Donor Bill of Rights

1. Origin and Adoption

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, the four leading nonprofit professional associations developed the Donor Bill of Rights in 1993. The Foundation adopts this Donor Bill of Rights in full and pledges to honor each enumerated right without exception.

2. Ten Donor Rights

The Foundation affirms that all donors have these rights:

1. I. The Right to Mission Information

   To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

2. II. The Right to Board Information

   To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.

3. III. The Right to Financial Statements

   To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.

4. IV. The Right to Proper Use of Gifts

   To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

5. V. The Right to Receive Acknowledgment

   To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.

6. VI. The Right to Confidentiality

   To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.

7. VII. The Right to Professional Relationships

   To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

8. VIII. The Right to Know Solicitor Status

   To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization, or hired solicitors.

9. IX. The Right to Limit Communications

   To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.

10. X. The Right to Truthful Answers

    To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.

3. The Foundation's Additional Commitments

Beyond the Donor Bill of Rights, the Foundation makes the following additional commitments to our donors:

• No selling or trading. We do not sell, rent, lease, or trade donor information with any third party for fundraising or marketing purposes.
• Restricted gifts honored. We honor donor restrictions and document the use of restricted gifts in accordance with the terms agreed upon at the time of the gift.
• Transparent fundraising costs. We disclose our administrative and fundraising costs in our annual report and Form 990, and we work to maintain efficient operations consistent with our mission.
• Independent audit. We engage an independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements annually.
• Conflict of interest discipline. Our directors, officers, and key employees disclose conflicts of interest annually and follow our Conflict of Interest Policy in all relevant decisions.
• Donor-advised fund recognition. We acknowledge gifts made through donor-advised funds in a manner that respects both the fund advisor and the underlying donor relationship.
• Tribute and memorial gifts. We process tribute and memorial gifts respectfully and notify honorees or family members in the manner requested.

4. Donor Privacy

We collect, use, store, and protect donor information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Donor names, contact information, and giving history are treated as confidential and used only for purposes related to your relationship with the Foundation, including processing gifts, providing tax acknowledgments, stewarding the donor relationship, and (with consent or under the conditions in our Privacy Policy) communicating about our work.

You may request at any time that your name not be used in any public recognition, including donor walls, annual reports, press releases, social media, or other communications. You may also request that we limit or cease communications with you, including newsletters, fundraising appeals, and event invitations.

5. Anonymous Giving

Donors may give anonymously. We will not publish your name in any recognition or otherwise identify you publicly, although we may track your contributions internally for cumulative recognition purposes (such as named giving circles) and for our financial records. We will respect your anonymity in all communications.

The Foundation cannot accept gifts where the donor's identity is unknown to the Foundation in amounts exceeding $10,000 due to anti-money laundering and OFAC compliance requirements. We may also be required to disclose certain donor information to government authorities (for example, large donor information on IRS Form 990 Schedule B, which the IRS does not make publicly available for public charities under current rules).

6. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

If you believe any of your donor rights have been infringed, please contact us promptly. We take donor concerns seriously and will work in good faith to resolve them. Donors may also file a complaint with:

• The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (state-of-incorporation regulator)
• The state Attorney General or charity regulator in your state of residence
• The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance at give.org
• Charity Navigator at charitynavigator.org

7. Contact