Save Darfur’s ’08 990: A Top 10 List

Below are the Top 10 things that the Save Darfur Coalition spent more on than direct aid to Darfuris in 2008, according to their most recent 990.

10. GetActive Software, Inc. – $118,537.  This software service allows SDC to send millions of emails, most of which are never opened.

This is actually how SDC pays GetActive. Technology has come such a long way.

9.  Professional fundraising fees – $258,931.  These are the people they pay to raise them money.  I wonder what the return on investment was?

We're thinking that SDC's fundraising strategy looks something like this.

8.  Accounting fees – $101,311. Remember, pissing away tens of millions of dollars requires some minimal accounting.

Only 100K to get someone else to deal with your IRS audit and woefully sloppy bookkeeping? Sounds like a bargain!

7. Telephone – $76,580.  Wanna guess who they bought their phone service from?  M&R Strategic Services, one of their biggest and most influential consultants.  Anyone wanna take bets on what portion of this is M&R’s “service fee” and which part is for actual service from Verizon?

"We could've saved how much by just buying directly from Verizon?!"

6. Postage and shipping – $162,296.  And they sure ain’t sending supplies to Darfur!

"Are all these packages from SDC?" "Yep." "How many are going to Darfur?" "Hahaha! That question gets funnier every time you ask it!"

5. Occupancy – $187,754.  And guess who they rented their office space from!  Did you say M&R? Exactement! C’est vrai, mon ami! (That’s French for “Darn tootin’, y’all!”) See, you’re getting the hang of it…

Yeah, it's like this but, thankfully, SDC staffers don't spontaneously break into song all the time.

4. Travel – $1,025,438.  One MILLION dollars?! Sweet sassy molassy! Probably for all their international work.  Too bad they have almost no influence internationally. (Damn, Johnnie Walker Blue must be getting more expensive in airport lounges the world over. DAMN YOU, GLOBAL RECESSION!)

"So why did we have to wait to buy one-way tickets the day of the flight for this overseas trip that we've been planning for months?" "Shut your ugly face. That's why."

3. Temporary help – $77,033.  They could have hired a mid-level staffer for that!  Or two low-level staffers!

"I make $20 an hour sharpening pencils and blogging...but my opinions don't necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition."

2. Advertising – $896,088.  Did you see any SDC ads in 2008?  Neither did I.

After you find Waldo, try finding a SDC ad. You know, just for giggles.

1. Their Top 5 Highest Paid Consultants – $1,972,817. Ah yes.  The people who really make all the money.

No, Darfuris! You can not haz!