Donor Confidentiality

 

 

 

Updated 2/16/2022

Open Door respects the privacy of all donors and prospects. We believe in safeguarding personal donor information. Donor names, addresses and any other personal information provided will be used only by Open Door to inform donors and prospects of activities including program updates and outcomes, special events, and funding requests. If at any time a donor chooses not to receive these communications, the individual can remove their name from the agency’s mailing list by contacting the Development office. Open Door may publish a list of names of donors in an annual report which is available on our website. Donors can choose to remain anonymous and will not be published in this report.

Confidential information is kept on file for IRS purposes. It is also used to analyze overall giving patterns in order to make more accurate budget projections, as well as to understand donors’ interests in our mission and to update them on the organization’s plans and activities. This information is shared with staff, board members, volunteers and consultants only on a
confidential and need-to-know basis.

Mailing Lists
Open Door does not rent, sell, give away or trade its donor lists or any information contained on those lists. Donor information is used by the agency for charitable purposes only as described above and will not be used by any entity outside the agency, except on agency business. To review personal information collected and/or to request changes, the Development office should
be contacted.

Authorized Release of Information
Open Door may be legally required to disclose information on occasion. The agency complies with all applicable legal requirements and standards.

Adherence to the Donor Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we join other agencies in
declaring that all donors have these rights:

  • To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
  • To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organizations’ governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgement in its stewardship responsibilities.
  • To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
  • To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
  • To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
  • To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
  • To expect that all relationships with individuals representing the organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
  • To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
  • To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
  • To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive a prompt, truthful and forthright answer.