MADD Given “D” Rating From Watchdog Group

Our Chicago DUI Lawyers found this interesting news item this afternoon regarding the neo-prohibitionist group MADD.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving receives “D’” score – By Sheldon Dutes

GOOSE CREEK, SC (WCSC) – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is in the hot seat after a dismal score from the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP). The AIP Charity Guide and Watchdog Report gave MADD a “D” rating on a A-F scale in its 2010 report.

According to AIP and the American Beverage Institute, MADD received its score because of poor fund raising and accusations that it doesn’t focus on victim services as much as it should.

Based on the AIP Charity Rating Guide, MADD got such a low score because of its poor fundraising and spending practices.

According to the American Beverage Institute, in 2008 MADD spent almost $30 million on salaries, leaving just a third of its budget, or $15 million, for charitable work and victim services.

So MADD is spending 2/3′s of its budget on salary? What’s MADD’s response?

In response to the downgraded rating from the AIP Watchdog Report, MADD’s national office released the following statement:

“Our focus on drunk driving, underage drinking and victim services is stronger than ever. While methodologies for determining efficiency differ, we are proud to invest more than three fourths of our funds in programs to support people and save lives and continue to streamline our efforts to be fiscally responsible. Like many, we’ve experienced challenging economic times. Although we have saved almost 300,000 lives and counting, the problem of underage drinking and drunk driving is far from solved. This simply means we need the public’s assistance now more than ever.”

“This simply means that we need more money”. Wow.