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Savvy Giving
October 31, 2005
By AJ Fanter
AJ.Fanter@business-programs.com
Business Programs Columnist
Not all non-profit organizations do as much as they can and should with donations, but now charity watchdog sites are helping donors decide where to put their dollars.
Profitable Non-Profit?
It may come as a surprise to those who've never worked for a non-profit organization that not all non-profits are well, profitable. Some are flat-out frauds. Others sit on coffers of donated cash or throw it around with abandon, rather than spending it on the work they say they do.
You Spent It On What?
Remember the discussions following 9/11 when it came to light that the Red Cross didn't always spend money donated during a disaster on that particular disaster? The reason is simple: non-profit organizations, like any other business, have operational costs. And depending upon the quality of the non-profit's management team those costs vary. My ten dollar donation might be worth $20 at a well-run non-profit organization - but at some it’s not worth a dime.
Watch Out!
But now several new watchdog groups are posting details on non-profit organizations, sharing everything from management salaries to how much is spent on non-profit fundraising. And the results are evident; savvy would-be Samaritans are studying up on how their money will be handled by non-profit management teams. In fact, after Hurricane Katrina, visits to these websites increased dramatically.
Getting a Solid Start
In addition to identifying non-profit organizations that are poorly run, the groups identify those which groups have demonstrated appropriate and outstanding fiscal responsibility with donor dollars.
This kind of fiscal responsibility comes down to having a solid non-profit management education. With the right kind of non-profit management degree you're better able to run the organization without wasting precious cash resources. A typical course of study in non profit management typically includes: fundraising, strategic management, nonprofit governance, marketing, operations, and most importantly financial management.
If you're looking to do a good job doing good, a degree in non-profit management will help you get ahead in your career by helping you to learn what it takes to attract savvy donors!
Sources:
Chronicle of Philanthropy
About the Author
Amy J. Price-Fanter is a full-time marketing writer specializing in direct mail for the gaming industry. She holds a B.A. in English from Colby College with concentrations in Education and Government.
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