Students to host Autism Speaks benefit concert Oct. 9

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Nevada Daily Mail

Members of Cottey College's psychology organization, also known as Psi Beta, have partnered with members of the community to host a benefit concert for Autism Speaks on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 8-10 p.m., at Raney dining hall on the college's campus.

There will be perfomances by local bands Withird I, Recess on a Field Trip, Nathan Rorabaugh, and acoustic music by several other guests. The event is open to the public and there is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted. All proceeds from the concert will go toward the groups' goal of raising $600 to take with them to a "Walk Now for Autism Speaks" walk at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., on Oct. 16.

Autism is a term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism. Government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually. The cause of autism is unknown and no cure exists. Funding from volunteers through groups like Autism Speaks goes toward research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism.

For more information or to learn how to donate, contact Jessica Kuder, Psi Beta president Cottey Chapter, at (734) 673-6290.

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Autism Speaks has released its 2008 990 tax return form, which is the primary source of the following information regarding its finances. According to their 990, Autism Speaks has 36 employees who were compensated over $100,000 this year. The highest paid employee listed, their Chief Science Officer, Geri Dawson, was compensated $644,274. That's better than most people make in fairly good positions at Fortune 500 companies! ...

In total, they spent $17,756,876 on employee salaries, pensions/401ks, benefits, and payroll taxes. By contrast, their grants to individuals and communities totaled a paltry $66,670, not even a drop in the bucket compared to their total reported expenditures. Based on that information, it is clear that Autism Speaks does very little with their money to help autistic people and their families...

-- Posted by TerryB on Thu, Oct 7, 2010, at 11:06 PM
When you investigate, you find thst most charities spend 80% or more of what they take in on salaries. So, research a charity before you get involved.

-- Posted by TerryB on Fri, Oct 8, 2010, at 6:37 AM
Terry, it looks like you read an online story that doesn't present all the data on Autism Speaks, rather than read the 990 yourself. I encourage you to do so, as it lists the many, many millions of dollars the organization gives in grants for research, which is the purpose of the nonprofit. No, it doesn't give huge amounts to individuals or communities, but there is page after page of listings that detail the huge grants that it gives to research, primarily universities. Since their intent is to identify causes, develop treatments, and cure autism - leading to a cure - that is exactly where the money should go. And it does, as you can see when you read their IRS report for yourself.

You will see on the 990 that their compensation is comparable to other national medical services nonprofits. The salary for the one woman was high for one year, as it included a one-time relocation expense, which is not uncommon in many fields. For someone who has education and expertise, the salaries mentioned are likely very appropriate.

I would love toknow where you get the figure of most charities spending 80 percent of their revenue on salaries. Even if that is true, salaries are the key to services - teachers have to be paid to allow for schools to work, staff have to be paid to work in shelters, churches have to pay staff, etc....

IRS 990's are public; I encourage anyone to check out a nonprofit. Do pay attention to what the individual organization's purpose is when analyzing it. You will find some doing their jobs well, but some 'nonprofits' exist solely to fund the salaries of those who work there, such as veteran's organizations who solicit by mail, yet don't provide any services to veterans.

-- Posted by tfallin on Fri, Oct 8, 2010, at 6:55 PM
Almost $18 million in salaries cannot be justified.

-- Posted by TerryB on Fri, Oct 8, 2010, at 8:36 PM

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