Donor Bill of Rights

The Donor Bill of Rights was established by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in collaboration with other organizations to promote ethical fundraising practices and to ensure that donors are treated with respect and integrity. It serves as a guideline for nonprofits to foster trust and transparency in their relationships with donors.

The Rights of Donors
The Donor Bill of Rights includes the following ten rights for donors:
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1. To be informed of the organization's mission, how it intends to use donated resources, and its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
2. 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.
3. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
4. To be assured that their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
5. To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition for their contributions.
6. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization, or hired solicitors.
9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.