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Statement from the Executive Director regarding ACS
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As you may have heard, a planned project by Foundation Beyond Belief to raise up to a half million dollars through the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life program was recently tabled when ACS declined to allow us to create a national Relay team as other non-profits have done. The initiative was the idea of humanist philanthropist Todd Stiefel, a steadfast supporter of FBB, whose family has been devastated by the disease for generations. Todd offered to head up the effort; he and his father Charles offered an astonishing $250,000 in matching grants; and we dedicated one of our intern positions to assist in organizing local teams around the U.S. It was an exciting opportunity to do what we have always done: rally the compassion and generosity of the nontheistic community for the greater good. Our approach was met with initial enthusiasm and excitement from ACS -- then, quite suddenly, a brick wall. (Read more here and here.) It's common practice for non-profits to decline support when they feel an association would result in a greater loss of support from other donors. Several such incidents have been in the news over the years. Unfortunately, such policies can have the effect of reinforcing stereotypes by keeping a perceived pariah on the cultural margins. Regardless of any short-term benefits to an organization's cash flow, the maintenance of pariahs simply isn't good for the culture. This is not the first time we have been declined by an organization we had hoped to support—it is the fourth, in fact—nor is it likely to be the last. But in each previous case, we have chosen not to talk publicly about it, preferring to focus on the more than 70 charitable organizations who have been happy and grateful to accept our partnership in alleviating suffering and injustice around the world. This time, however, the frustration became part of a public conversation. We are so grateful to Todd for his efforts and sorry for this disappointing outcome. Though both Todd and FBB are focused on other projects now, we have every intention of redirecting the positive energy of our community to another organization in the future. Thanks to all for your expressions of support and encouragement. Dale McGowan More on the story can be found at Greta Christina's blog and AlterNet |
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non-corporate teams
If you go to the Relay site and start a team there are several non-corporate national teams still in the dropdown menu. However, they've all been labled as "youth affilitates" now. Also, the Jaycess are not on the list for some reason. I wonder if ACS made them angry.
Curves
Maybe Curves is the one who objected. It's well known they have a religious agenda.
Curves’ Relay History:
• Fifth year n the NTP
• 2006: 555 teams, raising $500,000
• 2007: 650 teams, raising $1,376,000
• 2008: 660 teams, raising $1.1 million
• 2009: 711 teams, raising $1.1 million
• 2010: 617 teams, raising $1,156,423 million
Jeld-Wen--corporate team
JELD-WEN’s Relay History:
• Seventh year n he NTP
• Fielded a total of 100-plus teams in the past five years
• 2010: 29 teams, raised more than $62,243
Hewitt--corporate team
Hewitt's Relay History:
AGLA--corporate team
Not all corporate teams as large as some people want to believe. In 2010, AGLA had less than 50 teams and raised <$100K.
American General Life and Accident Insurance
AGLA National Team Program Fact Sheet
AGLA’s Relay History:
• Sixth year n the N TP
• 2005: 86 teams, raising $137,600
• 2006: 50 teams, raising $133,000
• 2007: 66 teams, raising $117,895
• 2008: 127 teams, raising $137,000
• 2009: 77 teams, raising $106,000
• 2010: 46 teams, raising $98,001
DeMolay still has a team?
I contacted DeMolay using the contact form on their webstie and asked if they have a national team for Relay. The person who repsponded actually told me they, "Yes we do!". I then asked for confirmation since ACS is stating they discontinued the program. They then questioned the veracity of my information. So, I sent them screenshots of ACS's posts on their FB page and part of the text and a link to ACS's statment that was posted on AskAnAtheist. I have not received another reply from DeMolay since that last email.
I wonder why we haven't heard from the other organizations who had non-corporate teams. Does anyone have more information about it?
Some of you guys can't be serious...
I keep hearing individuals claim that they are still angry with ACS over this whole ordeal. They have a policy and they stood by it. The National Teams program is only for businesses/corporations as the ACS letter stated. You can go look at the list on their website. They have no religious-affiliated organizations.
http://www.acsworkplacesolutions.com/relayteamprogram.asp
I honestly believe that FBB needs to give a formal apology. As a fellow atheist, I am embarrassed that FBB even took it this far. ACS is a non-profit organization raising money to cure cancer. What FBB did was discredit their integrity. All of you should be ashamed.
Dear ACS
FBB HASN'T TAKEN IT ANYWHERE! This is the ONLY statement made by FBB itself with respect to this issue, and Todd Stiefel simply told his story. The publicity is from outraged atheists, not FBB. This isn't the first time FBB's been turned down, so if it were FBB, you might expect there to be tons of blog posts about those groups, but there isn't. We'll just gloss over the fact that FBB is a non-profit corporation.
