A proffered gift may seem tainted because of how the donor acquired the funds or because of the nature of the donor s business or personal conduct. We often decide whether to accept such gifts based on how it will look to our publics. Good stewardship of gifts is vital to assure donors we will maintain our commitments to them. We should resist reallocating funds given for a specific purpose without seeking approval from the donor or his or her descendants. Donors deserve reports about the application and impact of their gifts, as well as the financial management of the institution and its assets.
Donors commit their support to organizations they trust and respect.
It s up to trustees and presidents to safeguard the institution s ethical standards.