Ethics Are More Than Instincts

“Our ability to make instinctive decisions or decisions based on conscience primarily are based on not only our own values system, but are based on experience. And when we don’t have experience in a particular issue, we can get into a problem area,” Rosen says.

To avoid ethical dilemmas, Rosen suggests organizations adopt a code of ethics — the AFP code of ethics and the donor bill of rights, for fundraising, and one designed to address the organization’s specific concerns — and an ethical decision-making model.