Sadly, many people have been affected by breast cancer in some way, shape or form. Some people have had it themselves or currently have it. Others have lost someone to the disease or know someone struggling with it. Whatever the case may be, there are many organizations that work to put an end to breast cancer by raising money to fund research. Some organizations also focus their time on helping those impacted by breast cancer.

Whatever the case may be, various organizations exist, including the well-known UBCF or United Breast Cancer Fund. If you are interested in learning more about this organization before you decide whether to donate to or volunteer with it, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about this organization.

UBCF and Its Mission Statement

Anytime you look into any charitable organization, one of the first things you should always check out is its mission statement. This is a statement of purpose that lets you know what the organization is all about. So, what is the mission statement of UBCF?

Well, the organization keeps things pretty simple, saying that, above all else, it wants to positively affect those who have been affected by breast cancer. In terms of what that looks like, the organization offers breast cancer screenings, treatment and aftercare options and assistance, patient assistance, family assistance, and informational materials. The organization also prides itself on working to get funding for hospitals and other facilities that focus on treating and dealing with breast cancer.

What Does This Organization Excel At?

It is important to remember that non-profit organizations are organizations/businesses just like anything else. This means that they can’t be expected to do everything perfectly. Fortunately, however, while UCBF might not be perfect in every aspect, it does have a lot of very good points. Charity Report, an organization that focuses on charity responsibility, accountability, and meeting of certain standards, recently reviewed UCBF.

It found that the organization was in compliance in many areas. For example, it was very good at addressing any complaints against the organization. When people, for example, complained about being on the mailing list without their consent or wanting to be taken off of it, the charity addressed this issue promptly and thoroughly. The organization also excelled at disclosing how any benefits received from sales were used in the organization. All charities should be very transparent about this type of information and, thankfully UBCF was. Things that the company makes clear regularly include:

Another way in which this organization proved itself to be transparent was by making its annual report readily available to those who request it and/or have a vested interest in it. This report includes the mission statement, as covered above, a summary of previous service, a roster of all officials associated with the organization, and relevant financial information.

One final thing that the charity gets an “A+” in is having appropriate solicitation and informational materials. These materials were deemed not misleading and completely forthright, which is definitely what you want to see in a charity you are thinking of working with or donating to.

What Could this Organization Work On?

As mentioned earlier, no organization is perfect, no matter how much good it does or how charitable it may be. And, unfortunately, the United Breast Cancer Foundation does have some points that raised concern during its most recent review.

First Point of Concern: Conflict of Interest

One conflict of interest found within the organization, for example, was the fact that UBCF had a chief executive who was also the chair of the board of directors. This is considered a conflict of interest in the charity world and earned the organization somewhat low marks in the board oversight standard.

The overall number of board members was also less than advised for most major organizations. Generally, at least five board members are considered standard and necessary for overseeing operations properly. However, this organization only had three board members at last assessment.

Second Point of Concern: Irregular Board Meetings

Another issue found with the board and how the organization is run is the fact that the board of members does not meet as regularly as advised. The recommendation is to hold at least three meetings per year, which the organization did not do in 2016, the year of assessment. In fact, the organization actually reported having no in-person meetings in that year.

Third Point of Concern: Issue on Compensation

One final area of concern is that the board members were compensated more than what is recommended for a charitable organization. In 2016, all three board members were directly or indirectly compensated more than recommended. As you can see, this charity is not perfect, but then again, no organization is. The key is to determine how you feel about the issues that have been brought to light and then to make your decision about whether or not to donate to this organization or to become involved with it accordingly.

How You Can Get Involved

Based on all of this information, if you still decide that you wish to get involved with this organization, don’t worry. There are a multitude of ways in which you can help the foundation. As mentioned, you can make a donation to the organization. What’s particularly nice about UBCF, however, is that you can actually choose which exact area your money goes to. Some examples of ways in which you can designate your donation include:

If you would like to learn more about any one particular area and see how your donation would be put to use, you can always contact the organization to learn more.

Vehicle and Other Donations in Kind Are Accepted

In addition to these types of donations, the organization also accepts donations of vehicles. If you have a vehicle you are not using and would like to see it or the profits from it go to good use, then get in touch with the organization to learn about the process of donating your car. This is a tax-deductible donation, which also helps to benefit you while allowing you to do something good at the same time.

Vehicles are not the only types of donations that this organization accepts either. If you would rather give a direct gift instead of cash, here are some good choices:

The organization also sells certain items from time to time, such as its popular recovery camisole. When you buy this item or other items offered through the organization, some of the money spent will typically go toward the organization’s charitable efforts.

As you can see, there are all kinds of ways that you can help UBCF. And, if you’d like to support a breast cancer cause but don’t think that this organization is right for you, don’t worry. There are plenty of other breast cancer organizations that you can support.

Other Breast Cancer Organizations that Need Your Help and Support

As discussed earlier, breast cancer is a serious issue. Thus, there is certainly more than just this organization that is devoted to putting an end to this disease. If you, for whatever reason, would like to find a different organization to support or if you want to support more than one, there are plenty of great options out there.

One shining example of a great breast cancer charity is the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This company’s mission is to prevent and cure breast cancer via research. It gives 90% of its budget to relevant programs. Also, the organization only spends a small $7 to raise $100 worth of donations, which is pretty impressive and makes you feel good about how your money is being used.

The Breast Cancer Prevention Partners is another good choice for donating. This organization takes a slightly different approach, hoping to get rid of the exposure to chemicals and radiation that can cause breast cancer. It uses 77% of its budget on worthwhile programs, and it only costs around $13 to raise $100. Either of these organizations would be a great choice for donating your money, but they aren’t your only options. Do your research, and you should uncover plenty of worthwhile charities that would be more than happy to have your support.

​Get Out There and Give

At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter which charity you choose to support. As long as it’s a reputable one (do your research!), any giving that you do is appreciated and worthwhile. Always consider the different ways that an organization offers for you to help others. Then, choose what ways of service work best for you and what organizations. Everything else will fall into place, and you’ll be able to feel great about the contributions you are making.