the agency's charitable programs.

“Triangle Family Services helps families through three core program areas: mental health, financial stability, and family safety,” Marshall said in a written statement. “It’s been doing good works in Raleigh for 80 years, and its importance to the community has only grown as the challenges facing area families have grown more complex.”

State officials say residents should report fake charities.