My main problem with this is what exactly would that apology look like? "So sorry we made a proposal about getting local atheist teams involved in a fun event and agreed to match a large portion of the fundraising, in order to support a good cause, raise the profile of secular humanists, and get local atheist groups some publicity, too?" "Sorry that after you inconsistently applied rules for involvement to us, rather than trying to work out a solution that would work for the party giving 500k as well as the ACS we didn't just give you some money for the trouble we caused trying to work out a solution?" "Sorry for not mentioning it AT ALL, but for making a single statement about moving forward because of awareness raised on other blogs?" "Sorry for not just giving you the matching funds (remember, the other 250k were to be raised by local groups, with 250k matching, which is where the 500k figure came from) after you acted like you didn't even care about the donation in the first place?" Really?
FBB is known for carefully vetting charities and not choosing ones that are run inefficiently. It would be more of a discredit to FBB's integrity to give to an organization that is so unwilling to follow its own mission statement that they would make it difficult for a group to raise $500k for them.
The Facts:
The facts of the case are getting distorted by all of the yelling and flaming. People need to consider the actual facts of the case. This blog post does exactly that. Please read before you comment. http://notesonabusinesspage.blogspot.com/2011/10/phony-war.html
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
The ACS only denied their participation on national level team. Not the donation. The national team is reserved for large donors because that is fiscally responsible fund raising.
IF the FBB wanted to donate the money what's wrong with participation at the local level? The "we won't give money unless we are on the national team" hardly seems charitable.
Here is the list of the national teams for this year http://www.acsworkplacesolutions.com/relayteamprogram.asp Look at the bottom of the page.
In addition to requirements to promote and advertise for the Relay, the National Team Partners are required to recruit and maintain at least fifty teams in each of at least two states (that's 100 relay teams, or roughly 100 times what the FBB was promising to do). In point of fact, the 52 partner organizations have created and maintain more than 7,800 teams as of this year's program - that's about 150 teams each. Collectively, these teams have raised over $21 million to date
President of the ACS did announces this change of National Level qualifications, on the ACS website. I repeat: this change of rules is not a slight against Atheists. It is a change in their fundraising strategy to attract bigger donors.
FBB could simply send a check or just participate in the relay at the local level just like everyone else. If it’s good enough for the Girl Scouts (who are NOT on part of the National Team) then shouldn’t it be good enough for FBB?
The distribution for ACS (About 71.6% goes to program funding 22% goes to fundraising. They can reduce the fundraising costs by going after bigger donors. Hence the rule change. Here is the breakdown of where the money goes. http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6495
I repeat: this change of rules is not a slight against Atheists. It is a change in their fundraising strategy to attract bigger donors. Say what you will, the facts still remain:
1. This is not a slap against the FBB, but a change that affects ALL smaller groups.
2. The smaller groups absolutely can participate, but on the local level.
So, FBB, what is your beef?
Where was the announcement
Where was the announcement about the change in program? There's nothing on the Cancer.org page and certainly no mention of it on the Relay page. The only mention ACS has made about eliminating that program is in some sort of response to the FBB issue. THAT is in not way an announcement. A real announcement about the program would not have even needed to mention FBB and would have been posted on the Relay page at least by the end of the 1st week of September.
There are atheist/freethinker/secular humanist/etc. organizations all across the US. FBB and Stiefel Foundation already has existing relationships with many of them. It was entirely feasible to think FBB could have fielded many more than 100 teams in at least 2 states.
Seems you still need to work on your math. If there are 52 partner organizations that have raised $21,000,000 to date then that means that each organization has raised $403,846 for Relay. You're also saying that the $21 million is "to DATE" which means that this is over more than one year. That would mean each of those 52 organizations has raised LESS than $403,846 each in a one year period.
The Jaycees raised about $284K last year and had a goal of $302K this year. How is that substantially different than a corporate team in the paragraph above. You do realise that the $403,846 is an average and there are some who likely raised LESS than the Jaycees did? Why is there no place for these non-corporate teams now? ACS is not making a legitimate argument at ALL.
They are a non-profit corporation
It looks like you need to consider the actual facts of the case. The Foundation Beyond Belief did not say that The American Cancer Society rejected their donation. Their issue lies in the fact that ACS did falsely said that they are not a corporation entity. The Foundation Beyond Belief is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in fact and the American Cancer society recognizes other non-profit corporations such as the Sigma Alpha Mada and the Girl Scouts.
