Reliant has been a member of the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability since 1992. We affirm the Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship required for ECFA members (See http://www.ecfa.org/Content/Standards). The sub-parts of the seventh standard address the Stewardship of Charitable Gifts, and all fundraisers for Reliant commit to meet these standards.
Stewardship of Charitable Gifts
Truthfulness in Communications
In securing charitable gifts, all representations of fact, descriptions of the financial condition of the member, or narratives about events must be current, complete, and accurate. References to past activities or events must be appropriately dated. There must be no material omissions or exaggerations of fact, use of misleading photographs or any other communication which would tend to create a false impression or misunderstanding.
Giver Expectations and Intent
Statements made about the use of gifts by a member in its charitable gift appeals must be honored. A giver’s intent relates both to what was communicated in the appeal and to any instructions accompanying the gift, if accepted by the member. Appeals for charitable gifts must not create unrealistic expectations of what a gift will actually accomplish.
Charitable Gift Communication
Every member shall provide givers appropriate and timely gift acknowledgments.
Acting in the Best Interest of Givers
When dealing with persons regarding commitments on major gifts, a member’s representatives must seek to guide and advise givers to adequately consider their broad interests. A member must make every effort to avoid knowingly accepting a gift from or entering into a contract with a giver that would place a hardship on the giver or place the giver’s future well-being in jeopardy.
Percentage Compensation for Securing Charitable Gifts
A member may not base compensation of outside stewardship resource consultants or its own employees directly or indirectly on a percentage of charitable contributions raised.
