According to a new study by Professor Paul Light of New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, public confidence in charitable organizations remains low and has yet to rebound from the decline experienced after September 11, 2001.  Of the 1,820 Americans polled:

15% said they had a great deal of confidence in charitable organizations.
49% said a fair amount.
24% said not too much.
  7% said none.

19% said charities do a very good job running their programs and services.
11% said charities spend their money wisely.
66% said that charities waste a great deal or fair amount of money.
46% said charities pay their leaders too much.

I hope existing and emerging leaders of charitable organizations recognize the importance of such studies as they may catalyze changes in the laws affecting our nation’s charities.

Click here for the full report.