New York Attorney General Letitia James has released the annual “Pennies for Charity: Fundraising by Professional Fundraisers” report, which analyzes data from 2024 charitable fundraising campaigns. The findings, based on information submitted to the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Charities Bureau, aim to help New Yorkers make informed decisions about charitable giving and provide transparency regarding how donations are distributed when professional fundraisers are involved.
“New Yorkers give generously to charities to support causes they care about, and they should know that their donations are being used responsibly,” said Attorney General James. “Every year my office releases the Pennies for Charity report to help New Yorkers understand where their donations are going. Ahead of the holiday giving season, I encourage everyone to consult my office’s tips for charitable giving to avoid scams and ensure that their hard-earned money is being used for good.”
The state has more than 102,000 registered charities with the OAG Charities Bureau. Many organizations hire for-profit professional fundraisers who must register with the bureau and report on their campaigns’ earnings and expenses.
The 2025 report reviews financial results from 588 fundraising campaigns in 2024 conducted by these professionals. The analysis shows that professional fundraisers kept about a quarter of every dollar donated—totaling over $395 million in fees and expenses—while charities received 75 percent of contributions. This represents a decrease compared to the previous year when charities received 83 percent.
Additionally, about half of all analyzed campaigns resulted in less than half of raised funds reaching the intended charities. In roughly 18 percent of cases, campaign expenses surpassed revenues, costing nonprofits over $20 million.
To assist donors during Giving Tuesday and beyond, the report offers several guidelines:
– Donors contacted by telemarketers should ask questions as required by New York law; telemarketers must disclose their names, employer details, whether they are paid, and what percentage goes toward fundraiser fees.
– For direct mail appeals, individuals should verify if solicitations come from legitimate organizations or use misleading names.
– Online donors should research before contributing through digital platforms since some sites do not vet beneficiaries or obtain charity permissions.
– Donors should confirm website security before submitting payment information online.
– Caution is advised regarding email solicitations containing suspicious links or attachments due to potential phishing risks.
– The OAG Pennies for Charity database can be used to check a charity’s fundraising record. If an organization consistently receives only a small portion of funds raised by professional fundraisers, further review may be necessary.
Complaints regarding misrepresentation or suspected scams can be reported directly to OAG’s Charities Bureau at complaints@ag.ny.gov or (212) 416-8401.
This year’s report was prepared by members of the Charities Bureau and Research and Analytics Department under supervision from senior officials within those divisions.
