100790: Ethical Issues in Agency Resource Development: Implications for Social Administration

About the Course:

As nonprofit human service agencies become increasingly involved in financial resource development they will face issues that can potentially compromise the ethical conduct of such activity. The authors discuss six issues that can potentially compromise ethical resource development and they examine the implications they may create for social administration. The six issues are (a) the ambiguity of organizational identity, (b) the portrayal of the agency’s cause and its relationship to fund development strategy, (c) resource development as cause-oriented advocacy, (d) the potential vulnerability of the donor, (e) the nature and content of the resource development plea or request, and (f) the provision of adequate information to potential donors. An agency can empower potential donors by respecting their personal situations, including their vulnerability to manipulation, and by equipping them with the understanding and information they need to make good decisions about whether and what to contribute. COURSE SYLLABUS I. Background and Nature of the Problem II. Resource Development Issues III. Conclusion

Publication Date:

2002 /Vol. 83, No. 3

Authors

David P. Moxley; Laurie Bueche

About the Authors:

Professor School of Social Work Wayne State University

Senior Manager Development and Public Relations Volunteers of America of Greater Lansing

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about ethical issues. It is appropriate for participants with all levels of knowledge about the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. Describe some approaches for empowering potential donors.

2. Describe implications of these six issues for social administration.

3. Identify six issues that can potentially compromise ethical resource development for non-profit human service organizations.