Statement of Principles and Guidelines for Fund Raising in the United States by Arch/Dioceses, Arch/Diocesan Agencies and Religious Institutes

FOREWORD

These principles and guidelines reflect a shared concern on the part of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men that all fund-raising efforts within the Catholic Church should reflect Christian motivation. They have been developed collaboratively by the three Conferences and approved by them. Widespread consultation with the members of the three groups as well as within the fund-raising community, was part of the process.

Promulgated by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the principles and guidelines apply to fund raising not only by dioceses and diocesan institutions but also by religious institutes. This is in line with the declaration of the apostolic letter of Pope Paul VI concerning implementation of Vatican II's Christus Dominus (the Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church), that: "The episcopal conference of any country can, after consultation with the interested religious superiors, establish norms for seeking alms which must be observed by all religious." (Ecclesiae Sanctae, 27)

These guidelines have been developed through collaborative effort of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in response to a mutual concern that Christian motivation be expressed in all fund-raising efforts of the Catholic Church.

STEWARDSHIP

Christian stewardship is the practical realization that everything we have is a gift from God. Stewardship expresses itself as an integral force in Christian life by motivating us to share our goods with others. We are absolute owners of nothing; rather, we are stewards of all we receive and we must use such resources responsibly, in our lifelong work of building up the kingdom of God.

For men and women especially committed to building up the kingdom of God, stewardship heightens an awareness of responsibilities in matters of material concern no less than in spiritual endeavor.

We are particularly conscious of the sacred relationship of trust that is established when we, in God's name and for his work, ask others for financial support. Our obligation in stewardship mandates a fitting proportion between the importance of the work to be funded and the magnitude and cost of fund raising. Requests for support besides being truthful and forthright must be made on a theologically sound basis and should always be in good taste to strive to lift the hearts and minds of men and women to a greater love of God and neighbor.

Stewardship Guidelines

The fund-raising appeal should be directed toward motivating the faithful to participate in apostolic works in fulfillment of their responsibility to share with others.

No organization should ask the faithful to fund its total and absolute security. Nor should an organization engage in fund-raising efforts for undefined future needs.

The trust relationship between donor and fund-raiser requires that funds collected be used for the intended purpose and not be absorbed by excessive fund-raising costs.

Appeals for funds must be straightforward and honest, respectful, and based on sound theological principles. The donor must be informed how the donated funds will be used and assured that the funds given are used for the purpose intended and that restrictions stated by the donor will be observed.

RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY

Effective stewardship recognizes the role of authority. All religious authority comes from God and is exercised in faith, in His name. Religious authority promotes and regularizes the building of the kingdom of God, ever attentive to God's glory and the enhancement of humanity's condition. Approbation by religious authority is required to authenticate and sanction an endeavor conducted under the aegis of God's Church. On a functional level we recognize in this authority the principle of subsidiarity which, without diminishing the responsibility of ultimate authority, makes possible a more fruitful kingdom through the promotion of initiative and self-control.

All who collect funds under Catholic auspices, consequently, must have the approval of appropriate church authority. This authorization must be clear and explicit because the Church's integrity relies upon that authority as responsible for the method and scope of fund raising, for the faithful disposition of the monies collected, and for the prevention of abuses.

Religious Authority Guidelines

Religious institutes and diocesan agencies should observe those prescriptions of Canon Law and their own regulations which require approval of major superiors and/or the Ordinary of the place to solicit funds. The approval of fund raising by proper authority should express the purpose for which the funds are raised and the methods to be used in raising them. Effective control of fund-raising programs should be maintained through periodic review and, where necessary, appropriate sanction. Religious or diocesan agencies may not proceed in the collection of funds by public subscription without the consent of the Ordinaries of those places where the funds are collected (see note below).

Major superiors of religious institutes should, as a moral duty, provide the Ordinary of the place where the fund raising originates with significant information about the fund-raising programs and the apostolates they support.

