I think this view of non-profits is a result of negative media coverage. There are bad apples in any segment of business, but as a whole, non-profits provide an invaluable service for our people.
Posted by Jim Bisnett on 05/19 at 09:56 AM
Post or Review Comments
Feb 07 08
The Public’s Low Confidence in Nonprofits
Trust is at the core of all human relationships and behaviors. To use a borrowed metaphor of the tree, trust is the root. Even though it's underground and not even visible most of the time, it is vital to the strength, stability and growth of the tree. Who have you ever helped that you don't trust? Now consider this question: What if people who are in a position to help your nonprofit don't trust it?
Public attitudes toward nonprofits are sharply negative and distrustful according to a 2005 NYU study:
15 percent said that they had a “great deal of confidence” in charitable organizations.
29 percent said charitable organizations do a very good job helping people.
19 percent said charitable organizations do a very good job running their programs and services.
16 percent said charitable organizations do a very good job at being fair in their decisions
66 percent of Americans said charitable organizations waste a great deal or fair amount of money
46 percent said the leaders of charitable organizations are paid too much.
The NYU study concluded, “these results place charitable organizations far down the list of civic and governmental institutions in overall public confidence.” Using the Gallup percentages as a marker, charitable organizations rank below the military, church, police, banks and public schools. Nonprofits rank just above television news in the public’s confidence.
This is what nonprofits are up against when they send out appeals for donors or volunteers:
by Perla N.
1 comment
