Where can I learn about ethics in fundraising?
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?
More resources on the topic of trust and transparency»
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Staff-recommended websites
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BBB Wise Giving Alliance
Charity Standards
The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance has standards for charity accountability.
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Association of Fundraising Professionals
Donor Bill of Rights
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
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Staff pick
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Ethical Standards
Ethical standards and principles are the foundation for maintaining public trust, for every AFP member. Addresses international ethics and Donor Bill of Rights.
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CASE
Ethical Standards and Principles of Practice
Ethical Standards and Principles Developed or Endorsed By CASE. Includes Donor Bill of Rights and fundraising ethics guidelines.
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National Council of Nonprofits
Ethics and Accountability
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 regulati
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GuideStar
How Ethical Is Your Nonprofit Organization?
Almost every day, it seems, newspaper headlines shout out the details of another corporate scandal. Those of us in the nonprofit sector are tempted to think that we are above such shenanigans—and the accompanying headlines.
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Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA)
Statement of Ethics
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.
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Inside Higher Ed
Test Your Fund Raising Ethics
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.