Note: See Apostolic Letter, Ecclesiae Sanctae, August 6, 1966, No. 27(2). Some canonists regard "public subscription" as an appeal for donors to contribute toward a stated purpose on the implied condition that others will contribute to the same cause. The appeal is "public" not because it may be directed to a widespread audience, as are some mail campaigns, but because of attendant circumstances, such as endorsements by church and civil officials, with notable publicity

ACCOUNTABILITY

The very nature of religious fund raising places the fundraisers, viewed here particularly as the responsible religious organizations seeking the funds, in special relationships of accountability: to God in whose name they ask, to the Church whom they represent, to those whom they serve and to the benefactors whose partners they are in this apostolic work. The relationship between fundraiser and benefactor goes far beyond the transfer of money.

The fundraiser must recognize that giving as an expression of religion has a sacramental nature and is in itself an apostolic activity.

As every person is accountable to God for his or her stewardship, fundraisers are accountable to the donor for the disposition of monies received. As a first step, this accountability demands that funds be used for the causes promoted, always respecting the specified wishes of the donor. Furthermore, fundraisers should make available to donors an appropriate report of significant financial aspects and the apostolic dimensions of the endeavor to which they have contributed.

Accountability Guidelines

Accountability requires the fundraiser to provide timely reports on the extent to which promises expressed or implied in the solicitation of funds have been fulfilled.

Fund-raising reports should be prepared in scope and design to meet the particular concerns of those to whom reports are due: namely, the governing body and membership of the fundraising organization itself, religious authorities who approved and must monitor the fund-raising effort, donors to the particular organization and the giving public at large, and those who are beneficiaries of the funds given.

Fund-raising reports should provide both financial information and a review of the apostolic work for which the funds were raised. The availability of these reports to benefactors on a regular basis or on reasonable request should be publicized.

Fund-raising organizations should provide their governing bodies with an annual audit prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, where size warrants, by a certified public accountant. All financial reports of a fundraiser should be consistent with the annual audit. At minimum, a fundraiser's report, regardless of scope, should set forth the amount of money collected, the cost of conducting the fund-raising effort, and the amount and use of the funds disbursed. Donations should be acknowledged with promptness; reasonable requests from donors for information about their particular gift should be met.

TECHNIQUE

Technique as a tool of stewardship can promote effectiveness and guard against the weakness of our human condition. Fundraisers should utilize the management technique of internal controls in administrative practice. Exclusive authority over all aspects of fund raising should not be vested in any single person. Separation of such financial functions of fund raising as collection, allocation and accounting, is essential for internal control. Adherence to legal requirements and respect for professional guidelines are fundamental to sound management of the fund-raising function. There are as many ways of raising funds as there are many and far-reaching apostolates to be funded.

Each fund-raising method has its own specialized purpose and technique. But responsible and effective fund-raising methodology should never drown out the voice of the Spirit of God that must permeate our total efforts. The raising of funds for gospel works is indeed a vocation and a grace working hand in hand with the direct ministry for which the funds are raised.

Technique Guidelines

Funds beyond operating expenses should not be accumulated by a fund-raising office, but should be turned over at regular intervals to the appropriate allocating office of the organization.

Fund-raising authority and investment authority should not be vested in any single person.

Special care should be taken to see that ethical business relationships are maintained by fundraisers with suppliers of goods and service. Contracts between a religious fundraiser and commercial suppliers and consultants should insure that control over materials, designs, money and general operations remain fully in the hands of the religious fundraiser. In no case should agreement be made which directly or indirectly base payment either to the commercial firm or to the religious fundraiser on a percentage basis.

Requests for funds should not be associated with material objects which are inconsistent with the apostolic purposes of the appeal.

Implementation Guidelines

Local ordinaries and major superiors, within their respective jurisdiction, should exercise control over fund-raising activities to achieve conformity with these guidelines. Particularly in response to formal complaints, legitimate authority should be prompt to investigate charges and remedy abuses, even to the point, when necessary, of terminating a fund-raising program.

In virtue of their endorsement of these guidelines, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men agree to assist their respective constituencies in achieving appropriate control of fund-raising activities and in obtaining effective sanction for abuses. Accordingly, each Conference will, through its President: promulgate these guidelines and other suitable norms for responsible fund raising; held correct abuses through cooperative efforts with the responsible authorities a meeting of the Presidents of the three Conferences (NCCB, LCWR, CMSM), to collaborate on further actions should an abuse on the part of a member of these constituencies not be resolved by that member's responsible authority.

- Adopted November 16, 1977