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Trust is at core of stewardship
July 17, 1996; Canadian FundRaiser

Major donors have their priorities in place, so agencies seeking support must also be able to articulate the role their organization plays in attempting to make this world a better place to live. Peter E. Bjerland, Vice President, Development, Lutherwood Child and Family Foundation argues that agencies must address the issue of stewardship of resources, especially when promoting planned giving opportunities. Speaking at the recent Orchestrating Opportunities symposium presented by the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, he pointed out that "We are all stewards in one sense or another. The manner in which we fulfill our stewardship responsibilities will determine, in great part, how successful we become in our own career path."
According to Bjerland, time, talent and treasure are the priceless commodities of our lives. We must practice faithful stewardship of these resources to acquire the good life we so strongly desire, and this same principle is the focal point of good philanthropic practices. Bjerland's recipe for a development officer to be a good steward:

Comply with all federal, provincial or regional laws

Avoid or otherwise disclose all potential conflicts of interest

Be compensated by a salary or contractual fee agreement, not based on a percentage of charitable gifts secured

Maintain and encourage high levels of professional competence

Portray accurately the institutional mission in all communications

Deal charitably, fairly, and honestly with other professionals and organizations

Maintain confidentiality in handling donor and prospective donor records

Offer public recognition and appreciation for a gift only after the donor has granted permission

Present professional qualifications and experiences accurately to prospective donors and employees

Ensure accurate use of designated gifts, optimal management of all solicited funds, and truthful reporting

Give full value of your time and talents to your employer

Make a regular and appropriate financial contribution to your agency.

Donors becoming increasingly selective
"There are countless good causes to occupy a potential donor's consideration," said Bjerland. "As fundraising campaigns multiply, donors become increasingly selective about who is to receive the available charitable dollars. Agencies must be able not only to articulate their competency in managing their resources but also to clearly display their ability to respect the generosity of the donor." Stewardship responsibilities of the agency, he said, include to:

Produce and adhere to a mission statement that identifies the unique service provided to the community

Identify the achievements of the agency and its history as a way of displaying reliability

Produce appropriate financial statements showing fiscal responsibility

Articulate community needs that will be addressed through the donors' generosity

Communicate with the donor as to how previous contributions have benefited the community

Maintain all records with appropriate regard for confidentiality

Comply with all regulatory reporting to legislative bodies

Provide information on the key individuals responsible for the organization

Provide support and appropriate compensation to personnel.
Individuals the stewards of community resources
Said Bjerland, "Donors represent various constituents. Individuals, groups, organizations, auxiliaries, corporations and foundations all form part of a charity's donor base. But, regardless of the community segment they represent, donors are ultimately represented by people." Individuals make the final decision on how charitable dollars are distributed, and individuals are the stewards of all resources directed toward the well-being of the community.
The bottom line: people who carry the responsibility of supporting philanthropic ventures must be responsible to ensure that their grants support the philosophical views of the organization; to determine that the agency seeking support has a reliable reputation in the community; to establish the trustworthiness of the leaders of the agency being considered; to identify how the donating organization will be recognized for its generosity; to insist on a method of accountability to ensure the donation has been used according to the intent of the contribution; and with respect to deferred gifts, to ensure that the agency is established and will be viable in the community for years to come.
"The most critical aspect of fundraising," said Bjerland, "is the manner in which relationships are developed and maintained. In that regard, trust is the key ingredient. If you want to be trusted with philanthropic dollars, you must show that you are worthy and your agency respectable. A steward is entrusted with the responsibility of managing resources. Your donors, your agency and your community will recognize the manner in which you fulfill that duty."