The Big(ger) Picture

In the not-so-distant past, well-meaning and hard-working nonprofits raised record amounts of money in record amounts of time and found themselves with more than they could spend on the purposes for which it was solicited. There are plenty of other ways nonprofits can use that cash. But in the case of monies earmarked for specific disaster response, it isn't cool to divert "extra" funds to other programs, service areas or — God forbid — operating costs such as salaries or utilities, etc.

The Japanese people will have their needs met — by their government, by their neighbors, and to some extent by contributions from people in the U.S. and around the world. But I'm happy to see that caution on the part of nonprofits in their approach to fundraising seems to be the way things are going. That kind of right thinking and proper stewardship (even in advance) will go a long way toward renewing public trust in the charitable sector and ensure that U.S. nonprofits can continue to be giving portals for the most generous people in the world long into the future.