The St. Simons Land Trust honors the privacy and confidentiality of its supporters and does not share philanthropic information with other organizations or individuals. We are privileged to live and work within a profoundly generous community, where both residents and visitors believe in our mission and share our vision of creating and maintaining a culture of conservation on St. Simons Island.
We adhere strictly to the Donor Bill of Rights listed below, we are transparent in all transactions, and we are always pleased to share information regarding the Land Trust’s financial statements, annual operating budget, number of donors, size of staff, and how tax-deductible contributions are allocated and managed. As a community institution, we commit to using all membership dollars, capital campaign contributions, legacy gifts, tribute gifts, grants, and in-kind support prudently and transparently and in the advancement of board-approved mission and goals. If you have any questions regarding the use of philanthropic funds, please contact Emily Ellison, executive director, at 912-638-9109 or emellison@sslt.org. Thank you!
“Every dollar makes a difference. And that’s true whether its’ Warren Buffet’s remarkable $31 Billion pledge to the Gates Foundation or my late father’s $25 check to the NAACP.”
–Michael Bloomberg
THE DONOR BILL OF RIGHTS
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:
- To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
- To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
- To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
- To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
- To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
- To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
- To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
- To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
- To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
- To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
Developed by the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel (AAFRC), Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and adopted in November 1993.
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.
–Maya Angelou