Phil Meyer
Study finds that nearly 40% of Americans trusted nonprofits to do what is right, reflecting a higher confidence in charitable and philanthropic organizations than in Congress and large corporations, which both registered positive responses of less than 6%.
https://www.startribune.com/americans-know-very-little-about-charities-new-poll-finds/600265073/
Americans know very little about charities, new poll finds

The first comprehensive poll to measure public attitudes on foundations and nonprofits offers signs that charitable organizations are more trusted than other institutions, such as businesses, governments, and the news media. But it shows many warning signs for nonprofits, given how little Americans know about charities and the pessimism they have about the ability of charities to make a positive difference in the world.

Star Tribune
Apr 15, 2023 at 3:58amWeb
Show threadMattApr 15, 2023
@philmeyer the favorable view may dim when people look at the executive compensation at nonprofit health insurance companies: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambia_Health_Solutions
Cambia Health Solutions - Wikipedia

Show threadPhil MeyerApr 15, 2023
@MattFerrel The survey takes a pretty dim view of nonprofits in general. Health insurance companies may be structured as nonprofits, but in name only.
Show threadMattApr 15, 2023
@philmeyer my career was as an auditor then controller for hospitals. Large nonprofits are virtually indistinguishable from for profits.
Show threadCJ PalomaApr 15, 2023

@philmeyer

TIL:

The Associated Press's **entire division** of reporting on philanthropy receives funding... from the Lilly Endowment.

And

that IU, a PUBLIC UNIVERSITY houses an entire school of philanthropy funded by...that same family of big Pharma (Lilly Family Philanthropic School)

It is important to discern that the Lilly's aren't the Sacklers, but the overall pattern is a big problem:

The interests of Big money/oligarchs get easily amplified and seen as "news" (and assumed to be 'objective' truth).

The article's handwringing about how the public trusts charities to provide immediate disaster relief, --but not policy work-- evokes a huge array of emotions from me. Mostly: "Well, duhhhh."

Again the Lilly's aren't the Sackler's, but by now, millions (rightfully, I think) look askance at any group that throws big money to promote -any- type of religion- which the Lilly Endowment does.

And here they are, influencing public schools and funding the AP.

Show threadPhil MeyerApr 15, 2023

@CJPaloma
The Lilly Found. also funded a Community Foundation in every county in Indiana. Having applied for a grant from them, I can tell you that corporate influence was not there. They do fund religious projects, but religion was not part of the application process.

Having worked at IU & having a certificate from the philanthropy program, Lilly has no input in any aspect of that academic unit. It was an unrestricted gift, which IU chose to recognize by naming the program.

Show threadEmmaApr 17, 2023
@philmeyer This is an era of big data, but in fact 40% of people are deceived. Many charities and non-profit organizations take donations from caring people and pay huge salaries to their executives. They really need help. of people get little or no