Fundraising Ethics
This AFP standard requires fundraisers to present accurate information about their organization and clearly communicate how donated funds will be used.
What is transparency (or public trust and transparency)?
This is often the biggest barrier patients face before receiving care, especially for people experiencing homelessness.
What is access (transportation, trust, or system navigation)?
Approximately this percentage of Baltimore City residents live below the poverty line.
What is about 18–20%?
A one-time contribution with no restrictions.
What is an unrestricted gift?
This should happen within 48 hours of receiving a gift.
What is a thank-you / acknowledgment?
Using a donor’s restricted gift for a different purpose without permission violates this core AFP principle requiring that contributions be used as intended.
What is donor intent?
This model combines affordable housing with supportive services to improve health and stability for people experiencing homelessness.
What is supportive housing?
This ongoing public health crisis continues to disproportionately impact vulnerable communities that many nonprofits serve in Baltimore.
What is the opioid use (or overdose) crisis?
A donation given specifically for a one-time project or building.
What is a capital gift?
Sharing impact stories with donors is part of this.
What is stewardship?
This policy or practice helps ensure organizations accept only contributions that align with their mission and avoid conflicts of interest.
What is a gift acceptance policy?
A patient frequently visiting the ER for non-emergency needs might benefit from this coordinated approach that connects them to health care, housing, and social services.
What is case management (or care coordination)?
Nonprofits in Maryland employ approximately this percentage of the state’s private workforce.
What is about 13%? [musely.ai]
A monthly contribution is often called this.
What is a sustaining or recurring gift?
This donor tier often receives personalized outreach and reporting.
What is major gifts?
According to AFP ethical standards, fundraisers must not accept or offer this in exchange for donations, as it places personal gain over the philanthropic mission.
What is personal benefit (or improper personal gain / conflict of interest)?
This social factor—closely tied to poverty—has a major impact on health outcomes and drives higher hospital and ER use.
What is housing instability (or social determinants of health)?
This broad sector accounts for a large share of nonprofit employment in Maryland.
What is health care and social assistance (or education and social services)?
A gift committed through a donor’s estate plan.
What is a planned gift (or bequest)?
Failing to communicate impact after a gift risks losing this.
What is donor retention?
According to AFP ethical standards, fundraisers must protect this by not sharing or disclosing donor information without permission.
What is donor privacy (or confidentiality)?
This approach used by HCH recognizes that improving health requires addressing medical, behavioral, and social needs together.
What is integrated care (or whole-person / patient-centered care)?
According to Maryland Nonprofits, the sector is one of the state’s largest employers, with more than this many people working full-time for nonprofits.
What is about 280,000 people?
This type of gift can be changed or canceled by the donor at any time.
What is a revocable gift?
This long-term outcome of strong stewardship reflects a donor’s ongoing commitment and repeated giving over time.
What is donor loyalty?