A Donor Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good.  The UMass Memorial Foundation is dependent on this tradition of giving and sharing to support the educational, research, and clinical programs and initiatives that are primary to our mission.  To assure that we merit your respect and trust, and that you may have the full confidence in the UMass Memorial Foundation, we declare that all of our donors have the following rights:

1. To be informed of our mission, of the way the we intend to use donated resources and of our capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
   
   
2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on our governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
   
   
3. To have access to our most recent financial statements.
   
   
4. To be assured your gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
   
   
5. To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
   
   
6. To be assured that information about your donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
   
   
7. To expect that all relationships with UMass Memorial Foundation will be professional in nature.
   
   
8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
   
   
9. To have the opportunity for your name to be deleted from mailing lists that we may intend to share.
   
   
10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

Adapted from A Donor Bill of Rights developed by the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel (AAFRC), Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, (AHP) Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), National Society of Fund-Raising Executives (NSFRE).