Contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations, represent approximately 30% of Dodge’s annual operating budget. We respect the privacy of our donors and have put in place a Donor Privacy Policy to honor that privacy.
Donor Information
Dodge collects and maintains the following types of information when it is voluntarily provided to us:
- Contact information such as name, address, telephone number and email address
- Giving information
- Information on events attended, publications received and special requests for program information
- Information provided by the donor in the form of comments and suggestions
This confidential information is kept on file as needed 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. Those who are given access to this information must first review Dodge’s donor confidentiality policy.
List Sharing
Dodge does not share, sell, rent or exchange donor information.
Discontinuing Contact Upon Request
It is Dodge’s policy to communicate with donors according to their expressed preferences whenever possible. Dodge will discontinue or change the method used to contact any person upon that person’s oral or written request to Dodge, any professional fundraisers we may employ, or any other agent.
Dodge will maintain a record of all requests by persons who indicate to Dodge, any professional fundraisers we may employ, or any other agent, that they do not wish to be contacted by or on behalf of Dodge Nature Center.
This policy does not prohibit contact by an individual or group voluntarily soliciting on behalf of Dodge, even if the person being contacted has requested to be placed on the “do not contact” list.
Upon a person’s (or a person’s authorized representative’s) request that Dodge discontinue further contact, the person’s name and address will be promptly modified in Dodge’s donor database to ensure that no further contact is made with the person. Dodge will also take steps to ensure that no further contact is made with the individual and that the person’s name is removed from any external databases or records under Dodge’s control.
Permanent Record: Dodge will maintain an electronic record of all requests for discontinuance of contacts. Oral requests will be noted by the staff of Dodge Nature Center by permanently recording the request in our electronic database. The records of persons who have made such a request will be maintained by Dodge to the extent necessary for legal or liability purposes.
Donor Bill of Rights
Dodge Nature Center subscribes to the Donor Bill of Rights, which was created by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and the Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits.
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 declare 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
- To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
- To have access to the organization’s most recent financial
- To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
- To receive appropriate acknowledgement and
- To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by
- To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in
- To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired
- To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to
- To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright