SUPPORTER RELATIONS POLICY

RAICES endeavors to provide outstanding supporter service and to facilitate streamlined contribution processes that maximize impact. The Supporter Relations Policy applies to any individual or entity that wishes to engage in philanthropic support of the vision, mission, and values of RAICES. The policy has been developed in alignment with the Donor Bill of Rights created by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits.

Accountability
Reporting: RAICES supporters are entitled to an accurate accounting of how contributions are applied and receive periodic stewardship information and reports, totaling three (3) times per year at minimum.

Supporters receive updates on RAICES philanthropic efforts that are appropriate by type of giving or appeal, time of reporting, uses of gifts, and related topics. Reports may be written, verbal, and / or electronic and include quantitative and quantitative impact data.

Stewardship: Active supporters at the $2,500 level and above are assigned to a gift officer for customized stewardship and reporting in accordance with contribution agreements, if relevant. Additional inquiries are referred to donations@raicestexas.org.

RAICES representatives outside of the Office of Development collaborate with the Vice President of Development in supporter engagement.

Restrictions: Contributions are applied in accordance to the terms for which they were solicited.

If the expressed use of a contribution is not able to be reasonably fulfilled due to changing circumstances, RAICES will work to accommodate the supporter’s interests in a reasonable manner. If a supporter requests the return of a contribution for these reasons, the supporter must contact the Vice President of Development to determine options that are in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Financial Transparency: RAICES makes information regarding its mission, governing board, financial status, and related topics publicly accessible. Audited Financial Statements and Form 990s are publicly accessible on the RAICES Financials Page.

State Compliance: RAICES makes best efforts to achieve and maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations governing the solicitation of charitable contributions in all 50 of the United States and the District of Columbia.

Contribution Terms
Definition: A contribution occurs when a supporter provides cash or surrenders control of an asset to RAICES, including but not limited to common stock, IRA qualified charitable distributions, cryptocurrency, and bequests.

Refusal: RAICES does not accept contributions that may result in losing its status as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization; entail foreseeable consequences that may limit its ability to achieve its mission; or are restricted for purposes outside its mission. Decisions on contribution restrictions, including acceptance or refusal, are made by the Chief External Affairs Officer in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer.

Fiscal Year Compliance: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that supporters count charitable gifts in the year those gifts are made. To comply with requirements, RAICES credits gifts in the year they are received. Gifts must be made by 11:59 pm on December 31, postmarked by that date, or in the case of an asset such as appreciated stock, control must be surrendered by that date. RAICES will not postdate gifts that do not meet the IRS requirements.

Pledges: A pledge is recorded when a supporter makes a written commitment to give a specific amount; verbal pledges must be confirmed with written documentation. Pledges unpaid as of December 31 are reconciled with the RAICES Finance Department as “Contributions Receivable” in accordance with accrual accounting standards.

Acknowledgment: Supporters receive accurate, timely digital and / or hardcopy gift acknowledgments that are suitable for tax purposes, including tax-identification number. Written acknowledgments include the following statement, applicable to all contributions:

RAICES, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit with federal tax identification number 74-2436920. Information is accurate to the best of the organization’s knowledge. Please consult your tax advisor to determine deductibility of your charitable contributions.

Benefits: At this time, RAICES does not provide gifts or services with a Fair Market Value (FMV). No quid pro quo is allowed for a contribution. As per RAICES’ publicly accessible Gift Acceptance Policy, linked on the footer of the RAICES website, RAICES never takes public positions in exchange for contributions and reserves the right to amplify contributor actions, policies, and procedures that negatively impact migrant communities.

Recurring Gifts: Supporters have the option to make recurring contributions. To change or stop a recurring commitment, supporters are asked to email donations@raicestexas.org. If a recurring commitment was made in error, supporters are entitled to a refund of one (1) installment using the refund policy below.

Refunds: Contributions to RAICES are nonrefundable. However, if a supporter has made an error in making a contribution to RAICES, refund requests made within 30 days of a contribution and submitted to donations@raicestexas.org are assessed on a case by case basis. Approved refunds are returned using the original method of payment.

Contributions are otherwise non-refundable, but please contact us if you have made an error in making your contribution to the RAICES. Refunds are returned using the original method of payment. If you made your contribution by credit card, your refund would be credited to that same credit card. We can honor your request for a refund made within 30 days of your contribution. To request a refund, please forward your confirmation of contribution with your request to donations@raicestexas.org.

Supporters have the option to give recurring donations. To change or stop your recurring giving, please email donations@raicestexas.org. Using the guidelines of the refund policy above, we will be able to refund the contribution of one (1) prior installment only.

Recognition and Privacy
Public Listings: RAICES does not currently publish comprehensive supporter listings.

Recognition Rights: Supporters may receive recognition for giving that is appropriate for the gift and independently negotiated as part of a contribution agreement.

Anonymity: Supporter requests for anonymity will be respected and remain anonymous in external communications. Please note that RAICES may be compelled to detail select contributions on Schedule B of the Form 990 in accordance with IRS regulations; Schedule B is redacted from copies made available for public inspection.

Privacy: For information regarding supporter privacy, please see RAICES’ publicly accessible Privacy Policy and Donor Privacy Policy.

Responsibility
Oversight: RAICES’ External Affairs department is responsible for ensuring the Supporter Relations Policy’s standards, compliance, and implementation.

Relationship Termination: If there is reason to believe that a relationship may result in RAICES losing its status as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and / or entail foreseeable consequences that may limit its ability to achieve its mission, RAICES reserves the right to terminate at its discretion a relationship with a supporter. Decisions are made by the Chief External Affairs Officer in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, and must be communicated to the supporter in writing.

RAICES reserves the right to update its Supporter Relations Policy as necessary and in compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations.