What Is The Feed Foundation Phone Number? Stopping Scam Calls

Are you looking for the Feed Foundation phone number and want to know how to stop scam calls? WHAT.EDU.VN is here to help you understand the Feed Foundation’s stance on unsolicited calls and how to protect yourself from potential scams. We provide answers and guide you in reporting such incidents.

1. What Is The Feed Foundation Phone Number and Are They Making Fundraising Calls?

The Feed Foundation does not make telemarketing fundraising calls, either directly or through a vendor. The organization has confirmed that they do not solicit funds via phone calls.

The Feed Foundation is aware of scam calls being made in their name and is actively working to address the issue. If you receive a call claiming to be from the Feed Foundation requesting donations, it is likely a scam.

2. Has The Feed Foundation Hired a Fundraising Company to Make Calls?

No, The Feed Foundation has not hired a professional fundraising company to make such calls. This information was directly confirmed by the Feed Foundation when contacted by CharityWatch. Therefore, any fundraising calls claiming to be on behalf of the Feed Foundation should be treated as suspicious.

3. What is The Feed Foundation Doing to Address Telemarketing Call Complaints?

The Feed Foundation is actively investigating the issue with their legal team. Their actions include:

Keeping their community updated on Instagram.
Adding a banner to their website to warn visitors about the scam.
Regularly communicating with those impacted via email and social media.
Advising people to block the calls and report the issue to the relevant authorities via ic3.gov.
Consulting with phone companies, legal authorities, and legal experts.

The Feed Foundation advises that anyone impacted block the calls and report the issue to the relevant authorities.

The Feed Foundation is taking these steps to protect their community and donors from falling prey to these scammers.

4. How Can I Report Charity Scams and Protect Myself?

If you suspect a charity scam, you can report it to the following organizations:

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): File a complaint at ic3.gov.
Your state’s Attorney General: Contact information can be found on your state’s official website.

To protect yourself from charity scams:

Be wary of unsolicited calls: Legitimate charities rarely solicit donations via robocalls.
Do your research: Before donating, check the charity’s rating with organizations like CharityWatch.
Don’t give in to pressure: Scammers often try to pressure you into donating immediately.
Never give out personal information: Do not provide your social security number, bank account information, or credit card number over the phone to an unknown caller.
Pay by check or credit card: This provides you with a record of the donation and allows you to dispute the charge if necessary.

5. What Should I Do If I Receive a Suspicious Call From Someone Claiming to Represent the Feed Foundation?

If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to represent the Feed Foundation, you should:

Hang up immediately: Do not engage with the caller.
Block the number: Prevent future calls from the same number.
Report the call: File a complaint with the FTC and IC3.
Contact the Feed Foundation directly: Inform them of the scam call so they can continue to track and address the issue.

6. Is The Feed Foundation a Legitimate Charity?

Yes, the Feed Foundation is a real organization, registered as a 501(c)(3) public charity with the IRS. However, this does not make them immune to scams. Scammers often impersonate legitimate charities to take advantage of donors’ generosity. Always verify the legitimacy of a charity before donating, even if you have heard of them before.

7. What is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity?

A 501(c)(3) organization is a non-profit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify, the organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes, such as charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, or preventing cruelty to children or animals. Public charities are further defined as those that receive a substantial portion of their support from the general public or from government sources.

8. Why is CharityWatch Unable to Provide a Rating for the Feed Foundation?

CharityWatch is unable to provide a rating for the Feed Foundation based on its fiscal year ended 12/31/2022 due to the charity’s small size. CharityWatch’s rating methods are designed for larger organizations and may not be fairly applied to smaller charities that lack the economies of scale necessary to operate at the same level of efficiency. This lack of a rating does not imply a negative or positive evaluation of the charity.

9. What Are Economies of Scale and How Do They Relate to Charity Ratings?

Economies of scale occur when the size of an organization’s operations allows it to operate more efficiently. As an organization grows, its per-unit costs decrease because overhead and other fixed costs are spread over a larger volume of output.

For example, a small charity serving 500 people per year might pay $8,000 for its annual financial audit, resulting in a cost of $16 per person served. A larger charity serving 3,000 people per year might pay $10,000 for its audit, resulting in a much lower cost of $3.33 per person served.

