It's no wonder that people are reluctant to commit their trust. When someone betrays our trust, we become hurt or angry. That's why we trust people, organizations and institutions only when they earn it. Throughout our nation's history, America's independent sector as a whole has earned the public's trust - organizations in the sector have used that public trust to engage in the broader society for the betterment of everyone.
Public trust is the independent sector 's greatest asset.
Yet, several high visibility scandals in the past have threatened to tarnish the reputation of the entire sector. The independent sector works at addressing its internal shortcomings, but no sector can be flawless. Today, nonprofits face the major task of building a future that reflects the best of their past. The trust that community service organizations share with their donors is fundamental to their success and the continued generosity of their contributors. That's why most nonprofits provide regular reports on their income and expenses to donors, government, and anyone else who might be interested.