It's a great shame that we're having this discussion, because most charities do a wonderful job. I don't know about the RNLI, but many charities here receive no government funding, and rely almost entirely on donations. Some have major corporate sponsors, one such being our Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service whose major sponsor is the Westpac Bank, as the name implies. It does have other sponsors too, but it also relies heavily on public donations. The organisations concerned then have to actively seek donations, with the result that some become quite persistent, which has a negative effect on their efforts.
It's a difficult situation but, rightly or wrongly, I tend to support the local branches of my chosen charity, rather than donate direct to the head office. Hopefully this approach ensures that the money stays in our area.
Regarding salaries, many of the charities are quite big organisations, far too big to be run by volunteers. They also handle large sums of money, and need qualified people to oversee the running of the organisation. To hire a suitable person it's necessary to offer a salary package commensurate with what's offered in the private sector. It may seem to be a waste of money, but it's an inescapable fact of life.
Peter.