Salvation Army
Is This Your Business?3.8
3.8
Author: Kaitlyn Short
LAST UPDATED: July 4th, 2024
The Salvation Army was founded in London in 1865 by a former Methodist preacher and his wife. International headquarters for The Salvation Army are in London, but the organization has a presence in 127 countries worldwide. The Salvation Army’s United States headquarters are in Alexandria, Virginia.
Because the organization has status as a Christian church in addition to being a charitable organization, full financial disclosure and filing of an IRS Form 990 is not required. There have been several allegations of The Salvation Army mismanaging funds and even making a profit on donated physical items.
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The Good
- Program percentage
- Donor communication
- Awards
Program Percentage
On average, The Salvation Army spends 82 percent of its income on program delivery. Some of the programs that the organization maintains include: Support for Adults- Adult rehabilitation
- Veteran affairs
- Prison ministries
- Elder services
- Combating human trafficking
- Missing Persons
- Hunger relief
- Housing and homeless services
- Youth camps and recreations
- Christmas assistance
- Kroc centers
- Sponsorship
- World service
Donor Communication
The Salvation Army has a robust presence on social media and provides regular updates of its programs. The organization maintains social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.Awards
In May 2016, The Salvation Army was recognized with the STEM Education Leadership Award for its support of STEM programs. This award was presented by Nasdaq and EverFi.The Bad
- Total income
- Administrative expenses
- Fundraising expenses
- Accessible financial information
- Negative press
Total Income
Because The Salvation Army is registered as a religious organization, there is no federal requirement for the organization to file Form 990s, which is one way that charitable organizations illustrate their transparency. However, The Salvation Army did report income of $4,111,013 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. The organization does not offer much financial information about other years on its website.Administrative Expenses
The Salvation Army has not disclosed the salaries of its top executives. On its breakdown of expenses for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2014, $407,934 or 12 percent of The Salvation Army's expenses were paid under the "Management and General" category. There is no explanation from The Salvation Army about the specifics of this category.Fundraising Expenses
In 2014, The Salvation Army reported that it spent $217,887 or 6 percent of its expense budget on fundraising.Accessible Financial Information
Finding financial information on The Salvation Army's website is straightforward; however, there is an overall lack of financial information available. This lack of transparency may raise questions for some.Negative Press
The Salvation Army was named as one of the "Top Greediest Charities" by Business Pundit in May 2011. The publication accused The Salvation Army of owning high-end real estate (worth at least $900,000) for its executives. Additional accusations include selling properties gifted to the organization for profit and suing Greenpeace over a confusing clause in a will in an effort to rob Greenpeace of an inherited gift. The Salvation Army has also been criticized through the years for its supposed mistreatment of the LGBTQ community.The Bottom Line
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Jacqueline Price
O stars for the Salvation Army. My beautiful mom passed away. After I packed her glassware, dishes and ceramic pieces in boxes,
I scheduled a donation pickup from the Salvation Army in Buffalo, NY.
I live out of state, so I arrive in Buffalo the day before the scheduled pickup. I'm waiting for the pickup between the hours of 8am-4pm. At 4:05pm I call the donation call center to ask why the pickup hasn't occurred yet. I was told the pickup was cancelled with no explanation in the notes. Are you kidding me? Very unreliable organization and untrustworthy. I'm very disappointed in this organization.
3 years ago
Manuel. Houck Thomasville, NC
I would leave 0 stars if I could ive helped the salvation army many times for free for food and bell ringing in the coldest of times when people from their organization in this case Lt W comes to my home where my wife and I pay the bills and i tell him to leave to which he bucks up to me telling me I live on rental property he can stay as long as he likes (to which i have since spoken to the police that said if he comes back to call them and he will go to jail for trespassing he didnt have a right to yell at me on my own property and tell me he doesnt have to leave because of where I live its wrong he says youre just shooting yourself in the foot you wont get any help from us anymore ... Like what help the food that you get for free or the money I EARNED working as a bell ringer. I dont need their help I live around the block and its easy to just go grab bags as opposed to going to the closest store where food is way overpriced give me a break here but to say what I really want to say just because you wear a uniform and are called a LT in "gods" army doesnt give you any extra rights in this world to be able to go to someones home and yell at them and yes I yelled back I'm at my home and you started.yelling at me in front of my son on my property you got another thought coming bet you get locked up if you come to my house again just like any government agent or civilian without court papers would
5 years ago
Hershel Thomas Norcross, GA
The store in Tampa Fla sold me a akai gx77 reel to reel tape player cost $ 440 . They told me in email it was in good working condition but it doesn't work at all. They said they would give me partial refund of $200 but that hasn't happened. The employee Mike just gives one excuse after another. I wouldn't recommend anyone to do business or donate to Salvation Army. The store that gave me a raw deal is at 13815 North Salvation Army Ln. Tampa Fla. There main concern is not religious or helping people but lining their pockets with money . BEWARE OF THE ARMY STAY AWAY FROM THEM IT IS A FAKE ORGINATION! DON'T BUY ANY OF THIER MERCHANDISE ON EBAY YOU WILL BE SORRY. THE MORE YOU DONATE THE MORE MONEY THEY MAKE ! GOOGLE THE SALVATION ARMY GET THE REAL STORY.
