SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Back in October 2016 San Diego LGBT Weekly reported that the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF) announced that it had hired an independent certified public accountant to conduct a “thorough and careful review” of the organization’s financial matters at the behest of members of the organization’s board of directors and its Finance Committee, who were concerned about “irregularities” and possibly missing funds in the region of nearly three quarters of a million dollars.
Today, the board of directors of SDHDF announced that this “forensic” financial review had been conducted and the results of the review had provided the board, “with confidence that the organization is solvent and prepared to fulfill our commitments to the community it serves.” The board made no further comment on the report other than “… further details will be announced once the report is finalized.”
The board of directors also announced a reorganization of the Foundation’s management structure, fiscal reporting processes, and communication practices to grantees and donors. According to SDHDF, “the focus has been to ‘right size’ the Foundation’s operations and refocus on fundraising to continue its mission of helping and strengthening the San Diego County LGBT community.”
Dec. 2016, Rod Reinhart completed his interim role as executive director and Ian Morton was appointed director of operations. “Rod performed these responsibilities on a pro bono basis and we are grateful not only for his proven leadership but also his generous nature,” says Joselyn Harris, board president. “The Foundation is deeply grateful to Reinhart for his experienced guidance and for helping to ensure the Foundation’s smooth transition through this period.”
Morton joined SDHDF in Sept. 2014, and most recently held the position of senior program analyst, where he was responsible for grantee relations and reporting, strategic partnerships, and fundraising for the HIV Funding Collaborative and PFLAG scholarship funds. When asked about his plan for the future, Morton states: “The integral pillar of my vision for SDHDF is community engagement. I want to be a part of a foundation that is listening to the communities which it serves, and is responsive to their needs and priorities. This central question must inform our actions, fundraising, and giving – are the choices we make truly serving San Diego’s LGBT and HIV communities in the most effective and impactful manner? Having spent much of my advocacy work ‘in the trenches’, I have seen how a disconnect can form between funders and community needs, and am determined to facilitate ongoing communication, to inform our actions.”
“We are being methodical, thorough and thoughtful in our action plan,” adds Harris. “A rush to action without proper vetting is unwise. Each action has been thoroughly assessed and implemented, to protect the integrity and financial health of this beloved LGBT philanthropic organization that has served the community for more than 20 years.”
