The ethics of asking

de Deni Elliott

A college development officer is offered a generous gift by a donor whose identity would embarrass the institution. Should the development officer accept? A volunteer lies about his level of giving, but classmates believe him and match his "gift." Should donors be told the truth? A development officer must explain to a donor the difference between naming an endowed chair and selecting the person to fill the chair. Where is the line between reasonable donor expectations and intrusion? These hypothetical situations are very much like real life situations that college and university development officers sometimes encounter. Under increasing pressure to compete for limited resources, these administrators may find themselves tempted to cut ethical corners in order to deliver a major gift that will enhance the mission of their institution. In The Ethics of Asking, Deni Elliott and her co-authors offer practical guidance for those who must be able to recognize these difficult situations and "do the right thing" when confronted with them. As higher education administrators of all sorts are being called upon to identify prospective donors and approach them for gifts, the information and advice contained in The Ethics of Asking will be of interest to a broad audience of academic professionals. It can also serve as a guide for donors who wonder what's reasonable for them to expect from fund raisers. The authors' discussion of ethical issues in fund-raising campaigns and employment will appeal to professionals outside the university as well.