"We feel a need to address some of the comments posted on this Facebook page and a recent blog post related to the relationship between the American Cancer Society and Foundation Beyond Belief. We hope to clarify some misinformation and correct any misconceptions.
The Society has not turned down the Foundation Beyond Belief’s generous donation offer and we definitely don’t want to discourage the group’s participation in Relay For Life. We are grateful for their interest in saving lives from cancer. In fact, we continue to discuss with this group ways in which we can work together.
The Foundation sought to participate in Relay For Life’s National Team Program, which is a program for corporate donors and supporters. The Foundation Beyond Belief is not a corporate entity, so our representative offered alternatives to the National Team Program that are consistent with the way in which Relay For Life works with other foundations, student groups, social and philosophical organizations, and other types of groups across the country that do not meet the criteria of the National Team Program. Our representative encouraged participation by the Foundation Beyond Belief at the community level, and offered to make introductions to local Relay events in communities wherever the Foundation has affiliates across the country. The Society has similar relationships with millions of individuals representing similar organizations nationwide.
It is true that there are some recognition benefits available only to groups that are part of the National Team Program, and it is regrettable that some people may feel offended that the Foundation Beyond Belief would not be eligible to take advantage of those benefits. In managing Relay For Life, with thousands of community events and millions of passionate participants nationwide, we strive to deal fairly and consistently with everyone.
We sincerely hope we can find a resolution to this situation that is agreeable to all concerned , because it is clear that we all share a passion for Relay and our mission of helping people stay well, get well, find cures, and fight back against cancer. And at the end of the day, saving lives is what it is all about.
Reuel Johnson
National Vice President, Relay For Life"
I don't blame the Foundation Beyond Belief for not donating at the National Level because The National Vice President falsely describes their orgaization as "not a corporate entity" for his the society's reason for not creating a team on the national level. If the American Cancer Society wants to be "fiscally responsible," they can start by correcting their false claim and recognizing The Foundation Beyond Belief as a non-profit corporation as it does for the girl scouts and Sigma Alpha Mada as a National Team. The Foundation Beyond belief can do more at the national level than they can by making a local donation. It seems to me that this is just a clever way to discriminate.
a little math
Hi Angie,
I see you've finally made your way here. Did you actually read the evidence presented on this page?
Anyway, let's do a bit of math shall we?
You stated--"52 partner organizations have created and maintain more than 7,800 teams as of this year's program - that's about 150 teams each. Collectively, these teams have raised over $21 million to date"
$21,000,000 / 52 = $403,846 which is LESS THAN $500,000!
Also, the Jaycess have a national team. Last year they raised close to $300K and this year their goal is $302K. Should they be kicked out?
There are 12 national non-corporate teams. Even so, with the proposal that FBB brought to ACS almost any charity would have jumped at the chance to work with FBB. ACS, however, seems motivated by some hidden agenda to keep FBB from participating.
The Facts -
The facts of the case are getting distorted by all of the yelling and flaming. People need to consider the actual facts of the case. This blog post does exactly that. Please read before you comment. http://notesonabusinesspage.blogspot.com/2011/10/phony-war.html
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
The ACS only denied their participation on national level team. Not the donation. The national team is reserved for large donors because that is fiscally responsible fund raising.
IF the FBB wanted to donate the money what's wrong with participation at the local level? The "we won't give money unless we are on the national team" hardly seems charitable.
Here is the list of the national teams for this year http://www.acsworkplacesolutions.com/relayteamprogram.asp Look at the bottom of the page.
In addition to requirements to promote and advertise for the Relay, the National Team Partners are required to recruit and maintain at least fifty teams in each of at least two states (that's 100 relay teams, or roughly 100 times what the FBB was promising to do). In point of fact, the 52 partner organizations have created and maintain more than 7,800 teams as of this year's program - that's about 150 teams each. Collectively, these teams have raised over $21 million to date
FBB could simply send a check or just participate in the relay at the local level just like everyone else. If it’s good enough for the Girl Scouts (who are NOT on part of the National Team) then shouldn’t it be good enough for FBB?
