A Note of Thanks

Dear Subscriber:

2012 has been a very eventful year.  Some, in part, because of YOU. 

• Record Amount of Embezzlement Documented. As a result of tips from readers, Nonprofit Imperative has documented record nonprofit fraud. In just a three-week period, NI recorded $308 million embezzled from over 100 agencies. These small, medium and large charities and governmental organizations represent just a small cross-section of those that have been impacted. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners suggests that it represents only 5% of the pillage from all organizations. A 2011 study noted that nonprofits, including religious organizations, experienced the most embezzlement cases of all industry categories, only behind financial institutions. 
• The Internal Revenue Service Recognizes the Magnitude of the Charity Fraud Problem. An IRS survey announcement stated that there is overwhelming evidence that there is "significant diversion" of charitable assets. The study also noted the lax enforcement with only 29% of the perpetrators resulting in charges; 3% paid full restitution; only 16% ended in incarceration or probation. 
• Authorities Around the World Acknowledge Charity Fraud As An Issue; Except in the U.S. Just last week, The National Fraud Authority in the UK rolled out a survey of fraud in the charity sector in order to gain a better understanding of the problem. This as a result of an increase of serious incidents of fraud by more than 75% in 2009-10. Other countries around the world are also monitoring the problem as well. Canadians are worried about charity fraud with 66% of them concerned about it. Other countries addressing the charity fraud problem include Israel, Italy, South Africa, and New Zealand. The USA has shown no such interest. 

Despite the unwillingness of those in leadership positions to acknowledge that there is a problem, we will continue to put a spotlight on this serious scourge. We will, with your continued input, send out our twice-monthly e-newsletter, keep updating our popular blog, respond to investigative reporters and electronic media and assist state and federal regulators.

We wish you a great New Year.  

Nonprofit Imperative gathers its information principally from public documents...some of which are directly quoted. Virtually all cited are in some phase of criminal proceedings; some have not been charged, however. Cites in various media: Featured in print, broadcast, and online media outlets, including: Vermont Public Radio, Miami Herald, National Public Radio, Huffington Post, The Sun News, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Wall Street Journal (Profile, News and Photos), FOX2, ABC Spotlight on the News, WWJ Radio, Ethics World, Aspen Philanthropy Newsletter, Harvard Business Review, Current Affairs, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, St. Petersburg Times, B, USA Today Topics, Newsweek.com, Responsive Philanthropy Magazine, New York Times...and many more Nonprofits: On the Brink (2006) Silence: The Impending Threat to the Charitable Sector (2011)