Will Canadian Cancer Society spending keep you from donating?

CBC's Marketplace discovered that each year, as the Cancer Society raised more dollars, the proportion of money it spent on research dropped dramatically. (Canadian Cancer Society/Canadian Press)

Well-meaning donors might be upset to learn that the Canadian Cancer Society is spending a higher percentage of the money it raises on fundraising than on actual research, support and advocacy.

The finding comes after CBC's Marketplace analyzed the Canadian Cancer Society's financial reports dating back for over a decade, and saw that money being spent on research was declining dramatically - from 40.3 per cent in 2000 to under 22 per cent in 2011.

The reports also reveal that fundraising is getting the greatest portion of donor dollars, up from 26 per cent of all monies raised in 2000, to 42.7 per cent in 2011.

Though the Canadian Cancer Society declined Marketplace's request for an on-camera interview, it did respond by email:

"While funding cancer research is a crucial part of the society's work, we also have profound responsibilities to do everything we can to reduce the risk of Canadians ever developing cancer and to provide meaningful support to people living with cancer," the message said.

Should donors have a say in how charitable funds are spent? Why or why not? Will news about the Canadian Cancer Society's spending make you stop donating? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

(This survey is not scientific. It is based on readers' responses.)