The Donor Bill of Rights was created by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and the Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits. It has been endorsed by numerous organizations, including the Washington County Community Foundation.
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:
- To be informed of the Foundation’s mission, of the way the Foundation intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
- To be informed of the identity of those serving on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and to expect the Board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
- To have access to the Foundation’s most recent financial statements.
- To be assured your gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
- To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
- To be assured that information about your donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
- To expect that all interactions with the Foundation will be professional in nature.
- To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers or paid staff.
- To have competent administration that can implement procedures to carry out Board policies.
- To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.