[cefriedman]

How much information on donors are nonprofits required to give board members?

[JudyKayTee]

Can you give me an example of what the Board wants to know?

[cefriedman]

I have a board president who is requiring the name of an anonymous donor that specifically requested to remain anonymous to everyone, board included, with the exception of myself and my artistic director as the donor had spoken to him first about a possible donation. I go by the donor bill of rights (AFP) and the ethics profiled on AFP's website.

Never in the past has the board requested who an anonymous donor is, just the amount of donations received by how many donors. None of the other boards members want this information nor feel that they need it. The donor is questioning any further donations at this time due to the board president.

[AK lawyer]

I have a board president who is requiring ...
None of the other boards members want this information nor feel that they need it. ...

Corporate boards of directors, including boards of non-profit corporations, may only act by a majority vote. Any one member of the board, president-or-not, has no individual power or authority except as may be provided in the by-laws or, in the case of the president, to run the meetings of the board.

If the president desires this information, he would have to ask the board to vote on the issue. If the board votes to see this information, then and only then you (exective director or other officer of the organization, I assume) should give it to the board.

The donor was being unfair to you to ask you to keep information from the board. The board is the corporation and, as such, can fire you if it desires.