National Catholic Development Conference

The Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular Immaculate Conception Province are Members of the National Catholic Development Conference and we affirm our adherence to the following precepts of Stewardship:

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Precepts of Stewardship

Preamble

Conscious of our responsibility to God and to the People of God; respectful of the directives of the Holy Father, the laws of the Church as well as the laws of the land; acknowledging the changeless principles of good stewardship in this ever-changing apostolate; anxious to elevate fund raising to the sacramentality of true charity; and mindful that our common purpose is one of uncommon service to our fellow man; WE, as members of the National Catholic Development Conference, do affirm our adherence to the following precepts:

Authority I

That member organizations shall have approval of the appropriate religious authority for all fund raising and promotional activities.

Any Fund Raising or Development Office should be established by specific and formal action of the appropriate governing body of the parent or founding organization. The authorizing resolution should set forth the scope, powers, and objectives of the office to be established.

The parent organization or institution should be specifically listed in the Official Catholic Directory. The Development Office, if under a different name or location from the parent organization, should also be listed.

The Development Office should be responsible to, and should report on a regular basis, to a Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Provincial Council or similar independent body chosen by, although not necessarily from, the parent organization.

The names of this Executive Committee should be filed annually with the NCDC Office as part of the membership application or renewal.

Accountability II.

That sound business practice is fundamental to good stewardship. Particularly WE, as receivers of monies given in trust, have the binding obligation of full accountability in accordance with the most stringent ethical, legal, and fiscal standards.

A detailed financial statement should be provided to the governing body and appropriate religious authorities annually. An accountability statement (financial report) is available to donors and is provided to the NCDC Office annually.

A letter signed by the Director of Development should accompany this financial statement, attesting that all financial accounts and records of the Development Office have been examined, and that there has been full disclosure of all monies and all accounts receivable and payable.

Long term investment of funds by a Development Office is not a desirable practice. Investment activities in general should be conducted at a different organizational level and one that is completely isolated from the solicitation office. Even at this higher level, any investment of funds received from the public should be of a nonspeculative nature and in full contemplation of the intention of the donors.

Development Offices as non-profit organizations should not use their preferential tax position to compete unfairly in the commercial market place. The utilization of business equipment, computers, printing presses, mailing machinery, even office space directly or by sub-lease, unless the fees charged are similar or equal to those of competitive firms offering similar services, could provide grounds for the charge of unfair competition and jeopardize the tax status of the parent or founding organizations.

Stewardship Ill.

That appeals be marked by a dignity of nature, a clarity of language, and a validity of purpose in harmony with the highest Christian principles, stressing the Love of God as the motivation for giving.

Consideration should always be given to avoid undue conflict with other approved appeals. It must be recognized that saturation techniques can seriously affect other approved appeals. Efforts of this nature should be subject to the ecclesiastical regulations covering "public collection of funds".

In the event items of piety, religious cards or other promotional pieces are incorporated in any appeal, they shall be in good taste, presented as gifts without obligation or constraint of payment. In the broad sense, it is not feasible to attempt to define or prohibit the use of premiums or unsolicited merchandise in the raising of funds. It is reasonable, however, to discourage this general practice and to urge that other and less objectionable methods be employed. Most particularly, the sending of blessed articles should be restrained except in such instances where the article is utilized as a means of expressing appreciation for a prior gift.

Enrollments in Mass Associations, and Purgatorial Societies, and the use of Spiritual Bouquet cards are in keeping with Catholic tradition. However, numerical emphasis on Masses and other spiritual benefits is to be avoided.

Similarity of copy, art work, and general presentation is unavoidable in our closely related field of endeavor; however, the exact reproduction or evident imitation of the material of another organization by a member should be avoided.

Techniques IV.

That no member shall enter into any arrangement or contract involving payment in the form of a percentage or commission on funds raised.

Such an agreement may well work to the disadvantage of the religious organization in the long run and lead to many disputes between the organization and the commercial firm. An arrangement of this type ignores a fundamental truth of fund raising: in the final analysis, gifts are attracted by the merits of the organization and the people who are committed to it. Religious organizations who seek to enter such an agreement are motivated by false assumptions about how fund raising works, who will solicit the funds, and a deep-seated certainty that there is a quick and easy way to secure the sums they require.

Ethical Statement V.

That great prudence should be exercised in obtaining, maintaining and utilizing lists of names and addresses of present, prospective and past benefactors. Any written request that a name be removed from a mailing list should be honored. Such lists should at all times be within the full ownership and control of the fundraising entity.

