Washington, DC --December 15, 2003—Today, The ePhilanthropy Foundation launched its online Code of Ethics Self Test. The Self Test is a Web-based tool that helps charitable organizations adhere to sound ethical online fundraising and other philanthropic practices. According to the Foundation’s president, Ted Hart, launching the Ethics Self Test during the holiday season made sense, given the increase in online charitable giving. “This is a critical step in maintaining donor confidence,” Hart emphasized. “More and more donors are using the Internet to give to charity and they need to be confident that the charities they support are aspiring to the highest online standards.”
The Self Test is available for anyone to take at http://ephilanthropy.org/selftest. It poses 15 simple questions that, when answered, provide an instantaneous report, identifying areas of strengths and weaknesses as applied against the ePhilanthropy Code of Ethics also available online at the Foundation’s web site at http://ephilanthropy.org/ethics In addition to the report the Foundation's web site provides extensive expert advice and Internet links providing tips, training and best practices for improving online donor relations, fundraising, and advocacy.
Hart continued saying that Self Test provides an important and timely tool because the field of ePhilanthropy is so new that even the most respected philanthropic organizations and organizations may not be fully aware of all the principles to help ensure ethical online fundraising practices.
“We believe the Code of Ethics Self Test will encourage nonprofits and businesses engaged in on line fundraising to apply the Code to improve their online fundraising and public awareness practices,” said Steve Delfin, chairman of the board of trustees for The ePhilanthropy Foundation and director of community relations for Booz Allen Hamilton. “As an advocate of ePhilanthropy, we believe that the Self Test launch marks an exciting contribution to the field and will empower organizations to increase donor confidence in the efficiency and ethics of online giving.”
As a leader in the emerging and dynamic field of online philanthropic fundraising, the ePhilanthropy Foundation developed the first Code of Ethics for online charitable giving, which can be found in English, French, and Spanish on the organization’s Web site. The Code has been endorsed by Charitywatch.org and Charitynavigator.org, two industry watchdog groups, and The Association of Health Care Philanthropy. The Foundation’s newest tool, the Code of Ethics Self-Test, now empowers organizations to tangibly apply the Code and assess their practices.
The ePhilanthropy Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded by a coalition of nonprofit and for profit organizations dedicated to fostering the secure, private and ethical use of the Internet for philanthropic purposes. Based in Washington, D.C., the Foundation provides educational services via conferences and seminars, eLearning courses, and printed articles and books. With an international board of 34 volunteer trustees from leading non-profit and private sector organizations, the Foundation works in partnership with individuals, corporations, government bodies, associations, foundations, and organizations. The ePhilanthropy Foundation has provided online and offline educational services to more than 3,000 individuals representing over 1,200 organizations located throughout North America, Australia, UK, and South Africa.
