Children's House welcomes and relies on the support of caring people and corporations to carry out its mission to break the cycle of child abuse. But some gifts, or the manner in which they are given, can actually cause more harm than good to a charitable organization and even the donor. That is why Economic Opportunity Agency, Inc. (EOA), the parent company of Children's House, has created a policy ratified by EOA's Board of Directors. This policy is a tool to help educate and advise programs like Children's House and its supporters on the best ways to make gifts to Children's House, which will still carry out the donor's philanthropic wishes, but will not lead to unintended problems for Children's House or the donor. The following is the beginning of EOA's Gift Acceptance Policy. The entire document can be read by clicking here.

Economic Opportunity Agency of Washington County, Inc.

Gift Acceptance Policy

Approved March 27, 2007. This policy supersedes any previous board resolution or action concerning the acceptance, management and use of gifts.

EOA’s Mission: 

            To improve the quality of life for low-income people in Northwest Arkansas, by providing the best possible services with respect, responsiveness and accountability.  Those services will enable individuals and families to better reach their full potential.

            OVERVIEW STATEMENTS

1. OVERVIEW

            It is the policy of Economic Opportunity Agency of Washington County, Inc. (EOA) to offer donors the opportunity to make gifts to EOA, or one of its component programs, both of cash and non-cash assets in a manner beneficial to the donor while protecting the fiscal and legal integrity of EOA, its overall mission, and the fiscal and legal integrity of EOA’s component programs and their specific missions.  EOA’s first and foremost objective in receiving gifts is to fulfill the philanthropic intent of the donor.

2. ETHICS IN RECEIVING GIFTS

           EOA’s Development Office, Executive Director and Board of Directors will authorize the acceptance of gifts to EOA only where there is the following:

• Genuine philanthropic intent on the part of the donor.
• Where there has been full disclosure between the donor and EOA.
• Where the donor has been encouraged to seek her/his own counsel on legal and financial matters if the nature and/or size of the gift warrants such counsel.
• Where the gift is in the best interest of both parties.  

            EOA reserves the right to seek its own legal counsel in any matter concerning the negotiation, documentation and/or acceptance of gifts.  EOA, or any of its representatives or volunteers, are unable to provide tax advice to donors.

            Because of EOA’s administrative structure, all monies from gifts are distributed to EOA’s Component Programs through EOA’s Bookkeeping and Financial Offices.  All gifts are logged when they are received and placed in an account for the specific Component Program the donor wishes to support.  EOA ensures all gifts intended for program(s) or service(s) are not placed in an account for other program(s) or service(s).  EOA will never knowingly and intentionally redirect gifts intended for one program, to a different program, for any reason without written consent from the donor(s), or their heirs.  Doing otherwise would violate the trust placed in EOA by its donors to use their gifts in a fiscally ethical and responsible manner.

            The EOA Board of Directors does not authorize the acceptance of gifts that would jeopardize the financial, legal or moral integrity or reputation of the institution, that is a conflict of interest for EOA, or where the gift would cause embarrassment to the donor or her/his family or heirs.  Making a gift to EOA, or one of its component programs, does not give, or imply, that individuals or legal entities who make such gifts have the authority or ability to influence, revise or alter the policies, operations or mission of EOA or any of its component programs.

            All personnel employed in EOA’s Development Office to secure donations will be paid a salary or hourly wage, and will not receive a commission that might give such personnel an undesired personal interest in any gift agreement.  EOA’s Development Office will use the Code of Ethical Principals and Standards of Professional Practice established by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) to guide all actions and behavior with donors, prospective donors and volunteers. (more)