Three Cups of B.S. or Just a Little Spill?: Greg Mortenson and “Three Cups of Tea”

During the past few days we have seen the impact of poor nonprofit leadership and misguided financial management with Greg Mortenson’s Central Asia Institute (CAI). In an investigative interview by 60 Minutes, the CAI is accused of erroneous financial management, misspending of donor funds and exaggeration of organizational accomplishments—including Greg’s own stories of being kidnapped by Taliban members. Today, I am a more cautious advocate of Greg and his organization.

A Sucker Punched Supporter

I’ll admit I felt like I had been sucker punched when I first read about the report and then again, when I watched the entire story on CBS. I was also waiting for the “big story”. I’m not sure that CBS or 60Minutes ever got to the real point. There are hundreds of nonprofits that have knowingly swindled donors for thousands of dollars and have nothing to show for their efforts. Greg and CAI may have exaggerated his trek through rugged terrains, but they still built schools and brought the gift of education to young girls—just like they said they would. I'd like to hear from some other unhappy supporters. Why isn't anyone else speaking up? This investigative report fell short when accusing Greg Mortenson of ethical or legal violations, but it did have some good lessons about transparency for those in the nonprofit field. 

I’ve still haven’t decided exactly how I feel about Greg Mortenson or the CAI debacle. I have been a strong advocate for Mr. Mortenson, his books and the work of CAI. (Even my own mother gave up on him when he was late for a Diane Rehm interview—sorry, Mom.)  I can honestly tell you that I love his work and his ideas more than I love him. It wasn’t his story (a tall tale?) that brought me to his organization. It was the idea that girls who otherwise wouldn’t have an education, were going to have a place to learn because of Greg and CAI. Nothing is more important to me in society than education. Nothing.

Do What You Do Well and Leave the Rest to the Best

Building schools and navigating the terrain of a land most of us will never see is what Greg Mortensen does well. He isn’t a nonprofit professional or executive—something he tells readers in both of his books. Perhaps it was his own mistake to think he could masquerade as a nonprofit professional without getting caught. Perhaps it was the foolishness of his board and advisors to let him continue doing so?!

Many of those who haven’t prepared for a career in the nonprofit field think that they can take on the tasks, trials and challenges of running a nonprofit corporation simply because they have passion or corporate business experience.  Some can. Most can’t. Would any nonprofit professional decide to just start running a business selling coffee because we were passionate about our morning cup of Joe? Probably not. We’d hopefully know that it takes skill, talent and business savvy to run a company. So, why do so many people think that the same isn’t required in a nonprofit organization?

Know Your Donors and Your Foes

While the story lacked some substance and made Greg’s now nemesis, Jon Krakauer, look like a glorified whistleblower, the story 60 Minutes did tell is that it is important to be a thoughtful and educated donor. Do your research. Look up the organization’s financials. Talk with other donors. Know who you are giving to and why their work is impacting society. The same can be said for corporate shareholders—right? The value of transparency and accountability are hard lessons to learn in the nonprofit arena and Greg isn’t the first or last person to be taught a lesson in nonprofit management. 

Throughout the unfolding of this story, I’ve been reminded that my role of the 'educated donor' and advocate cannot be approached passively. I’m sorry that Mr. Krakauer is upset about how his donation was spent. I love my profession and believe strongly in the integrity of fundraising and would never want donor funds to be knowingly misspent.  I hope that Greg and CAI will learn, admit mistakes, improve the work of CAI and move forward. 

Tell Us What You Want

I’m not sure what Jon Krakauer or 60 Minutes are trying to accomplish or why he waited so long to expose the failing of CAI. Coincidence that his book just came out? Did Mr. Krakauer think he really needed a media blitz to make changes at CAI? Does he want changes at CAI?  Do they want Greg to admit he didn’t get kidnapped by the Taliban? Does he want a new CAI leader? Will that change things? There is this little thing called Sarbanes-Oxley that could help him out in a big way. Probably bigger than 60 Minutes.

What shouldn't be overlooked is what hundreds of CAI workers and volunteers (ya, what about them?) have done to build schools and create opportunities for education—something no one can ever take away from young girls in a struggling region. Americans in their cozy homes and fancy cars paid attention to a global issue because CAI made us listen. Let's not forget that much before we decide on a sentence. Greg, CAI and its board members weren't partying on yachts.

If there is a deeper story and potential solution here, I hope that Jon Krakauer and 60 Minutes will give viewers more substance and a call to action the next time around. If they don't, I'm afraid that the ones who will suffer most are the children and families who are depending on the work of Greg and CAI. 

Finally, I applaud Mr. Krakauer for donating his book proceeds.  I also hope he is wrong and is just exaggerating Greg’s failures to support a competing nonprofit. If he’s right, then I hope that we all I can see the bigger message of peace, cooperation and global education before Greg and CAI are thrown to the nonprofit curb.

CAI or no CAI, I'm still passionate about the idea of promoting peace with books and not bombs. Big time.

~Cheers!