First thing this morning a glowing…no, make that spectacularly dazzling…release arrived from United Way of Metropolitan Dallas reporting that it had raised a record-breaking $72M in the past year. Now, that is pretty darn mind blowing!
The question simmering around the MySweetCharity croissant and latte bar was — Is that the net or gross amount? Within minutes of being hit with that question, the public relations person responded that it was indeed the gross amount. When asked if she could supply the actual, final figure that would be distributed, she responded they were working on that.
Within a couple of hours, the following answer was received:
-$43,404,109 (Community Fund, UWMD programs, and agency designations) goes directly back to the community now.
-$15,222,316 has been raised for planned giving/endowment fund. As the Live United Forever Endowment fund grows, it will generate resources to support work both now and for the long term future community investments.
Total of these 2 is $58,626,425 – net.
In discussing the subject of posting net amounts opposed to gross last week, one local business editor questioned whether fundraisers would actually supply such real numbers. The answer is, “Heck, yes!” That’s why check presentations take place.
Still another business editor explained it this way, “It’s all about transparency.” In other words, fundraising needs to be like Caesar’s wife. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. For instance, just this past week the Houston Press reported about a sticky situation that arose for CancerForward.
While MSC is not into investigative work about the inner workings of nonprofits, it can and will focus on the actual amounts handed over to the charitable organizations.
So, bravo to those, like United Way that report how much and where the monies raised go. Let’s keep up the net work!