102: Jiminy Cricket Reporting for Duty

On this episode of Charity Therapy, we’re digging deep into fundraising – specifically, how to do it ethically. If we’re going to be asking people for their hard-earned dollars, it’s important that we do it right, right?! Check out this episode to help make sure you’re on the right side of the law, focusing on your mission, and keeping donor info private. 

We’re dissecting the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ code of ethics and tackling a sticky real-life situation from a listener about a board member wanting member emails. Talk about needing a solid privacy policy!

But we’re not just chatting about ethics. We’re going right to the heart of the culture of nonprofit organizations. Documents like your conflict of interest policy and donor privacy policies aren’t just boring paperwork. They’re really important tools that can shape your organization, especially when the going gets tough. We also discuss how overwork and burnout can impact decision-making and the need for a healthy, values-driven work culture to stop any unethical practices. 

Whether you’re a seasoned pro in the nonprofit world or just starting, this episode is packed with pearls of wisdom.

In this episode, you will hear:

• What ethical fundraising even is
• About the Association of Fundraising Professionals’  and their code of ethics
• Whether it’s okay to share your donor’s private info with others (hint – NOPE!)
• The need for robust privacy and conflict of interest policies
• How the nonprofit’s culture can make or break your fundraising practices
• How clear policies and a positive work culture can prevent unethical messes
• The harmful effects of overwork and burnout on decision-making
• How to foster a positive, values-driven work culture

Resources from this Episode

Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethics: https://afpglobal.org/ethicsmain/code-ethical-standards

Sign up for the Birken Law Email list: https://birkenlaw.com/signup

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/birkenlaw

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple ‘+’ in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.