Without a road map leading from today's position to tomorrow's destination, it's awfully difficult to make the trip without wasting resources, including your financial contribution. The executive director discourages you from speaking with any board members, or a board member discourages you from speaking with an administrator. This should be another bell-ringer. There is no good reason why either party should try to shield you from the other. Look to the leaders of the charity to act as role models.
More money is spent on administration and fundraising than on programs or services.
A charity should be spending no more than 40 percent of its total operating budget on general and administrative overhead including fundraising. The lower that percentage the better. The charity is involved in a legal action. In the worst case, if the charity loses and as a result has to liquidate and shut down, your contribution will have been for naught. In the best case, your gift may be used to cover legal expenses.