Kartemquin Films

Kartemquin Educational Films (aka, Kartemquin Films) solicits and accepts gifts that are consistent with its mission and core values, and that support its operations, films and programs. Sparking democracy through documentary since 1966, Kartemquin is a collaborative community that empowers documentary makers who create stories that foster a more engaged and just society.

Kartemquin accepts both restricted as well as unrestricted gifts providing that donor restrictions do not significantly diminish the value of the gift. However, unrestricted gifts of cash or negotiable securities are the forms of donor commitment that will have the greatest impact on Kartemquin.

Gifts to Kartemquin should be made in the name of Kartemquin Educational Films, and can be made online (preferred) or mailed to Kartemquin Films, 1901 W. Wellington Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657. The following forms of gifts are accepted:

• Cash
• Pledges/Recurring payments
• Matching gifts
• Stocks and securities
• Deferred/planned gifts or bequests
• Insurance policies

Requests for donor anonymity will be honored.

Kartemquin Board and leadership holds the right to discuss and examine donations offered from individuals, organizations, or companies that have shown evidence of racist, discriminatory practices or predatory actions and hold the right to decline donations. Factors which we may consider include, but are not limited to:

• Primary Benefit: The primary benefit of the gift must be Kartemquin, whether it is for operations, programs and/or special projects.
• Values: Does the acceptance of the gift compromise any of Kartemquin’s core values?
• Consistency: Is acceptance of the gift consistent with Kartemquin’s mission and with prior practice?
• Compatibility: Is there compatibility between the intent of the donor and Kartemquin’s use of the gift?
• Public relations: What impact does the gift have on the reputation of Kartemquin, if any?
• Form of gift: Is the gift offered in a form that is readily available for Kartemquin to use without incurring substantial financial or time expense and without taking on excessive administrative burden?
• Effect on future giving: Will the gift encourage (or discourage) future gifts?

Direct gifts of cash are accepted by credit card, check, ACH or wire transfer. If the gift is to be directed towards a specific program or film, this must be included in the gift instructions. All gifts will be acknowledged with a letter confirming tax-deductibility, which should be saved by the donor for tax records. Letters will be emailed no later than 2-4 weeks from the date of the gift completion. If a replacement letter is needed, donors can email development@kartemquin.com.

For information on donating via ACH or wire transfer, please contact development@kartemquin.com.

Multi-year pledges are accepted by Kartemquin Films, and must be made in writing. All pledges should commit to a fixed payment schedule.

Automatic recurring payments can also be arranged in weekly, monthly or annual intervals on kartemquin.org or by contacting the Development team at development@kartemquin.com.

Kartemquin welcomes matching gifts and is happy to provide necessary information to complete a company’s matching requirements. Please contact us at development@kartemquin.com with questions.

Matching gifts will be acknowledged and recorded upon final receipt of funds.

Publicly traded and marketable securities can be accepted by Kartemquin. Gifts of unrestricted stock must be sold upon receipt by Kartemquin or its authorized broker. The donor will be asked to pay expenses related to lifting any restrictions on stocks.

Bequest intentions, commitments of unpaid insurance policies, and other revocable deferred gifts will be recorded as “future” expectancies by Kartemquin at the value established in writing by the donor through a bequest intention form, a deferred pledge agreement, a contract to make a will, a letter, or a copy of appropriate sections of the will or of the insurance or trust document, etc. Such revocable gift commitments will be reported, credited and recognized, subject to the donor’s specific request and intent, only when the funds are irrevocably committed to the Library or when the gift matures.

Kartemquin will accept gifts of life insurance policies. Donors are encouraged to name Kartemquin Educational Films as the owner, beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of the policy. Gifts will be recorded at the time funds are irrevocable.

In accordance with the standards established by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Kartemquin adheres to the following 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 not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

1. To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
3. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
5. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
6. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), all rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.

The following sources were consulted in the development of this Gift Acceptance Policy:

Chicago Scholars Foundation: Gift Acceptance Policy

Community-Centric Fundraising Gift Acceptance Template

Evanston Public Library: Gift Acceptance Policy

United Way of New York City: Gift Acceptance Policy