Understanding YW’s Gift Acceptance Policy for donors and prospective donors
Background:
YW Calgary relies on fundraising activities and donations of gifts, that align with its vision and mission, to support its charitable activities.
Purpose:
YW’s Gift Acceptance Policy provides guidance to you, the public, to help facilitate the gift-giving process; it endeavors to ensure that donors, whether existing or prospective, are fully informed; and that fundraising activities and gifts are made in a manner consistent with the donors’ objectives while still aligning with YW’s mandate. It clarifies the roles, responsibilities and expectations of both the YW and its donors. It also makes clear YW’s intent to build mutually beneficial long–term relationships with donors and provides a framework that enables donors and YW representatives to work together, providing the most effective benefits to our community, consistent with the YW’s and donors’ broad philanthropic wishes.
Any questions about YW’s Gift Acceptance Policy can be directed to: donor_relations@ywcalgary.ca
Policy Statements:
1.
YW Calgary complies with all applicable laws and generally accepted practices related fundraising including but not limited to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethics and Donor Bill of Rights, Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), Canada Revenue Agency, and applicable privacy legislation.2. YW believes that all donors have the right to:
a. Be informed of YW’s mandate, who is serving on YW’s Board and have access to YW’s audited financial statements. Visit YW’s website: https://www.ywcalgary.ca/about–us
b. Be informed of the way YW intends to use gifts effectively and be assured that gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
c. Assurance that YW understands the donor’s intent and gift direction at the time the gift is made.
d. Be free to ask questions when making a gift; receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers; and receive appropriate, timely acknowledgement and recognition.
e. Have their wishes regarding recognition or anonymity related to their gift respected, provided that any recognition is congruent with YW’s usual standards of practice and legal requirements.
f. To have their wishes honoured with respect to contact and communications.
g. Be assured that information about their personal information is being collected, used and disclosed in accordance with YW’s Privacy Policy. For more information about YW’s Privacy Program visit https://www.ywcalgary.ca/privacy
3. YW accepts cash, gift cards, transportation cards, gifts of securities and/or mutual funds, mineral rights, cryptocurrency, bequests, gifts of residual interests, charitable remainder trusts, annuities, gifts of life insurance policies and proceeds, artwork, property and such other gift arrangements as may be approved from time to time.
4.
Fundraising activities in support of YW are encouraged, however approval by YW is required. YW asks all third party fundraisers to complete an agreement Host a Fundraiser – YW Calgary. YW can then support you in your endeavors.5. The honoree of a tribute gift e.g. memorial, birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc. is notified of the gift unless the donor wishes to remain anonymous. The value of the gift is not divulged.
6. YW has naming opportunities.
7. Approval by YW is required to use YW’s name on materials, in communications whatever the format.
8. Solicitation materials distributed by, or on behalf of, YW must include YW Calgary fundraising and contact information.
9. YW ambassadors, committee members, third party and independent fundraising event solicitors identify themselves as fundraisers and inform, serve, guide and/or otherwise assist donors who wish to support YW’s activities. They do not engage in actions which might be perceived as inappropriate, may not make claims about YW that cannot be upheld or are misleading, and are required to agree to and abide by YW’s Code of Conduct.
10. Donors are encouraged to discuss any proposed gift with independent legal and/or tax advisors to ensure a donor receives a full and accurate explanation of all aspects of any proposed charitable gift.
11. YW does not serve as executor of a donor’s will or trustee of a charitable remainder trust. All such requests will be transferred to the Public Trustee.
12. YW reserves the right to accept or decline any gift. This could be based on lack of consistency with the organization’s mission; desire of the donor to exert unacceptable conditions or controls; cost-of-ownership implications related to administration time, management and marketability of a gift; unacceptable risks or liability; or other factors not consistent with YW’s mission, vision and values.
13. A formal gift agreement may be required. All gift agreements are reviewed and signed byYW authorized personnel in accordance with YW’s signing authority and financial policies.
14. Where a formal gift agreement has been executed, the donor may request that the text of the agreement remain confidential but not its existence, except as required by law or by the normal operation of YW.
15. YW will exercise reasonable effort to contact a donor if their restricted donation can no longer be applied as per the donor’s request.
16. General administrative costs associated with receiving gifts are normally covered by YW.
17. YW may obtain an independent assessment, including an environmental assessment, to determine the value of a gift of property.
18. Gift related costs such as legal fees, appraisals, tips, transportation, real estate commissions and taxes relating to acceptance, maintenance, management or re-sale of a gift of property, will normally be the responsibility of the donor or deducted from the value of the gift, unless YW, upon prior agreement, agrees to assume responsibility for any portion of these items.
19. If a charitable tax receipt is being issued for a non-cash gift, it must reflect the fair market value (FMV) of the gift. FMV is normally the highest price, expressed in dollars, that property would bring in an open and unrestricted market, between a willing buyer and a willing seller. Generally, if the fair market value of the property is less than $1,000, YWwith sufficient knowledge of the property may determine its value (e.g. Internet and comparison searches). If the FMV is expected to be more than $1,000, YW may request that the property be professionally appraised by a third party. Documentation supporting the FMV should be attached to donations for audit purposes. If the property is appraised, the name and address of the appraiser must be included on the official donation receipt. Appraisal costs are the responsibility of the donor unless otherwise approved by YW Calgary.
20. Gifts of $20 and more qualify for a charitable tax receipt and are issued to the donor with no expectation of any tangible reciprocal action or item in return from YW. YWpublishes annually the list of donors for YW’s fiscal year (April – March). YW may apply criteria to the list i.e. not publish every single donor. Donors’ names are provided but not the value of the gift.
21. YW does not compensate fundraisers based on finder’s fees, commissions or percentage compensation based on contributions raised.
22. YW will take seriously and investigate all reports of anyone claiming to represent YW Calgary who may have solicited or attempted to solicit funds, scammed, and/or attempted or made fraudulent communications.
23. YW does not exploit its beneficiaries. It is sensitive when describing those it serves (whether using graphics, images or text) and fairly represents their needs and how their needs will be addressed.
