A Letter to the Editor

I like to get incensed and write letters. Sometimes I send them, sometimes I do not. As a nonprofit worker and an overly altruistic individual, I get particularly irate about articles I read in newspapers that can be detrimental to the work of nonprofits. Recently, a Raleigh news website posted an article about how monies from the Humane Society of the US and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals wasn't coming to North Carolina in the amounts that it should. Huh??

I feel that it is irresponsible for news sources to be posting articles that paint otherwise decent organizations in a potentially nasty light. I feel that it should be up to the donor to decide where and how their donations are used. Most people are unaware of their rights as a donor, and that can cause a lot of problems for those organizations whose work is so important. People read articles like these and get angry and instead of taking the time to educate themselves or even check the article for accuracy, they make snap decisions about the organizations in question, like, "well, I am never going to donate to them again!"

So, I wrote a letter. I sent it. I did not receive a response.

Here it is:

Thank you for your article on donating to the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I feel the real message of the article should be the need for donor education during what is the busiest fundraising season of the entire year. Articles like these can have a harmful effect on nonprofit organizations if misinterpreted. Especially for animal welfare organizations that serve a population of animals who are in the situations they are in because at some point along the way humans failed them. The last thing these helpless creatures need is more failure on our part.

Framing a facet of an organization in a negative way can have a detrimental impact on an organization’s well-intentioned fundraising efforts. While it may be true that only a fraction of funds raised go toward animal rescue efforts in NC, it is the intent of these national organizations to have a broader reach than just one state, and just one aspect of animal welfare (shelters).

What we need instead is information on becoming an informed donator. A generous spirit should never be discouraged! Rather, one should be encouraged to take the time to make the proper decision on where one’s donations should go. The first thing to do is to decide what causes you are passionate about. Do you want to give more to your community? Perhaps you are moved by the idea of feeding the hungry, or maybe there is a disease you would like to support more research on, or a relief effort you want to be a part of. From there, you can find an organization or organizations whose work supports these causes. At that point, many donors mail a check and are done with it. But then they read articles like these and are incensed that their money may be going to such things as paying salaries.

Operating costs, including salaries, typically take up the majority of the funding received by most nonprofits. Rent, electricity, office supplies all cost money. Staff are needed to run the programs. Programs themselves cost money to operate. Marketing and fundraising efforts that are needed to build support and awareness cost money. Etc., etc. These are necessary costs for running an organization and for doing the work you support. When you donate to an organization and you do not specify where your money will be spent, there is a strong likelihood that it may go toward operating costs. This is not a bad thing in an organization that is a good steward of its funds.

However, as a donor, you have the right to specify how your money is spent. The article ends by saying, “Fundraising reports filed with the Secretary of State's office show paid solicitors that handle campaigns for the ASPCA keep as much as 87 percent of the funds raised.” There are ways to donate to the ASPCA, and other organizations, where 100 percent of your donation goes towards your intended purpose. Do your research. If you want to only purchase canned vegetables for a food bank, you can say, “This money can only be used to purchase canned vegetables,” with your donation, and 100 percent of your donation will go to that purpose.

If you are still not convinced, then go ahead and purchase the canned vegetables you want to donate, and drop them off yourself. There are many, many ways to support a nonprofit than just writing a check. There could be items around your house (old clothing, sheets and towels, furniture, etc.) that could be donated to a deserving cause. Many organizations’ websites list in-kind items they need. You could volunteer your time. You can help promote awareness about the organizations you care about. You can encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to do any or all of these things. There are so many ways to help.

Nonprofits need your support, now more than ever. Locally AND nationally. At the end of the article, it starts to tell donors to be proactive, but you don’t really give them the tools to do so. Please encourage people to take the time and do their own research on how they may support causes that are important to them, rather than discouraging them from doing so for reasons that may or may not be valid.