The distribution for ACS (About 71.6% goes to program funding 22% goes to fundraising. They can reduce the fundraising costs by going after bigger donors. Hence the rule change. Here is the breakdown of where the money goes. http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6495
President of the ACS did announces this change of National Level qualifications, on the ACS website. I repeat: this change of rules is not a slight against Atheists. It is a change in their fundraising strategy to attract bigger donors. Say what you will, the facts still remain:
1. This is not a slap against the FBB, but a change that affects ALL smaller groups.
2. The smaller groups absolutely can participate, but on the local level.
So, FBB, what is your beef?
local vs. national
Actually, what is really looks like is that ACS didn't want all the local atheist/freethinker/secular organization to be able to add all their donations together under one national team. Allowing them to do so may have made some people nervous to know that there were so many non-religious people across the nation.
And YOU are serious?
The National Teams program is only for businesses/corporations as the ACS letter stated.
Really? Corporations like DeMolay International and Phi Theta Kappa, even though they are not for-profit businesses? They are allowed because they are 501(c)(3) charitable corporations?
Whoops! So is FBB!
So, yeah, your broken link provides no new information, except you don't know squat.
Apologize for the broken like, but here is the info...
Here are the corporations who are part of the National Team, which by the way is actually called the Relay for Life National Corporate Team:
AGLA
Relay For Life National Corporate Team Members (2011 New Companies (9)):
Here is the link: http://www.acsworkplacesolutions.com/relayteamprogram.asp
Hopefully that link works.
If you have a link...
If you have a link to their site that has the list with those people you are referencing, I would like to see it.
What everyone needs to realize is that the Relay for Life National Team program is for corporations only, as stated in their letter, and on their website:
"The Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program is the perfect way for companies with large regional or national networks to join together with the American Cancer Society to help save lives."
I do not know where you guys are getting those other groups, but they are not part of the Relay for Life National Corporate Team.
Non-Corporate Teams
If ACS ended the participation of clubs and organizations as National Teams they did so very, very quietly. There was no announcement, no thanks to the 12 teams who had been participating, no explanation. ACS just deleted information from their website. It seems that allowing FBB to have a team scared them SO badly that they had to just quickly and quietly do away with the entire non-corporate national team program. The timing seems very suspect.
Proof of the teams can be found here:
http://www.managemyrelay.org/mmr/resource
Go to the section “Team Blitz Support Resources” and open the document titled “Targeted Team Recruitment – ServiceSocial.doc”. I copied the relevant portion of it here:
National Relationships
Currently there are 6 National service organizations that are affiliated with Relay For Life. At a National level, they have chosen Relay For Life as their signature activity. This does not mean all chapters will participate in their local Relay event, but a relationship at the National level already exists and gives you a warm lead.
Find out where your local chapter is located and introduce yourself to them. Ask if your committee can come and present to them on Relay For Life and get the involved.
They could get involved as Committee members and teams!
Ask if Relay could be involved in their local chapter communications to their members.
1) United States Junior Chamber (US JAYCEES)
2) Phi Beta Sigma
3) Parrot Heads In Paradise, Inc
4) National Funeral Directors Association
5) Knights of Pythias
6) Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc
There are also several youth service and social organizations that have a National Relay For Life relationships. These clubs and organizations exist at your local middle schools and high schools.
1) Technology Student Association
2) Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
3) American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
4) DeMolay International
5) Girl Scouts of the USA
6) Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
and another link:
This page is still up though the Team links no longer work:
Non-Corporate Teams
Given that the Jaycees alone raised almost $300K it's very odd that ACS would just suddenly end the program especially without some sort of announcement and acknowledgement. Instead, the Team pages have just been deleted. I have been wondering if those other teams are insulted by ACS's behavior.
June 2011 Jaycees Newsletter
More proof the Jaycess had a national team. The following is from one of their newsletters and dated June 2011--
http://www.wijaycees.org/June%202011.pdf
(pg. 7)
Register your Jaycees Relay Team!
Relay For Life & the United States Junior Chamber – Fighting Cancer Together!
The American Cancer Society is proud to welcome the United States Junior Chamber to the 2011 Relay For Life National Team Program. This is an exclusive program designed to give corporations, clubs, organizations and associations an opportunity to fight cancer in their communities through American’s largest fundraiser, Relay For Life. Relay gives each organization and its members an opportunity to show their community they care about cancer by participating as Relay teams and volunteers.
This year our goal is to raise $302,000.00 for Relay For Life.
Phi Theta Kapp National Team
Looks as if Phi Theta Kappa won't meet their goal of raising $10 million by 2018.
http://www.ptk.org/?q=get-involved/relay-for-life
Phi Theta Kappa encourages chapters to continue to support Relay For Life as part of the Society's Civic Engagement Initiative. Our goal as an Honor Society is to raise $10 million for the American Cancer Society by Phi Theta Kappa's 100th Anniversary International Convention in 2018. Phi Theta Kappa chapters have already raised more than $2.3 million.
