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The Donor Bill of Rights was established by the National Council on Planned Giving and approved by the John Carroll University Board of Directors in May 2007.

  1. Donors can expect that gifts will be proposed and consummated in the spirit of philanthropy. The gift intent of each donor will be the primary guide for all recommendations.
  2. Donors have the right to receive, upon request, reliable financial information from the University.
  3. Donors will be informed of all fees being paid to third party sources involved in either soliciting or implementing a specific proposed gift.
  4. Donors are encouraged to seek independent advice and counsel when making property or split interest gifts.
  5. Donors can expect to receive all gift options offered by John Carroll University, not one-sided recommendations.
  6. Donors have the right to choose the beneficiaries and purposes of each gift. However, the University retains the right to choose individual beneficiaries of the donor’s largesse, e.g., selection of scholarship recipients, endowed faculty appointments, etc.
  7. Donors have the right to be informed of the portion of their gift being used to carry out the University’s exempt purposes.
  8. Donors have the right to expect that gift proposals should work in the manner proposed.
  9. Donors have the right of disclosure concerning any known conflicts of interest surrounding gift proposals.
  10. Donors have the right to know that all major gifts will take into account the impact that such a gift may have on their stated personal financial and estate planning goals.
  11. Donors have the right to expect that tax information provided is reasonable.
  12. Donors should expect that their gift will have follow-up consistent with that proposed or agreed upon by the University. Such follow-up will include proper financial accounting when appropriate.
  13. The interests of the prospective donor shall be a primary consideration with respect to any gift to the University.
  14. University staff and board members shall not benefit personally from fees related to the gifts received.
  15. University staff and board members shall not participate in any activity which could be deemed a conflict of interest. Any conflict of interest that exists between the University and the prospective donor, as it relates to any proposed gift transaction, shall be disclosed in writing to the donor.
  16. All information concerning prospective donors shall be confidential to the extent permitted by law. No information shall be released to the general public without securing the prior written permission of the donor.