Accountable Charities Honor Donor Support

I hope your readers reached the final paragraph of your Dec. 16 editorial, “Misgivings About Giving.” As you rightly conclude, the questionable practices of a few should not tempt donors to abandon their support for nonprofit agencies that provide food, shelter, health care and education -- and are scrupulously accountable. You may be surprised to know that donations from individuals (not corporations or foundations) constitute 84% of private giving (American Assn. of Fundraising Counsel). If that support were to erode at the same time that government funds are disappearing, misgivings would become misfortune and misery for those who truly need and deserve a helping hand. By all means, ask us what percentage of contribution revenue is spent on our programs; we are happy to share our financial information.

Anne Ashford

Director of Development

House of Ruth, Pomona