The Wayne E. Oates Institute is a Connected Learning Community exploring spirituality and health as a way to advance integrative care for the whole person. The Oates Institute is a non-profit educational organization made up of caregivers from the medical, spiritual and counseling communities providing a forum for joining together as an interdisciplinary dialogue toward understanding the relationship between spirituality and the healing process.

Donor Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the Wayne E. Oates Institute and causes that they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have the following rights:

I. To be informed of the Wayne E. Oates Institute’s mission, of the way our organization intends to use donated resources, and of our capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the Wayne E. Oates Institute’s governing board and its staff, and to expect prudent judgment in their stewardship responsibilities.

III. To have access to the Wayne E. Oates Institute’s most recent financial statements.

IV. To be assured your gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

V. To receive timely appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.

VI. To be assured that information about your donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.

VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing our organization will be professional in nature.

VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the Wayne E. Oates Institute or hired solicitors.

IX. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.