I have spent 30 years of my life dedicated to non-profit fundraising. When I received a packet in the mail which included 5 Christmas cards, wrapping paper, gift tags, pad of note paper, and a decorative pen all in one package - it caught my attention, for sure. When I looked up St. Joseph's to see if perhaps the items had been donated or sponsored, I only found more reasons to expose this poorly run 'Indian School.' Any organization that spends this much money on trying to get your money is not focusing on the welfare of their children, trust me. Take time to go to their website and check out their financials and history and read other reviews (find the ones not sponsored by the school). read more

A huge packet of stuff (reusable grocery bag, pen, dreamcatcher, etc.) arrived in the mail with a solicitation. This organization does not cooperate with Charity Navigator. As a religious organization, they are not required to file an IRS 990 form. There are decades of unknown accountability. Any organization that sends out fund-raising junk in this day and age is, to my mind, suspect. Presumably they have an expensive for-profit fund-raising company handling this that grabs the lion's share of the donation. Until they report how they spend what they raise, I consider it a waste to donate to them. read more

I pray the money they receive goes too and for the children. The Indians have taken enough beatings through the years. I appreciate the cards and things they send but I would rather the money go to the children. God knows if they are doing what they should with the money they receive. He is the one that will punish those who cheat the Indians. I do plan on sending a donation and pay it goes where it's supposed to go. read more

They sent me a pile of STUFF asking for money. Gloves, a dream catcher, a reusable grocery bag, a bunch of cards and envelopes. I have never given to them and never will, not when they spend their money sending unwanted and unneeded stuff that's just going into the garbage and recycling. Also, the package is cleverly made to LOOK like it was hand-addressed, but a close look at the font shows each instance of a letter is identical, i.e., it's all computer generated. Just to make it look even more like a legit appeal. read more

24% of Money taken in is used for fund raising. That is pretty high. They send out a lot of Made in China stuff. Seems to me they could support the Native American community by buying real Native American goods. This is a religious owned and run organization associated with the Catholic Church. It has its share of scandals and complaints about misrepresentation in fund raising. I think donations to schools run and owned by Native Americans would be more beneficial. read more

I appreciate the gifts but would rather you spend the money on the children and their needs. There are other charities doing the same thing and I've stopped giving to them. If you're going to send gifts, maybe do it once per year. And please don't start sending me quarters and nickels. I really won't help out if you start doing that. Hope this review helps. read more

Don't bother donating. This "charity" has sent me more junk and attempted guilt trips than is worth mentioning since giving to them once. Clearly they're scamming the less suspicious. read more

Do not donate to this organization. They will waste every penny of the money you give them sending you repeated mailings and "gifts" requesting more money. It truly verges on harassment. And they do not respect your repeated requests to stop sending mailings. Also, look them up in Charity Watch. read more

We have been in the past donors to St. Josephs but became suspicious over the number of " gifts" and donation solicitations we began receiving. This prompted us to look into their financial situation, the number of students receiving benefits, and whom actually owns this orginization. You may want to do the same before you consider donating in the future. read more

There are so many negative people ready to spout their views! I never do this but I wish the WOKE generation would WAKE UP! Yes, there are many terrible things in our country's history, just as there are in EVERY Country's history. But it is History! If your family has been in this country for more than 100 years, chances are they owned slaves. I am NOT saying that was right! I am so glad we are past that now, but it is in our history. We can only learn from our history. This is a wonderful school, doing so much good! I certainly hope no one holds your history against you! Every one of us have things in our past that we regret. How much more so an institution or a country that is hundreds of years old. read more

I contacted the charity in Sept 2016 to have my name removed from their mailing list, stating they spend way too much money on fundraising (25%) leaving only 58% for their programs. I stated I would like to see them spend less on fundraising and more on the children. The chaplain responded stating he would remove my name. He also challenged my statistics with a lengthy explanation on how I was inaccurate. Funny thing is I pulled the data right off their annual report posted right on their website. So in effect this guy was arguing with his own statistics and statistics don't lie. I contacted him again in March 2017 to inquire why I was still receiving mailings. I told him I'm sure the children would rather he put the money towards them rather than unwanted mailings and postage. Never heard back from him and the junk mail--dream catchers, notepads, stickers, calendars, postcards--continues to bombard my mailbox. The chaplain obviously didn't like the fact I was educated on reading financial statements. So in affect he's going to punish me with his passive aggressive nature by not honoring my request to have my name removed. In the end, the children are the ones that lose. So sad. read more

Expect that a good portion of your donation will go to fundraising. That's how non-profits work. Sometimes non-profits hire outside agencies to do create and take care of mailings. This can be true of well known national charitable organizations too! At St. Joseph's, at least there is not a CEO raking in million dollar paydays. They actually do have a campus and provide services to Native Americans. I have not regretted any financial donations, and look forward to visiting when I cross I-90 next. The cards and gifts are appreciated, although fewer would be fine. When it come to giving to any non-profit, if in doubt, check it out, and don't believe everything you read online. read more

