Fundraising Ethics

Ethical standards and principles are the foundation for maintaining public trust, for every AFP member. AFP provides a self-governed process for addressing ethical concerns.

Code of Ethical Principles
 and Standards

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) exists to foster the development and growth of fundraising professionals and the profession, to promote high ethical behavior in the fundraising profession and to preserve and enhance philanthropy and volunteerism.

Members of AFP are motivated by an inner drive to improve the quality of life through the causes they serve. They serve the ideal of philanthropy, are committed to the preservation and enhancement of volunteerism; and hold stewardship of these concepts as the overriding direction of their professional life. They recognize their responsibility to ensure that needed resources are vigorously and ethically sought and that the intent of the donor is honestly fulfilled.

Fundraising Ethics 2
Mentorship Program 1

To these ends, AFP members, both individual and business, embrace certain values that they strive to uphold in performing their responsibilities for generating philanthropic support. AFP business members strive to promote and protect the work and mission of their client organizations.

Read the official AFP Code of Ethics Principles below.

Values Promoted by the AFP Code of Ethics

Full membership in the Association shall be open to individuals (a) who, among other responsibilities, hold some degree of accountability for income-generation within the fundraising process; (b) who must hold some degree of responsibility directly for fundraising; (c) who are compensated for their services; and (d) who subscribe to the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards and promote the Donor Bill of Rights. Active members in good standing may vote, serve on chapter or Association committees and task forces and hold Association or chapter office.

Donor Bill of Rights

To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, AFP and other fundraising organizations declare that all donors have the following rights.

Read the official AFP Donor Bill of Rights below.