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:

I.

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.

II.

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

III.

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

IV.

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

V.

To receive appropriate
acknowledgement 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 with
individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

VIII.

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

IX.

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

X.

To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful andforthright 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

ENDORSED BY
(in formation)
Independent Sector
National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC)
National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG)
Council for Resource Development (CRD)
United Way of America