Gift Acceptance Policy

Beacon Group, Board of Directors, and staff will serve as the facilitators for effective and ethical fundraising practices that will result in financial support for the mission of Beacon Group with priorities determined by the CEO and the Board of Directors. Accordingly, Beacon Group accepts the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice.

Toward that end Beacon will accept the following:

 

• Gifts made via cash, check, money order, or credit card.
• Gifts made by pledge should be in writing, dated, and signed by the donor, or by e-mail.
• Gifts of stock and securities shall be received and sold as soon as possible according to the recommendations of the investment committee.
• Certain forms of gifts or donated personal property may be subject to review prior to acceptance. When considering whether to solicit or accept gifts, Beacon Group will consider the following factors:
  • Values—whether the acceptance of the gift compromises any of the core values of Beacon Group
  • Compatibility—whether there is compatibility between the intent of the donor and the organization’s use of the gift
  • Public Relationships—whether acceptance of the gift damages the reputation of Beacon Group
  • Primary Benefit—whether the primary benefit is to Beacon Group versus the donor
  • Consistency—whether acceptance of the gift is consistent with prior practice
  • Form of Gift—whether the gift is offered in a form that Beacon Group can use without incurring substantial expense or difficulty
  • Effect on Future Giving—whether the gift will encourage or discourage future gifts
• Gifts of real estate shall be accepted only after the proposed gift has been reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer, for statements as to the value of the gift (determined by a qualified appraiser) and any attendant encumbrances or burdens. Unless approved, in advance, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, acceptance of real or personal property shall be limited to that which is debt-free and title clear. Acceptance of gifts of real estate shall be delayed until the property is certified to be free of hazardous waste and not unduly subject to regulatory restriction(s). A survey should be obtained if there is any question regarding boundaries, easements, or access to the property. When considering whether to accept gifts of real estate, Beacon Group will consider the following factors:
  • Is the property useful for the organization’s purposes?
  • Is the property readily marketable?
  • Are there covenants, conditions, restrictions, reservations, easements, encumbrances or other limitations associated with the property?
  • Are there carrying costs (including insurance, property taxes, mortgages, notes, or the like) or maintenance expenses associated with the property?
  • Does the environmental review or audit reflect that the property is damaged or otherwise requires remediation?
• Beacon Group is free to sell or liquidate any gift property at any time (unless otherwise agreed in writing). Its intention to either resell the property or to retain and use it to further its charitable activities should be made clear to the donor at the time of the gift.
• All contributions, grants, and event proceeds will be deposited into Beacon Group accounts and distributed by approved plan to appropriate accounts.
• Beacon Group shall manage and disburse gifts in accordance with donor intent.
• Restricted grants and gifts will be received by Beacon Group and distributed to the designated program accounts. Accounting reports for these gifts will be generated in a timely manner upon request.
• Beacon Group will not:
  • Accept any “Quid pro quo” gift arrangements
  • Accept a gift that would encumber any operational or governing portion of Beacon Group without advance approval of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and/or Director of Marketing and Development
  • Enter into any commercial agreement that entails the use of the Beacon Group name in return for contributed or earned funds without advance approval of the Chief Executive Officer.
• Beacon Group shall have an annual audit. This audit shall be conducted by an external certified public accounting firm.
• Beacon Group does not sell any of its lists to any third party at any time. Please review our Privacy Policy for user terms and conditions.