Secretary of State Davidson and Attorney General Salazar Announce Results of First Charitable Solicitations Annual Report

Denver, December 8, 2003 – Secretary of State Donetta Davidson and Attorney General Ken Salazar today announced the results of Colorado’s first Annual Report on Charitable Solicitations spending. The report provides citizens an overview of fundraising campaigns conducted by registered paid solicitors on behalf of 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.

Report Highlights:

• Gross proceeds of all campaigns: $21,114,882.83
• Total net proceeds to charity: $8,635 ,336.46
• Average percent to charity: 40.9%; Range: 0% to 97.22%

Secretary of State Donetta Davidson reported that approximately 2,400 Charitable Organizations have registered with the Secretary of State’s office using the nation’s only totally electronic on-line registration system.

"The Secretary of State’s Registration system is in place to protect the public’s interest in making informed choices as to which charitable causes should be supported," Davidson said. "For additional information about charitable giving, please visit www.sos.state.co.us where you can search charitable registrations," said Davidson.

"The Charitable Solicitations law and the registration and reporting information that result from it provide Coloradans with important information that was not readily available before," said Attorney General Salazar. "During this holiday season, consumers can now use the regulatory systems in place to make informed charitable donations and to help enforcement agencies prevent charitable fraud.

Consumers should report suspected fraudulent charitable solicitations to the Colorado Secretary of State's Office at 303-894-2200.