Fundraising is a noble calling.

In our often-cynical world — and at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet — this can come across as a preposterous statement.

At times, it seems as if the news is filled with stories highlighting fundraising scandals. Executives taking enormous salaries and not generating the kind of results those top figures would demand. Organizations spending most of what they raise to pay for luxurious buildings or bloated staffs, rather than keeping expenses down and sending more money to the cause. People lined up in Times Square or along the Washington Mall begging for causes on just about every block.

There's no doubt that some people abuse power and take advantage of others, whether it's in government, business or the nonprofit world. It's an unfortunate part of the human condition and why everyone should be careful where they send their hard-earned contributions.

On the other hand, those well-publicized abuses are exceptions to the rule, and it's because they receive so much ink and air time that it seems as if bad things happen more in fundraising than they actually do. All you need to do is take a close look at your own neighbors working hard to raise money right here in our community for causes we all embrace.

It's not just the cause that matters, but the organizations receiving your generosity, and it's also why past editions of this column have offered suggestions on how to make your contribution count.

But what about the idea that fundraising isn't just some necessary evil, but actually a "noble calling"?

Those aren't sentiments of some run-of-the-mill fundraiser, but the thoughtful opinion of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the South African cleric who risked his life standing against apartheid during the 1980s and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his staunch defense of human rights. Since then, he has continued his worldwide crusade for the downtrodden and received other humanitarian prizes as well, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Speaking at an international fundraising conference last month, Archbishop Tutu explained why fundraising is, indeed, a noble calling, and how, through the essential work of fundraisers, hungry people are fed, human rights are secured, sick people are cared for and children are educated.

Philanthropy, he said, will help to change institutional justice.

Many fundraisers have been conditioned not to think of themselves as pursuing a noble calling, but Archbishop Tutu has a point. While the donors provide the actual dollars to care for people in need, it takes a lot of time and effort to make the process happen. (And don't discount the fact that fundraisers often contribute their own money and some of their own time to advance the causes they represent.)

Good fundraisers help explain real needs, select places where contributions can be effective, gather and manage contributions, move money to the places where it's needed and fulfill their responsibility to show donors how their generosity has actually improved lives.

Without fundraisers, more people would be suffering today and our communities would be much less desirable places to live and work.

It's worth thinking about the next time someone asks you to consider a contribution. And to everyone out there who is working with integrity and sincerity to find the money needed to help our neighbors, thank you.

And remember that what you're doing is, truly, a noble calling.