Secretary of State Gigi Dennis and Attorney General John Suthers Announce Results of Colorado's Charitable Solicitations Annual Report

Denver, December 7, 2005 - Today Secretary of State Gigi Dennis and Attorney General John Suthers announced the results of Colorado's third Annual Report on Charitable Solicitations. The report provides citizens an overview of fundraising campaigns conducted by registered paid solicitors on behalf of charities, as well as a summary of the revenue and expenses of all charities. The Annual Report also provides tips on wise giving, recent statistics on charities and fundraising, and an overview of Colorado's charitable solicitations law.

2004 Report Highlights:

• Gross proceeds of solicitation campaigns: $96,152,247.30
• Total net proceeds to charity: $52,877,236.34
• The increase of total net proceeds to charity from 2003: $44,241,899.88
• 2004 Average percent to charity: 55.0%; Range: 0% to 100.0%

2005 Report Highlights

• Gross proceeds of solicitation campaigns: $164,290,565.26
• Total net proceeds to charity: $78,012,076.00
• The increase of total net proceeds to charity from 2004: $25,134,840
• 2005 Average percent of total gross proceeds to charity: 47.5%, Range: -267.28% to 100.0%

This year the report includes a look at the growth of gross proceeds taken in by paid solicitors over the past three years and shows that the average percentage of gross proceeds making it to the charities has declined since last year from 54.5% to 47.5%.

Secretary of State Gigi Dennis reported that 3,829 charities have now registered with the Secretary of State's office and been issued a unique registration number that they can give out to potential donors as a way to verify their organization is in compliance with the Charitable Solicitations Act.

"The Secretary of State's registration system is in place to assist the public by making informed choices as to which charitable causes should be supported," Secretary of State Gigi Dennis said.

"The information in this report is extremely valuable and can help Coloradans to ensure that their hard-earned dollars will be spent to help those in need," Attorney General John Suthers said. "During this holiday season, consumers can now use the regulatory systems in place to make informed charitable donations and help enforcement agencies prevent charitable fraud."

For additional information about charitable giving, please visit www.sos.state.co.us and click on the "Licensing Center". Consumers should report suspected fraudulent charitable solicitations to Chris Cash with the Colorado Secretary of State's office at (303) 894-2200 ext. 6407.