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March 21, 2011 By Helen Brown 1 Comment

Glass Houses

Rocks, boulders and a few velvet-covered pebbles have been hurled on both sides of the James O’Keefe vs. NPR debacle earlier this month.  In case you’ve been living under one (a rock, that is), O’Keefe, a self-described journalist, hired two actors to pose as donors with $5 million in order to lure NPR executives to meet with them.  In exchange for an expensive free lunch, O’Keefe’s team fed NPR’s then-VP for Fundraising Ron Schiller and a colleague false information in order to entice them to reveal NPR’s ‘secret left-leaning agenda’ to a hidden videotape.  Schiller and his boss were subsequently fired in the recorded tape’s aftermath.

I have listened to a lot of the invective that has been thrown by people who are sure that in the same situation they would have acted better.  I don’t know that they truly know how they would react in that cushy restaurant chair.

What I do know is that I’ve got terrible aim when it comes to throwing stones.  Also, I live in a glass house.

I get nervous or angry sometimes and say things I don’t mean.  Sometimes things come out entirely differently from how I meant them.  I have been known, when pressured, to agree with (or smile woodenly at) people who are in positions of power over me who I may not actually agree with.

  • In order to appease them.
  • In order to shut them up.
  • In order to move the conversation along to (please, God) any other topic.
  • In order to represent my organization appropriately, even if it’s not my personal belief.
  • In order to avoid an unnecessary fight.

This I have done.

There are lies to appease and there are lies to deceive.

Between white lies and damned lies it seems to me that there’s a line.  In order to maintain a civilized society, some small amount of lying keeps us from killing each other.  No, honey, those pants don’t make you look fat. Or from disappointing each other. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Or from dinnertime inconvenience.  She’s not here right now, may I take a message?

In prospect research, our code of ethics is crystal clear about lying.  According to the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA)’s Statement of Ethics:

“Members shall be truthful with respect to their identities and purpose and the identity of their institutions during the course of their work.”

It’s more than just maintaining professional integrity, although that’s a pretty decent benefit.  The purpose is to protect our organizations’ reputations and help build strong and transparent relationships with donors.  Besides, we don’t need to misrepresent.  If we have to lie to get a piece of information, it’s probably not the kind of information we should hold in our files anyway.  Does it help build a stronger relationship between our organization and the donor?  If not, forget it.

But what if we’re pressured from our higher-ups to get the information anyway?  What then?  I have been in that situation.  Between a rock and a hard place.

Professional ethics are important to front-line fundraisers, too.  According to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Ethical Principles, members are required to:

“…practice their profession with integrity, honesty, truthfulness and adherence to the absolute obligation to safeguard the public trust.”

But unlike prospect researchers, where the tools of our trade – the facts we seek – come from public sources, the tools of the fundraiser’s trade are relationships.  Built from the narratives they tell each other about their lives.

I find it hard to believe that in building those relationships people don’t tell white lies to each other sometimes.

  • In order to appease them.
  • In order to shut them up.
  • In order to move the conversation along to (please, God) any other topic.
  • In order to represent their organization appropriately even though it’s not their personal belief.
  • In order to avoid an unnecessary fight.

That must be a hard line to walk, especially since AFP put both honesty and truthfulness in that one sentence as if to underscore that it’s a big deal.

The profession of journalism also has its code of ethics (a mighty long one, too, I might add).  The code put forth by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) states up front:

“Journalists should be honest, fair and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.”

There’s that word again – honest.  Later the code says do not misrepresent.  Again, a concept voiced  twice.

Where is the line in the sand?

Ethics statements are the rules we craft to give ourselves a moral framework to work within.  They are the aspirations we keep in our hearts knowing that we are all human, ergo we err.

It’s a fine line.  Lies to appease over here and lies to deceive over there.  And ethics statements forming the immovable, unshifting framework that provides no wiggle room.

I hope the rock-throwing is through.  It has stalled at least two careers and I wonder if it will ruin others.  As a co-worker and consultant, I have worked with Ron Schiller off and on for over 10 years.  He’s a gentleman and a truly gifted fundraising professional.  I’ve never had cause to question his integrity.  But as a human being, I’m guessing he errs.  The way we all do sometimes.

