Donor Bill of Rights

PHILANTHROPY is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the non-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

I.To be informed of the organization’s mission, ofthe way the organization intends touse donated resources, and of its capacity to usedonations effectively for their intended purposes.

II.To be informed of the identity of those servingon the organization’s governing board,and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities

III.To have access to the organization’smost recent financial statements.

IV.To be assured their gifts will be used forthe purposes for which they were given.

V.To receive appropriateacknowledgement and recognition.

VI.To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.

VII.To expect that all relationships withindividuals representing organizations of interestto the donor will be professional in nature.

VIII.To be informed whether those seekingdonations are volunteers, employees of theorganization or hired solicitors.

IX.To have the opportunity for theirnames to be deleted from mailing lists thatan organization may intend to share.

X.To feel free to ask questions when makinga donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

DEVELOPED BY:Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP)Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits

ORIGINALLY ENDORSED BY:Independent SectorNational Catholic Development Conference (NCDC)National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG)Council for Resource Development (CRD)United Way of America