Kids Wish Network used less than 1% of the money raised on actual causes

Joe Rogan: "Kids Wish Network, look at this. They raised 127 million dollars. They paid 109 million to attorneys. And the percentage they spent on direct cash aid for the actual kids was 2.5%.

Look at the Cancer Fund of America. Less than 1% went to the actual cause."

Kids Wish Network

Founded in 1997, Kids Wish Network presents itself as a nonprofit organization dedicated to granting wishes to children with serious illnesses. However, investigations have revealed that in 2012, of the $18.6 million raised, only $240,000 (approximately 1%) was used to grant wishes, while over $110 million was funneled to fundraising contractors over the past decade. These practices led to the organization being labeled "the worst charity in the nation" in a 2013 joint investigation by the Tampa Bay Times and the Center for Investigative Reporting.

Cancer Fund of America and Related Organizations

The Cancer Fund of America, along with three other organizations run by members of the Reynolds family, was accused by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and attorneys general from all 50 states of defrauding donors out of more than $187 million. It was found that less than 1% of the funds raised were actually used to support cancer patients, while the rest benefited the operators and their relatives. These organizations were ultimately shut down in 2016 following legal action.

Comparison with Legitimate Organizations

In contrast, organizations like Make-A-Wish International allocate a significantly higher portion of their funds to their core mission. For example, in fiscal year 2023, Make-A-Wish International raised $13.3 million and its affiliates raised $106.4 million globally, using these funds to fulfill the wishes of over 35,000 children with serious illnesses.

These cases highlight the importance of researching and verifying the transparency and efficiency of charitable organizations before making donations, ensuring that the funds effectively support the causes they claim to promote.