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.
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 (PDF).
Values Promoted by the AFP Code of Ethics
In September 2012, the AFP International Ethics Committee adopted the following overarching statement of values for the AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards. We invite your use of this document to share with your staff, your board, your donors and your constituency.
Read the official AFP Values Statement (PDF).
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 (PDF).