Code of Ethics and Professional Practices

In order to ensure the professionalism and high standards required in the fundraising sector, AAFRE has developed a strict code to which all of its members adhere.

1. Members shall be responsible for conducting activities in accordance with accepted professional standards of accuracy, truth, and good faith.

2. Members shall encourage institutions they serve to conduct their affairs in accordance with accepted principles of sound business, financial management, and accounting procedures.

3. Members shall encourage institutions they serve to use donations only for the donors' intended purposes.

4. Members shall encourage institutions they serve to comply with applicable local, provincial, and federal laws.

5. Members shall recommend to the institutions they serve only those fundraising goals which they believe can be achieved based on their professional experience, and an investigation and rational analysis of the facts.

6. Members shall work for salary, retainer, or fee, and not on a commission. If employed by a fundraising organization, the organization shall operate in its client/consultant relationship on the basis of a predetermined fee and not a percentage of funds raised.

7. Members shall fully disclose to employees, clients, or if requested, potential donors all relationships which might pose or appear to pose possible conflicts of interest. As fundraising executives they will neither seek nor accept finder's fees.

8. Members shall hold confidential and leave intact all lists, records, and documents acquired in the service of current or former employers and clients.

9. A member's public demeanor shall be such as to bring credit to the fundraising profession.