U.S.VETS GIFT ACCEPTANCE POLICY

U.S.VETS, a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of California, encourages the solicitation and acceptance of gifts for purposes that help the organization further and fulfill its mission.

U.S.VETS staff and supporters solicit outright and deferred gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations to secure the future growth and mission of U.S.VETS. U.S.VETS’ Board of Directors and staff have a fiduciary duty to assure that U.S.VETS’ assets are used efficiently and protected from potential liabilities and diversion to purposes other than those that further U.S.VETS mission.

This policy serves to provide guidelines for the acceptance and stewardship of gifts, and applies to all gifts received by U.S.VETS for any of its programs or services. Gifts cannot be accepted if they interfere with the mission, purpose or procedures of U.S.VETS. We encourage donors to contact us directly with any questions regarding this policy.

In all matters involving current and prospective donors, the interest of the donor is important to U.S.VETS. Key principles include safeguarding the confidentiality of the donor relationship; providing full disclosure to the donor; and ensuring that gifts are recorded, allocated, and used according to the donor intent and designation.

POLICY ADMINISTRATION

  1. The Gift Acceptance Committee
    1. Whenever the term “Gift Acceptance Committee” is referred to in this policy, at a minimum, it consists of the following individuals:
      1. President of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Development, and General Counsel.
    2. The Gift Acceptance Committee is charged with the following responsibilities:
      1. Reviewing this policy on an annual basis;
      2. Recommending any changes to this policy to the Board of Directors;
      3. Determining when legal counsel is required for the review of a gift;
      4. Determining when an independent appraisal is required for a gift;
      5. Approving exceptions to this policy; and
      6. Other appropriate matters that relate to the acceptance of gifts.

LEGAL & ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

    1. It is in the policy of U.S.VETS to comply with Internal Revenue Service reporting requirements and all other aspects of state and federal tax law applicable to any gift.
    2. All gifts shall be made to U.S.VETS, not to individual staff members, Board of Directors members or veterans. It is the responsibility of every staff member or Board of Directors member soliciting a gift to bring proposed gifts that are subject to this policy to the Gift Acceptance Committee prior to accepting the gift.
    3. U.S.VETS cannot give accounting, tax, or legal advice but will work closely with the donor and the donor’s advisors. U.S.VETS strongly encourages all donors to consult with independent advisors. It is the donor’s responsibility to seek the assistance of legal and financial professionals in matters relating to their gifts and the resulting tax and estate planning consequences.
    4. Where appropriate, U.S.VETS seeks the advice of legal counsel in matters relating to the acceptance of gifts that involve contracts, assumption of obligation or any fiduciary capacity, potential conflict of interest, and any other instances in which legal counsel is deemed appropriate.
    5. E. In situations where advisors retained by U.S.VETS prepare documents or render advice in any form to U.S.VETS, the professional involved is acting for U.S.VETS and is not acting on behalf of the donor in any documents or other advice rendered. The documents should be reviewed by the donor’s counsel prior to the completion of the gift(s).

Conflict of Interest and Related Party Transactions

  1. Any real or potential “Conflict of Interest” and/or “Related Party Transaction” and any other interested matter must be addressed in accordance with the terms of this policy. Any Conflict of Interest and/or Related Party Transaction, or any other interested matter, authorized in a manner that is materially inconsistent with the terms of this policy may be subsequently rendered void or voidable by the Board of Directors, excluding any Directors with an interest in the subject transaction or matter.
    1. A “Conflict of Interest” references any transaction, agreement or any other arrangement, between U.S.VETS and another individual or entity that confers a direct, substantial benefit to any Related Party, as defined herein. At all times, U.S.VETS employees, members of the Board of Directors, and other volunteers are to avoid conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest exists whenever a U.S.VETS employee or immediate family member of a U.S.VETS employee has a formal relationship with an actual or prospective donor or has a material interest in an entity that is an actual or potential vendor to U.S.VETS.
    2. A “Related Party Transaction” references any transaction, agreement or other arrangement in which a related party has a financial interest, and in which U.S.VETS, or any Affiliate, is a participant. A “Related Party” is defined as any Officer; Director; Key Employee; Founder of U.S.VETS; Individual who has made substantial monetary contributions to U.S.VETS; Relative of an Officer, Director, Key Employee, Founder or substantial contributor; partnership, professional corporation or corporate entity where an Officer, Director or Key Employee, or a Relative thereof, directly or indirectly, has an ownership interest or serves as an officer, director, trustee, key employee, partner, or equivalent thereof. The assessment of, and any determination concerning, any Related Party Transaction, must be considered in strict compliance with the adopted policies and procedures of U.S.VETS
  2. All U.S.VETS employees are to avoid acts of actual impropriety as well as acts that create the appearance of impropriety. Therefore, employees are discouraged from serving as the executor, administrator, or trustee of any will or trust in which U.S.VETS is named as a beneficiary regardless of the date of the dispositive document.
  3. U.S.VETS does not pay fees to any person as consideration for directing a gift to U.S.VETS.
  4. U.S.VETS does not pay commissions or percentages associated with negotiation and acceptance of any form of gift.
  5. In accordance with the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Code of Ethical Principles & Standards of Professional Practice, no fundraiser is compensated based on a percentage of funds raised or on a contingent basis. Non-exempt fundraisers in the employ of U.S.VETS are compensated based on the number of hours worked. Independent contractors and consultants are compensated on a project basis.