Successfully raising funds and donations from private institutions, government or individuals requires a certain amount of experience and skill, not the least of which is a firm understanding, and a consistent practice of, raising funds in a responsible ethical manner.
Fundraising ethics is a somewhat abstract concept that may be made more concrete in your own organizational code of ethics, or in the statements and position papers of professional associations like the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
One of the most well-known ethical principles is the Donor Bill of Rights, which declares 10 specific practices designed 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 nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support".
See also our related Knowledge Base articles:
- Should fundraisers be paid a fixed fee or a percentage of the money raised?
- Where can I find information on online fundraising?
- What do I do if I suspect that a charity is a fraud?
- How can I recognize and avoid grant or scholarship scams?
Ethical Standards
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Ethical standards and principles are the foundation for maintaining public trust, for every AFP member. Addresses international ethics and Donor Bill of Rights.
Principles of Practice for Fundraising Professionals at Educational Institutions
CASE
Ethical Standards and Principles Developed or Endorsed By CASE. Includes Donor Bill of Rights and fundraising ethics guidelines.
Statement of Ethics
Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA)
Advancement researchers must balance an individual's right to privacy with the needs of their institutions to collect, analyze, record, maintain, use, and disseminate information.
Standards for Charity Accountability
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance's standards for charity accountability apply to publicly-soliciting organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and to other organizations conducting charitable solicitations.
Donor Bill of Rights
Association of Fundraising Professionals
The Donor Bill of Rights was created by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to No
Ethics and Accountability
National Council of Nonprofits
This section provides background on ethics and accountability issues that impact the nonprofit sector. This section also provides resources for nonprofits seeking to formally incorporate ethical practices into their operations and stay abreast of regulations.
Test Your Fund Raising Ethics
Inside Higher Ed
Mark Drozdowski developed this short quiz that fund raisers can use to scrutinize morals and ethics, or lack thereof, among nonprofit leadership, staff, and volunteers.