The Columbian: Small Nonprofits Succeed
Letter to the Editor from Emanuel Tanne, M.D.
The following letter to the editor originally appeared in the August 21, 2008 edition of the Columbian, Vancouver, Washington.
Small Nonprofits Succeed
Thank you for your excellent feature on the economic impact of nonprofit organizations in Clark County (July 20). Interestingly, the income
of the county’s 10 largest nonprofit organizations makes up nearly three-quarters ($828 million) of the $1.2 billion of total revenue for all nonprofits in
the county. According to your article, approximately 75 cents of every dollar given to local nonprofits goes to the largest organizations.
While these organizations provide vital services and community funding, the majority of smaller nonprofits must continually find innovative ways to meet budgets.
Yet, smaller nonprofits frequently offer the very thing that donors want most: the opportunity to truly make a difference. As president and co-founder of the Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation, I can attest that limited budgets demand financial efficiency. A dollar given to a small nonprofit is less likely to fund staff salaries or overhead expenses and more likely to directly support the organization’s mission. Additionally, the effect of that dollar may extend well beyond its initial purpose.
Emanuel Tanne, M.D.
President and Co-founder, Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation
Vancouver, Washington