Standards Section C : Fundraising

Standard C1: Donor requests

The organization honours donors’ and prospective donors’ requests to:

• limit the frequency of contact;
• not be contacted by telephone or other technology;
• receive printed material concerning the organization; and
• discontinue contact.

Standard C1 Explained

Standard C2: Donor lists

The organization does not sell its donor list. If it rents, exchanges or otherwise shares its donor list, it must abide by the Canadian Marketing Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and honour donors’ requests to be excluded from such lists.

Standard C2 Explained

Standard C3: Donor privacy

Donors’ requests to remain anonymous are honoured.

Standard C3 Explained

Standard C4: Independent advice

The organization encourages donors to seek independent advice if the proposed gift is a Planned Gift and/or the organization has any reason to believe the proposed gift might significantly affect the donor’s financial position, taxable income, or relationship with other family members.

Standard C4 Explained

Standard C5: Receipts

CHARITIES: The organization prepares and issues Official Income Tax receipts for monetary gifts and gifts-in-kind in compliance with all regulatory requirements. NONPROFITS: The organization makes it clear to all potential donors that it cannot issue Official Income Tax receipts.

Standard C5 Explained

Standard C6: Fundraising activities

All fundraising activities conducted by or on behalf of the organization must:

• be truthful,
• accurately describe the organization’s activities,
• disclose the organization’s name,
• disclose the purpose for which funds are requested,
• disclose the organization’s policy with respect to issuing Official Income Tax receipts including any policy on minimum amounts for which a receipt will be issued; and,
• disclose, upon request, whether the individual or entity seeking donations is a volunteer, employee or contracted third party.

Standard C6 Explained

Standard C7: Misleading claims

The organization does not make claims that cannot be upheld or are misleading.

Standard C7 Explained

Standard C8: Exploitation of beneficiaries

The organization does not exploit its beneficiaries. It is sensitive in describing those it serves (whether using graphics, images or text) and fairly represent their needs and how these needs will be addressed.

Standard C8 Explained

Standard C9: Fundraising materials

Any fundraising materials distributed by or on behalf of the organization must include its address or other contact information.

Standard C9 Explained

Standard C10: Payment of fundraisers

The organization does not, directly or indirectly, pay finder’s fees, commissions or percentage compensation based on contributions.

Standard C10 Explained

Standard C11: Behaviour of fundraisers

Anyone seeking or receiving funds, on behalf of the organization, whether a volunteer, employee or contracted third party must:

• act with fairness, integrity, and in accordance with all applicable laws;
• cease contacting a prospective donor who states that he/she does not wish to be contacted;
• disclose immediately to the organization any actual or apparent conflict of interest or loyalty; and
• not accept donations for purposes that are inconsistent with the organization’s mission.

Standard C11 Explained

Standard C12: Fundraising policies

Level 1 & 2 - The organization has appropriate fundraising policies (e.g., a gift acceptance policy, a policy on the treatment of restricted or designated gifts, and naming and endowment policies). The relevance and appropriateness of these policies are reviewed every three years by the board. ; Level 3 - The organization has a gift acceptance policy, a policy on the treatment of restricted or designated gifts, and naming and endowment policies. The relevance and appropriateness of these policies are reviewed every three years by the board.

Standard C12 Explained

Standard C13: Face-to-face solicitations

Organizations that conduct face-to-face fundraising (e.g., door-to-door campaigns, street-side fundraising, workplace campaigns) must:

• provide verification of the affiliation of the person representing the organization; and,
• secure and safeguard any confidential information, including credit card information, provided by donors.

Standard C13 Explained

Standard C14: Cause-related marketing

Where the organization has formally entered into a cause-related marketing agreement with a third-party, it must disclose in all related materials it produces, how the organization benefits from the sale of products or services and the minimum or maximum amounts payable under the arrangement. If no minimum amount is payable, the organization should disclose this.

Standard C14 Explained