Do Nonprofits Deserve a Second Chance?

To the best of my knowledge, Judaism, Christianity and even plain-old, agnostic ethics advocates giving someone a second chance.  But is this true with nonprofit organizations? Does a charity that has made mistakes and lost our trust deserve our donations in the future?

This question was inspired by an article in CNN Money by Allan Chernoff entitled, “Is the American Cross Worthy of our Donations?”

Weekly Must Reads: February 7

A list of the essential articles that I posted to Twitter from January 31, 2010 – February 6, 2010.  This week’s categories: Crisis in Haiti; Nonprofit Governance & Strategy; Internet, Social Media & Fundraising; and Potpourri.

Weekly Must-Reads: January 31

A list of the essential articles that I posted to Twitter from January 24, 2010 – January 30, 2010.  This week’s categories: Online Fundraising; Israel & Jewish Nonprofits; Global Banking & Finance; and Potpourri.

This week contains fewer links than usual — the week was just a tad nuts.  I spoke at a conference, and in Hebrew, no less.  Needless to say, that occupied a lot of my time.  But about that (and the links that go along with it) at a different time.

Weekly Must-Reads: January 24

A list of the essential articles that I posted to Twitter from January 17, 2010 – January 23, 2010.  This week’s categories: Crisis in Haiti; Nonprofit Governance & Strategy; Internet, Social Media & Fundraising; Israel & Jewish Nonprofits; and Israel Economy & Finance.

Dear Mr. Foundation, Please Reject My Application

Four separate times in my life, I have hit the proverbial pavement looking for a job.  I remember very clearly the two types of rejection that I received:

1. The “Outright” No – Painful and deflating but leaving no doubts. I moved on, hoping the future had something better in store.
2. The “We Were Very Impressed but Need Time to Decide How Best to Employ You” No – Slow and dragged out.  A lot of positive energy and upbeat words professed.  Encouraged, I even stopped looking at other prospects. Yet, despite all the enthusiasm, in the end no position was offered or available.

Give me the “Outright No” any day of the week and twice in a recession; you win some, you lose some.  The second, drawn-out no, is still a no, but wasted my time and got my hopes up over nothing.  Why not tell me no from the beginning instead of playing achy-breaky games with my heart?

Unfortunately, nonprofit organizations are being subjected to this same treatment, even more so now after the recession and the Madoff scandal.

Weekly Must-Read Links: January 17

A list of the essential articles that I posted to Twitter from January 10, 2010 – January 16, 2010.  This week’s categories: Crisis in Haiti; Internet, Social Media & Fundraising; Accounting, Economy, & Finance; Israel Economy & Finance; and Potpourri.

Weekly Must-Read Links: January 10

A list of the essential articles that I posted to Twitter from January 3, 2010 – January 9, 2010.  This week’s categories: Nonprofit Strategy & Governance; Internet, Social Media & Fundraising; Israel Economy & Nonprofits; and Potpourri.

Rise, Knight of the Nonprofit Round-Table

“The Office of the Prime Minister invites nonprofit organizations, companies from the business sector that donate to the public or the third sector, and businessmen that work in the fields of philanthropy, to apply for participation in the roundtable.”

No, King Arthur hasn’t been reborn nor are we in Camelot. Heck, we’re not even in Kansas.  What this is, though, is a serious attempt by the Israel Government and a number of foundations that operate in Israel to increase the cooperation, strength, and transparency of Israel’s nonprofit sector.

Weekly Must-Read Links: January 3

A list of my favorite articles that I posted to Twitter from December 27, 2009 – January 2, 2010.  This week’s categories: Nonprofit Strategy; Internet & Social Media; Israel Economy & Finance;  Global Economy & Finance; and Potpourri.

The Great Balancing Act: Public Offical or Social Innovator

For years we have been witnessing charitable institutions hiring business executives in order to increase fundraising or professionalize the organization.  I remember the big news when the President of Columbia University, George Rupp, accepted the presidency of the International Relief Committee in 2002.  Some of us alumni were bewildered by the move — leaving the private sector for the public sector, unheard of!?!?  However, what seemed like an isolated incident then, was actually indicative of many nonprofit organizations.

But is the reverse true?  Are the corporate and public sectors luring away nonprofit executives in the hope of improving their social standing and/or activities?