Donor Bill of Rights

Mount Carmel Health System Foundation endorses the Code of Ethical Principles and Standards adopted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, as well as A Donor Bill of Rights, which has been endorsed by numerous national organizations that promote ethical fund-raising practices.

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 ensure 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:

I.

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.

II.

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.

III.

To have access to the organization’s

most recent financial statements.

IV.

To be assured their gifts will be used for

the purposes for which they were given.

V.

To receive appropriate

acknowledgement and recognition.

VI.

To be assured that information about

their donations is handled with respect and with

confidentiality to the extent provided by law.

VII.

To expect that all relationships with

individuals representing organizations of interest

to the donor will be professional in nature.

VIII.

To be informed whether those seeking

donations are volunteers, employees of the

organization or hired solicitors.

IX.

To have the opportunity for their

names to be deleted from mailing lists that

an organization may intend to share.

X.

To feel free to ask questions when making

a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and

forthright answers.

Developed by

• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
• Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP)
• Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
• Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits

Endorsed by

• Independent Sector
• National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC)
• National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG)
• Council for Resource Development (CRD)
• United Way of America