5 years ago
Army of Garbage Edison, NJ
Yep they should get no stars in the first place cause this little old man and this other guy made me wait at my storage container for almost 2 hours in crack of dawn cause they showed up for who knows how long and left and came back because I had to get ahold of their reception which led me to the most slowest person ever. They both were rude off the start acting like they were busy when they clearly wasted 2 hours for nothing. I lead them to the storage containers and they broke the loading dock door and when we look in the containers this little man with his iPad not giving me no eye contact at all kept threatening to leave and post a picture of it to his boss cause it was full. (In progress of moving that’s why). Then they refuse to take the things they agree to take cause the desk was compressed wood and an old rocking chair had a scratch on it. They both stand there just commenting rude things and finally told them to leave and left that loading dock broken. I had to report it to the storage facility’s front desk. I didn’t realize to donate furniture it needs to be brand new out of the store. Useless organization 10/10
5 years ago
The Rafano’s Brooklyn, NY
I would give them no star they showed up today two of them the little older man would of been of no help first thing he say was oh have I been here before you see one old house n they all look the same so very Rude I’ve had quite a few furniture pieces to donate right away we don’t take that oh that’s old oh that’s pressed wood well it wasn’t he doesn’t know his wood n we don’t take breakfronts or china cabinets yes on top of the side tables for the bedroom was scratched nothing a little elby grease n stain they definitely would have made money on the items he was a bit of a know it all n abrupt we felt like he was looking down on us kept blaming the person on the phone I guess they want you to buy brand new to donate never ever use or recommend them ever we took railings down etc to accommodate them they get a minus star from us👎👎👎👎👎
5 years ago
Tina Concord, CA
I made an appointment for the SA Truck to pick up a single bedframe, mattress and TV on July 22, 2019 for a pickup date of August 12. I had to get someone to bring these items from outside storage to my home so that I could donate on August 12. The driver calls me hours before the pickup that he cannot accept the bedframe. I will never donate to such a horrible, unaccountable, egotistic company again, never in my life. They have no respect for others lives, what we go through and seem to be so poweful that they can just tell you last minute they won't pick up this and that. What a horrible experience. Don't donate to Salvation Army, stop it and let them suffer, which they so deserve. I would give them zero star if I could or even a minus zero. Horrible company.
6 years ago
Cheryl Little Greensburg, PA
I am very disappointed in Salvation Army! They say they are out there to help people in need but refused to take our couches. We recently scheduled them to pick them up after waiting a month they arrived at our door. They came in and looked at the couches and immediately said they could not take it because they would not be able to resell it for a profit. They said they were stained which was minor and showing some wear. Ugh! I know a family in need would of been very grateful to have the furniture. I thought salvation army was about helping those in need. Not making a profit! I will be giving my donations to Good Will and other places from now on!
6 years ago
DP Springfield, IL
Terrible experience trying to donate to them. I was moving and decided to give them my furniture. They agreed to take what I had over the phone, but when Salvation Army employees showed up where I lived, they refused to take any item that looked even slightly used, even if they had already agreed to take it. I had to scramble to find a different charity to take the pieces they wouldn't take . If the Salvation Army doesn't think they can immediately turn around and sell an item on the show room floor, they won't take it. I learned the hard way that I should have used a different group that is true to their word about what they would take and is willing to put in the effort to rehab furniture that has some wear.
6 years ago
Cindy Newcastle, NE
I have tried to get help from salvation army twice, the first time I tried I had lost everything thing I owned in a fire. I had no blankets, no food, no furniture and no money. I am permanently disabled living on below poverty income. The receptionist is abusively RUDE heartless and uncaring, she called her supervisor who was cruel heartless and insulting.
I use to donate to the salvation army and now, I will never contact them again, I will never recommend them for anything to anyone. I would like them to go to the have a heart school, then send them to charm s hook, then everyone that works there should be forced to live in my shoes for years. This would teach them love, patience and kindness. They claim to be a church. So they must worship a god. God and Jesus say we all must love our fellow man, must treat our fellow man as we want to be treated. They do not follow these teachings. Who's teachings do they follow???!!
6 years ago
Lisa
Absoultely awful charity i wont even class them that. They was beyond awful to me when i was down on my luck back in 2010 they didnt help me when i was homeless and hungary they said i needed to be a drug addict and alcoholic to get the help i need. They said because im not from south east of England they didnt want me there. Im from north east but lived with a friend from Folkestone for very short period of time. I went to one of the salvation army places they mocked my accent and treat me like an outcast they couldnt wait for me to get out their door. The way they dealt with me was awful i felt belittled and was publicly huminated in front of others. I was called blonde bimbo by member of staff and because i came from north east she was laughing at my accent.
