Donations and adoptions - Trust, Respect and Transparency

Effective and timely information and knowledge sharing

In order to create an overall functioning and trustworthy nonprofit organization, or any type of organization for that matter, there are three basic elements that need to be carried out: Trust, Respect and Transparency.

In today's world there are far too many dishonest, inaccurate and fraudulent nonprofits out there, and people willing to donate their money without any accurate knowledge or research on the organization they are donating to. I have read far too many sad stories of good-hearted people who have donated money to a pleading organization or a private person, only to later find out it was all a fraud, or the money actually went for an entirely different purpose.

Intelligent Philanthropy^TM   has constructed an easy-to-understand standard for creating a trustworthy nonprofit organization, as well as what can break it down, and why.

Here are a few excerpts:

"Three areas where not-for-profit organizations can run into trouble include: financial irregularities, fraud, and extravagant compensation for executives. Misuse of funds contributed in good faith by donors to further the cause of the business can create a firestorm of mistrust. The appropriate, judicious use of financial resources is a measure of the trustworthiness of the organization and once lost can be almost impossible to recover.

Transparency is accurately reporting the financial transactions of the organization as well as any transgressions. Through regular disclosure and reporting, constituents (those who receive services from the nonprofit, the leaderships of the company, funders and the public) will have a greater sense of trust/faith in the company.

Nonprofit status is an important designation which confers a certain legal standing as well as an ethical promise. Tax exempt status infers that the organization will perform an important function in the community, is worthy of the financial support of the government and private donors, and will use funds effectively. Violating this standard will result in legal action as well as a loss of future financial and public trust. Organizational transparency and accountability are important tools for maintaining the public trust and ongoing tax exempt status.

Post Your Audits - Show your donors that your finances are in order and have passed a critical inspection. Allow donors to quickly see the ups and downs, challenges and successes, that an organization has experienced in its programs, operations, finances, and results."

These are the things to consider to further help your cause, build trust and show respect towards your contributors.

A working frame for a trustworthy partnership 

Most Animal Welfare Associations in Romania do not have a clear, unified strategy regarding transparency in nonprofit organizations, and to some extent, this has caused uncertainty between the organizations and their foreign contributors.

What steps to take

In order to create a unified, clear strategic frame to work with, there needs to be clarity about what exactly the organizations/associations/caretakers need to inform/show/do in order to accurately transfer knowledge and understanding to the contributors/adopters etc.

Transparency 

I think we can all agree that confirming donations and showing your audits will improve overall trust for the organization. It is important for the contributors to see receipts and documents where each and every penny has gone. 

• donations could be confirmed and displayed, for instance, 1 x month, 1 x every 3 months etc
• clear, easy-to-understand documents where the public can confirm the money was spent as promised
• effective and timely information and knowledge shared with the contributors and the public

Trust

Also, there has been some uproar about the lack of proper timely information regarding adopted dogs, as well as the dogs that are up for adoption. The organizations/associations/rescuers/caretakers have felt lack of information regarding dogs adopted abroad and knowledge on their well-being in their new homes. And in turn, the adopters/donators have felt lack of information regarding the adoptable dogs at the shelters (ie descriptions, names, backstories etc).

To avoid unnecessary disputes on such matters, there should be a unified guideline on responsibilities.

For instance:

• A common contract for mutual agreements between the association/rescuer and the adopter, concerning adoptions;
• reports from the adopter to the association after rehoming, and how long the adopter is obligated to inform of the pets' new life to the association
• a directional timeline as to when the associations/rescuers liability and responsibility of the pet ends/transfers completely to the new owner

Respect

When people donate specifically for a certain dog (or other animal), it becomes very important for them to get updates on the animal/animals they are helping. This is understandable, yet sometimes difficult for the associations to carry out. What needs to be understood is that usually the associations run entirely by the help of volunteers, and they do everything in addition to their daily work and everyday life. Still, there should be agreed guidelines on the matter to avoid frustration and possible disputes.

It's like one amazing volunteer told me when giving me updates; " I`m glad to answer anytime it`s possible. I know what it means to you, and it`s about respect and gratitude, even if time does not always allow us to answer right away."

• For instance, monthly updates on the animals of the association/rescuers for clarity
• info to donators/possible adopters when an animal is adopted/no longer at the shelter

Trust, respect and transparency together are a strong chain. Nothing will help these animals more than unified people - pulling together on the same side.

By: Teresia Laaksonen