Maybe It's Time for a Reread … of the Donor Bill of Rights

Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American poet, wrote, “Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.” The Donor Bill of Rights fits that description perfectly — treating donors like it instructs us to really is genius, even if to many of us it just seems like a no-brainer.

So, if like me, you aren’t rereading this seemingly ancient document as part of your regular activities, here’s the CliffsNotes version.

Rights 1-3: Keeping donors informed
The first three “rights” cover basic information donors should expect to be able to locate without having to get a court order or spend hours lost in the sub-pages of your website. These include your organization's mission, how you intend to use their donations and proof of your ability to use those donations effectively; the identity of your board members and an expectation that the board is functional and operating as wise stewards; and to review (when desired) your most recent financial statements.