Evening star., 1928-12-05
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

ing year to meet the operating def
ciencies of 80 organized private chari-
ties and welfare institutions, represent
ing all creeds and classes.
Because of their participation in this
general fund each Of these 80 organiza-
tions has agreed not to appeal to the
public for money on its own account.
The cost of raising the general fund
was approximately per cent Before
this plan was adopted. IL years ago,
the average cost to the individual or
ganizations of raising money to meet
their deficiencies was about Is per
cent. In some cases, where solicitors
were employed on the percentage basis,
it reached as high as so per cent. Un-
der the present arrangement the giver
is assured that 95 cents out OF every
dollar actually goes for the relief OF
the sick or destitute or for educational
work which will reduce the need for
charity in years to come.
An analysis of the results OF the
Detroit campaign shows that approXl-
mately one member of every family Ill
the city contributed something. More
lIldu 10 pei CcIlI Va G1lC bOOdl, AAo"|NSAt
was contributed by about 5000 persons,
whose gifts ranged from a minimum OF
S25 to the maximum of $l05,000 con-
trlbuted by Mr.. and Mrs Edsel Ford.
Senator James CouZenS gave SlW,Ou0.
This great bulk of the entire fund came
from the Weather citizens, which Is
the experience of other cities With
community funds.
The work of the campaign was car
ried on by approximately 1000 work
ers, arranged in claSsificat,onS, teams
and divisions. Thus the city was first
divided into five geographical divisions.
In each division were three groups
of workers-the special gifts section,
the industrial section and the district
section The first group called on the
wealthier residents of the section, VINO
were expected to make large donations.
The second group made arrangements
for mass contributions in factories,
stores, banks, etc. The third group
made a dcor-to-door canvass, calling
at every house where the family was
not included in the special gifts Sec
ton.
Pledges Made Good.
A great many of the donations we're
in the form of pledges. Experience Of
the past ii years has demonstrated
that these are about 95 per cent col
lectable. The sanctity of these pledges
has been impressed upon the people OF
Detroit by long educational CAM
paign until condition has been
reached where the money will be forth
coming. even in the face of more press
ing obligations. The community fund
organization has a rigid follow-up
system.
The common source of funds has
resulted in a closer grouping of the
charitable and4 welfare organizations
in other ways, with the result that
great economies have been effected.
For example, many of them are houses
in single building, with a saving Of
about $4,000 year in rent. This
building was financed almost entirely
from the interest paid by banks on
the community fund which is distrib-
uted from month to month.
The one intensified campaign has
eliminated 80 individual campaigns,
and not only has it reduced greatly
the demands on the time and attention
of givers, but has focused their atten-
ton upon their actual social obligations
to the community. Where the de-
mands were spread over the year the
giver who gave small amount to
each society got a false idea of the
actual extent Of his charity. Now he
knows exactly where he stands The
result is that there are few individual
giverS who are not now giving more
than formerly. Moreover, according to
William j. Norton. secretary of the
community fund. they give more will
lingly with the knowledge that not a
penny will be wasted
No effort is made at a classification
above 100000, but substantially larger
gifts are expected as the income goes
up. The amount given will depend.
however, on other activities of the indi-
vidual, such as interests in education.
etc. Detroits wealthiest citizen, for
example, gave nothing this year, al
though few men in the country have
donated more substantially for the
beneht OF the public in other lines. Mr..
Ford. 1t was explained, generally does
not believe in the principle of charity
when times are prosperous, although
last year, when some of his own plants
were not running at full capacity, he
gave $4,000.
Due to the rapid growth of the city
the population has nearly doubled in
the past 10 yearS-Detroit has some
social problems which are not encoun-
welfare agencies grow from year to year.
There is large alien population which
is not always thoroughly adjusted to
american WAYS Of living There is
considerable f1uctuating population and
thHr7 are periods of slack in the indus
trles. So increasingly larger amounts
are called for in the annual campaigns.
THESE never have fallen far short.
Demands Held Down.
The directors strive, however, to keep
the demands strictly within reason. The
ouoget is intended only to meet def
clencles in operating expenses BY the
pudgetary examinations the organiZa-
tionS are forced to make the most of
ther earning powers Most of them
nave some sources of revenue. Such
organizations as the Y. M. C. A. anj the
VlSltlng Nurses Association take in con-
siderable sums for services. although it
always is impossible for them to bal
ance their budgets. Once some items
Tor new buildings were included in the
| annual appeal. This was found to he
a mistake and never has been repeated
! At the time 1t was considered good busi-
ness since the replacement of anti
! ouated buildings would have enabled
the organizations to function more
economically in the future.
The public, however, did not take
kindly to the idea. The result has
been that any building campaigns must
be undertaken, with the consent of tfs
directors of the community fund. l,v
the organizations themselves. Suci,
| drives are infrequent, and the directors
must be thoroughly convinced of the
need
About "a per cent of the money raised
each year is expended for public health,
going to such organizations as The
Visiting Nurses Association, homes for
crippled children and hospitals. Ap-
proXimately Is per cent goes for child
welfare About 8.OOO under priyileoed
| children are hannGtnd rzo. sli.aaI -