Truth Telling

Photo by Pamela Dorman

I wrote earlier about what has not changed this year.

Here is something else that will never change – the need for transparency.

Some have a distorted definition of transparency. They believe that telling people only what they think they want to hear, is being transparent. Alas, it is not. Absolutely not. That is a form of hiding the truth.

My favorite definition of transparency is from the Cambridge Dictionary: “…the quality of being done in an open way without secrets.”

Without secrets. Truth telling.

Certainly, organizations must keep some information confidential, like personnel records. Not everything in a nonprofit’s books is confidential. Nonprofits that operate thanks to public support should do so with the utmost degree of transparency.

Tell your constituents what you are doing, and why.

A total commitment to organizational transparency is key, especially now, when many nonprofits are facing financial challenges to their very sustainability.

Do your donors know your annual operating budget? It not, tell them.

Do they know the percentage of the budget devoted to programming and what is committed to staffing? No? It is time for show and tell.

Being transparent is part of your obligation to your constituents, and certainly to your donors. When they know what you are doing, when you are doing it, and why, they are likely to be far more responsive to your invitation to support the mission.

Do you need unrestricted gifts?

It is time for nonprofits to help everyone understand that “overhead” is not a bad word.

We must invest in people and programs to serve our mission. Imagine telling a for-profit business to not improve their bottom-line with a financial injection into a new initiative or marketing?

If we want donors to understand nonprofit priorities and operational needs, we must be transparent in our communication.

If you are facing harsh realities – do not put on a happy face and pretend “…everything’s great!”

Be transparent. Always be transparent. Transparency builds trust and underscores the integrity of your leadership and your organization.

You will be pleasantly surprise at how your donors respond when you are open and honest with them.

Tell the truth. Be open and out front with the truth.

Explain what has happened, why, and how you are taking the challenge head-on.

Donors, your organization’s best friends, have already made an investment in your nonprofit because they care about your mission and believe in your work.

Why wouldn’t you want to tell your friends the truth?

Follow this space regularly for more thoughts on philanthropy. Be well. Take Care. ~ Alicia