I was just told by a donation collecting nazi T1NO that my amazon $25 cash donation to the site would only give me a $10 donation on the books. He charged a 60% fee. After doing some research this wrong. A flat fee for all bond holders should be given by the company receiving the donation to assure its members where the money is going. Also if I give $25, I gave $25 period. I don't give a f*ck who picked your pockets after. On my tax return I gave $25 if your tax return has $10 there will be a much bigger issue at hand like IRS.
Now for a little buisness lesson.
Commercial Co-Ventures and Cause Related Marketing
If your nonprofit makes an arrangement with a business to receive a percentage of sales – or if a business offers that deal to your nonprofit – beware. In at least 22 states that’s a regulated activity that may require a special registration filing. This activity is sometimes referred to as "charitable sales promotion" and sometimes as a "commercial co-venture."
There is nothing wrong with crafting an arrangement with a for-profit business for a nonprofit to receive a percentage of sales. However, it would be naïve to ignore the fact that for-profit businesses can benefit when consumers are motivated to purchase goods or services by the thought that they are making a donation to a charitable nonprofit. Studies show that consumers are motivated to make purchases if they believe that a percentage of sales will go to a “good cause,” hence the name, “Cause-related marketing.” Consequently, state regulators have an interest in protecting charitable nonprofits from being taken advantage of, and protecting consumer’s expectations about where the money will end up.
The law surrounding charitable sales promotions/cause-related marketing and “commercial co-ventures” is evolving.
"A commercial co-venturer is any person or firm who for profit regularly conducts a charitable sales promotion or underwrites, arranges or sponsors a sale, performance or event of any kind which is advertised to benefit a charitable organization. Commercial co-ventures have become a popular way for consumer products and services companies to support charitable causes while generating commercial goodwill."
– Copilevitz & Canter
Be aware that cause-related marketing is a regulated activity in several states. Typically the state laws require nonprofits to file a copy of the contract governing the arrangement before any sales take place. Because state laws vary, your nonprofit will want to be familiar with the laws governing charitable solicitation registration in general, and specifically those regulating commercial co-ventures and/or cause related marketing. Failure to register can lead to fines and in some states even criminal penalties. Bottom line: know your state's law and document the arrangements with the for-profit so that there is accountability for the sales promotions.
The last paragraph is very important because this goes for the bond holder as well. I know several bond holders are operating in the USA and may very well be breaking the state and federal law of non profit donations. I will be looking into this and forwarding to appropriate channels I.E. the BBB, state congress and international business affairs. I agree the bond holder should make something for his time but 60%? He is taking more then the charity itself. But only giving me $10 on the books shows me a theft might not be known yet.