Charity rating methods often cannot be fairly applied to smaller charities due to these differences in economies of scale.

10. What Are the Financials of the Feed Foundation?

According to its 2022 IRS tax Form 990-EZ, the Feed Foundation raised $83,050 in contributions and reported $15,450 in total expenses. Of those expenses, $1,691 was spent on grants to provide funding for meals for children in schools in the U.S. The Feed Foundation reported raising $373,409 in total contributions during the five-year period of 2018 through 2022, averaging less than $75,000 annually.

11. Does the Feed Foundation Have Audited Financial Statements?

As of March 6th, 2024, CharityWatch was unable to locate fiscal 2022 audited financial statements for the Feed Foundation in public databases. The lack of an audit means that a qualified outside party has not subjected the charity’s financial reporting to auditing standards. This doesn’t inherently indicate wrongdoing but does mean there’s less independent verification of the charity’s financial information.

12. Who Are the Officers and Directors of the Feed Foundation?

The Feed Foundation reports a total of four “Officers, Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees” in its 2022 IRS Tax Form 990-EZ. Each officer or director works an average of between .25 and 2.00 hours per week. Zero compensation is reported for these four individuals.

13. What is the Feed Foundation’s Official Website and Social Media?

The Feed Foundation’s official Instagram page is thefeed__foundation. Always verify any information you receive about the Feed Foundation with official sources.

14. Why Do Scammers Target Charities?

Scammers target charities because they know that people are generally willing to donate to good causes. They exploit this generosity by impersonating legitimate charities and appealing to people’s emotions. Charity scams are particularly prevalent after natural disasters or during the holiday season, when people are more likely to donate.

15. What Are Red Flags of a Charity Scam?

Be aware of these red flags that could indicate a charity scam:

High-pressure tactics: Scammers often try to pressure you into donating immediately, not giving you time to research the charity.
Unwillingness to provide information: Legitimate charities will readily provide information about their mission, programs, and finances.
Requests for cash or wire transfers: These payment methods are difficult to trace and are often preferred by scammers.
Vague or emotional appeals: Scammers may use vague or overly emotional language to manipulate you into donating.
Similarity to legitimate charities: Scammers may use names that are similar to well-known charities to confuse donors.

16. How Can I Verify a Charity’s Legitimacy?

Before donating to a charity, take the following steps to verify its legitimacy:

Check the charity’s website: Look for detailed information about its mission, programs, finances, and governance.
Search for the charity on CharityWatch: See if CharityWatch has rated the charity and what their rating is.
Check the charity’s registration with the IRS: Use the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search tool to verify that the charity is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Contact the charity directly: Call the charity to ask questions about its programs and finances.
Be wary of charities that spend a high percentage of their revenue on fundraising: A legitimate charity should spend the majority of its revenue on its programs and services.

17. What is the Role of CharityWatch?

CharityWatch is an independent, non-profit organization that rates charities based on their financial efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Its mission is to help donors make informed giving decisions. CharityWatch assigns letter grades to charities based on its analysis of their financial statements and other information.

18. How Does CharityWatch Rate Charities?

CharityWatch uses a variety of factors to rate charities, including:

Financial efficiency: The percentage of a charity’s expenses that are spent on its programs and services, rather than on fundraising and administrative costs.
Accountability: The charity’s governance practices, including the independence of its board of directors and the existence of conflict-of-interest policies.
Transparency: The availability of the charity’s financial statements and other information to the public.
Fundraising efficiency: The cost of raising $100 in charitable contributions.
Program spending efficiency: The amount spent per person served by the charity.

19. What is the Difference Between a Charity Rating and an Endorsement?

A charity rating is an objective assessment of a charity’s financial efficiency, accountability, and transparency. An endorsement is a statement of support for a charity from an individual or organization. CharityWatch provides ratings, not endorsements.

20. What are the Benefits of Donating to a Charity?

Donating to a charity can provide several benefits, including:

Making a difference in the world: Your donation can help support important causes and improve the lives of others.
Tax deductions: Donations to qualified charities are tax-deductible.
Personal satisfaction: Giving to others can provide a sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment.
Supporting your values: You can support charities that align with your values and beliefs.
Strengthening your community: Charitable giving can help strengthen your community and address local needs.

