From Slate Magazine · Ilyce Glink · · 1m 30s
Mom’s Charity Trust Disrespected
Trustee cuts donation to mom’s shelter after board ignored funeral.
In brief
Trustee cuts donation to mom’s shelter after board ignored funeral. A family trustee stops funding a charity their mother founded after learning board members skipped her funeral and prioritized retreats over donations. Originally reported by Slate Magazine.
My mom’s trust
My mom founded a local family shelter where parents could leave bad home situations with children.
Trustee role
I became the sole trustee after my mom passed away earlier this year.
Shelter history
My mom was a founding member and long time board member, with a house named after her.
Funeral neglect
Board members said they couldn’t attend my mom’s funeral because they were at a retreat.
Budget access
I requested the shelter’s budget and monthly income/expense numbers after my mom’s death.
Retreats over donations
The shelter prioritized board retreats over donations, despite being a perpetual need charity.
Trustee decision
I will no longer donate to the shelter this year after learning about their spending.
Donation impact
The shelter’s board members skipped my mom’s funeral and prioritized retreats over donations.
Alternative charities
I will support other charities rated by Charity Navigator for accountability and impact.
Trustee action
I will stop funding the shelter after verifying their spending on retreats instead of donations.
Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator rates charities based on accountability, impact, leadership, and culture.
990 forms
Nonprofits file 990 forms with the IRS for public access through Charity Navigator or ProPublica.
The headline
A family trustee stops funding a charity their mother founded after learning board members skipped her funeral and prioritized retreats over donations.
