[2-Part Series] Fundraising Laws And Ethics: How To Comply

Is your fundraising legal? Ethical? Learn the regulatory requirements and technical skills you need to have an accountable organization.

Nonprofits are becoming more concerned with fundraising laws and ethics based on recent reports of increasing IRS scrutiny, the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding donor disclosure, and demands from supporters. Unethical fundraising—whether intentional or accidental—can lead to a damaged reputation, lost donors, and monetary penalties. Between IRS requirements for gift acknowledgments to state-by-state registration requirements, knowing what laws and regulations apply to your organization can be challenging.

You need to understand the nine traits of an accountable organization and develop the technical skills to use them in your nonprofit. Appling guiding principles from the Standards for Excellence will enable you to increase your organization’s accountability.

• What are your organization’s obligations for acknowledging donations?
• What should an IRS-compliant thank-you letter include?
• How can you comply with charitable solicitation laws?
• What are the guiding fundraising principles of the Standards for Excellence?
• What policies should you implement to guide ethical fundraising?
• How can you apply ethical theories and codes to fundraising dilemmas?