Donor Intent & Shifting Priorities: What to Do When Plans Change.

Over recent decades, the question of honoring donor intent has become paramount at charities.  From Princeton to the University of Chicago to a small animal shelter in New Jersey, among many others, charities are grappling with how to best further their missions and abide by agreed-upon donor wishes.  As reported in The Washington Post in September, and the topic of this presentation, Sibley Hospital is the latest example of a charity caught in the crosshairs of a controversy. Doug will discuss these examples and suggest best practices to help nonprofits to avoid these situations in the future.

Doug White is a long-time leader and scholar in the nation's philanthropic community, and is the former Director of Columbia University's Master of Science in Fundraising Management program.  He is an author and an advisor to nonprofit organizations and philanthropists.  Doug has published five books.  His most recent, "Wounded Charity," analyzes the allegations of mismanagement made in January 2016 against Wounded Warrior Project.  He writes the ethics column for the National Capital Gift Planning Council, and in 2002 the Council presented Doug with its Distinguished Service Award.

This presentation aligns with NACGP's National Standards for Gift Planning.

STANDARD 14 The nonprofit has a robust, well-executed stewardship plan across all lines of fundraising focused on engaging donors in a meaningful way, building long-term donor relationships and maintaining a high donor retention rate.