Implementation VI

That procedures for resolving reported instances of non-compliance have been established by the NCDC Board of Directors and shall be utilized in situations that are in conflict with these Precepts of Stewardship.

Revised February, 1981

Principles and Guidelines
for Fund Raising in the United States
by Arch/Dioceses, Arch/Diocesan Agencies
and Religious Institutes

Adopted November 16, 1977

These principles and guidelines reflect a shared concern on the part of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men that all fund-raising efforts within the Catholic Church should reflect Christian motivation.

They have been developed collaboratively by the three Conferences and approved by them. Widespread consultation with the members of the three groups, as well as within the fund-raising community, was part of the process.

Promulgated by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the principles and guidelines apply to fund raising not only by dioceses and diocesan institutions but also by religious institutes. This is in line with the declaration of the apostolic letter of Pope Paul VI concerning implementation of Vatican 11's Christus Dominus (the Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church), that: "The Episcopal conference of any country can, after consultation with the interested religious superiors, establish norms for seeking alms which must be observed by all religious." (Ecclesiae Sanctae, 27)

These guidelines have been developed through collaborative effort of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in response to a mutual concern that Christian motivation be expressed in all fund-raising efforts of the Catholic Church.

STEWARDSHIP

Christian stewardship is the practical realization that everything we have is a gift from God. Stewardship expresses itself as an integral force in Christian life by motivating us to share our goods with others. We are absolute owners of nothing; rather, we are stewards of all we receive and we must use such resources responsibly, in our lifelong work of building up the kingdom of God.

For men and women especially committed to building up the kingdom of God, stewardship heightens an awareness of responsibilities in matters of material concern no less than in spiritual endeavor.

We are particularly conscious of the sacred relationship of trust that is established when we, in God's name and for His work, ask others for financial support. Our obligation in stewardship mandates a fitting proportion between the importance of the work to be funded and the magnitude and cost of fund raising.

Requests for support besides being truthful and forthright must be made on a theologically sound basis and should always be in good taste to strive to lift the hearts and minds of men and women to a greater love of God and neighbor.

Stewardship Guidelines

1. The fund-raising appeal should be directed toward motivating the faithful to participate in apostolic works in fulfillment of their responsibility to share with others.

2. No organization should ask the faithful to fund its total and absolute security. Nor should an organization engage in fund-raising efforts for undefined future needs.

3. The trust relationship between donor and fund-raiser requires that funds collected be used for the intended purpose and not be absorbed by excessive fund-raising costs.

4. Appeals for funds must be straightforward and honest, respectful, and based on sound theological principles. The donor must be informed how the donated funds will be used and assured that the funds given are used for the purpose intended and that restrictions stated by the donor will be observed.

RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY

Effective stewardship recognizes the role of authority. All religious authority comes from God and is exercised in faith, in His name. Religious authority promotes and regularizes the building of the kingdom of God, ever attentive to God's glory and the enhancement of humanity's condition.

Approbation by religious authority is required to authenticate and sanction an endeavor conducted under the aegis of God's Church. On a functional level we recognize in this authority the principle of subsidiary which, without diminishing the responsibility of ultimate authority, makes possible a more fruitful kingdom through the promotion of initiative and self-control.

All who collect funds under Catholic auspices, consequently, must have the approval of appropriate church authority. This authorization must be clear and explicit because the Church's integrity relies upon that authority as responsible for the method and scope of fund raising, for the faithful disposition of the monies collected, and for the prevention of abuses.

Religious Authority Guidelines

1. Religious institutes and diocesan agencies should observe those prescriptions of Canon Law and their own regulations which require approval of major superiors and/or the Ordinary of the place to solicit funds.

2. The approval of fund raising by proper authority should express the purpose for which the funds are raised and the methods to be used in raising them. Effective control of fund-raising programs should be maintained through periodic review and, where necessary, appropriate sanction.

3. Religious or diocesan agencies may not proceed in the collection of funds by public subscription without the consent of the Ordinaries of those places where the funds are collected (see note below).

4. Major superiors of religious institutes should, as a moral duty, provide the Ordinary of the place where the fund raising originates with significant information about the fund-raising programs and the apostolates they support.

