A Massachusetts-based paid fundraiser has agreed tosettle claimsby the Vermont Attorney General that it misrepresented itself as a charity in calls to Vermonters and failed to disclose prior legal action by the Ohio Attorney General in violation of Vermont law.Integral Resources, Inc ran fundraising campaigns seeking donations from Vermonters for the national chapters of the American Council of the Blind and the League of Conservation Voters. During fundraising calls for these campaigns, callers from IRI repeatedly suggested they were calling from the charity itself, not from a for-profit fundraiser. When calling potential donors, IRI used phrases such as: “We can make a difference, but we need your renewed support;” and “It is because of the support and generosity of people like you that we are able to provide essential services.”
Also in violation of Vermont’s Charitable Solicitations Law, IRI failed to report an on-going investigation into its fundraising practices by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Information on investigations and settlements by other governmental entities is required by Vermont law and is provided to prospective donors on Attorney General’swebsite.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement IRI will cease using such deceptive phrases in its future fundraising campaigns in Vermont and, to follow through on the presumed intent of the donors, will pay $18,000 to the Vermont Community Foundation to support Vermont charities involved in environmental conservation and advocacy on behalf of people living with disabilities. Integral Resources will also reimburse the State $5,000 for the cost of the investigation.
“We have laws that are meant to protect and inform donors before they choose to support a charity employing a paid fundraiser,” said Attorney General Bill Sorrell. “When these paid fundraisers misrepresent themselves, they deceive the potential donors and violate the law.”
For more information on charitable giving, please visithttp://ago.vermont.gov/focus/consumer-info/charities.php
Vermont AG: Oct 14, 2014