AFP expands ethical code

This hit the wires yesterday:

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has expanded its Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice, the only enforced ethical code for fundraisers in the world, to apply to for-profit businesses involved in fundraising.

The changes, which include the addition of seven new standards and the alteration of one standard, now allows for-profit businesses to join AFP as members and actively promote ethical and efficient fundraising.

AFP has traditionally been an individual-based membership association and represents more than 29,000 charitable fundraisers around the world. However, the tremendous growth of fundraising has led to the creation of numerous for- profit businesses working in the charitable sector, making it imperative for ethical standards to be promulgated beyond just those individuals who directly raise funds.

When I asked a couple friends last night what impact they felt this change would make... the first reaction I got was, "well... this should make it easier for AFP to grow their membership rolls for sure!"

You can go here to see seven of the new standards.