Me, I’m keeping my stones well behind me.

 

Filed Under: Fundraising Ethics Tagged With: NPR, O'Keefe, Schiller

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Josh began his career in development as the Phonathon Coordinator at Keene State College. He then worked at non-profit consulting firm Schultz & Williams in Philadelphia.

He started his research career at the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Assistant in 2005. He then moved over to the Wharton School of Business, where he became the Associate Director, Research and Prospect Management. Josh joined the Helen Brown Group in 2016.

Josh is also a Colorado licensed Realtor and graduate of Lehigh University.

In March 2017, Kristina joined the Helen Brown Group as a Research Associate. Before joining HBG, she was the Research Manager at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and an Associate Manager of Prospect Research at City Harvest, a food rescue organization. Kristina started her non-profit career as a legal assistant at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2004.  She is a member of Apra and Apra Greater New York. She was Apra Greater New York’s Director of Programming from June 2014 to May 2016. Kristina graduated from The University of Chicago and the Bard Graduate Center.

Grace began her career in development in 2001 as Executive Assistant to the Chief Development Officer with Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), a Harvard Medical School-affiliated academic medical center.

In 2003, she became a prospect researcher for the BWH principal and major gifts team and spent the next 11 years in various research positions with BWH, culminating as Assistant Director of Prospect Research. She has been affiliated with The Helen Brown Group since January 2014.

Heather began her career in 2002 as a prospect research coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and then moved to Carroll College in 2004.

In 2005, Heather began working on her own as a freelancer and eventually started her own consulting firm, Willis Research Services, in 2007. She joined The Helen Brown Group in 2012.

Heather is a member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement and the Montana Nonprofit Association.

Jennifer began her career in development at her alma mater, Wheaton College, where she was an administrative assistant for the major gifts department.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in March 2008. She earned a master’s degree in library science from the Southern Connecticut State University in May 2009. Jennifer is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Rick has been a member of the Helen Brown Group team since 2005. Prior to joining HBG, Rick was director of research at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire. Rick has worked in development since 1996, both in prospect research and major gifts fund raising. His experience includes the University of Vermont, Phillips Exeter Academy and St. Paul’s School.

Rick is past president of NEDRA and is a member of and frequent volunteer for APRA.

Josh began his career in development as the Phonathon Coordinator at Keene State College. He then worked at non-profit consulting firm Schultz & Williams in Philadelphia.

He started his research career at the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Assistant in 2005. He then moved over to the Wharton School of Business, where he became the Associate Director, Research and Prospect Management. Josh joined the Helen Brown Group in 2016.

Josh is also a Colorado licensed Realtor and graduate of Lehigh University.

Mandi has worked in prospect research and management since 2006. She began her development career as a research analyst in development research at City of Hope, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in Los Angeles. From there, she became the manager of prospect development at Huntington Memorial Hospital, a community hospital in Pasadena, CA. Most recently, she was the associate director of prospect research and management at Occidental College, a private liberal arts college in LA.

Mandi has a BA degree in print journalism from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree of library and information science from UCLA.

She joined the Helen Brown Group in May 2019.

Kelly began her career in development in 2008 as an administrative assistant in Major Gifts at Wheaton College.

In 2010, she became a research analyst at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the Division of Development & Jimmy Fund as part of the prospect identification team. Kelly joined The Helen Brown Group in 2013.

She is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Jayme began her career in development in 2008 at the Rutgers University Foundation, where she spent the next seven years, first in prospect management and then prospect research. She spent several years at Monmouth University as their senior prospect research analyst, working with the fundraising staff, university president, and top leadership. She has worked as both a volunteer and consultant for non-profits in the areas of research and writing.

She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Drew University and a master of communication and information sciences from Rutgers University. She is a member of APRA.

Jayme joined The Helen Brown Group in April 2019.

Julie has managed finances for The Helen Brown Group since its founding.