NOTE: See Apostolic Letter, Ecclesiae Sanctae, August 6,1966, No. 27(2). Some canonists regard "public subscription" as an appeal for donors to contribute toward a stated purpose on the implied condition that others will contribute to the same cause. The appeal is "public" not because it may be directed to a widespread audience, as are some mail campaigns, but because of attendant circumstances, such as endorsements by church and civil officials, with notable publicity.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The very nature of religious fund raising places the fundraisers, viewed here particularly as the responsible religious organizations seeking the funds, in special relationships of accountability: to God in whose name they ask, to the Church whom they represent, to those whom they serve and to the benefactors whose partners they are in this apostolic work. The relationship between fundraiser and benefactor goes far beyond the transfer of money. The fundraiser must recognize that giving as an expression of religion has a sacramental nature and is in itself an apostolic activity.

As every person is accountable to God for his or her stewardship, fundraisers are accountable to the donor for the disposition of monies received. As a first step, this accountability demands that funds be used for the causes promoted, always respecting the specified wishes of the donor. Furthermore, fundraisers should make available to donors an appropriate report of significant financial aspects and the apostolic dimensions of the endeavor to which they have contributed.

Accountability Guidelines

1. Accountability requires the fundraiser to provide timely reports on the extent to which promises expressed or implied in the solicitation of funds have been fulfilled.

2. Fund-raising reports should be prepared in scope and design to meet the particular concerns of those to whom reports are due: namely, the governing body and membership of the fundraising organization itself, religious authorities who approved and must monitor the fund-raising effort, donors to the particular organization and the giving public at large, and those who are beneficiaries of the funds given.

3. Fund-raising reports should provide both financial information and a review of the apostolic work for which the funds were raised. The availability of these reports to benefactors on a regular basis or on reasonable request should be publicized.

4. Fund-raising organizations should provide their governing bodies with an annual audit prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, where size warrants, by a certified public accountant.

5. All financial reports of a fundraiser should be consistent with the annual audit. At minimum, a fundraiser's report, regardless of scope, should set forth the amount of money collected, the cost of conducting the fund-raising effort, and the amount and use of the funds disbursed.

6. Donations should be acknowledged with promptness; reasonable requests from donors for information about their particular gift should be met.

TECHNIQUE

Technique as a toll of stewardship can promote effectiveness and guard against the weakness of our human condition. Fundraisers should utilize the management technique of internal controls in administrative practice. Exclusive authority over all aspects of fund raising should not be vested in any single person. Separation of such financial functions of fund raising as collection, allocation and accounting, is essential for internal control.

Adherence to legal requirements and respect for professional guidelines are fundamental to sound management of the fund-raising function. There are as many ways of raising funds as there are many and far-reaching apostolates to be funded. Each fund-raising method has its own specialized purpose and technique. But responsible and effective fundraising methodology should never drown out the voice of the Spirit of God that must permeate our total efforts. The raising of funds for gospel works is indeed a vocation and a grace working hand in hand with the direct ministry for which the funds are raised.

Technique Guidelines

1. Funds beyond operating expenses should not be accumulated by a fund-raising office, but should be turned over at regular intervals to the appropriate allocating office of the organization.

2. Fund-raising authority and investment authority should not be vested in any single person.

3. Special care should be taken to see that ethical business relationships are maintained by fundraisers with suppliers of goods and service.

4. Contracts between a religious fundraiser and commercial suppliers and consultants should insure that control over materials, designs, money and general operations remain fully in the hands of the religious fundraiser.

5. In no case should agreement be made which directly or indirectly base payment either to the commercial firm or to the religious fundraiser on a percentage basis.

6. Requests for funds should not be associated with material objects which are inconsistent with the apostolic purposes of the appeal.

Implementation Guidelines

1. Local ordinaries and major superiors, within their respective jurisdiction, should exercise control over fund-raising activities to achieve conformity with these guidelines- Particularly in response to formal complaints, legitimate authority should be prompt to investigate charges and remedy abuses, even to the point, when necessary, of terminating a fund-raising program.

2. In virtue of their endorsement of these guidelines, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men agree to assist their respective constituencies in achieving appropriate control of fund-raising activities and in obtaining effective sanction for abuses. Accordingly, each Conference will, through its President:

(a) promulgate these guidelines and other suitable norms for responsible fund raising.

(b) help correct abuses through cooperative efforts with the responsible authorities.

c) a meeting of the Presidents of the three Conferences (NCCB, LCWR, CMSM), to collaborate on further actions should an abuse on the part of a members of these constituencies not be resolved by that member's responsible authority.

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