Ethics Scenario #67: The Grobman Foundation

67. Betty is the CEO of the Grobman Foundation, an operating foundation, and she is frustrated with the performance of her chief fundraiser, Bernie, who follows both the letter and the spirit of the ethics code of his professional association, the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He rejects her pleas that he be a bit more aggressive rather than being so “nice,” a quality that she feels is resulting in lost opportunities to maximize gifts. She decides to fire him, and replace him with Franklin, who she sees will be more aggressive in utilizing the latest strategies and techniques, including social media. Franklin also has no qualms about pushing the envelope with respect to prospect research, exaggerating the foundation’s needs, appealing to guilt, and bullying donors to give more. But he has a history of improving fundraising wherever he has served the chief fundraiser. He refuses to join the AFP, suggesting that they are too timid to accept fundraising practices that get results.

a. Is Betty’s behavior toward Bernie ethical?

b. Is Franklin’s behavior ethical?