In her spare time, she is an editor for the PBS series Masterpiece at WGBH. Julie was nominated twice for an Emmy award for her work on the PBS show Zoom.

Heather began her career in development in 2001 as a prospect researcher for National Wildlife Federation (NWF). She was with NWF for more than thirteen years, including nearly five years as director of research and analytics. Heather is a former secretary of the board of directors of APRA-Metro DC.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in October 2014.

David began his career in development at The Gunnery school in northwest Connecticut in 2011, where he worked in database management and prospect research. Subsequently, he joined the College of Saint Rose as a development research analyst before leading Albany Medical Center Foundation’s prospect research efforts as Associate Director of Prospect Research. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Siena College and is a member of APRA and CASE.

Michele began her career in development in 2012 when she joined the UC Berkeley corporate and foundation relations team as a development analyst. She spent a year and a half at Cal before returning to UC Davis as a prospect analyst. She was with the prospect management and relations team at UC Davis for almost three years prior to joining the research and relationship management team at George Washington University as a Senior Prospect Analyst in 2016.

Michele received her BA in creative writing from Florida State University and her MA in higher education leadership from CSU Sacramento. She currently resides in Northern Virginia, is a member of Apra International, and serves as the social media chair for Apra Metro DC. Michele joined The Helen Brown Group in July 2018.

Kenny has worked in development since 1999 and has been involved in prospect research since 2002. Prior to joining The Helen Brown Group, he was the director of

Prior to joining The Helen Brown Group, he was the director of donor and prospect research at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Kenny is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Angie has worked in development since 2002, partnering with a wide range of nonprofit institutions. She began her professional career at Vanderbilt University in research and prospect development.

She has also worked with a number of community nonprofits in front-line fundraising, grant-writing, and event management. Angie holds an MPA in Nonprofit Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a BS in Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University. She resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and is a member of AFP Nashville and APRA MidSouth, where she has been active on the executive team.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in October 2015.

Tara began her career in development in 2002 on the major gifts team at Simmons College, where she ultimately served as assistant director of prospect research.

Since that time, she has worked as a senior research analyst at MIT, as associate director of prospect management and research at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and most recently as director of development research at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP). Tara originally joined the Helen Brown Group team in 2007 and served as a research associate and ShareTraining coordinator until 2008 – she rejoined the company as a senior researcher in 2013.

Tara currently serves as vice president of the New England Development Research Association (NEDRA), where she chairs the Website and Technology Committee and formerly served as editor of NEDRA News. Tara has also been involved with the Membership Committee, Chapters Committee, and Bylaws Task Force of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA).

Maureen has been a part of the non-profit world since 1991. She started out in annual giving at Harvard Law School and continued her career as director of annual/special gifts at UC Santa Cruz.

In 1999 she made the switch from front-line fundraising to serve as director of prospect research/management at Bentley University and in 2001 began her role as administrator for the North American Foundation for the University of Manchester. She became part of the HBG team in September of 2011.

Helen has been a development professional since 1987. Her previous experience includes The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Albert Einstein Institution, Boston College, the Harvard School of Public Health and Northeastern University.

Currently she works with a variety of clients to establish, benchmark and re-align research departments; identify major gift prospects; and train researchers and other fundraisers through on-site and web-based training services.Helen is a former member of the board of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) and is past president of the New England Development Research Association (NEDRA). In 2006 she received the NEDRA Ann Castle Award for service to the prospect research community.

Helen is Special Advisor on Fundraising to the North American Foundation for the University of Manchester and is a member of the board of directors of Factary Ltd. (Bristol, UK). She is a member of NEDRA, APRA, the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP), Women In Development, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and Researchers in Fundraising (UK).

Helen is a frequent speaker and has led seminars for a number of professional associations, including Action Planning, AFP, APRA, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), NEDRA, RIF, the Planned Giving Council of Central Massachusetts, the Georgia Center on Nonprofits, the International Fundraising Congress and Resource Alliance.

Helen is also co-author (with Jen Filla) of the book, Prospect Research for Fundraisers (Wiley & Sons, 2013).

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