Too Many Charities Lack Organizational Savvy and Direction

To the Editor:

I have been a great fan of Bill Shore and his revolutionary and uplifting insights into the psychology behind our ever-growing non-profit service sector. After reading his June 17 commentary (“Charities’ Big Challenge: Surviving for the Long Haul,” My View), I can once more say “Bravo!”

I like to think of myself as an up-and-coming leader in the non-profit sector. Unfortunately, in the past seven years or so, I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand what I can only label as “mismanagement” in the non-profit world.

The same organizations that were founded on the beliefs of human dignity and giving back to the community cannot or will not empower their own people by implementing simple concepts of organizational leadership and team building. Too many of our national institutions are turning over staff at an alarming rate because they are choosing not to invest in sound principles of leadership and management. I have watched too many fund raisers be put into management positions that they are not qualified nor trained to excel in.

Many people are drawn to the non-profit sector for a distinct desire to give something back. Yet, we cannot expect those professionals to successfully carry out the missions of their organizations without treating them with professional respect and dignity, and acknowledging that as institutions we have a responsibility to grow — not just financially, but organizationally as well.

I am fascinated by the realm of organizational leadership and psychology, and I believe our national institutions need to grasp this opportunity to build themselves up from the inside out. I will continue to hold non-profits to a higher standard of excellence in the management of their people. I hope that Bill Shore will continue to do the same, and I look forward to his future insights.

Molly A. Shor
Director of Individual and Annual Giving
Center for Creative Studies
Detroit