Donor's Bill Of Rights
This Bill of Rights for charitable givers was developed by the following four industry
experts: American Association of Fund Raising Counsel, Association for Healthcare
Philanthropy, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, National Society
of Fund Raising Executives. It is industry-accepted and all quality charities should
subscribe to the beliefs espoused here. The Board of Directors of Legal Hospice
of Texas has endorsed this document.
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 that
they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:
- 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.
- 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.
- To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
- To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
- To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
- To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and
with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
- To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of
interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
- To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the
organization or hired solicitors.
- To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an
organization may intend to share.
- To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful
and forthright answers.