Confidence in US charities remains low

Finance | Gareth Jones | 1 Nov 2005

Four years after September 11, public confidence in US charitable organisations remains at a contemporary low, according to a new study.

A telephone survey of 1,820 randomly-selected Americans interviewed on behalf of NYU Wagner's Organizational Performance Initiative during the summer of 2005, found that confidence has held virtually constant since it bottomed out after months of controversy surrounding disbursement of the September 11th relief funds.

Nearly a third of those questioned said they had not too much, or no confidence at all. Public views of how charitable organisations operate also remained unchanged. Only 19 per cent said they do a very good job running their programs and services, while just 11 per cent said the same about spending money wisely. In addition, two thirds said that charities waste a great deal or fair amount of money, while almost half said their leaders are paid too much.

The report concluded that if the past is prologue, these views will continue to drive higher levels of legislative and media scrutiny, which in turn, may further erode public confidence. "Rebuilding confidence must involve sustained investment in strengthening the capacity of charitable organisations to achieve measurable impacts toward their missions."

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