top of page
Donor Bill of Rights

Children's Ability Fund of the Northern Alberta Crippled Children's Fund Fundraising Policies

Effective Date: November 1999

Purpose: Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code - Summary

 

A. Donors' Rights

1. All donors (individuals, corporations, and foundations) are entitled to receive an official receipt for income tax purposes for the amount of the donation. Donors of non-monetary eligible gifts (or gifts-in-kind) are entitled to receive an official receipt that reflects the fair market value of the gift.

2. All fundraising solicitations by or on behalf of the charity will disclose the charity's name and the purpose for which funds are requested. Printed solicitations (however transmitted) will also include its address or other contact information.

3. Donors and prospective donors are entitled to the following, promptly upon request:

  • the charity's most recent annual report & financial statements as approved by the board;

  • the charity's registration number (BN) as assigned by Revenue Canada;

  • any information contained in the public portion of the charity's Information Return (T3010)

  • a list of the names of the members of the charity's governing board; and

  • a copy of this Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code

4. Donors and prospective donors are entitled to know, upon request, whether an individual soliciting funds on behalf of the charity is a volunteer, an employee, or a hired solicitor.

5. Donors will be encouraged to seek independent advice if the charity has any reason to believe that a proposed gift might significantly affect the donor's financial position, taxable income, or relationship with other family members.

6. Donor requests to remain anonymous will be respected.

7. The privacy of donors will be respected. Any donor records that are maintained by the charity will be kept confidential to the greatest extent possible. Donors have the right to see their own donor record, and to challenge its accuracy.

8. If the charity exchanges, rents, or otherwise shares its fundraising list with other organizations, a donor's request to be excluded from the list will be honored.

9. Donors and prospective donors will be treated with respect. Every effort will be made to honor their requests to limit the frequency of solicitations, not be solicited by telephone or other technology and receive printed material concerning the charity.

10. The charity will respond promptly to a complaint by a donor or prospective donor about any matter that is addressed in this Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code.

B. Fundraising Practices

1. Fundraising solicitations on behalf of the charity will be truthful, accurately describe the charity's activities and the intended use of donated funds and respect the dignity and privacy of those who benefit from the charity's activities.

2. Volunteers, employees and hired solicitors who solicit or receive funds on behalf of the charity shall adhere to the provisions of this Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code, act with fairness, integrity, and in accordance with all applicable laws and adhere to the provisions of applicable professional codes of ethics and standards of practice.

3. Paid fundraisers, whether staff or consultants, will be compensated by a salary, retainer or fee, and will not be paid finders' fees, commissions or other payments based on either the number of gifts received or the value of funds raised.

4. The charity will not sell its donor list. If applicable, any rental, exchange or other sharing of the charity's donor list will exclude the names of donors who have so requested.

5. The charity's governing board will be informed at least annually of the number, type and disposition of complaints received from donors or prospective donors about matters that are addressed in this Ethical Fundraising & Financial Accountability Code.

C. Financial Accountability

1. The charity's financial affairs will be conducted in a responsible manner, consistent with the ethical obligations of stewardship and the legal requirements of provincial and federal regulators.

2. All donations will be used to support the charity's objects, as registered with Revenue Canada.

3. All restricted or designated donations will be used for the purposes for which they are given.

4. Annual financial reports will be factual and accurate in all material respects and disclose the:

  • total amount of fundraising revenues and fundraising expenses

  • total amount of donations that are receipted for income tax purposes

  • total amount of expenditures on charitable activities

  • identify government grants and contributions separately from other donations

  • be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards established by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, in all material respects.

5. No more will be spent on administration and fundraising than is required to ensure effective management and resource development. In any event, the charity will meet or exceed Revenue Canada's requirement for expenditures on charitable activities.

6. The cost-effectiveness of the charity's fundraising program will be reviewed regularly by the board.

bottom of page