Chronicle of Philanthropy
November 3, 2010
November 3, 2010
By Debra E. Blum
Seven in ten Americans trust nonprofit organizations more than they trust the government or businesses to solve society’s problems, according to a new poll. But nearly nine out of ten Americans say that nonprofit groups face financial problems of their own and that getting sufficient money is one of the biggest concerns for charities.
The survey, sponsored by American Express, was conducted online over two days last month. More than 1,000 adults responded to the five-question poll.
Only 5 percent of the people who responded said they currently work for a nonprofit group, but an additional 50 percent said they were at least somewhat interested in such employment. Among those interested in working at a nonprofit organization, 67 percent said such work could be more rewarding than other kinds of employment, though 41 percent said it would mean earning lower pay.
About four out of five Americans also said they agreed that nonprofit groups do not have “the resources to invest in the growth and development of their employees.”
That’s where American Express sees its part, according to Timothy J. McClimon, president of the company’s charitable foundation.
“These survey results indicate a clear need for increased investment in nonprofit leadership, and support why we have been committed to dedicating our resources—both financial and intellectual—to address this important and critical issue,” Mr. McClimon said in a written statement.
The foundation this month is sponsoring its fifth leadership academy, a free weeklong training program for roughly 50 nonprofit leaders.
And on Wednesday, the foundation pledged to spend $25-million over the next five years to expand the academy, with plans to train at least 1,200 emerging nonprofit leaders in cities around the country and the world.