Effective Date:
This Fundraising & Donor Accountability Policy (“Policy”) is adopted by the Co-Founders of Walking With Alex Foundation (“Foundation”) to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance with applicable nonprofit laws.
ARTICLE I – PURPOSE
The purpose of this Policy is to:
1. Maintain the trust of donors, sponsors, and the public;
2. Ensure all fundraising activities align with the Foundation’s mission;
3. Protect donor intent;
4. Promote ethical fundraising practices;
5. Strengthen the Foundation’s eligibility for grants and charitable contributions.
ARTICLE II – USE OF FUNDS
2.1 Mission Alignment. All funds raised shall be used solely to support the Foundation’s mission of providing therapy and support for children in Lebanon and Armenia diagnosed with autism.
2.2 Restricted Funds. If a donor specifies a restriction (e.g., “for therapy scholarships” or “for equipment”), those funds will be tracked separately and used only for that purpose.
2.3 Unrestricted Funds. General donations without restrictions may be applied toward operations, fundraising, events, or other mission-related activities.
ARTICLE III – TRANSPARENCY
3.1 Financial Records. Accurate records of all donations, grants, and expenditures will be maintained.
3.2 Annual Reporting. The Foundation shall prepare and publish an Annual Report summarizing donations received, funds spent, and impact achieved. This report will be available to donors and the public upon request.
3.3 Donor Access. Donors may request reasonable information regarding the use of their contributions.
ARTICLE IV – DONOR COMMUNICATIONS
4.1 Acknowledgment of Gifts. All donations shall be acknowledged promptly with a written receipt that complies with IRS requirements.
4.2 Impact Updates. Donors will be provided periodic updates through newsletters, emails, or reports, describing how funds were used and the outcomes achieved.
4.3 Privacy Protection. Donor information shall remain confidential and shall not be sold, rented, or shared with outside parties, except as required by law.
ARTICLE V – ETHICAL FUNDRAISING
5.1 Honesty and Integrity. All fundraising communications shall be truthful and not misleading.
5.2 Professional Conduct. The Foundation shall follow best practices in nonprofit fundraising, consistent with IRS regulations, California charitable trust laws, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethics.
5.3 Conflicts of Interest. Neither co-founder nor any representative of the Foundation shall personally benefit from donor contributions beyond reasonable compensation permitted under California law.
ARTICLE VI – GRANTS & SPONSORSHIPS
6.1 Compliance. All grant funds will be managed in accordance with grant agreements and reporting obligations.
6.2 Documentation. Records of grant expenditures and program results will be maintained and made available to funders as required.
ARTICLE VII – OVERSIGHT & ENFORCEMENT
7.1 Shared Oversight. Both co-founders shall have equal access to financial records and equal authority to oversee fundraising and expenditures.
7.2 Corrective Measures. Any misuse of funds or violation of this Policy shall be promptly corrected and reported to the appropriate authorities, if necessary.
7.3 Review. This Policy shall be reviewed annually and updated as needed.
7.4 Attorney Recommendation. Given the fact that Nina Garayan is an attorney and considering that this agreement has been drafted by her, it is highly recommended that Carol Ghanem have another attorney review this agreement and advise her on its terms before signing
Adopted and Agreed by the Co-Founders on the date written above:
Carol Ghanem
Nina Garayan