7 years ago
Jon Roberts
Suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at one of their rented properties which effected my whole family. Salvation Army completely disinterested and only concerned with evicting us onto the street as fast as possible to re home one of their officers which can hardly be classed as charitable. This is in direct contradiction of all their adverts about how they look after people so please donate. On the whole the worst Landlord it has been my misfortune to have. I used to hold the Salvation Army with some esteem and have made donations in the past unfortunately the public image is just a front and all they really care about is themselves. Not Christian in any way.
7 years ago
Olesya Plazyo Troy, MI
I just had the worst experience trying to make a donation to Salvation Army. They were going to come out pick up 2 mattresses for me for which I requested 2 receipts. They came but brought just 1 receipt. Because the mattresses were from 2 different companies, I needed 2 separate receipts. I called their customer service, thinking that this should be an easy fix. Instead I got the rudest person talking aggressively and impolitely to me over the phone. When I asked to speak to her supervisor, he also had an attitude. They do not care if the mattresses get donated or not. I couldn't believe it. Sad....
7 years ago
DeAnn Trevathan Fort Worth, TX
I contacted Salvation Army to pick up a couch. The men came out. They didn't introduce themselves. The one man came in like he owned the place. Very rude. Here were 2 strapping men and they were too lazy to pick up t bgg e couch and carry it bbn out of the house. These men are a very poor representation of Salvation Army. I called and talked to Rick and he never apologized for their behavior - he did nothing but make excuses. This is a very poor company if these are the people they employ
1 year ago
Andreas Zielke Oakland, CA
Salvation Army Alamada and Oakland.
I asked online if they accept my furniture piece and where. Drove with the furniture to Alameda location, but they sent me to other location in Oakland. Oakland location Webster Str told me they don't accept furniture (although I saw they sell them !?!?).
Worst experience ever. Never donating to Salvation Army again !!
3 years ago
eunj ,
When you see a Salvation Army public worker with a can, don't donate. The Salvation Army has a very defined history of abuse in their women's shelters, denying unmarried couples, and leaving homeless trans people on the street in greatest need because of 1. weather and 2. escaping abuse. Don't interact with the Salvation Army and absolutely don't donate.
5 years ago
Shayla D Williams Manor, TX
Scheduled a pick up for a donation and the salvation army guys told me they were not going to take it because underneath the bottom of the couch had a tear and on a 3 piece sectional one of the cushions had Been stitched.... other than that furniture in great condition.... I have never been so confused that you have to have perfect furniture to donate it. The guys told us they were looking to make a big profit and my furniture did not cut it.....is the salvation army helping less fortunate ppl. Or just helping themselves!!!!!!!
7 years ago Edited September 14, 2021
L. Stockton Rocky Mount, NC
I was stuck in a foreign country with no money or place to go. I contacted the local Salvation army, seeking food and shelter. NO ONE returned my repeated phone calls. When I finally got back to the U.S., I sent many messages to the main Salvation Army and also emails, asking for an explanation, NO ONE ever responded. My aunt spent her entire life giving to the Salvation Army and died as a Major with this organization. I wonder what she would think of this, were she alive today.
8 years ago
Mel Lin
I am not sure what has happen to the Salvation Army but in my area I no longer feel safe going into the store. The employees make fun of elderly people. They break up the things you donate. They are rude and sarcastic. I can clearly hear them gossipping about other employees. This is not where I want to spend my money.
1 year ago
Michael Kiss Sacramento, CA
I am a disabled senior who's asking salvation army for a fuel voucher and because I live alone and they cannot verify that where I live is where I'm going they denied me a fuel voucher I think they suck they need to go find a different line of business instead of helping people because that's what they do not do in my case
3 years ago
Jessie Exeter, NH
Requested pickup which got scheduled 6 weeks out. So I wait 6 weeks, took a day off of work since they don't provide a window of time they'll be there, showed up at 10am and refused it. So I'm out a day of work and still have this thing. Total lack of concern to people donating. Will never use this company again for anything.
6 years ago
Alicia Holman Gilbert, AZ
I don't like the fact that they over exaggerate how much they do when an emergency happens. They need to be more transparent with their funds and where they are going to help. There are smaller charities that do more work with less.
7 years ago Edited September 14, 2021
Mary Lou Petta Waterbury, CT
The people answering the phone to make appointments for donations should tell us that the driver takes pictures of the donations and waits to hear from the manager if they want it.
I would never donate like this.
7 years ago
CNewe Brewster, NY
Booked a pickup 1 month in advance and they did not show up after quote time of 11:30am-2:30 pm zero stars actually
5 years ago
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Dayjah Fort Lauderdale, FL
They do not actually give the products that are truly needed to the people that actually deserve them.
5 years ago
