Column -- Extra hoops for charities

It's always a drag to have to pay for other people's sins.

So I can see why some of the dedicated folks who run Iowa's efficient charities would be frustrated by the state attorney general's new Charitable Solicitations proposal.

The AG's office is drafting legislation that would require charities to register before asking donors for money in this state, as a way to help Iowans be better informed about where their donations go.

If state legislators pass it into law, most non-profits would be required to submit registration documents to the attorney general before they ask any Iowan for a dime.

That information would be published on a Web-based database so would-be donors could find out who is asking for their cash, where they're based, how much money they raise and how much of it goes to actually further their charitable ends.

It's a way to ferret out those “charities” that skim off the bulk of donations for operating expenses, or that farm fundraising out to companies that keep most of the money for themselves. It's a good idea.

A lot of states do this already - according to the attorney general's office, Iowa is one of only 10 that don't have some kind of registration process for charitable donations. It's a tool that will help Iowans give with confidence; to know just how much of their donation is going to the causes they're trying to support.

The draft proposal would affect somewhere between 3,000 and 6,000 non-profits with headquarters here and out of state.

Religious and political organizations, political candidates and some others would be exempt, along with any organization with less than $50,000 in revenue.

To pay for all this, the attorney general's office proposes a sliding-scale fee, which it estimates would cost somewhere less than $100 for most non-profits; $50 or less for more than half of them.

But the idea has a few non-profit representatives crying foul: It's not fair they should have to go through the extra hoops to pay for a system that's only needed because of the sloppier outfits.

It probably isn't. But it's also just the way this imperfect world works.

Iowa's charities and non-profits help make this state what it is. Their work helps us when we're hungry, inspires us through the arts, supports children and our elders, protects animals, the environment - nearly everything that Iowans care about.

We should recognize and be proud of the many organizations that run a tight ship.

This new registry would do that. It also would shine light on those who don't.

Jennifer Hemmingsen's column appears on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Contact the writer at (319) 339-3154 or jennifer.hemmingsen@gazcomm.com