Steer Clear of Trouble: Controversial Gifts

Did your gift come with a side of controversy? Learn how to set limits without destroying opportunities.

As nonprofits strive to meet pandemic-fueled needs while struggling to find funding, some are turning to controversial funds and people. Others accept gifts and then find out the donor has done something questionable. Some donors are looking for the respectability of philanthropy to improve their tarnished reputations. Other donations come with many strings attached, making them difficult to accept under normal circumstances.

You need to implement or update your organization’s gift acceptance policy now to prepare to respond consistently and diplomatically to prospective funders. This policy can also enable you to avoid saying “no” to every worrisome proposal by defining parameters that make awards acceptable to your organization.

An effective gift acceptance policy must include essential components, identify critical decision points, and foster buy-in throughout the organization.

• What are the purpose and role of gift acceptance policies?
• What essential components should you include?
• How should you address critical organizational decisions on gift acceptance?
• What are reasonable charitable gift restrictions? Which should you avoid?
• How can you build buy-in?