Jaycees National Team
Jaycees National Team
http://www.usjaycees.org/relay-for-life
The United States Junior Chamber is in it’s third year as a non corporate partner with the American Cancer Society, National Team Program. 2009 was a record year for the US Jaycees. More than 200 teams, over 1000 participants (including 107) survivors participated in Relay For Life events around the country.
The Jaycees combined their leadership skills with a passion for Relay and raised a record $284,000 for the American Cancer Society. We were the TOP (out of six) non corporate partners participating in the RFL National Team Program.
Phi Beta Sigma National Team
Phi Beta Sigma National Team
http://www.pbs1914.org/initiatives/american_cancer_society/
"Sigmas will participate in Relay For Life and other fundraising for the American Cancer Society as well. Our goal is to raise $100,000 over the next two years through Relay For Life and other fundraisers. Each chapter is expected to raise and contribute a minimum of $300 to the American Cancer Society."
NFDA National Team
Seems no one has informed the National Funeral Directors Association that they can no longer have a national team:
http://www.nfda.org/additional-tools/881.html
How do they feel about the change?
ACS 2011 Relay For Life brochure
Here's a brocure for the 2011 Relay For Life (revised 4/11, just 3 months before FBB contacted ACS to join as a national team). The brochure makes it absolutely clear that corporations, clubs, organizations and associations can join the National Team Program:
https://library.relayforlife.org/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_41795...
What is recognition?
Do we really need recognition for the work?
From my understanding from:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2011/09/09/the-american-cancer-society-responds-about-rejecting-atheist-national-team-from-relay-for-life/
the money will still be accepted, but there will be no recognition.
Are we of such egos that we cannot help for the sake of helping?
~a Humanist
Yes, we need recognition,
Yes, we need recognition, because so many religious people think that morality and charity are tied to religion.
One of the purposes of FBB (as I see it) is to educate that people without religion can be moral and charitable.
Afterall -- why else are we contributing to FBB? Why not just contribute directly to the charities that FBB supports?
Recognition
Well, part of the point of Relay For Life (and one that's heavily used to market the event) is that teams get visibility and recognition for their participation. The event itself is about people working together, as a team, for a common cause.
this is best possible response
I know I wasn't the only one who felt outraged that a national organization would 1) turn down so much money, 2) seemingly turn it down for the reason that it came from atheists, and 3) turn FBB down in such a bizarre and convoluted way, that it seems that the only reason is our beliefs, but they wouldn't just come out and say it. However, my initial reaction aside, I think that the best response is what Dale says: to keep FBB moving in the right direction and not bash ACS for doing something that is not uncommon (i.e., turning FBB down because we're not Christian), although I don't think it's common to do it so frustratingly indirectly. But, kudos to Dale and Todd for being so positive and professional.
I hope that the weird denial of money by ACS will have a good outcome: introducing FBB to freethinkers and secular humanists who've never heard of us, through the posts by secular humanist/atheist/freethinker bloggers.
Still, if ACS doesn't want FBB money
Then they're not getting mine, either. Enough nontheists are standing up and saying the same thing, and the ACS should take notice, especially from previous donors. It probably won't be enough to change their mind, but it should be enough to take notice.
Well...
I think that the best response is what Dale says: to keep FBB moving in the right direction and not bash ACS for doing something that is not uncommon (i.e., turning FBB down because we're not Christian)
That may be a good and proper response from FBB itself, but from the nonbelievers' community in general, it seems to me important to publicize ACS's ugly behavior as broadly as possible.
If it's better for FBB's own purposes for the Foundation to stay quiet and subtle about the matter and "move on," that's fine—but I don't think other atheists should.
I totally agree
Yes, you can be assured that I have not personally moved on. Hopefully we'll be able to find some other cancer charity who won't give us the run-around, although it's sad that there won't be such a great opportunity for local teams to be involved in a fun activity for a good cause!
ACS says "Inclusion is imperative."
The following is a statement from ACS about the Relay For Life. I think they have forgotten that it's on their website-
http://www.cancer.org/Involved/Participate/RelayForLife/history-of-relay...
A Means of Unifying Communities
Cancer is indiscriminate and knows no boundaries. As voluntary organizations in the United States must serve an increasingly diverse population and customer base, the way in which the American Cancer Society does business will need to shift. Our ability to communicate appropriately and utilize partners in our efforts will facilitate our growth in reaching diverse communities and ultimately in reaching the 2015 goals of the Society. Inclusion is imperative.