What are the biggest ethical dilemmas that nonprofits face today?
HWB: The biggest ethical dilemma, since time immemorial, is conflict of interest. People tend to lose perspective when they have a personal stake in the outcome, and that’s when they begin to make bad decisions. And there are some nonprofits set up as tax scams. But there aren’t lots of them. Also, about five years ago, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service started enforcing a law called intermediate sanctions. Basically, they fine people for making too much money. They only sanctioned about 40 individuals, but they got $20 million back. One of the reasons I think there are problems is that nonprofit organizations are shielded from a lot of public scrutiny, and it’s not until something goes horribly wrong that anyone finds out about it. Fortunately, I think most people who work in nonprofits are trying to do the right thing. And corporations? TH: Ethical dilemmas for corporations and nonprofits are the same today as they were yesterday – corporate actions aligned with corporate values and