21. How Can I Maximize the Impact of My Charitable Donations?

To maximize the impact of your charitable donations:

Research the charity: Choose a charity that is effective, accountable, and transparent.
Donate directly to the charity: Avoid donating through third-party websites, which may take a percentage of your donation.
Make a recurring donation: Recurring donations provide charities with a predictable source of income.
Volunteer your time: Volunteering can be a great way to support a charity and make a difference in your community.
Advocate for the charity: Share information about the charity with your friends and family and encourage them to donate.

22. What is the Role of Cyber Security in Protecting Charities?

Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in protecting charities from scams and fraud. Charities need to implement strong cybersecurity measures to protect their data, systems, and donors. These measures may include:

Firewalls: Firewalls prevent unauthorized access to a charity’s network.
Antivirus software: Antivirus software protects against malware and viruses.
Intrusion detection systems: Intrusion detection systems monitor network traffic for suspicious activity.
Data encryption: Data encryption protects sensitive data from being accessed by unauthorized users.
Employee training: Employee training educates employees about cybersecurity threats and best practices.
Regular security audits: Regular security audits identify vulnerabilities in a charity’s systems.

23. How Can Charities Protect Themselves From Scam Callers?

Charities can take the following steps to protect themselves from scam callers:

Monitor their online reputation: Regularly search for their name online to identify any reports of scam calls.
Warn their donors: Inform their donors about the scam calls and advise them to be wary of unsolicited requests for donations.
Report the scam calls to the authorities: File a complaint with the FTC and IC3.
Work with phone companies: Contact phone companies to identify and block the numbers used by scam callers.
Consult with legal experts: Seek legal advice on how to combat the scam calls.

24. What is the IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center)?

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a division of the FBI that serves as a central hub for reporting internet crime. The IC3 collects data on internet crime and provides resources for victims of internet crime. If you have been a victim of an internet crime, such as a charity scam, you can file a complaint with the IC3.

25. What is the FTC (Federal Trade Commission)?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a federal agency that protects consumers from deceptive and unfair business practices. The FTC investigates and prosecutes companies that engage in fraud, deception, and other unfair business practices. If you have been a victim of a charity scam, you can file a complaint with the FTC.

26. What Are the Legal Consequences of Charity Scams?

Charity scams are illegal and can result in serious legal consequences for the perpetrators. The legal consequences of charity scams may include:

Criminal charges: Scammers may be charged with fraud, wire fraud, and other crimes.
Civil lawsuits: Scammers may be sued by the victims of their scams.
Fines and penalties: Scammers may be fined and ordered to pay restitution to their victims.
Imprisonment: Scammers may be sentenced to prison.

27. How Can I Stay Informed About Charity Scams?

You can stay informed about charity scams by:

Following CharityWatch: Subscribe to CharityWatch’s newsletter and follow them on social media.
Following the FTC: Subscribe to the FTC’s consumer alerts and follow them on social media.
Following the IC3: Visit the IC3’s website to learn about the latest internet crime trends.
Reading news articles: Stay informed about charity scams by reading news articles about the topic.
Talking to your friends and family: Share information about charity scams with your friends and family.

28. What Role Do Social Media Platforms Play in Charity Scams?

Social media platforms can be used by scammers to promote fake charities and solicit donations. Scammers may create fake profiles for charities or impersonate legitimate charities on social media. They may also use social media to spread misinformation about charities and to solicit donations from unsuspecting donors.

29. How Can I Protect Myself From Charity Scams on Social Media?

You can protect yourself from charity scams on social media by:

Being wary of unsolicited requests for donations: Do not donate to charities that contact you out of the blue on social media.
Verifying the charity’s legitimacy: Before donating, check the charity’s website and rating with organizations like CharityWatch.
Don’t click on suspicious links: Be wary of links to charities that are posted on social media, especially if the links look suspicious.
Report suspicious activity: If you see a fake charity or a suspicious post on social media, report it to the platform.

