To Best Protect Nonprofits, Draw on International Experience

To the Editor:

Ben Gose’s recent article “Nonprofits and Their Leaders Seek Security Amid Threats” (September 18) resonated with me as both a board member of a U.S. nonprofit and CEO of KonTerra Group, which provides mental health services to organizations in some of the world’s most dangerous environments. While it’s troubling that nonprofits in this country now face the same risks as many international organizations, I’m glad more are prioritizing staff safety.

From my work abroad, I’ve learned three lessons that U.S. nonprofits should find useful:

Don’t reinvent the wheel. International aid organizations have well-developed standards regarding how to protect staff members, budgeting for security measures, and staff training. U.S. nonprofits should draw on this experience rather than starting from scratch.

Hire for cultural fit. As Gose notes, many nonprofits don’t want to employ traditional security providers such as former police officers or FBI agents because of cultural mismatches. In my experience, the most effective security professionals balance mission delivery with staff protection. Fortunately, many seasoned humanitarian security specialists are skilled at managing both needs and now seek U.S. roles, making them excellent fits for many nonprofits.

Integrate psychological support. Each physical risk carries a mental toll. Chronic exposure to threats further undermines well-being, and stressed staff make riskier decisions. That’s why nonprofits should employ security professionals who recognize the importance of combining physical and psychological security.

U.S. nonprofits need not face threats and violence alone. By drawing on decades of international experience, they can protect their team members while continuing to advance their missions.

Lynne Cripe
CEO
The KonTerra Group