Ethics Scenario #77: Montrose Association of Nonprofit Organizations

77. Josephine is the Communications Director for the Montrose Association of Nonprofit Organizations (MANO), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization formed to bring together nonprofits in Montrose to collaborate on advocacy for the sector, and provide joint purchasing and insurance opportunities. Josephine’s husband is running for State House, and she is doing everything she can to support his candidacy. She knows that if he is elected, the nonprofit sector will have a strong, active voice in the state legislature. Today, because her husband is conducting fundraising coffees in their home, Josephine is working in her office, using her computer to create flyers, and printing out hundreds of copies to place under the doors of her neighbors seeking support. At eight o’clock, a group of her friends are meeting with her there to pick up these flyers, and stuff thousands of envelopes in the MANO conference room. She remembers to order four pizzas for delivery.

a. Is Josephine’s behavior ethical?

b. What alternatives might be available to her if she wishes to completely separate her political life from her professional life in the nonprofit sector?