FRCI adheres to the standards of practice and code of ethics, as outlined by the Giving Institute (formerly the American Association of Fund Raising Counsel or AAFRC).
Standards of Practice
- FRCI provides service to non-profit organizations that serve the public’s best interest.
- FRCI engages clients that represent a broad cross-section of the community such as: religious, educational, health care, human services, arts, cultural, humanitarian, environmental, international, and other organizations benefiting humankind.
- FRCI offers services which advance the goals of clients and which directly relate to philanthropy, such as; studies, campaign management, annual development programs, planned giving, strategic planning, direct mail, telemarketing, management services, executive search, public relations, marketing and communications, organization development/management, prospect research, and training. FRCI and its principals actively participate in the philanthropic community.
Professional Code of Ethics
- FRCI believes it is in the best interest of our clients that:
- Initial meetings with prospective clients should not be construed as services for which payment is expected.
- No payments should be made to an officer, director, trustee, employee, or advisor of a not-for-profit organization as compensation for influencing the selection of fundraising counsel.
- No payments of special consideration should be made to an officer, director, trustee, employee, or advisor of a not-for-profit organization as compensation for influencing the selection of fundraising counsel.
- Fees should be mutually agreed upon in advance of services.
- A flat, fixed fee is charged based on the level and extent of professional services provided. Fees are not based on the amount of charitable income raised or expected to be raised.
- Contracts providing for a contingent fee, a commission, or a fee based on percentage of funds raised are prohibited. Such contracts are harmful to the relationship between the donor and the institution and detrimental to the financial health of the organization.
- Fundraising expenditures are within the authority and control of the not-for-profit organization.
- FRCI feels it is in the best interest of clients that solicitation of gifts is undertaken by board members, staff and other volunteers.
- Subsequent to analysis or study, FRCI should engage a client only when the best interest of the client is served.
- FRCI should not profit directly or indirectly from materials provided by others, but billed to the FRCI, without disclosure to the client.
- FRCI does not engage in methods that are misleading to the public or harmful to their clients; does not make exaggerated claims of past achievement; and does not guarantee results to help clients achieve goals.
- Any potential conflict of interest should be disclosed by FRCI to clients and prospective clients.
- FRCI will not acquire or maintain custody of funds and/or gifts directed to client organization.