Vermont Business Magazine A charitable organization supporting Vermont firefighters will receive $20,000 through a settlement negotiated by Attorney General T.J. Donovan; the organization will be named by the Vermont Community Foundation. The settlement stems from alawsuit the State filed last yearagainst FireCo, a paid fundraiser based in Madison, Tennessee. The lawsuit alleged violations of Vermont’s charitable solicitations law, including FireCo’s failure to clearly and concisely disclose to potential donors where they can find information about the percentage of their donation that the paid fundraiser retains. The complaint also alleged misrepresentation and failure to file statements closing a fundraising campaign.
“This settlement is good for Vermont consumers and it’s good for firefighters,” General Donovan said.
In addition to the $20,000 earmarked to a charitable organization supporting Vermont firefighters, FireCo will also pay $15,000 to the State for its fees and costs.
Until it ceased doing business in Vermont, FireCo was the highest grossing paid fundraiser in Vermont, raising millions of dollars through phone solicitations. On average, FireCo retained 79 cents, including expenses, for every dollar raised; its charitable sponsor received 21 cents on the dollar.
Information about the breakdown of contributions between paid fundraisers and charities is available on the Attorney General’s website at http://ago.vermont.gov/focus/consumer-info/charities.php.
Consumers who have concerns about a paid fundraiser may file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program, via theonline complaint form, by phone: (802) 656-3183, by email at[email protected], or by mail to: Consumer Assistance Program, 109 State St. Montpelier, VT 05609-1001.
Source: Vermont AG July 24, 2017