Principles for Ethical Online Fundraising Platforms

Gwinnett County, GA (June 24, 2026) – Today, Gwinnett Coalition joined the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN), the nation’s largest network of nonprofits, to champion a new set of national principles designed to guide ethical online fundraising platforms and protect the integrity of charitable giving.

To help safeguard local charities and the generous donors who support them, NCN and its network of state and regional associations developed a set of core guidelines to ensure and prioritize four key pillars: nonprofit consent, transparency, partnership, and accountability.

“Nonprofits depend on transparency and trust, and when online fundraising platforms operate unethically, sometimes counter to state or local laws, they risk undermining the public integrity nonprofits have worked so hard to develop,” stated Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. “These actions harm the very nonprofits that online fundraising platforms seek to support while creating frustration and confusion among donors, and diverting resources intended for communities and causes.”

Too often, online fundraising platforms operate in unethical ways at the expense of charitable organizations and donors alike. Across the U.S., hundreds of platforms operate with very little oversight or accountability, and with the rapid advance of AI, more are coming online each year.

“Gwinnett Coalition is committed to strengthening the nonprofit sector and advocating for the organizations that serve our community every day,” said Renee Byrd-Lewis, president and CEO of Gwinnett Coalition. “Nonprofits depend on transparency and trust to fulfill their missions, and these principles help ensure online fundraising platforms operate as true partners to charitable organizations. By promoting accountability and ethical fundraising practices, we can help protect donors, strengthen nonprofits, and maximize community impact.”

Many of these platforms collect donations for nonprofits, generating millions of dollars in fees and tips in the process, completely without the nonprofits’ knowledge or consent. Some platforms use incorrect and outdated information that compromises and misrepresents a nonprofit’s brand, mission, strategy, and message. Others charge donors hidden fees or set excessive platform “tips” as the default, taking a large bite out of every donation. Furthermore, these platforms frequently insert themselves between charities and donors, making it harder for nonprofits to nurture and sustain long-term relationships with their supporters.

Endorse the principles or read more about the Principles for Ethical Online Fundraising Platforms on NCN’s website.