CPJ Gift Acceptance Guidelines

The Committee to Protect Journalists is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose
mission is to promote press freedom worldwide. CPJ relies solely on contributions from
individuals, corporations and foundations to carry out its critical work.

Donations to CPJ must be consonant with the organization’s stated mission, purposes
and priorities. CPJ may decline gifts from donors whose activities run counter to its
values and risk undermining public confidence in its integrity and independence. Such
decisions are made at the discretion of the president and development director in
accordance with policies set by the board.

Corporations wishing to help underwrite CPJ’s work are strongly encouraged to
channel their financial support through the organization’s annual International Press
Freedom Awards Dinner to discourage the perception that such support influences CPJ
or its activities.

CPJ does not accept funding from governments, government entities or government
programs unless such support is nominal (example: food served at an event). CPJ may
accept support from government-funded media organizations, provided they operate
with independence. In such cases, funding will not be used for general operations but
will be segregated into the Emergency Response Fund and distributed to journalists in
need by CPJ’s Journalist Assistance program.

CPJ accepts anonymous donations subject to the approval of the executive director
and head of development. The executive director and head of development are
encouraged to verify the identities of anonymous donors while keeping the information
confidential and closely held. Anonymous donations made through reputable
donor-advised will be considered verified.

As a general policy, CPJ does not return donations once they have been made.
Exceptions sought by the president are subject to board approval.

Donations from a single entity or donor should not comprise more than 10% of the
total budget of CPJ, absent approval of the finance committee.

CPJ’s Development Committee should periodically review donations and may render
judgments on the advisability of accepting gifts or whether to consider exceptions to
these Gift Acceptance Guidelines. At its discretion, CPJ’s Board of Directors, which
bears ultimate fiduciary responsibility for the organization, may make a final
determination on whether to accept or decline a gift.