How do you say love in action, this isn't about money or self glory, its about doing good to your fellow man, securing a better future, for the young children, who are denied because of heritage. love is the motion here and love is god, I share what I have because this is all I have,May peace ,love , light, be now and eternal , pastor victor gottman read more

This "Organization" has again IGNORED a request to remove me from their Charitable Mailing Lists. I have done this through Phone Calls, Sending them a mail request two different times, through email and also registering through DMA. read more

I have been donating to St. Joseph's for many years and plan to continue to do so. However, I will agree with some of the other reviews that too many mailings are sent with various contents requesting donations. I have honestly stopped donating to some of my favorite charities because it was discouraging to feel that so much of my donation was being used to solicit more donations. The more I gave the more mailings I received. If a person does not agree to have automatic monthly donations taken out of their bank account then chances are they would be willing to donate four times a year at the most. Meaning, mailings should be sent out no more than four times a year. I am now donating to fewer organizations and only once or twice a year. Thank you for all that you do! God bless all of the people who work at St. Joseph's, the work you do is truly a blessing to all of those you serve. read more

I received the same packet of items others mentioned before Christmas 2017. I was going to send them a donation, but looked into it further. It seems like a legitimate charity, but two things caused me not to send the dollars. 1) They swore in 2014 they would never send that kind of mailing again, when people complained about it. They said they had learned a lesson. But then they did send another one, in 2017. 2) In a recent year, I saw they took in $51 million in donations, which was offset by about $30 million (or was it $20 million?) for marketing. They do sound like a legitimate charity, but I wanted my money for the Lakota to have the most impact possible. A few extra dollars added to $51 million wouldn't make a lot of difference, and about 50% of my donation would just be for their marketing. I found that Friends of the Pine Ridge Reservation Web pages https://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/about-pine-ridge-reservation-and-foprr/ lists many opportunities for charitable giving that could probably use my dollars more effectively, and I sent the $75 I might otherwise have sent to St. Joseph's on to Oglala Lakota Children's Justice Center. I was going to write to the school tonight and ask them to take me off their mailing list, but I see from reviews above that that is just a waste of time. So, I'll have to accept their mailings as reminders to send another donation to my charity of choice on Pine Ridge Reservation. Too bad they don't remove people from their mailing list, though! The quantity of stuff they send must cost them about $5 at least, and it seems they are sending it more than once a year - I received a packet before Christmas, and another last week. What a pity that money can't go to the children. read more

My wife made the mistake of donating to St. Joseph's and since then we have received an incessant stream of junk mail with useless trinkets such as dreamcatchers, pens, calendars, tiny Indian blankets, together with form mail "letters" supposedly from Indian children asking for money. Since we would rather not have our money spent on all these trinkets, my wife, with her last donation, included a note asking them to stop sending stuff, but they haven't stopped. They have spent an obscene amount of money marketing to us in contravention of our wishes. We will never donate to them again and urge others to find more worthy charities to donate to. Indian children deserve better stewards of their money than this crew! Do a little research if you are still considering donating to them. Poor use of funds is not the only thing this group has been accused of. read more

I have picked an institution/cause/charity for my annual giving of " x % of net earnings" ever since I made a paycheck 27 years ago. That is my way of giving back. I have helped various institutions over the years and St. Joseph's is my favored one for 2017. They provide services for at-risk, needy children and women in a fashion that I think is most effective for long term success. I hope to pay them a visit in the near future to see their operation first hand, which will determine how much more I will be involved than I currently am. read more

St Josephs Indian School addresses a critical need for education that addresses safety and hunger. Learning won't happen without meeting basic needs. read more

This is a great school on Indian Reservation property. We donate I am wanted to see the school for a sandwich. So when in Montana we went to visit it and it was very impressive read more

This museum, though small, is really worth a visit. Slow down, get off I-90 for an hour, and have a look around. The town is nice, too, with a variety of restaurants and pretty views. If you go out to the Indian school, check out their beautiful chapel, with traditional catholic figures depicted as native Americans. read more

St. Joseph's Indian School is always in need of financial help to keep the Indian Children safe, and to keep them educated. For the last several years I have donated to this school, and have received news regularly on how the children are doing. Those graduating, or being promoted to the next level of learning are always thankful for what they receive. Many of the elementary children often submit a picture of what they are doing. They draw wonderful renderings of what has been happening in the school and grade level. I salute the teachers and educators for what they do with these children, of all levels. read more

I have supported and visited St. Joseph's School for years. I have seen the kids who have lost most of their family (Diabieties runs heavy in Native Americans, blinding, lost limbs,death) and some live year around at school. This school gives these kids hope, and education to help them do better in their lives than the generation before them. I not only send money, I send them other items to offer them knowledge that someone cares about them....school supplies, small toys, books they can keep as their own, my old Walkman, watch, barretts for hair, and craft supplies. I only wish I could go back once again before it's too long. read more