Donor Rights

Statement of Principles for Donors’ Rights

The Board of United Way Canada - Centraide Canada (UWC-CC) approved in principle in December 1994, the following statement of principles for donors’ rights. The intent of this document is to provide a consistent statement for United Ways- Centraides (UWs-Cs) across the country and the use of this document by UWs-Cs is optional. 


The donor participates in the very essence of UW-C’s mission and purpose, exercises rights, prerogatives and fundamental privileges that must be recognized at all times and without reservation. These rights, prerogatives and privileges are as follows:


  1. The right to be informed of  UW-C’s mission and purpose and to become a member of the organization if the donor so wishes;
  2. The right to know the identity of UW-C’s officers and members of the Board of Directors and to expect that they act with the greatest transparency, integrity and discernment in implementing UW-C’s mission and purpose for the best interests of the community;
  3. The right to have access to UW-C’s annual financial statements and to easily obtain a copy.
  4. The right to know how donations, directly or indirectly contributed to UW-C’s, are distributed and to be assured that donated funds are used as intended by the donor;
  5. The right to be treated with consideration and respect by UW-C’s and to receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition;
  6. The right to confidentiality regarding personal information about donors and facts about their donations;
  7. The right to expect that all relationships between UW-C’s representatives and the donor will be professional in nature.
  8. The right to be informed of the exact nature of the relationship which exists between fundraisers and UW-C’s;
  9. The right to expect that UW-C’s will not share or sell a mailing list which includes the donor’s name without providing the donor with a meaningful opportunity to decline;
  10. The right to ask questions of UW-C’s and to expect prompt, truthful and complete answers in an easy-to-understand manner.
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