As
fundraisers, part of
our role is to
encourage and adhere
to responsible gift
planning by adopting
standards of
practice both
personally and in
the institutions we
represent. The
question is are we
doing it? Have we
developed ethical
codes of conduct for
our individual
organizations? Have
we adopted or
adhered to
professional codes
set out by the
National Committee
of Gift Planners,
the Association of
Fundraising
Professionals or
other professional
organizations?
The
National Committee
on Planned Giving
has Model Standards
of Practice for the
Charitable Gift
Planner on their
website covering a
range of areas:
1. Primacy of
Philanthropic
Motivations
2. Explanation of
Tax Implications
3. Full Disclosure
4. Compensation
5. Competence and
Professionalism
6. Consultation with
Independent Advisors
7. Consultation with
Charities
8. Descriptions and
Representation of
Gift
9. Full Compliance
10. Public Trust
For
the full model
standards of
practice go to:
www.ncpg.org/ethics
What’s Your Opinion?
These standards were
adopted and
subscribed to by the
National Committee
on Planned Giving
and the American
Council on Gift
Annuities, May 7,
1991 and revised
April 1999. Do you
feel that they need
to be updated at
this time or are
they still relevant?
Ask
yourself truthfully;
do you need a
refresher on the
standards? Do your
staff? What are
some of the ethical
dilemmas you have
faced (personally or
professionally) as a
fundraiser?
These could include:
Share
your ethical
dilemmas with our
readers in our next
issue by emailing
the editor at:
editor@plannedgivingpulse.com