This is a FOR PROFIT call center.  They "take on" any contract they can.  If they say they are calling on behalf of your local police, fire, cancer, etc.  what they really mean is we have a contract with this agency.  We'll send them a little bit of whatever we collect BUT we also have a minimum clause.  If we do not collect at least a specified amount, we'll send nothing to the alleged charity.  They have an almost limitless set of phone numbers they can call from.  They may or may not be calling from the US and the money you give them may or may not stay in this country.  They can be in India, Pakistan, Africa, anywhere at all.  The so-called charity they collect for may not even exist or may not exist in this country.  These are all telemarketing companies who "laughed" when the DO-NOT-CALL legislation was passed because it excludes "charities."  If my favorite charity contracts with these groups I immediately drop that charity from my gift-giving list.  That's the only way to put these scum bags out of business.  They seek only to make huge profits by exploiting legitimate charities and kind people.  Don't fall for it