Charitable consumers should do their homework before making holiday donations to groups that spend excessively on telemarketing and administrative fees, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster warned today.

"Missourians are by nature very generous," Koster said in a prepared statement. "And although most charities do wonderful work, some actually do very little to help those they claim to support."

Consumers can find out if a charity uses at least 65 percent of its donations for charitable programs by clicking on the Check-a-Charity link on the attorney general's web site, ago.mo.gov.

In his statement, Koster also said consumers should never commit to donating during a telemarketing call. Consumers should insist the charity mail them written information, and they shouldn't give out personal information to telemarketers.

Also today, Koster's office released a list of what it called "Missouri's 15 Worst Charities."

These are groups that solicit donations in the state and spend the lowest amount of donated money on charitable programs.

(Financial data is based on the groups' most recent IRS filings or state registration documents. Most of the data is from 2009, although a few groups reported information for fiscal years ending on June 30, said Nanci Gonder, a spokeswoman for Koster.)

1. Missouri Chapter of the United States Navy Veterans Association: This Washington-based charity claims to provide assistance to disabled and needy war veterans and service members. Total expenditures: $5,892,646; amount used for charitable cause: 1 percent.
2. Law Enforcement Education Program: Based in Troy, Mich., this group purports to educate teenagers on the effects of alcohol. Total expenditures: $1,853,144; amount used for charitable cause: 2.22 percent.
3. Cancer Survivors' Fund: This Missouri City, Tex. charity says it provides counseling, scholarships and prosthetic appliances to cancer survivors. Total expenditures: $2,402,824; amount used for charitable cause: 3.13 percent.
4. Wishing Well Foundation: Based in Metairie, La., this group says it tried to fulfill the fondest wish for any terminally ill child not expected to reach the age of 18. Total expenditures: $1,307,437; amount used for charitable cause: 4.43 percent.
5. Firefighters Charitable Foundation: Based in Farmingdale, N.Y,, the group contends that it provides much needed financial assistance to individuals who have been affected by a fire or disaster. Total expenditures: $6,082,790; amount used for charitable cause: 4.95 percent.
6. Children's Charity Fund (doing business as Child's Wish Association of America): A Sarasota, Fla. group that says it provides aid to disabled and terminally ill children. Total expenditures: $1,296,970; amount used for charitable cause: 5.78 percent.
7. Multiple Sclerosis Fund, Inc.: Based in Green Bay, Wis., its goal is to promote awareness of multiple sclerosis and fund research. Total expenditures: $182,645; amount used for charitable cause: 7.9 percent.
8. Reserve Police Officers Association: This Yonkers, N.Y. group says it provides assistance to law enforcement through equipment assistance, education, and training. Total expenditures: $745,371; amount used for charitable cause: 8.21 percent.
9. The Veteran's Fund: Based in Chesapeake, Va., it says it develops and supports programs that undergird veterans' mental, physical and emotional recovery. Total expenditures: $1,466,500; amount used for charitable cause: 8.44 percent.
10. Foundation for American Veterans, Inc.: Based in West Bloomfield, Mich., it aims to promote social and recreational welfare for veterans and service members, their dependents and others. Total expenditures: $5,141,472; amount used for charitable cause: 8.98 percent.
11. United Breast Cancer Foundation: The Huntington, N.Y. group says its goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer. Total expenditures: $2,428,818; amount used for charitable cause: 9.13 percent.
12. Firefighters Support Services, Inc.: Based in Wyandotte, Mich., it claims to aid burn victims and provide tracking and locator equipment to firefighters. Total expenditures: $1,477,393; amount used for charitable cause: 10.26 percent.
13. Big Hope, Inc.: This Anderson, S.C. group says it brings relief to orphans, sick children, and families in need. Total expenditures: $3,722,051; amount used for charitable cause: 10.39 percent.
14. The Committee for Missing Children: Based in Lawrenceville, Ga., this group says it assists in the search and recovery of missing children and educates on safety and prevention. Total expenditures: $2,644,646; amount used for charitable cause: 11.2 percent.
15. Disabled Police Officers of America: This Niceville, Fla. group says it provides educational programs for police officers. Total expenditures: $1,056,899; amount used for charitable cause: 11.33 percent.