30. What is the Impact of Charity Scams on Legitimate Charities?

Charity scams can have a significant negative impact on legitimate charities. Charity scams can:

Damage the reputation of legitimate charities: When scammers impersonate legitimate charities, it can damage the reputation of those charities.
Reduce donations to legitimate charities: People may be less likely to donate to legitimate charities if they are worried about being scammed.
Divert resources from legitimate charities: Legitimate charities may have to spend time and resources dealing with the fallout from charity scams.

31. How Can I Help Combat Charity Scams?

You can help combat charity scams by:

Educating yourself about charity scams: Learn about the different types of charity scams and how to protect yourself.
Reporting charity scams to the authorities: File a complaint with the FTC and IC3 if you have been a victim of a charity scam.
Supporting legitimate charities: Donate to charities that are effective, accountable, and transparent.
Spreading awareness about charity scams: Talk to your friends and family about charity scams and encourage them to be wary of unsolicited requests for donations.

32. What Should Charities Do If Their Name is Being Used in a Scam?

If a charity discovers that its name is being used in a scam, it should:

Notify the authorities: Report the scam to the FTC and IC3.
Warn its donors: Inform its donors about the scam and advise them to be wary of unsolicited requests for donations.
Monitor its online reputation: Regularly search for its name online to identify any reports of the scam.
Take legal action: Consult with an attorney to determine if legal action is appropriate.

33. Where Can I Find More Information About Charity Scams?

You can find more information about charity scams from the following sources:

CharityWatch: https://www.charitywatch.org/
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): https://www.ftc.gov/
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): https://www.ic3.gov/
National Council of Nonprofits: https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/

34. What is The Best Way to Donate to a Charity?

The best way to donate to a charity is to:

Donate directly to the charity: Avoid donating through third-party websites, which may take a percentage of your donation.
Use a secure payment method: Donate by check, credit card, or through the charity’s website using a secure payment processor.
Keep a record of your donation: Save your donation receipt for tax purposes.

35. What Questions Should I Ask a Charity Before Donating?

Before donating to a charity, ask the following questions:

What is your mission?
What programs and services do you provide?
How do you measure your impact?
What percentage of your revenue is spent on programs and services?
What are your governance practices?
Can I see your financial statements?

36. Is it Safe to Donate Online?

It can be safe to donate online, but it’s important to take precautions to protect your personal and financial information. Make sure the charity’s website is secure by looking for “https” in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar. Use a strong password and avoid using public Wi-Fi networks when donating online.

37. What is the Difference Between a Non-Profit and a Charity?

The terms “non-profit” and “charity” are often used interchangeably, but there is a slight difference. A non-profit organization is an organization that is not operated for the purpose of making a profit. A charity is a type of non-profit organization that is specifically organized for charitable purposes, such as providing aid to the poor, promoting education, or protecting the environment. All charities are non-profits, but not all non-profits are charities.

38. What Are the Responsibilities of a Charity’s Board of Directors?

A charity’s board of directors is responsible for overseeing the charity’s operations and ensuring that it is fulfilling its mission. The board is responsible for:

Setting the charity’s strategic direction.
Approving the charity’s budget.
Overseeing the charity’s financial management.
Hiring and supervising the charity’s executive director.
Ensuring that the charity is complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

39. How Can I Volunteer My Time to a Charity?

Volunteering your time can be a great way to support a charity and make a difference in your community. To volunteer, identify charities that align with your interests and skills. Contact the charity to inquire about volunteer opportunities. Be reliable and committed to your volunteer responsibilities.

40. What is the Importance of Transparency in Charitable Giving?

Transparency is essential in charitable giving because it allows donors to make informed decisions about where to donate their money. Transparent charities are open about their mission, programs, finances, and governance practices. Transparency builds trust between charities and donors and helps ensure that donations are used effectively.

Navigating the world of charitable giving can be complex, especially with the rise of scam calls. Remember, the Feed Foundation phone number is not used for fundraising. If you’re unsure about a charity, always do your research.

Need answers to other questions? At WHAT.EDU.VN, we provide a free platform where you can ask any question and receive helpful, reliable answers. Our community of experts is ready to assist you with your queries. Don’t hesitate—ask your question on WHAT.EDU.VN today!

Contact Information:

Address: 888 Question City Plaza, Seattle, WA 98101, United States

Whatsapp: +1 (206) 555-7890

Website: what.edu.vn