Fundraising Philosophy

ELHM Fundraising Philosophy

The ECFA Standards Committee is frequently called on to exercise judgment on many of these subjective issues. Edwin L. Hodges Ministries (ELHM) has therefore decided to create a philosophy of fund-raising that will guide all aspects of our ministry’s solicitation for contributions.

PURPOSE:

The process of fund-raising is ministry.

Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do well. They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven – it is the only safe investment for eternity! And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well. (I Timothy 6:17-19)

It is as much a part of ELHM as our literature work.

Consequently, we are committed to fund-raising practices that give glory to God.

ALL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT MATERIALS WILL:

A. Be consistent with the teachings of Christ.
B. Be truthful and accurate.

It is the policy of ELHM to always be truthful in all communication. All representation of fact, the financial condition of the ministry, and events will be as current, complete and accurate as possible. Any reference to past events will be dated. There will be no omissions or exaggerations of fact, use of misleading photographs, or any other communication, which will create false impressions or misunderstandings.

We will not deliberately create unrealistic expectations as to what the donor’s gift will accomplish through ELHM.

It is the intention of ELHM to honor all statements made in its fund-raising appeals. We understand that the donor’s desire on how his/her gift is used is related both to what we communicate in the appeal and the donor’s instructions accompanying the gift. We are aware that our communications are morally and legally binding.

1. We do not believe it is okay to send fundraising appeals that look like Express Mail or Federal Express packages when they are sent at a cheaper rate.
2. We do not believe it is proper to send appeals that look like they were mailed in a foreign country when they were mailed in the United States.
3. We do not believe it is proper to use wording on the outside of an envelope that says, “Checks Enclosed,” when there are no checks.
4. We do not believe it is right to handwrite envelopes and postscripts to give the impression of a personal card or letter. We believe that any handwriting should be that of the person whose name is affixed to the letter. However, a person may affix their name to a letter that they did not write if the signer read and approved it.
5. We do not believe it is right to imply that we have a matching grant when in fact we do not. A proper matching grant is one that is at risk if not matched. It cannot be matched afterwards. Nor do we feel it is okay for gifts to be merely added to a grant already received or committed.
6. We do not believe it is right to knowingly write letters that are technically truthful but still mislead the donor. If we know that 95% of the people will find the letter acceptable and 5% will have problems with it, we will not use it in our ministry.
7. We believe it is okay to use creative methods to get people to open, read and respond to an appeal letter as long as they are truthful.
8. We will use underlining, highlight portions of the appeal for emphasis or write in the margins.
9. We believe it is okay to say, “Urgent, open immediately,” use emotionally charged fund-raising appeals with an urgent or crisis tone, or say that the ministry will have to cut back,” “shut down,” or run a deficit without their gift, but only if there is a true crisis. We do not believe one should use a crisis/urgent tone on a recurring basis and NEVER with the intent to deceive.
10. We will use testimonials of changed lives in our fundraising appeals but only if they are true. If any are ever used from another ministry, we will note that fact and give a time reference where possible.
11. Generic or stock photographs will not be used with the intent to deceive.
12. We believe it is okay to ask for specific gifts for specific needs, however such income may not be put into the general fund.
13. In cases where the money given for a project exceeds the amount requested, the excess funds will be put into a similar project or returned, if the donor wishes. If disclaimers are used, they will be placed prominently for all to see.

ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS

1. Edwin L. Hodges Ministries will not raise or receive funds for programs that are not part of its present or prospective ministry.
2. It is not the policy of ELHM to offer incentives and premiums in exchange for contributions.
3. ELHM will, on request, provide a report, including financial information, on any project for which we have solicited funds.
4. ELHM does not compensate fund raising consultants based directly or indirectly on a percentage of what is raised, or on any other contingency agreement. This is true whether the consultant is an outsider or employee.
5. We do not accept tax-deductible gifts that are to be passed on to a named individual for personal use. This, however, does not prevent the support of an individual’s ministry.
6. No one in our ministry may receive royalties for any product that is used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
7. ELHM acknowledges, and will describe accurately, all gifts in kind without a statement of the market value. According to the new IRS rules that responsibility now lies with the donor. Any gifts in kind donations that exceed $5,000 in value must be appraised.
8. ELHM will make every effort to avoid accepting a gift from or entering into a contract with a prospective donor which would knowingly place a hardship on the donor, or place their future well being at risk.
9. In the event that any person should ever offer to ELHM the assets of a major estate, it shall be our policy to make sure the donor has considered the broad interests of the family and various ministries they are currently supporting before they make a final decision. The donor will also be encouraged to seek the services of their attorney, accountant or other professional advisor.