The Association of Fundraising Professionals this week released its E-Donor Bill of Rights, which lists 10 rights that donors should expect and demand when making an online charitable gift.
These rights include:
• The right to be assured that all online transactions are safe, secure and private with clear, easy access to the organization's privacy policy.
• The right to receive only opt-in messages and to be clearly informed of opt-out opportunities.
• The right to be clearly informed whether a contribution goes directly to the charity as well as any costs or fees involved in the transaction.
In October, the association released its general guidance for online transactions for all Web users. The organization created the E-Donor Bill of Rights to provide a standard for online donors. It complements the Donor Bill of Rights the association helped create in 1993.
The e-donor bill is intended to increase confidence in online giving, said Paulette Maehara, the association's president and CEO.
“We believe that these are basic rights that an online donor has,” she said. “If a nonprofit doesn't meet these criteria, then the donor should consider giving to a different organization or asking the nonprofit why it doesn't.”
The association represents nearly 25,000 members in 157 chapters in the United States, Canada and Mexico, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs.
