HomeAbout UsImpactGrantsHow You Can HelpContact UsGENERAL POLICIES
1. Protection of Donors' Interests: The Portland Women's Foundation (hereafter "Foundation") and its representatives shall always consider the interests of the donors in planning gifts. This shall include, but not be limited to, the donor's financial situation and philanthropic interests, as well as any tax or other legal matters discovered by our representatives while planning for a gift. A donor shall not be encouraged to make a gift which is inappropriate, in light of the donor's personal or financial situation and shall be advised if a gift proposed by another party is contrary to this policy. A donor can expect the representatives of the Foundation to reflect the dignity and respect the mission and core values of the Foundation.
2. Confidentiality of Information: Information gathered by any representative of the Foundation about a donor or the donor's assets or philanthropic intentions shall be held in strict confidence. Donors will be encouraged to notify the Foundation of their planned gifts, including bequests, and all such information will be kept confidential unless written permission to release it is obtained from the donor or his/her counsel. Information on all current and proposed gifts will be kept in confidential files in the care of the Foundation officers.
3. Legal Counsel: Each prospective donor shall be urged to seek the advice of independent legal counsel in matters pertaining to planned gifts. It is not within the duties of the Foundation or its representatives to give legal, accounting, tax or other advice; this is reserved for donor's counsel.
4. Authority for Negotiation: Only the current Executive Committee members of the Foundation shall have authority to negotiate planned gift arrangements with prospective donors. All gifts shall be approved by a vote of the full Foundation board.
5. Use of Gifts: Unless otherwise directed by the donor, gifts will become part of the Foundation's unrestricted endowment fund. These funds may, at the discretion of the Foundation board, be used for any of the charitable purposes of the Foundation. Alternatively, donors may direct the Foundation to add their gifts to the current year's available pool of funds to be given in grants.
6. Restricted Gifts: The Foundation may not accept restricted gifts at this time.
7. Foundation Services: No person representing the Foundation may accept any compensation or material benefit from a donor as a result of the gift planning process. No finder's fee or other fee, directly or indirectly, will be paid for the referral of a gift to the Foundation. Brokerage fees or commissions on sales of securities and ongoing investment fees are not considered finder's fees.
8. Amendments and Review: These policy guidelines may be amended by the Foundation Board of Directors at any time. The Board shall review these guidelines not less frequently than every three years.
TYPES OF ACCEPTABLE GIFTS
1. Outright Gift: This is the most preferred gift form because of the immediacy of its usefulness in the work of the Foundation. Outright gifts should always be encouraged first when possible. Outright gifts may take the form of cash or gifts of marketable securities.
2. Bequests: Gifts made by will are encouraged and accepted as provided in these policies. Bequests may take the form of cash or bequests of marketable securities.
3. Donor Advised Funds or other Pooled Arrangements: The Foundation may accept gifts that come through a donor advised fund or other pooled arrangement (rather than directly from a donor). Such gifts may take the form of cash or gifts of marketable securities.
4. Trusts and Other Types of Gifts: The Foundation may accept gifts of cash or marketable securities that come through charitable lead or remainder trusts or planned gift arrangements, such as a charitable gift annuity. At this time, the Foundation is not able to serve as trustee or administrator of any such arrangements, however.
5. Life Insurance: A donor may give a paid up life insurance policy to the Foundation, naming the Foundation as both the owner and irrevocable beneficiary. The Foundation may not accept a life insurance policy that is not paid up or that may require additional premiums in the future to remain in force. The Foundation reserves the right to sell the policy to investment companies for viatical settlements, when appropriate.
OTHER
1. Real Property: At this time, the Foundation is not able to accept gifts of real property due to the unique requirements and expense such a gift would entail. Nor can the Foundation accept remainder interests in a personal residence or farm.
GIFT GUIDELINES
1. Receipt of Gifts: Any gifts of cash or marketable securities received by the Foundation shall immediately be deposited into the Foundation's brokerage account at Charles Schwab.
2. Sale of Securities: Gifts of marketable securities shall be evaluated by the Foundation's investment advisors, who shall have discretion as to whether or not the asset shall be sold or held in the Foundation account.
3. Gift Acknowledgment: All gifts to the Foundation shall be acknowledged in writing to the donor immediately upon receipt of the gift or a notice of bequest. Donors will also be recognized at the annual Foundation meeting, unless the donor requests anonymity.