Return To Programs Page      eClub One - Archive Articles List
 

We hope you enjoy the programs at eClub One

Reprinted By Permission - Copyright
Boulder Daily Camera
Making Money Matter
Enid Ablowitz

Donor’s Rights

By Enid Ablowitz

eClub One Director of Development

How often are you asked for money for a good cause?  Whether you are offered cookies, are invited to a charity event, or receive a letter in the mail, there is an organization hoping you will give.   As the amount of the requested gift goes up, more than likely there is a professional fundraiser who will either to do the solicitation or assist the leadership or volunteers of the organization in asking you for money.  

What do we know about fundraisers?  As children few of them would have aspired to be a fundraiser when they grew up, but here they are asking other people for money.  Why?  The best fundraisers are people who are passionate and believe in the vision of the organization they serve.  For them, fundraising isn’t about asking for money. It’s about a shared value system.  It is also about making something important happen.  A fundraiser who has a deep connection to an organization builds relationships with like-minded people and uses his or her communication skills to inspire them to give.

Once in a while things go wrong. Perhaps a fundraiser has undue influence over an elderly donor or there is an overstating of the charitable tax benefits, or perhaps even the misuse of the gift.  Most fundraisers understand that their role involves an important public trust.  In fact, there is a clearly defined code of ethics for professional fundraisers and gift planners.  One format developed jointly by the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel, The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals is called “A Donor Bill of Rights” and I think it is worth sharing.

“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 assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

1.      To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

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

3.      To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.

4.      To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

5.      To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.

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

7.      To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

8.      To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.

9.      To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.

10.  To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.”

Maybe this seems obvious, but I think it is worth reinforcing in the spirit of donor advocacy.  There are complementary standards of professional practice that include full disclosure, avoidance of exploitation or breach of confidentiality, and the assurance that donors receive informed, accurate and ethical advice about the value and tax implications of potential gifts.  Further, as donors, you are entitled to proper stewardship of your contributions, including reports on how your funds were used.  

By the way, ethical fundraisers and institutions never take or pay a commission or finder’s fee for facilitating a charitable gift!  

As more non-profit institutions rely on fundraising to achieve their missions and assure sustainability, donors need to become more knowledgeable about their giving.  By expecting professionalism you will encourage it; by asking questions and taking more responsibility for understanding how to give well, you will assure that your philanthropic journey is a satisfying one.  You’ll also find that most of the people who work in the public benefit sector do so because they share your commitment to a cause and have found a way to merge their work and their passion.  When you are asked to give, don’t be surprised if the person asking has given too.

 

Making Money Matter

By permission: The Daily Camera

March 10, 2003