Non-profits need to respond to donors

Regarding The Gazette's March 13 editorial “Clear the air on charity's spending”: This editorial addresses the compensation policies of large national charities. My experience in the non-profit sector has made me realize how important these organizations are to our community.

I have also come to understand just how easy it is for non-profit organizations to do what they want with donation money without respect to the donors.

While the Iowa Principles & Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence were adopted in 2005, they are merely suggestions. there are very few laws/statutes that require non-profits to truly operate as transparent agencies working toward the goals and ideals supported by their donors.

Case in point: The Cedar Valley Humane Society. For a variety of reasons, the public trust in this organization has declined. A petition circulated asking the CVHS board of directors to begin releasing information that could help the organization regain public trust. As I write this, the board has chosen to simply not respond to the request. The petition contained 948 signatures - a large number from CVHS supporters. Unfortunately, we should now label them former supporters.

If a business fails to respond to its customers, the business will fail. If a non-profit organization fails to respond to its donor base, the organization will fail. The difference is when a non-profit fails, it affects those it is attempting to serve. If the CVHS fails, where will the residents in our community turn for help with homeless animal issues?

Susan Manson

Cedar Rapids