Members in the UK will know all about this.
I have £100 to donate hmmm (scratches chin). Watch Tower or Children in need?
Highlights extracted from the accounts include a massive £32,000 donated to Haiti for earthquake relief out of the Societies' funds. I can see them dancing in the streets in Port au Prince. Of course the £59,000,000 under investment is not available for such ungodly ends as the meeting of human need. Just keep banging out toilet paper for Africa.
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends61/0001077961_AC_20100831_E_C.PDF
An extract:
“Charitable activities - Making donations to further religious education overseas
During the year the charity continued to support the construction of places of worship in Europe through making grants totalling over £111,000. The completed places of worship will be centres for both local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses and members of the local community who wish to benefit from the practical values contained in the Holy Bible, which promotes both the moral and spiritual edification of mankind.
The charity also provided material and financial assistance to Associations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in several developing countries, who are responsible for the general oversight of the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses in that country. The funds, over £6.8m in total, were given to promote missionary activity, to support general oversight costs of the local Association, and to assist in the operation of local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Additionally, literature with a value of over £4.9m was donated overseas, mainly to Africa, for use in advancing religious education.
Humanitarian aid of £32,000 was provided by the charity to assist those affected by the earthquake that struck Haiti. These funds were used towards the provision of meals and tents, the building of provisional housing units, and the operation of a temporary hospital, complete with a portable operating room.”
On the other hand:
Children In Need . A British charity that regularly raises an amount on a similar scale to that of WT and spends every penny on the alleviation of need.
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Accounts/Ends52/0000802052_ac_20100930_e_c.pd
An extract
“The Charity has no recognised gains or losses for the above two financial periods other than the net movement in funds shown above, all of which are derived from continuing operations.
The £7,840,000 designated for October 2010 grants was awarded in grants by the Trustees on 21 October 2010, bringing the balance of this fund to zero.”