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Donor Bill of Rights

Policy Name: Donor Bill of Rights
Last Revision: March 12, 2026

Policy Statement

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is fundamental to the quality of life. The organization is committed to ensuring 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 choose to support.

Reason for Policy

To ensure donors can give with confidence, knowing their contributions are respected, handled responsibly, and used in support of the organization’s mission.

Who Should Read This Policy

All Rutgers University Foundation staff

Policy

The organization recognizes and upholds the following rights of all donors and prospective donors:

  1. 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.
  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 their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
  5. To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
  6. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with 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. 
    The text of this statement in its entirety was developed by the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel (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.