Donor Bill of Rights

Policy Statement

Gifts raised by the Office of University Advancement and External Relations help Adelphi to carry out its mission to transform the lives of all its students. The University welcomes all gifts that support general operating costs, help build the endowment and fund a variety of special purposes that reflect both the needs of the University and the interests of its donors. The Donor Bill of Rights guides our interactions and responsibilities to donors.

Reason for Policy

The intent of this policy is to provide Adelphi University’s leadership, faculty, staff and volunteers with guidelines that enable them to assist prospective donors, their families and advisors in making gifts to the University. By defining the types of gifts that are acceptable, the different forms gifts may take and the requirements for accepting gifts, these guidelines will facilitate the appropriate use and accountability of gifts received by Adelphi University.

Who Is Governed by this Policy

Faculty, staff, volunteers

Policy

Donor Bill of Rights

The Donor Bill of Rights was developed by the American Association of Fund-Raising Council (AAFRC), Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and adopted in November 1993.

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 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 donations 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.

Principles of the E-Donor Bill of Rights

Since the creation of the Donor Bill of Rights, the philanthropic landscape has changed dramatically. One critical change has been the growing use of technology to facilitate charitable giving, primarily through the Internet. While the Internet is a powerful charitable giving tool, it also creates challenges — for both the donor and the charity. These rights ensure best practices are being followed for the security of the donor and the charity.

The E-Donor Bill of Rights  is intended to complement the original document and provide further and more detailed guidance for the new world of online giving. In addition to the rights outlined in the Donor Bill of Rights, online donors should demand the following of their online solicitors:

• To be clearly and immediately informed of the organization’s name, identity, nonprofit or for-profit status, its mission, and purpose when first accessing the organization’s website.
• To have easy and clear access to alternative contact information other than through the website or email.
• To be assured that all third-party logos, trademarks, trust marks and other identifying, sponsoring, and/or endorsing symbols displayed on the website are accurate, justified, up-to-date, and clearly explained.
• To be informed of whether or not a contribution entitles the donor to a tax deduction and of all limits on such deduction based on applicable laws.
• To be assured that all online transactions and contributions occur through a safe, private, and secure system that protects the donor’s personal information.
• To be clearly informed if a contribution goes directly to the intended charity, or is held by or transferred through a third party.
• To have easy and clear access to an organization’s privacy policy posted on its website and be clearly and unambiguously informed about what information an organization is gathering about the donor and how that information will be used.
• To be clearly informed of opportunities to opt out of data lists that are sold, shared, rented, or transferred to other organizations.
• To not receive unsolicited communications or solicitations unless the donor has “opted in” to receive such materials.

Definitions

This policy does not have definitions associated with it at this time. Upon periodic policy review, this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Procedures

This policy does not have procedures associated with it at this time. Upon periodic policy review, this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Forms

This policy does not have forms associated with it at this time. Upon periodic policy review, this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Related Information

This policy does not have related information at this time. Upon periodic policy review, this area will be evaluated to determine if additional information is needed to supplement the policy.

Document History

• Last Reviewed Date: February 17, 2023
• Last Revised Date: February 10, 2020
• Policy Origination Date: Unknown

Who Approved This Policy

Thomas Kline, Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations